One Finished, Another Started and Exciting News

My brother in law's quilt is totally finished and on its way to him in the mail.

Don't you love this Jinny Beyer print on the back? I used this same fabric for the binding.

This is what's playing around on one of my design walls right now. I think this one will go to the Quilts of Compassion drive for tornado survivors. My plan right now (if I have a plan) is that this will be a child sized quilt. I'm just making it up as I go along. Having fun. You know.

But here's the exciting news. I got my new issue of Quiltmaker magazine in the mail today. Of course, it's exciting to see a Bonnie Hunter quilt on the cover.

But what made me scream (and startle Mr. Muddling with whom I was chatting at the time) was seeing the quilt I made for my sister. I had emailed a picture, they ask for pictures of quilts we make using their patterns, and they actually published mine.  I am so excited, and yet so humbled at the same time to be included in a magazine with so many talented quilters. Wow. 

I am so thankful that I fell into this joy of making quilts. I have so many in my head trying to get out all the time, and it is so much fun! I am grateful to have something that I enjoy doing and that I can do right here in my own home. That they so often bless people is just the icing on the cake! I know that a lot of you know exactly what I mean.

We've been having a lot of rain here. The rain barrels are full and running over, but all the growing things outside are soaking it all up. These pictures were all taken on Sunday before the rains began. 

I hope there is good and exciting news in your world, too.

Hugs and kisses,

Airplanes!

A while back I bought this Go cutter airplane die. I knew that at some point I wanted to make a quilt for my sister's husband. He's been a flying instructor and an enthusiastic pilot for a long time. My sister has also been a flyer of airplanes!  I am so impressed with them both. They even owned their own plane for a time.

Recently, this good man has gone through some health struggles, but I'm happy to say he is doing very well now!  Glory to God!

I thought he might enjoy these little airplanes flying around on the quilt I made for him.

This is just the top, it is not quilted yet, but soon. I am so glad I went ahead and bought that airplane die, even though I was not ready to use it. It has been discontinued now.

I also used the Go 6 1/2" half square triangle die for the body of the quilt, and the triangle in a square (4" finished square) die for the border. I could have planned that border a bit better, but it's still looking pretty good to me.

And these little babies are some plums that were growing in our back yard. We had plum trees very similar to these in our back yard when we were children, so these bring back many good memories.

Isn't it funny how children growing up in the same family will go in such different directions?  I'm just thankful that we still love each other!

Summer has arrived and the air conditioner is working. Again, thank God! I do hope things are happy and interesting in your world, too!

Hugs and kisses,

Red Strips Quilt Finished

The red strips quilt is finished and on our bed. Lady was the first to test it.

I really like this quilt. It IS a big one and I have to confess that my quilting on it is a mish/mash of all sorts of things. I get bored sometimes when I am quilting and have a hard time staying on one theme. What can I say? Since it will live here, I was not too worried about perfection. I just like to have fun, and this is definitely a fun quilt. There are so many fabrics and surprises in it that make me smile. That is what makes it interesting for me.

I wish I could get a better picture, but it's too big to hang anywhere I have outside. I guess I need to get Mr. Muddling to put a really high line up for me!

More testing.

And a little more.

Yep. This one works.

I have to share with you the beautiful charm bracelet Miss Ru got for me for Mothers Day. I love it! And I love our children. They are all the best!!

Oh, and one more thing - it did finally rain and the rain barrels worked great!  All three filled. I do love it when a plan works, don't you?

I am so thankful for so many things. God is good. I hope you've discovered that

Hug and kisses,

Phyllis' Quilt

A long time ago I met a woman named Phyllis. Later I met her family. We became good friends. And now, lo these many years later, we are still friends. She has retired now and has a bit more time. I have no regrets whatsoever that I have managed to infect her with the quilting bug. She had made some very good-looking quilts that have blessed many members of her family, and I have someone else to play with in the fabric.

The picture above is the quilt that I made for Phyllis. A good friend is a treasure, and I am so glad and so thankful that we are still friends. I wanted to be sure that she had a quilt made for her with love from her friend.

This is the backing, along with a peek at the binding and one of the borders. Phyllis' favorite color is yellow. 

I hope you can see what a beautiful fabric it is. I've had it in my stash for a while, and it is perfect for this quilt. 

That is also a look at the labels I sew on to the quilts (or at least most of them) that I make. I had them printed at Spoonflower. They are small, but I like that size, and there is room to personalize with who they are for and the date.

One more look at Phyllis' quilt.

Last night I finally got the red strips one quilted. It is so big and took so long. I actually made it to bed a little after five this morning.  Needless to say, I have not been on top of my game today! I still have to get the red strips quilt trimmed and the binding sewn on, but I am pretty sure that it will not happen tonight.

If you have been following my muddling adventures for any time at all, I'm sure you've noticed by now that I don't know what I'm doing a lot of the time. But I keep at it and eventually what I'm trying to do usually works out. I am so thankful the Lord has patience and mercy for me. He is a very present help in time of need!

Oh, and we did get some rain!!  Yippee!!! All three of the new rain barrels are full, and everything growing outside has taken on new life and vitality.

I hope there are only good things happening with you today and that you have plenty to make you happy!

Hugs and kisses,

Rain? Not Yet

It has gotten really dry here even though we had a somewhat rainy Spring. (Yes, we've pretty well gone into Summer here now!)

The chickens and I are working hard to keep everything growing well.  There has been lots of watering to keep those veggies growing.

Yesterday, Mr. Muddling completed the installation of a gutter, downspouts, and three big rain barrels outside the patio. We are supposed to get some rain today and tomorrow, so he finished just in time. 

We haven't had any rationing of water here for a long time, but we have been asked to conserve as much as possible, so this seemed a good way to help. Plus, the plants really like rainwater better than the chlorinated tap water.

I had a wonderful surprise early in the day yesterday - our son and daughter-in-love sent me these beautiful flowers for Mother's Day.  Made me smile, and I'm still smiling!

I have the borders sewn on this latest quilt and all the parts assembled to get it quilted. I thought I would do that last night, but decided to wait. Perhaps tonight I'll actually get it done.

I hope you're having a really good day!

Hugs and kisses,

Oh, To Tell The Truth.......

And I do my best always to tell the truth. Even if it gets me in trouble sometimes. Anyway, I have been far too lazy about posting here lately and for that I am sorry. I just haven't had anything that seemed too interesting to post.

I still don't for that matter. I am working on another quilt. I had thought I would make a stack and slash  quilt and had it all cut out and in process, but I just sort of lost interest and put it aside.

 The other day I had an idea and changed direction. I think I like this plan better. Still need to get borders sewn on, and I'm working on that tonight.

Mainly though I am enjoying the wonderful gift of all the beautiful things growing right in our own back yard. I am so incredibly thankful for that and for so many things more. God is good. All the time.

I do hope that all is well in your world, too.

Hugs and kisses,