Colorful Leaves

It was a good choice to decide on this "Leaves" tablerunner for my "Let's Book It" project, because I am thoroughly enjoying this seasonal project. It was just what I needed after spending the morning licking my dental wounds. Today I finished top-stitching the purple leaf:

Then I sandwiched it...still my least favorite part of quilting.

Here's the fabric I selected for the back...and it's what informed my color choices for the whole quilt as well.

All the while I've been working on this, I've been gnashing my teeth about what color thread to use when I quilted it. I finally settled on this variegated thread. I like using variegated threads for quilting, and this seemed to have the best colors.

Initially, I thought I would stitch around all the applique pieces, but then opted for a more free-form outline of the veins. I'm going to be doing a random leafy vine around the open areas of the quilt, and so I thought I'd stick to the free-form design in the larger leaves as well.

I've done the yellow and the reddish-orange leaf so far, but it shows up better on the yellow...obviously.

Here's how it looks from the back, although it isn't easy to see there.

Then I was gnashing my teeth about what to use for the binding. I considered using the same fabric from the back, but I don't think I have enough of it left over. I auditioned four or five different fabrics, took a picture, and then I was going to let you help me decide. Then, I remembered this one, which I think will be perfect.

And that's where I left it for the day. A good day of sewing.

Tomorrow I really am going to the pool for a swim, and then I'm going to pick up a few things at the grocery store. I got a yen to try some pear chutney (which I've never made before). Then, while looking for a recipe, I found one for an apple pear chutney. It seems I'm really getting into the flavors and colors of the season right now. I need to do a little housework tomorrow as well since I've done almost none this week, but then, I'm hoping to get the quilting finished on this runner. It's going to be fun to see it all finished with that pretty binding.

Also, I want to give this runner a new name. I'm considering Autumn Splendor or Autumn's Rainbow. What do you think? Any ideas for a name?