This and that and a bit of progress

Favorite from my garden

Last Canada Day holiday I started on Dick and Jane quilt and had the top done and basted before going out to see the fireworks. Quilted, bound and handed off to mom by end of the month. This year Canada Day fell on a Wednesday so I took the Thursday and Friday to make super long weekend. I was hoping to get a lot of sewing time in and make dents on the girls quilts. It didn't happen. As usual, life got in the way. I knew there was no way I'd finish their tops by the end of the weekend but I would've loved to see a significant progress. I've been procrastinating on these long enough!

To say I got nothing done wouldn't be accurate -I just didn't get nearly as much accomplished as I was hoping. As you can see there are a few more Donuts done on R's quilt. They are taking alot longer than I expected. The blocks themselves aren't difficult. I think the issue is I'm trying to give variety as I go but really only need to get the blocks done then go back and layout as last steps. I think I need to find a better method. While working in the sewing area Chris and I watched The Honourable Woman. We weren't sure after ther first episode but we're both glad we continued on watching. What an incredible yet complex series.

Earlier in the week Chris made a template cut out of an old cutting mat for the flowers for M's. Using heatNbond these are coming together nicely.  Sizing looks off, but the flower blocks have a thin border that goes around each block that still needs to be added. My main singer with zig zag stitch is still having tension issues so Chris suggested pulling out his green Elna. Once I have all the flower blocks done I'll figure out which centers to use for each, then get that set up so I can go around all the edges.

Thats about it for sewing, but I have to tell you about our Cherry tree. Each year we are getting more and more cherries. It was so loaded with cherries this year the branches were bent under the weight. So far a full 4 Litre basket for my sister and 3 huge bowl fulls for my parents and we still have oodles more to pick.

Yesterday afternoon I took a quick trip to drop off the third bowl with the girls. Mom is making cherry pies and freezing them. While the girls were chatting with my dad, mom and I took a walk through her garden. She really has a way with flowers. I don't know if it's because it was my childhood home or mom's (and dad's) influence but the house and yard are so calming. I've added a few pictures of my favorite flowers from her garden below.

On a personal note, I haven't booked any summer holidays this year. I get tons of personal time off (6 weeks a year which is for sick and holidays) but I've been using it up on things like Dr's appointments,  migraines, etc. I have took a week in Jan and another in May to keep my batteries recharged. Lots going on at work over the summer with coworkers holidays, systems upgrades so I'm thinking of taking a week in October around Canadian Thanksgiving. Next year I'm hoping to be able to save them up and take a 3 week holiday over the summer.

Hope everyone has a lovely week.