Fairy Tales, they come true, it could happen to you....

Today my dad drove 4 hours to bring me a piano. Tomorrow he'll drive 4 hours back again.

I have the best dad in the world :)

I have wanted a piano for a really long time. My dad found this beauty on Freecycle, and today drove it to me in the back of his truck. It's an oldie, from 1934, but with great sound. A good tuning and a little TLC and this old girl will be loved and enjoyed for many more years to come.

Katie has already taught herself to play 'Old McDonald' on it. I do believe we'll be taking lessons together.

Dreams do come true.

Mother Nature strikes again

I'm watching the rain pouring down outside.



Chose a heck of a week for vacation...

How I spent my summer vacation

I'm on vacation this week. We're enjoying a 'staycation', which is hardly a hardship given our great yard and pool. Today, day 1, we've played in the park, gone for a walk and swam in the pool, and I've worked on a placemat mini quilt.. Alas, the weather promises to be ookie most of the week...

The shower

The baby shower was today. In totally modern fashion it was co-ed, though neither C nor my father attended. The co-ed part wasn't as weird as I was expecting, though the men looked mostly uncomfortable when the party games began :)

But they liked the quilt :)

finished

I finished the quilt.

I finished sewing the binding on late last night. This evening I tossed it in the washing machine, on delicate, with woolite and a cup of salt (supposed to prevent colour bleed) and held my breath. It didn't disintegrate, which, I admit, I was really afraid of :)
Went through the washer and dryer beautifully, crinkled just
enough for a lovely effect and not so much that it became barbie sized. And despite every measuring error possible it came out a perfect square. Can't figure that out! Plus washing softened the cotton so now it's quite snuggly. It's machine pieced and quilted and hand bound. 40 inches square. Front is Moda's Oh Cherry Oh, back is a pale pink quilting cotton with a subtle white flower pattern, binding a solid bright pink.

I know I've blathered about this endlessly, but I am just so pleased
with it. It was a challenge, and I love the finished product so much!

Teacher gifts

End of year gifts for Princess and Wookie's teachers. Coffee cozies made using tutorial found here and simple matching fabric coasters. Inside the Starbucks cups are, naturally, Starbucks gift cards. 'cause that's what teachers really want isn't it?

My aching shoulders!

So I have the little baby quilt top sandwiched, basted and on my machine. It's the first time I've tried to stipple anything bigger than a doll quilt and holy guacamole is it hard on the arms and shoulders! I'm going to have some serious 'guns' when I finish! 1.5 hours and I've only finished about 10%, I'm starting to worry that I won't have it done by the 26th...

the days drift by

I can't believe I haven't blogged in two weeks. I'm here, but the weather has been pretty, and there are gardens to weed, garage sales to peruse, games of flatball to be played, baby quilts to be made, life to be lived.

School is almost over for the year and the bits are anxious to be done. I'll be taking a couple of weeks of precious holiday time at the beginning of July and I, too, am anxious for days of enjoying the sun and the pool and summer.

Rainbow cupcakes

Rainbow cupcakes to celebrate Jonah's official birthday today. 6 years old. I used the tutorial here and while it was time consuming I think it was worth it. Jonah was pleased.

Life in the capital

Around 1:00 today my office mates and I could hear a terrible ruckus coming from the street (bear in mind we're on the 5th floor and have thick office type unopenable windows). Between 3,000 and 4,000 forestry workers were marching up Metcalfe St towards Parliament Hill, chanting "Wake up Harper, Harper reveille" (which was quite catchy, I was chanting in my head half the afternoon). The 'parade' went on a loooooong time too, but was peaceful. Fun times downtown!

Pinwheels

I have until June 26 to finish this, a baby quilt for my niece-to-be. I was planning on having it 3 squares wide by 4 long, but now I'm thinking 4 x 4 might be better. A narrow (2-3 inch) border on all four sides, then bind it in... pink or aqua maybe? Fabric is Moda Oh Cherry Oh, I bought two charm packs, plenty for a crib quilt.