CGQC Finishes and 10,000 Steps

Well, we've had two months to work on our finishes this time, and I have to say, I didn't do too well on my list.  However, I'm pleased with what I finished, and I got some things done that weren't on the list!  I did sew down the bindings on all the quilts that were hanging around waiting.

Along the way, I found that I really enjoy sewing down bindings, so they won't be piling up in the future.

I also made a quilt for the Margaret's Hope Chest Project.

I finished up some items for the Early Bird Christmas group, including a small bag, a pincushion, a shawl and a baby afghan.

And most recently, I made two small bags as prizes for my 100th post giveaway.

Now it's time to start making my list for November and December!

In other news, it's Saturday, so it must be time for some more fall pictures.  I've been wearing a pedometer for the past few months with the goal of 10,000 steps a day.  I haven't been doing very well during the week, so try to make it up on the weekends.  I had planned to go hiking today, but Mr. QD didn't feel well, so I went walking along the canal again.  And I didn't stop until I had my 10,000 steps.  I feel so alive being outdoors at this time of year.  The air is crisp, and there are lots of leaves to shuffle through.  I don't know about you, but I feel compelled to make as much noise as I possibly can when I walk through a pile of leaves!

an occasional open vista to the Potomac River

Dam #5 on the river

Photogenic fungi!

just below the dam

I didn't know what this crop was, so I took a picture to show dh.  He immediately identified it as sorghum.

I am really drinking in the beauty of fall, because all too soon it will be gone, to be replaced with dark, dreary, gloomy winter. 

Living my life with an Attitude of Gratitude.............Sunny

Calling all Secret Santa Swappers

Hey swappers, I need to get started on my project, but I can't make up my mind on what to make.  I bought Eleanor Burns' book Christmas at Bear's Paw Ranch, and I've narrowed it down to these three patterns.  I'm going to a quilt retreat next weekend, and expect to come home with the finished product. 

Do you have a preference?  I'm hoping my secret partner will stop by and choose one!  How are you coming along with your project?

It's very late now, and everyone is fast asleep but me.  I'm heading off to dreamland.....

Chloe and Scooter

Zippy

Living my life with an attitude of gratitude........Sunny

Isn't it amazing?

I'm amazed at what I can accomplish in an evening if I actually spend time in the sewing room.  Some nights I spend most of my time blog hopping, which is fun, but not terribly productive.  Although, I do get millions of ideas for new things I want to try!  This little package came in the mail today!  I can't wait to get started.

I have this small grapevine wreath hanging in my office.  I just love it, so decided to make it into a wall hanging.  Once again, please note my professional design skills. 

I thought I had figured out when Blogger was going to rotate a photo, and I could fool it, but not tonight!   I actually had these fabrics in my tiny little stash!  The only felt I could find was in very bright colors, so tomorrow night I'm going to try my hand at tea dying, to mute the colors.  

On my lunch break tomorrow, I'll take these prize packages to the post office.  I hope it doesn't take too long for them to reach their destinations!!

one to Canada, one to Wales!

Living my life with an attitude of gratitude................Sunny

Wordless Wednesday

Living my life with an attitude of gratitude.............Sunny

Help with Hexies?

Can someone please direct me to the best Hexagon site or tutorial?  Heaven knows, I need a new project to start, so I'll have something to do when I'm not working.  Or sewing.  Or crocheting.  Or taking pictures.  Or  hiking.  Or cross-stitching.  Or embroidering.  Or blogging.  Or antique shopping.  I'd like to make a few from all my scraps from other projects, and accumulate them until I have enough to make something!  Thanks for any help you can give me.

Living my life with an attitude of gratitude.........Sunny

And the Winner is. . . . . .

Hubby drew the name of the winner.

The winner of my 100th Post Giveaway is. . . . . . .Annieb.  Please send me your snail mail address Anne, and your prize will be on its way to you soon.

I decided to do two prizes instead of one, so prize number two goes to. . . . . . . Orchidlover.  Gina, I will need your address as well.

I spent a little time antique treasure hunting today.  Here is what I came home with.

The larger lace runner in the background is going to become part of a quilted table runner or wall hanging that I have in mind.  The other linens are destined to be incorporated into pillows.

This is the scenery that I passed on my way today.  I love Fall!

Living life with an attitude of gratitude.     Sunny

 

Nature's Glory and a quilt

Yes, we went hiking again today, and hubby didn't try to kill me this time!  Today's trail would definitely qualify as easy.  It was a trail around a lake that we like to kayak in.  It was so beautiful.  If you'd care to join me today, you'll need all your senses.  I'm not skillful enough with a camera to begin to capture the beauty of fall in the woods, so today I tried to enjoy with all my senses. The air was cool on my arms as we started out, and the sun warmed my  skin in some areas.  I could smell the duskiness of the fall leaves as we crunched through them.  The only sounds today were the crunching leaves and a dog barking in the distance.  When we took our break before we turned around, it was so incredibly still - just the whisper of wind in the leaves and a couple of birds calling out.  I bit into a cool, crisp apple, but then I didn't even want to chew because it broke the stillness.

As we returned to the car, the shadows were getting very long, and there wasn't enough good light to get a good picture. Hubby was ahead of me, and suddenly he called out to me to hurry up! He'd found the best picture of the day, and so it was.

I know I'm not the only one inspired by nature.  Check out this beautiful quilt that I stumbled across a few days ago at Seaside Stitches.  I would love to be this creative!!

I promised you a quilt, so here is my (almost) finished baby quilt.  Fiona has decided to work properly so I was able to sew on the binding last night, and I expect to finish it tomorrow night.  She was just being stubborn last week because I called her the wrong name, and because some idiot  I had threaded the bobbin improperly.  She's feeling much better now!

Thanks for stopping by!  I am living my life with an attitude of gratitude.       Sunny

Wordless Wednesday

living my life with an attitide of gratitude.     Sunny