This and That

It's been a beautiful summer so far, which isn't really conducive to spending a lot of time sewing, but I have managed a few things in sewing world.  I was on hold for a while as my machine needed a tune up.  The repair guy actually took a before picture to prove how much lint and crud was blocking up the innards.  Oh shame on me, but it shows how much I use it.

First up, a Tula Pink fabric quilt for an imminent baby girl. (I do so love making baby quilts!) I pinned and sandwiched it yesterday, so the next rainy day, it will be good to go.

Next, a red/white quilt of delectable mountain blocks that was started last year, but never finished.  I found it languishing in a cupboard in one of my cleaning and purging sessions--the annual big garbage pickup is soon--always a stimulus.

I hated this quilt for a number of reasons, all of which were my fault.  First, I bought an new batting, thinking it would be nice and warm for winter.  When I got it home I realized that it was way too heavy and thick, but did I stop there? No, I basted and kept right on going.  Stupid, stupid! Then I wrestled that beast through my machine and found that my quilting scheme was also unworkable.  Ack! That's why it was bundled and hurled into a cupboard.

Anyway, I found it and decided to spend the afternoon on the porch, in the shade, unpicking the quilting. Four hours of snipping and listening to Radiolab podcasts later, it was done. So now I'm hesitating between making more blocks and continuing in the same plan or unpicking all the blocks too and making a different design altogether.  I think it needs to percolate in the back of my brain for a while.

My marathon porch session allowed me time to enjoy watching all the young birds being fed by their parents and laughing at my two baby squirrels that bicker and chase each other.  I think they were orphaned very young as they were tiny when they first appeared.  They're very tame, which isn't good, but we don't have cats and dogs any more, so why should they worry.

It's been a time of great joy here. Our daughter graduated from medical school and is now in Vancouver doing her residency.  The convocation was wonderful--McGill knows how to put on a show and E. was radiant all day.

After the ceremony we went to the Lachine Canal for a picnic and all obsessed with the newest member of the family.  Good thing we had enough quilts!

Our son also finished his degree and is now an engineer.  He didn't want to go to convocation, so I figure we celebrated them on the same day.  I'm so proud and happy for them both.