More of the baby deer!

I was sitting in my usuall place by the window this morning when the mother deer went running across the lawn. A couple of minutes later I spotted the baby. He was cautiously walking in the direction that his mother went. He came close to the back step when I opened the screen door. Maybe he thought the noise was his mother.

So cute eh?

I am also posting a couple of pics of a little runner that I completed. Peter and I were traveling in PEI a couple of summers ago and I bought this fabric then. The pattern is out of "McCall's Quilting" June 2009, designed by Ann Webber. I used the runner to practice machine applique. I used a button hole stitch I have on my machine. Then I machine quilted "plumes" over all and a swirly thing in the tight spots. Patsy Thompson has amazing tutorials and free downloads for every type of feather and many other free motion designs which I love. I have been drawing some for practice and then trying them for real on practice "sandwiches" and other projects.

Can't really see the button hole stich. I used thread that is the same color as the fabric.

In the pic below you can see the "plumes" pretty good. 

It is exciting to try different machine quilting designs. It does take lots of practice though, which can be frustrating. I am also trying out different threads. Have not come to any conclusions. I have ordered a couple of different ones, but dont know when they will get here with the mail strike. Some quilters are using polyester now, so I want to try that. There is no end to the possiblities!

It is sunny here today, so am planning to be outside. The irises are in their full glory!

Watch out for today's blessings!

D