Pages

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Busy, Busy, Busy




 
This is what I wake to most mornings,
esp. in the fall when the temperatures are changing.
The sun is just rising.
I wish I could make it a "scratch and sniff" picture,
so you could smell the salt air, too!
 
When I was a little girl, maybe 8 years old, I read a book
about a little girl who was obsessed with saving time.  The
story was about how she would do little things like wait
to tie her shoes until she was on the bus, saving those little
snippets of time to accomplish something else in the grander
scheme of daily life. 

I wish I could remember the name of the book. 
It's right on the tip of my tongue.  I think of her
all the time, because that is what my life has become now that
time is going by faster and faster.  This morning, I found myself
saying, "If I put my socks and shoes on while I wait for my toast
to pop up...."

I haven't been blogging, or birding, or backpacking.  But,
I have been busy, busy, busy....sewing. 
I'm negligent about taking pictures of my creations.
It's when they are gone that I remember.
 
But I remembered to snap a quick shot of this lovely table topper,
found in the Fall 2012 issue of BHG's Quilts and More, before sending it off to my
daughter for her birthday.
 
 
You know how it goes - "Mom, I liked the picture
on the cover, so I bought you the magazine."-
she so appreciates what I make for her
that she always gets what she asks for,
or in this case, insinuates!
 
It's time to make Christmas gifts, before my migration.
It usually takes me a month to find my way to Texas,
and then it's almost Christmas, so it has
to be done now, or not at all.
 
During every migration, I spend time
with the most delightful family of 12 children.
I've always wanted to make each one a little something,
but sewing for so many at once seemed like a daunting task.
Well, this year I bit the bullet.
 

 
Valori Wells has a sweet little wallet pattern
that whips up quickly,
and is a great stash buster.

 
So,  one for each of the girls, ranging in age from 3 to 21,

 
and a lined, zippered boxy pouch
for the one boy, born right in the middle.
Nola, from Just Ramblin' had sent me an assortment
of fat quarters for Christmas last year,
and this basketball fabric was perfect!
 
These are just a few of the many projects
that have kept me off the computer of late,
but I wanted to show one more before I get back to the machine.
 
A few weeks ago, a friend showed up with this little brown paper bag
full of not quite 1" strips.  "Want these?" she asked.
Not to hurt her feelings, I said that I'd just love them,
but I wasn't quite sure what to do with them.

 
Here's a little peek showing what I've done with them so far.
It's kind of fun to do!
 
Have a great day!
~karen
 
 
 
 
 
 

25 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

well, that opening scene is just gorgeous! and you have been very busy sewing! good for you!

Sheila said...

What a great scene to wake up to , wow that is a gorgeous photo Karen!! Love your little purses and the boxey pouch is just perfect for a young boy. I think you are making great use of the 1" strips , love it!! I bet your daughter loved her table topper , it is so lovely , you do beautiful work :-)

Beertje Zonn said...

The table topper,little wallet and you Quilt block are beautiful!
Greetings, Sonnja

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

you have been busy haven't you! And here I thought I was just about the only one to come from a family of 12 children :) lot's of fun - not very many toys!
You have a good time now on your trek back to Texas - guess you will be starting out soon - Maine first to see your family there?

Terry said...

I love that first picture! And I love the little topper you made for your daughter too! It's so pretty! :0)

grammie g said...

Hi Karen... What a gorgeous sight to wake to yes scratch and sniff would be lovely!
I don't know the book but I can relate,because I go one the times when I get put out with myself, and try to make up by using the tactic of I can do this while I do that and etc..!!
Your sewing projects are wonderful, and will and should be much appreciated by there recipients!!
I need to make something that will be easy to use to protect my cell phone since I hit it on something while is my purse, and when I pulled it out the glass was cracked across the bottom !! Wasn't happy since it is a windows phone Nokia Lumia 820 ..oh ya it had tons off stuff on it! It would come on but nothing else worked grrr any suggestions for a protective sack or something!!
I have a new one fingers crossed!!

Grace

Montanagirl said...

That scenic photo is gorgeous! You're a busy girl with all that sewing to be done!

hetty said...

What a lovely photo of your serene sunrise! You certainly have been busy.

Sondra said...

tha one gorgeous scene to enjoy everyday no wonder you're in a hurry to put on your shoes and get at it...
your projects are beautiful! I know everyone is going to be so Happy to receive one!
I'm checking my mail everyday;o)

Lesley said...

A lovely view to wake up to! You have some wonderful projects here. Your embroidered topper for your daughter is so sweet with those perfect little stitcheries! And all those gifts for that family are perfect! Love the selection of little wallets!

Fiona said...

ooh... you have been busy and I love all the purses and the table topper.... you know I find I do things to try and save a few seconds.. but only when you related it I realised that was what I did too!!!
have fun with your strips....
Hugz

Paula, the quilter said...

Don't you just love the smaller, quicker to finish projects? That first photo is just beautiful.

Lois Evensen said...

That first image is incredible!

Linda Reeder said...

You do such beautiful work. What you just whip up would take me days.

Roy Norris said...

That is an amazing image to wake up to Karen.

Carrie P. said...

i can almost smell the salty air. gorgeous photo and what a great view to wake up to each morning. I have noticed time flying by faster as I get older too.
Those little pouches you made for the kids are great.
Very nice table topper too.
Strings quilts are fun.

Just Ramblin' said...

If I had that beautiful view out my window, I would never get a thing done. How lucky you are to have it and be in such a beautiful area. Love the little wallets. They will be so loved and the boxy puouch for the boy is great. So glad you could finally find a use for the fabric. I love the fall table topper. Need to dig through my magazines and see if I have that. I have been looking for some small design to do for Christmas. Have you seen any that would work in hexies? How fun to use up all those small strips. Can't wait to see how you finish them off. Enjoy sewing and that gorgeous view. Nola

Ash said...

Wow you have been so busy....that first photo is just so beautiful, for the first time in ages it almost made me want to pick up my paintbrush!!! I've just been saying to enjoy the autumn too...isn't it just such a special time of the year. Best wishes.

Barb said...

If you pass through San Antonio or Atlanta, TX...give me a buzzzz

Abby and Stephanie said...

What a gorgeous view -- so serene. I can imagine the gifts for the children will be appreciated. A very wise use of your time -- sewing and not computing. :o) I need to do more of that.

Carli The Quilter said...

Love you opening scene, I'd love to live there! Also your lovely stories kept me hanging on to every sentence, magic girl!

Maria said...

That is a beautiful view Karen.. I find I also try to do things to save time.
Those purses and boys ouch are great.
Look forward to seeing the finished project made of those wee strips.

Anonymous said...

I too wish it was scratch and sniff, it looks so lovely. I have always wanted to live by the water but never had the opportunity. The wallets are cute.
smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

FlourishingPalms said...

You're SO giving! I can't believe the wonderful assortment of pieces you're making. I have no doubt your daughter loves the hexagon table topper, and those little wallets are adorable, as is the boxy bag. Such cute things! Thanks for sharing the links to all of them too.

Carla said...

I thought my view was nice but yours is really nice. ;o)
I too have finally got back into the sewing mode. A quilt retreat does that to one.
I like your table topper too