When the dust settles...

It has been a real busy few weeks. My Son-on-loan, who arrived before I took off for Scout camp, took off for the states a week ago.

Son, Jon and his family flew in on the 26th of June, right after my return from camp and, from then on until they left last Friday, there was a full schedule.

We started off with lots of family time ... mostly over meals.
Our first and last were at a local soba-ya, but in between there was a lunch with my SIL and her family on the top of the tall ku-office building. a huge gathering of extended family celebrating Jon's birthday and the graduation of twin cousins.


The kids were taken to lots of basic sight-seeing places, made a trip to Lake Nojiri (a place we had spent bits of many summers) where they biked around the lake in the rain, and the Great Buddha in Kamakura where they hiked a long pilgrim's trail in the mud. (Well, that is what you get in a week of rain) .

Because Nikko is in a decline and needs to be walked at regular intervals, I did not accompany many of these trips.

Staying close to home, I was able to finish off these two table runners or banners to be presented to the two retiring staff of our church.

This one will go to our receptionist.

The 27 yellow petals, made of 27 different fabrics represent her years on the job.

The heart shaped leaves show our love.

The 27 flower print blocks in the  border represent those members who have come and gone over those years.

I ended up quilting the background with a "Karakusa" vine design. This is a popular symbol of longevity and prosperity owing to its strength and perpetual growth.

I look at it as if that vine binds us all together.

The second one will go to the secretary after 25 years of service.

Basically they are alike ... though the border florals are different.

The batting I selected was something that came from a friend and I have no idea what it is. It resembles a light felt and could be cotton.
I chose it because the piece was just the size of the two runners but once I began the quilting, I quickly regretted my choice. It was quite difficult to quilt through and get small stitches. It is certainly something I would not recommend for hand-quilting. Maybe I am spoiled from my continual use of thinsulate.

When I see batting sold in stores, it is always packed in plastic and there is no way of knowing how it will work.
I see on facebook there are always people asking for advice and some of the recommendations from some people are criticised by others so it would be rather impossible to find the right one without spending money on something that might work like this one.

I really become rather anxious when given projects that contain deadlines and feel quite relieved when, like these two, I can turn them over as finished.

The next deadline on my list was my block for the partnership quilt,

due by the end of this month.

The theme is my favorite animal.

Well, Nikko might be a bit disappointed in this one, but considering my relationship with owls, I had to use this.

The Ohio cardinal who has been a part of each block over the years wanted to be in the block and he brought along a friend to celebrate.

Actually, in real life, two male cardinals would be attacking each other so the owl is a good distraction.
Next walk with Nikko will be to the post office to get this in the mail and I am glad to cross that off my list.

Saturday I was able to move my english lesson to the morning so I could attend a concert.

Actually it was a recital that included my granddaughter, Leia, playing the harp.
She played a number of selections with skill and grace.
I am amazed how harpists can keep up the rhythm while continually reaching up to flip levers to change the pitch.
It sure makes a piano look a lot simpler.

Here she is, perched on the edge of a high chair where her feet don't even reach the floor.
Her lovely outfit was made specially for the occasion by her talented grandmother. (the one who knows how to use a machine)

Just look at the lace on that top!  I am completely in awe of both the musician and her dressmaker.

It was a lovely afternoon and Nikko was kind enough to wait until I returned home to take her potty break.

And ....

I have to add one picture of the first blooms from the bulbs that came to me from Norie on Mother's day.

These are on the east side of the house that gets more sun and the first of multiple bulbs to bloom. Usually I miss out getting pictures of blooms. There is still one to open and another plant to the left.

Those to the west will probably be a bit later. I rather like that they do not compete for attention but seem to bloom one-at-a-time.


So now I am back on schedule, working on the baby quilt with plenty of time to spare. The house is quiet again and most of the dog hair is in the entryway, as Nikko is now limited in access to the house. As she keeps walking in small circles, the tile floor is large enough, cool, and easier to wash than wood flooring.

So ... now for a quick walk to the PO before the rain sets in again ...