Sunday, June 26, 2016

Busy, Busy and Yet Nothing Finished

At least nothing finished by me, though I do have three quilts in the works. By all that makes sense I should have finished at least one of them by now, but no, I started others. What can I say?

My friend Sandy, on the other hand did have a finish! This one will be going to our local USO airport lounge. Isn't it pretty and colorful! I think it's wonderful, and I like those tropical Mustangs on the back.


We had a wonderful time with our Mary who got to stay with us almost a whole week this time! Ruthie's birthday was last Monday, so we decided to combine that with the Father's Day celebration and had a family get together on Sunday. Mr. Muddling and Mary went and got a birthday cake and some flowers.  More pretty flowers and a happy balloon arrived later in the day from Ruthie's (and our) dear friend Dawn in the UK! So sweet of her to remember us. It is almost two years Ruthie has been gone, and it is still hard at certain times. It helps though to be with family who feel exactly the same feelings. I am so thankful for the many good times we have shared over the years. God is good!
Another beautiful floral arrangement arrived on Monday from a couple of Mary's friends in New York. We have enjoyed all those flowers!

I know you know I really, really like vintage machines. This one, a Japanese model from the 1950's or 60's, hard to tell, arrived last week. You might be able to see the disgusted look on Dinah's face at the state of its case when it arrived. The wiring was bad, too, but it's such a beautiful machine. Perhaps you can click on the picture and see those decals. Mr. Muddling got it all rewired and serviced for me today and I've already given it a little run of sewing. Perfection! I know I'm going to have fun with it.

Life does stay pretty busy around here, but sooner or later I will finish more quilts! 

I hope you're having a really good weekend and finding plenty that is making you happy!

Hugs and kisses,

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Another One Ready for the USO

This one is finished. It's a very simple pattern, just alternating neutral rail fence blocks with nine patches. It's still pretty, isn't it!

The backing and the front border are very similar fabrics, and I used the same blue with white dots for the inner border and the binding.


I do appreciate our service men and women, so i decided to just sew a thank you in there, too.


Here it is in its crinkly shot! I hope they will enjoy this quilty hug.

Summer has arrived in Houston. During the day some of the vegetation just wilts. I understand that is a way they conserve moisture and stay alive. It still makes me a little sad to see it though. Plenty of things are still thriving out there, even in the heat.

Our daughter is here for a visit over the weekend. There are things planned  with our son and daughter in law, too, to celebrate Father's Day. Our granddaughter may even make it in for that, we'll see.

I hope you have good things planned for your weekend and that you are blessed in every way!

Hugs and kisses,

Thursday, June 9, 2016

With a Lot of Help from Friends and Family


Another Dancing Nines, a Bonnie Hunter pattern. This one will be going to the USO airport lounge here in Houston. Super easy pattern, especially since I am always making four patches and nine patches as leader/enders.

The backing I think suits it quite well. This plaid fabric was a gift to me from my sister in law, Gloria. She is such a blessing to me, always finding fabric to add to my stash!

I didn't even try to resist taking pictures of this one all over the place. That cat is Midnight. He belongs to the next door neighbors, but feels perfectly at home here, too, as you can see.

One more! I do like red, did you notice?

My friend Sandy made this one following instructions for Mary Johnson's Autumn Leaves. Mary has so many free patterns available on her website. This one is really striking. It, too, will go to the local USO lounge at the airport. Deb, these are your fat quarters you so generously sent! Thank you so much.

The backing was in the latest batch of gifted fabric from my sweet sister in law Gloria. It is perfect for this one!

All the growing things in our yard are showing off their beauty after all that rain we had.

There are so many things for which to be thankful in the wonderful world the Lord has given us to enjoy. I hope you've found plenty of them!

Hugs and kisses,

Friday, June 3, 2016

Sweet Little Baby Girl Quilt

The sweet little baby girl quilt is finished. Again. Remember, this is the one I had tension problems with. There was lots of unsewing. Mr. Muddling helped me with that. He's a keeper, for sure. For so many reasons!


Here it is in all its soft and crinkly freshly washed cuddly-ness.

Chloe was on quilt inspector duty, but she didn't seem to be interested in doing her job.

I found some of this fabric with scriptures a while back at a local quilt shop, and cut this one out to add to my label. 

This panel is in the middle of the backing. It's just a sweet, sweet quilt. It will be going to a niece of Mr. Muddling's co-worker. She has a little girl due next month. I hope she likes it.
I've been making lots of four patches and nine patches in red/white/blue for more USO quilts. Of course Dinah decided the ironing board was the perfect place for her nap.



Not happy at being told she'll have to move.
While we have had LOTS of rain, the growing things seem to be happy about it. We have not had any damage here, though there has been plenty in the area. I am so thankful!

I hope you are having a really good weekend and that you have plenty to make you thankful, too.

Hugs and kisses,