Sunset - June 2, 2020

Sunset - June 2, 2020

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Preparations...smeparations...

This summer at Taylorsoutback has been filled with many busy hours...the usual maintenance, gardening and most fun of all...summer visitors. We have bid our guests farewell until next time and are now preparing for our own vacation. Do you sometimes feel that getting ready is so much more work than necessary? On a recent post at Susan Branch's blog, she described a visit to our beloved Jane Austen's home. I immediately became attached to a quote left by Jane -
"Why not seize the pleasure at once? How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation..."

Lists upon lists - what to pack in the RV, don't forget this or that...clean out the frig, clean the house, laundry, vet checks, doctor and dentist appointments out of the way, take care of the plants, the lawn, who will pick the beans...and on and on...A running joke at our house as we pull out of the driveway - "did you pack my underwear?" I have never lived that one down - Mr. Outback was not amused at a week away under those forgetful circumstances. Do you know how hard it is to find new underwear in the northwoods?? So, some preparation is obviously necessary...


I just couldn't go without deciding which little quilting projects will make the journey with me. After a day's driving, once we settle in at a campground for the night and take a muscle stretching walk, there is usually time for stitching. What shall it be? Hand quilting on the Cherry Tree project?
Some fun crayon coloring and embroidery with this...
Do you see the DOTS lunch box? I love DOTS candy - Barb over at Fun With Barb shared an extra one she had - now it is filled with flosses...what fun!

Perhaps a stitch or two on a Blackbird Design Home Sweet Home block (ok - I couldn't wait...just had to start another applique project)
or another little portable project...and a thank you to Janet over at Quiltsalott for sharing this new (to me) Australian designer...Brigitte Giblin. Isn't this purse just the sweetest thing ever?  Brigitte has the downloadable pattern available on her website...

1/2" hexies to make - and using the glue basting pen by Sewline, really speeds things up. My friend, Connie, told me about this after seeing a demo at Paducah. 

Well - I always take way more than could ever be accomplished, but having a tote packed with goodies gives me a sense of comfort and security. And this will be a vacation after all...time to enjoy days filled with endless possibilities....as long as I don't forget the underwear...

Will be posting along the way - WI-FI permitting...

Enjoy these quickly passing summer days...




15 comments:

  1. It would be hard to choose one from all the fun projects you are working on.

    Wishing you perfect weather, and lots of fun on your fabulous vacation.

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  2. Safe travels. You have lots to choose from. The joke at guild was "you know you're a quilter when it takes you hours to pack all your projects and 15 minutes to throw some clothes in a bag"

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  3. Have a great holiday Pat. Just have to tell you that I downloaded that purse pattern too...!! Even though I have a serious aversion to hexagons (scarred in the late 70's when that's all there was here!). Kate at Empty Field has just finished it too and I like the idea of making it a little bag for my sewing stuff while travelling......
    Lizzie
    xxx

    Oh yes, I hate lists too but I can't go away from home without making at least two or three.. :o)

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  4. How exciting - hopefully Alaska looms in your future - to visit those wonderful kids. I also love having choices to take along, and it seems you have just the right choices. If you do not get to them - only means you are having a wonderful time visiting. It is not the destination, but definitely the journey. I loved that Jane Austen quote. Safe travels, Pat. Judy C

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  5. Well, if you don't forget the underwear, I think you are well prepared with all your projects. I love your work on the Home Sweet Home. I have a completed top and was thinking of handquilting it, but now it may get machine quilted as it has been sitting around way too long. Can't wait to see more of yours. Have a wonderful time on your va-cay and hope you check in often.

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  6. Sometimes I've felt that the preparations were more than the holiday was worth - but that was mostly when the kids were young and it was a mammoth undertaking to get out of the driveway. I think that there must be a lot to do getting ready to drive out in a big rig. I hope you're able to relax and enjoy your holiday and all the little projects!

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  7. Have a great trip Pat!
    Looking forward to reports from the road. You have wonderful projects to take along. The quilting looks great and oh my are those hexies little! cute purse

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  8. Preparation is really good when it comes to quilting though. You have some fabulous things on the go, it's so nice to see snippets of your hand quilting and other goodies. I love that tin Barba sent you.
    Have a wonderful holiday.

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  9. Have a great trip and a lovely visit with Dave and Jenna!
    Chris

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  10. When i took my 21 day trip to the west coast I took several things and never worked on a thing, but it is good to be prepared. Most times when I go on vacation I do work on the stuff I bring. Have a great and safe trip.

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  11. Have a wonderful time, TO. If you should happen down this way, we would get you to the underwear store. I think I forgot my makeup once. The running joke with that was I would scare the young children if I was without my makeup! Have a great time. Don't worry about us. We'll be here when you get back! xxoo Nancy

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  12. How do you take the hexes off the template if they are glued on?

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  13. Oh have fun, dear lady! All those possibilities to create something beautiful. I have a tendency to pack too much too. I'll look forward to seeing what you made on your vacation.

    ps I liked Jane A's sentiments overly preparing!

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  14. lovely hexa purse !! And have a wonderful holiday !!

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  15. Ahhhh, "summer afternoons, summer afternoons: to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." Henry James

    YOU have some summer afternoons coming on soon.

    Yes, it is difficult to pack and get your home ready, but so worth it. I am getting ready for my journey to Minnesota to give a talk, then on to my beloved cottage in Maine. HURRAH!!

    Love to you,

    Sharon

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