Sanibel Island

We slept in this morning, but the part of the island we are on had no shortage of little shells.

We are headed to the west end of the island to look for larger shells.

quilting and packing and quilting and packing

I finished the top of my Roundabout Quilt! Amy was right, the method does require a lot of pinning and patience (and steam, lots of steam from the iron helped too), but I think the top turned out great!

There is one spot where I got my pieces mixed up and there are two of the pink and blue dots diagonal from one another and the blue and green dots near one another. It's bugging me, but I really don't want to take it apart. Maybe it's not bothering me that badly.

I made a deal with myself this morning: make a block of four, pack two boxes, repeat. So, I got some boxes packed and finished my quilt top. Now to figure out how to motivate myself to keep packing...

Giveaways and Fledglings

I entered a great giveaway this morning over at The Fabric Shopper! Melanie (what a great name ) is hosting a giveaway with Jamie of Phat Fabric. An adorable apron pattern and three yards of fabric to create it! Be sure to check it out!

On another note, we've had two fledgling Northern Cardinals in our backyard on and off this weekend. They are (bless their hearts) the ugliest little things I've seen in a while, but oh what beauties they will become. On Saturday, this little guy finally flew over the fence into the alley. I hope that he's doing well. There are a number of cats that roam the neighborhood and I hope that his flying skills improved enough to get away from any mean cats that may have tried to get him.

I'm watching for them at the feeder, hoping I'll see them again before we move next week. Mama and Papa Cardinal were never far away while they were in the yard, so maybe they'll pick my feeder to bring their babies to when they are better fliers!

The honey harvest!

My cousin and her husband have a small apiary. They currently keep around 10 hives and we stay stocked year-around with fabulous local honey. I was able to participate in the honey harvest this summer and it was such a treat. Visit their little farm at Sowell Farm & Apiary to learn more!