Fall is in the air!

Fall is in the air, and on the tables!

I pulled out the remaining nice looking hexagons from my Corona quilt and made another table runner.

Nice, pretty fall colors, right?

Problem is, I already have a beautiful fall table runner. My dilemma is what to do with it.  Gift it or donate it to charity/auction?  

I wanted to gift it to a friend, but I'm not sure she would like it.  I'm very particular about my home decor and I always worry when gifting someone with decor.  I see a quilt as different since it can be used purely for the function/warmth even if the recipient isn't fond of the colors or pattern.  A quilted table runner is a bit different, don't you think?  

I do think it would be great for halloween and Thanksgiving holidays.

UPDATE:  I did give it to my friend, and she loved it.  Or at least she said she did and acted like it.

Fall

Don't you just love fall?

I made the little topper years ago using a discharging method of spraying a mixture of Clorox and water on black fabric, over some real leaves.  Then removed the leaves and copied them to make some appliqué leaves. They were laid out a little to the side so it looks like they are floating.  This little topper has always been a favorite of mine.

In case you aren't a regular reader of my website (www.rachelmhayes.com) here is a pic of a little baby quilt I made recently.

I used three of Elizabeth Hartman's patterns.  The little creatures aren't very difficult to make and it works pretty well as a quick baby quilt.

And just because it's fall......

My current favorite quilt, "Corona."  On our bed.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rachel

Small Project

I had lots of scrap hexagons left from my last big project.  

This little quilt will probably go to work with me to hang in my office.

I'm really concerned about the impending victims of Hurricane Irma. Please pray for all the folks in it's path.  We have family in Gainesville, that are going to wait it out.

More of Ireland

Just a few more pictures to share.....

I love these.  It shows just how quickly they can move!

I loved these actions shots.  That girl was so happy to be there and it shows on her face!  These were taken at a place called White Rocks, about 20 minutes away from the Giants Causeway in Ireland.

 These were taken at Kilfane Glen and Waterfall. It was a property owned by a wealthy family in the 1700s and has stayed the same since then.  They really enjoyed roaming around the property.  I told them it looked like an enchanted forest and my DIL said Emma was looking for fairies!

The closed out their week with a visit to see the Book of Kells at the Library of Trinity College Dublin. This was a thrill for both my son and his wife.

I'm living vicariously through their travels!

My Scottish Grands are in Ireland

My son has a conference next week in Dublin, so their little family made a nice trip out of it and they all went to Ireland.  I'm so thankful they send me pictures.  Enjoy.

 This girl....my heart aches sometimes being so far away.  :(

 Cliffs of Moher

I remember the beautiful stone fences when the hubby and I visited Ireland a few years ago.

 Of course my girl is running. Love her energy!

 My girl isn't always happy.....lol

 but her moods can change on a dime!

With her energy, there is always a photo op, but little Haddon isn't quite walking on his own really well yet, so with Momma taking the photos and carrying him....he didn't get in many.  That will change once he is walking!

Solar Eclipse Totality in East Tennessee

It's been a while since I've posted...oops.  I should do better.  The eclipse was such a once in a lifetime event, it is worthy of a post.  We had a little viewing party at our lot.

 I made a viewer even though we had the glasses.  The geek in me, I guess.

And it worked.  Clearer in person.

 These were some great pics my local dentist made.

 It was so strange.  The sky got very dark, the crickets were chirping, and there was a 360 degree sunset.

 Totality was so awesome!  Like a black hole in the sky.  It was truly amazing.

After the inspiring display of the solar eclipse, a name came to me for my latest quilt.

CORONA

Isn't it perfect?  The husband didn't like it, but that is because he didn't research the eclipse to know that was what we saw at the point of totality.  I had a friend who said it reminded her of beer.  LOL...oh well, I liked it so it sticks. I'm thinking of putting this one in some shows.  I never think my work is good enough, but this one -- I think the visual impact will outweigh my less than perfect sewing.

Another Beautiful Day!

Wow, August is really starting well.  Low humidity, 64 degrees this morning for my long run.

I'm training for  a couple of fall half marathons.  I think after four years of running, my active heart rate is finally coming down. I love my Garmin.  It tracks distance, pace, time, heart rate, does intervals, and all kinds of other things.  I can upload it to my phone or computer and see the GPS map of where I ran, the temperature it was, see my pace per lap, etc.

The hubby and Greybeard the big cat enjoyed resting on the screened porch today.

While I was busy trying to finish these two quilts.

Such an easy brick pattern.  Got one bound after this picture was made, and the other is ready to hand stitch down.  Both made from scraps.  Love that. The grey/brown/blue is a gift and since I am not that great still at machine binding, I decided to hand stitch it.  Although, my machine stitching of the binding on the teal one was the best I've ever done!

It's been a couple of years since I made my 14 day sweet pickles.  They were ready to work this weekend.  Got my little pickling spice balls ready.

 In went 10 pounds of sugar.  Now for them to make the juice for a couple of days.

After that I'll water bath can them to put them up.  We love this recipe.  Hope you are enjoying the weather where you are and like me, are doing a little of everything!