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Tuesday, July 14, 2015

If Wishes Were Horses...



....then beggars would be kings!
And I'd accomplish a whole lot more than I do!

Last summer, it finally dawned on me
that I just can't make everything I see!
Others seem to.
They make time to create their own designs and patterns, too.
AND have awesome blogs.

*sigh*

What I have created, though, is quite a lengthy Wish List.
On Pinterest.  On Craftsy.  In my trusty little notebook.
On slips of paper that clutter the counter then get lost in the shuffle.
And still, I forget where I saw what.

My most recent wish list consists of several lengths of backing fabric.
I found a great source.
And it has a great name!  One I won't forget!


I've recently done a little business with Christine
and it has been a delightful experience.
She advertises 100% customer satisfaction,
and she means it!
I hope you'll take the opportunity to visit BackSide Fabrics
and peruse her wares.  She's having a sale right now,
as a matter of fact!  Perhaps you'll find the perfect backing 
for your next quilt like I did!

I'd share more from my wishlist,
if I could just remember....

In the meantime, I plug away at both my machines,
doing the best I can.
I'm pokey, no doubt about it.
(When I was in my 40's and tooling about with my dad,
he used to tell me that I'm the only person he knows
that's slower than his 80 year old mother!
It kind of blows my mind that I'm the same age now
that he was then!)

I wish I could sew like Jenny Doan
and never have to stop to square anything up,
and have everything seem to fit together perfectly.

I wish we could load a whole spool of thread into the bobbin casing
and never run out of bobbin thread.

Anyway,
This morning I'm building zebra ears.


Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts
designed the cutest zebra quilt.


THEN she posted a tutorial on how to make just one.


I made it and I was hooked.
I keep it next to me for reference.
Hmmm, takes a lot longer to make 16 zebras than to make one!
But, they are fun, fun, fun!

I'm working on a couple of other projects at the same time
as my zebra ears, but no pics, I'm afraid.

Hope you're working on something fun today, too.

Since today is all about wishing,
my wish for you is to have a wonderful day!
~karen





25 comments:

Linda said...

Well, you sound just like me. Yes, it takes time to do everything we want to do and you have to have the time to do it all....Don't get discouraged, you do great work. I can't wait to see your 16 zebras, you have a great day and a great week too and I hope you get lots done.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the zebra quilt is cute. Looks like it was a fun project to make. Enjoy your day!

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

I get my backings from BackSide fabrics also - love her stuff.

Simone de Klerk said...

Thanks for the link! And what an awfully cute zebra quilt. Have fun making it.
Please stay yourself and don't wish to be someone else, even though I really do understand ;-) how much more could we get done then!

Sondra said...

I think everyone has a longer than life wish list I sure do...I used to day dream of a way to retrofit my walking foot machine with an endless bobbin...never happened! Love your little Zebra I can see it could work for a donkey too.

Lynette said...

Heee, Karen! Yep - there are those handful of quilters who accomplish astonishing amounts of sewing, networking, blogging, and fun stuff on top of that. They must be able to function on something ridiculous like 3 hours of sleep every night. ;D I do love watching their doings, but I long ago learned to be at peace with my much slower pace than theirs. I simply cannot function on less than a regular 8 hours, and I do have other things I want to do during my days. I'm happy with it being about the process, and as long as I have some sort of forward motion toward finishes, I'm happy. I don't need 400 items finished per year to feel worth something - I need to have peaceful enjoyment of my work time. I love watching your workings as another normal person out there. :D You do the cutest things - these zebras are fantastic, and they are on my own lonnnnnng and probably never really tapped Wish List. I'm looking forward to watching more of your zebras emerge!

hetty said...

I can empathize. I feel the same way. That zebra quilt is adorable. I have wanted to start it for a while now, but I have too many other projects to finish at the moment. Can't wait to see yours when you have 16 zebras done.

Fiona said...

those Zebra's are adorable.... I think we always think we are doing less than we should... it's a girl thing!!!
Hugz

Linda Reeder said...

I don't think pruning holly hedges counts as fun, but it's great when it's done!

Julia D @ Jada's Quilting Adventures said...

The zebra looks gorgeous! I don't think the list will ever end. Even if we take off one project, we always seem to tack on another three for that one removed. Just keep creating what makes you happy :)

Roy Norris said...

That is a great name Karen, anyway you are good at creating Wish lists.{:)) I thought you were 40.

Margaret said...

Not to worry about productivity--it's all about the joy and the planning. It's hard to make dozens of quilts when there is no home waiting to receive them. I bet your zebras will be beautiful when you're done.

Sheila said...

Great post Karen and we all have those long lists that seem to never get done . I am loving your zebras , too cute , can't put it on my list though , it is too long ;-)

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Me too...I want to make everything. And there's so many great projects out there to do. Zebras are on my list.

Createology said...

I adore your well written post of Wishes. Now that is a very cute Zebra block and I love the pink ears. One of my best reminders to stay steady at my own pace is..."It takes as long as it takes!" Wednesday Wishes to you dear...

Linda said...

That's part of our addiction...we must make everything we see! Thanks for the link to Backside Fabrics. I had not heard of this online shop before. Your zebra is so cute! I would love to put this on my list.

Teresa in Music City said...

Oh boy, I'm right there with you girlfriend!!!! I have a serious case of Quilter's ADD - I want to make something new that I've seen online every day! I'm glad you decided to make the zebras though - they are adorable!!!!!

Vickie said...

I'm addicted, just like you, I see a quilt, print the instructions, punch holes in it, staple it, put it in a notebook, then when my notebook gets to full I throw away the ones that are 10 years old, then go get them out of the trash because I MIGHT make it someday and go get another notebook ! And now I'll have to go make just one zebra.....THANKS ALOT ! LOL Going now to check out the Backside !

DeniseinVA said...

Oh I love that last little creation. I understand on all the other :)

Barb said...

You always do wonderful creations....

Carrie P. said...

the zebra quilt is so cute. love your block.
oh, for more hours in a day and to not be so slow but your know what? Quilting is not a race and we are supposed to have fun. If we are racing all the time that isn't fun. So be slow and enjoy the moment. Have a great week.

Karen Ackva said...

HI Karen!!

You do some pretty amazing things and don't look a gift horse in the mouth. ;-) I think we all wonder how some of those super women do everything...four+ kids, husband, full-time job, time for sports AND hobby! Time for friendships is more important, don't you think!?

Hugs, Karen

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful the horse, and everyone who put up superb images.

Just Ramblin' said...

Love the zebra's. They are so cute. I am am always in awe of all the things you do. I, too, am amazed at how much some quilters seem to accomplish and I've decided it is because they have nanny's, housekeepers, bookkeepers, personal shoppers,etc, But, you really do accomplish a lot. Just enjoy what you do. Thanks for sharing the website. I will have to check it out. Nola

FlourishingPalms said...

I've shopped at Backside Fabrics in the past, so I know that's a go-to place for wide backings. Now, my wish is that I'd do better about keeping up with blog reading! This is an interesting and insightful post, Karen.