Saturday, January 30, 2016

It's been a while...

Just in case you've been wondering where I've been hiding and what I've been up to, let me bring you up to date.

First of all...and on the off chance that you're not aware of this...


GETTING OLD SUCKS!!!  

Our recent move just knocked me for a loop.

We had such a quick closing on our house which left us with less than a month to find a new place, pack up the old one, make all the arrangements affiliated with a move and then the actual move itself...eleven days before Christmas, I might add...and left me both physically and mentally exhausted.  Add to the mix the roller coaster of emotions when we found out that the house we were going to buy contained asbestos, leaving us in a total quandary as to where we were going to live.

Thanks to friends, we did find a new place...which, by the way, we both love...and the rest as they say, is history.

Then came the unpacking.  

The entire house was a piece of cake but my studio was an entirely different story.  Once we knew where we were going to be living, Mr. Painted Quilt graciously offered me the larger of the two bedrooms as my designated studio because he knew that ALL MY STUFF couldn't possibly be crammed into the smaller of the two bedrooms.  

Thankfully, everything fit in according to the plans that I had envisioned and it took me about a week to get everything situated.

Prior to the house selling and the subsequent move, I had made a commitment to Blank Quilting that I would have my second fabric collection in their hands by the end of January.  Mid January crept up on me, just like the fog rolling in from the sea, and I hadn't even started on the designs.  Even though the theme had been approved and the fact that I had several rough sketches done, I honestly came very close to cancelling my commitment, something I have never done in my entire life.

I was just too tired.

But all my life I have found that I always work best when under pressure.

I put my nose to the grindstone and once I started, the sketches turned into final artwork and I was able to meet my commitment.  The package arrived at the Blank Quilting offices in New York City this past Tuesday, a week before the promised deadline.  Their art department has been diligently working on them and since Wednesday, through emails, I have seen my designs come to life and I'm over-the-moon crazy about them!  

All I'm going to say at this point is that I've stepped totally out of my comfortable zone and proverbial box with this collection and I can't wait for you all to see it!
So now I can rest a little easier and take some time for myself which is what I've done this past week and will continue to do.

I've always wanted to try my hand at making some little "ditty" bags but due to my ZIPPER PHOBIA, I've made every excuse in the book to not even go so far as to pull the fabric to attempt them.

I finally took the proverbial bull by the horns and made not one, but two little bags! I'm really pleased with the way they turned out and I can see creating many more in the future.
Me and the zipper thing still aren't best buddies but at least now I'm not nearly as apprehensive as I was. Key word here is "nearly".

And this was the view out our back door this morning at about 8 a.m.


Pretty, huh?
I don't fancy going anywhere so what better time than to bring out the tote containing all my Brinton Hall supplies, a quilt that was featured in issues number 107 and 108 of Quiltmania that I started shortly before our house sold.

Here's the photo from the magazine of what the finished quilt looks like...
I love it!!!

Oh, and one last thing.  Have you received or purchased the lasted issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine?

My In the Garden of Eden project is in it!


Happy stitching!

18 comments:

Connie said...

Getting old does suck, but as they say, "it beats the alternative", LOL
We had lived in our home for thirty years, then two years ago this spring we bought a little fixer upper in the country and moved. We had things coming out of the attic, shed and closets that we had long forgotten about. It was so hard moving, that we plan to never do it again, until they carry us away :)
You have gotten me excited about your new designs and I'm looking forward to your reveal. It must be a thrill to see your designs turned to fabric. I would be on cloud nine :)
The snow looks beautiful, but oh so cold. I'm happy that you were able to just stay in and putter in your studio. We've all had our share of driving to work in that stuff . . . that is one of the blessing of retirement. I always have enough in the pantry to weather out any bad weather conditions. No more icy road driving for me.
Have a lovely weekend,
Connie :)

Lori said...

I think moving is what sucks! LOL Especially when you have to scramble at the end. I'm glad you seem to be settling in, Kaaren. May 2016 bring you many blessings and good health.

Lesley said...

What a time you've had, but what wonderful results! So glad you are now settled in and back to sewing. Congrats on mastering the zippers...the bags are great! Your quilt is going to be stunning, and congrats on your new fabric line! Your deck looks like mine today!

