Sunshine on a Rainy Day

I can't believe it has been a week since my last post...I have had multiple tidbits of interest to share, but time has definitely been at a minimum. I am getting ready to leave for California tomorrow to teach a workshop at Elegant Stitch and visit with friends and fellow needleworkers...which means preparation and kitting, printing, packing, and all the fun things that come with teaching a class. I have also been walking mileage daily to prepare for the Komen 3-Day (60 mile) walk  taking place in November - who knew walking would be so time consuming - training is taking a couple hours each day...luckily we have had good weather and most of my walks have been outside for the last couple weeks - I would really appreciate any donations, so I can reach my fundraising goal (http://www.the3day.org/goto/Belinda) ...no amount is too small - every little bit helps! I have also been spring cleaning and preparing our home for a possible new arrival in the next few weeks - we may be getting a new puppy (more details to follow in a future post). On the needlework front, I am putting the finishing touches on the class design for the New England Stitcher's Retreat - I was really hoping to have it complete by now, but I had a couple setbacks - the stitching is complete and I will be doing the finishing upon my return from California...so I will be able to share it with you very soon!

Keeping this short (so I can finish my packing and spend some time with my husband before my trip), I thought I would share a few photos with you of things that are currently making me happy (on a VERY rainy, stormy, windy, gloomy day)....
First of all, isn't my new bumble bee mug the cutest thing you have ever seen??! I originally saw it a couple months ago while shopping with friends, admired it, but did not buy it - then, last week, I had lunch with the same two dear friends and when we saw it again, it *had to* come home with me...I would love to have more of these mugs - they have some really cute ones (a frog and a hedgehog both come to mind)...the bumble bee brings me so much joy! Also making me happy - zippers, zippers, and more zippers - I am addicted to projects with zippers. The fabric shown is from a favorite sunshiny collection - "California Girl" by JoAnna Figueroa, Fig Tree & Co. for Moda...and the book is my current project favorite - "A Quilting Life" by Sherri McConnell.

So there you have it - several fun things that are currently bringing sunshine to my life...

On a final note, I would like to thank everyone who has voted for my quilt blocks in the 4th Annual AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Design Contest...what a thrill it is to have two blocks in the "Top 100" again this year...my fingers are crossed for another win!