F N S-I Results

Technically, it is now Saturday in my time zone, and I'm having difficulties keeping my eyes open.  Tomorrow is a busy day, so I'll post my results before I go to bed.  It may not look like much, but I worked for several hours sewing down the binding on the Half-Pint quilt in my UFO pile.  This is also a finish for the CGQC for Sept/Oct.

It's very difficult to take pictures in my house at night, so pardon the bad photograph.

This is the first binding that I've sewed by hand, but I wasn't happy with the results of doing it by machine. That's how I was taught in the first class I took. This method is a little slower, but sure looks a lot better! I plan to finish at least one more this week.

Friday Night Sew In

Yippee!  It's almost time for Friday Night Sew In again!  I'm late to sign up, but I already know what I'll be working on.  I have a lot of 'finishes' that I need to accomplish for my Sept/Oct goals, so I'll have a busy night.  My major goal is to complete several UFO's before I start any new projects, and I have quite a few in mind, so it's time to get busy.  Anyone can sign up, so check it out if you haven't joined in before.

My Treasures

A couple of people have asked what I bought at the Sully Quilt Show ,(and the antique shop on the way home) and if I was inspired to come home and start sewing.  I didn't go crazy buying stuff, because I didn't sew all summer, and I have enough projects in my bin to last me at least a year!  I know that's pathetic compared to many of you, but I don't have a lot of space so I try to be somewhat frugal.  However, I did purchase some fat quarters that had a quilty theme.

Many, many years ago, long before I started quilting, I bought a quilt book just because I liked the pictures of the beautiful projects. After seeing some pretty napkins and hankies at the show, I was reminded of this pattern, and I'm now going to attempt it.

I also found this bread basket liner, and a great cake plate. I'm picturing some nice muffins or scones on the cake plate. I don't think it's an antique, but I like it! I also received a recipe for Orange Cake from a fellow blogger that would look lovely on the plate!

I dream of owning a B&B some day, and these might come in handy then!

My final treasure was a 1948 book about wildflowers, with the most beautiful drawings in it. I can't believe that anyone would part with such a precious book - and I got it for only $5!!

Sully Quilt Show

Today dawned cool and rainy, but the Sully Quilt Show was advertised for rain or shine, so I checked the Weather Channel to see that most of the rain had passed, and headed down the road.  My friend Mary went with me, so hubby was off the hook.  The annual quilt show is held on the grounds of an historical plantation.  I've been to the show before, but it's been many years.  I didn't take many pictures because I heard one photographer being told that she had to ask to photograph the quilts.  And besides, I was very busy shopping.  Fabric, thread, patterns, books, linens, and quilts - old and new.  Sewing machines, buttons, and even some jewelry.

One booth had a Featherweight. I'd love to own one, but today was not the day. Something to continue dreaming about.

A long Saturday walk

The air was cool this morning, and hubby wasn't feeling up to kayaking because of back pain, so I decided to go for a walk.  Living close to the Potomac River means that we're in close proximity to the C&O Canal Towpath as well.  Because it was a beautiful Saturday morning and I had plenty of time, I chose to walk on the towpath instead of the city streets.  Come along with me on my walk. 

My walk began near this  beautiful aqueduct, one of 11 that were built along the canal.  This one was built to carry the canal over the Conococheague Creek, near where it empties into the Potomac.  Not much further down the path is this drawbridge, used for trains that no longer use the track in this area.

The towpath is a very popular spot for bikes, and I saw bikers of all sizes, shapes, and ages today.

There were also people fishing, jogging, and walking.  I saw evidence of recent horseback riding,as well, but chose to not photograph said evidence.

I passed a lock, complete with lockhouse. Being a lockkeeper was hard work, and meant being available 24 hours a day to open and close the locks as needed.

Naturally, I found some wildflowers to photograph, and today, I also found one of the first signs of the coming fall.

The rest of my day will be spent in my sewing room, as I begin working on my Sept/Oct goals.  Come back tomorrow to join me as I tour the Sully Quilt Show!

Wordless Wednesday

Makes Me Happy Monday

The holiday weekend is coming to an end, and I'm starting to turn my thoughts to the week ahead. We had a wonderful weekend, and added more memories for our scrapbook.

Our hosts

Live from the Biltmore Estate

Our tour guides took us to the Biltmore Estate today. We toured the house and gardens, and then the Winery. My feet hurt so bad, I'll actually be very happy to sit in the car most of the day tomorrow, as our fun weekend comes to an end. Enjoy the flowers!





I'll be starting on a sewing project when I get home!

Live from Pisgah National Forest

We spent the day hiking and sightseeing along the Blue Ridge Parkway today. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! Actually, it was so sunny, that a lot of my pictures didn't turn out very well - too much contrast between the sunny areas and shady areas. But we had a great day, spent with hubby's brother and sister-in-law. They are fabulous tour guides, and we love spending time with them. They spend most weekends hiking, and they know where all the pretty waterfalls are!

Sept - Oct Goals

It's that time again, and I didn't set any goals the last time around, so it's time to get busy again.

1. I will complete at least three rows of my row-a month mystery quilt.
2. I will sew down the bindings on the 4-5 quilts that are prepped, and also add labels to all otherwise finished projects.
3. I will finish quilting my Turning Twenty
4. I will finish piecing, quilting and binding the other class quilt that I started.

IF I get all this done, I will allow myself to start a new project. Sew many plans, sew much fabric, sew little time!

Until next time. . . . I'll leave you with this picture, since there won't be any kayaking this weekend.



Have a nice long weekend, everyone!