Janet O. said...

You just went through a major change and to have that deadline to meet immediately afterward didn't give you the time to adjust. Now you can finally take deep breaths and settle in.
Looking forward to seeing what you designed outside your comfort zone.
Congrats on your zipper victory. I'll admit that the zippers keep me from making little bags, too. I even bought a few bags from a blog friend to give as Christmas gifts.
I have to say that your first "snow" photo startled me. I had just come in from taking photos of our overnight snow and that one looked like one I had just taken--same deck railing, even. I'll have to send you a shot via email.

Nancy said...

Growing older is not high on my fun list either. And I've moved right before Christmas too and that rates down at the bottom of the fun list big time! Glad you are settled and you've met your deadline and now you have time to rest and have some fun in your new place!

Sandra said...

You went through quite the whirlwind there and I hope that you will soon be able to rest and relax and do more of what you want to do than need to do. Great job on the little bags. We are looking to move in the next few months. I don't look forward to that at all; at least not the part before one gets settled in. Until then I hope and dream of what my sewing room will be!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

That is funny! I was complaining to the Lord years ago about all the things I did not like that come along with getting older. His reply to me? There is a choice, you know.

I stopped complaining!

Glad you have gotten yourself mostly settled and your back door view is beautiful, but I'm glad there is sunshine and green outside mine!

Sharon said...

Getting old is better than not. But I hear what you are saying. Things move quicker than us some days, we don't bounce back as fast, more parts ache at the same time and when one part gets fixed, another one starts to act up. But good for you for making your deadline. That can be tough. Glad you are taking some time to sit and stitch, add a cup of tea and biscuits and life is good!

Janet said...

Looking forward to seeing your new fabric line ......the backdoor view looks just like ours when we lived in Bridgetown :)

Judy Hansen said...

I can so relate to your post, having just moved myself. I also am allergic to zippers. I am looking forward to your new fabrics.

Angie in SoCal said...

Glad you are settled and now can recoup. That does look lovely - those snow photos. Look forward to seeing your new fabric collection.

Leeanne said...

Glad you are back in the loop. Love the snow scenes............a bit different to our muggy hot summer here in New Zealand! Take care.

Maria said...

WOW! Selling and packing up and then buying and unpacking is a huge job for anyone....then on top of that you had a deadline to do. Sew pleased for you its all done and dusted and you can relax with some beautiful hand stitching. Just enjoy your gorgeous view....

gracie said...

Sounds like you are settling in okay. I am sure your new fabric designs are wonderful. Now do not get yourself run-down...be sure to rest.

Material Girl said...

There is a great free tutorial on Craftsyby Kristin Link that makes a zipper install so easy you will never worry again. It uses Elmers glue stick and is amazing. The class shows a zipper pouch in the photo. Try it! Yes, moving is hard and tiring!

T Holzer said...

Sounds like Mr. Paint is a prize!!! Again, please keep me in mind when your fabric line comes out as I want to buy it. Will it come out in Fat quarter bundles? Congrats on getting it done! Now you can rest a bit and get the wind back in your sail. Have a great day!

Wendy Caton Reed said...

Oh I am so happy to hear that all is going well now. I can't imagine how exhausted you must be. The thought of moving my sewing room(s) is daunting to say the least. I can't wait to see your new line!

Wilma said...

I just discovered your blog last week and am really enjoying it. I would like to know where you purchased the black fabric with the cherries that you used for the cosmetic bag. I have a two piece set in that fabric that I bought from Avon many years ago. The larger bag finally just disintegrated but the small bag is still usable. Is the fabric waterproof?

I've done some quilting on small projects and now am starting on larger quilts. I hope to make one for my granddaughter who is graduating from high school this spring. I have chosen a pattern using jelly rolls, so I don't think it will be too difficult.

I agree, getting old is not pleasant. My husband is 76 and I am 74. It seems our days are filled with doctor appointments. We have learned to be good nurses for each other. Just take your time, now that other things are done, and try not to worry about getting everything done quickly. Have a wonderful week.