Welcome, Darcy!! This is a first time swap for me, too....
Jaba....so sorry you still don't feel well.....listen to your body and rest. Plenty of time to get a runner done.
Anna...love applique and I'm doing some on my runner, too, though that's not the "new to me" thing. I decided to try my hand at crazy quilt blocks. I have a brand new collection of varigated threads and tons of decorative stitches I've never done... Adding some applique because, really, I can't seem to make anything without appliquing something. Lol.. The crazy blocks are done and just designing the runner now... Those blocks are a blast to make.