Of Birds, Berries, and Grads: Jingle BOM Applique Block One is FINISHED and So Is College For Amanda!

Jingle BOM Applique Block One FINISHED!

I stitched the last berries to my Jingle BOM Applique Block #1 in the Hartford International Airport last night while waiting for our (much delayed) flight to bring us back from my niece's college graduation.  My little 3/8" diameter berries came out better than I'd hoped for, considering that this is my first-ever attempt at applique.  I think I cut my seam allowances a little too wide, which created a lot of bulk under the smaller pieces, but I'll try to do better on the next block. 

My niece and former flower girl graduated with an Engineering Science degree from Smith College in Northampton, MA yesterday.  I still can't believe she's all grown up now. 

Bernie and Me with Newly-Graduated Amanda!

It was a beautiful graduation ceremony, the culmination of a weekend full of hundred-year-old traditions and a chance to catch up with my husband's side of the family.  Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post delivered one of the best -- and funniest -- commencement speeches that I have ever heard:

Now that I'm finally home (and properly caffeinated, thank you), I've got some unpacking, laundry, and grocery shopping to attend to.  Lars and Anders have only three weeks left of school, and next weekend my mom and I are taking a machine applique class with Harriet Hargrave at the North Carolina Quilt Symposium.  Now that I've tried a little hand applique, it will be interesting to try Hargrave's invisible machine applique method to see which I prefer. 

Have a great week, everyone!

Chopin Meets Suzuki and Alfred Hitchcock: 2013 Spring Music Recitals for Lars and Anders

It has been a busy spring for my boys this year, with their Willy Wonka Jr. performances at school followed immediately by Anders' Suzuki violin recital, followed the next weekend by both boys' piano recital.  For your viewing pleasure, I will share both recitals today. 

This was their first recital with their new piano teacher through the Community School of the Arts.  They both have been taking piano lessons for three years.

Here's my 12-year-old son, Lars, playing Chopin's Prelude in C Minor, Op. 28 No. 20:

...and here's my 9-year-old son, Anders, playing Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette (which will sound familiar to Alfred Hitchcock fans): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCAJiBF9jVU.  (for some reason I was able to embed Lars's YouTube video but not Anders.'  Please let me know whether or not you are able to view the video when you click the link!)

Last but not least, here's Anders playing a Suzuki Etude at his Spring violin recital.  He has just completed his first year of violin lessons -- and of course I can't figure out why this YouTube video won't embed in my blog post, but here's a direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLJYSrp-ZAw&feature=youtube_gdata 

They both did a fine job, don't you think?