At Last

I know!  I can hardly believe it either, but the Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt is finished. Totally finished. Glory to God! 

I had a lot of fun making this quilt and enjoyed the surprise of how it all came together. I wasn't sure that I would. It was a challenge for me. Bonnie Hunter did a wonderful job on creating this mystery. I appreciate all her hard work.

This is the backing. I found this flannel print, which suits the colors on the front pretty well.

Here I am sewing the binding on with my 1930 Singer Model 99 with the knee control. I really like this machine.

Sewing it together with the Singer 301. I'm not showing the Singer 201 again, which is the machine I do most of my piecing on, because it is a little under the weather right now. Mr. Muddling worked on it and it seemed to make a full recovery, but there has been a relapse. Back to the work table for her!

We have a beautiful day today, and I thought you might like to see some of what's growing out there in our yard. I did not get photos of the azaleas in full bloom this year. Sorry!  I've been an absent blogger. No excuse really, just slack on the posting.

Here it is again on our bed. I really like this quilt.

Can you tell?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you find time to do something really nice for yourself. Because I love you!

Hugs and kisses,

Spring??

Technically, I guess it is Spring. I guess. Mostly it's been raining here. A lot. We are saturated. Good news is, I took the dogs outside a little while ago and I saw a clear sky with beautiful stars! And I can still see the prettiness out there from in here, and I can bring in a little of it to enjoy. It's just really messy outside.

Of course I have a new project. First of all I want to show you the backing fabric. Notice that copyright date - 1999! It is some that was given to me and I like it a lot. It's very soft.

Here it is all quilted and bound.

And here is the full view of the front of the quilt - a ten minute block. This one should have been oh, so quick to quilt, but my thread kept breaking. After re-doing lots of things and changing the needle, it did better.  Just took a little longer than I expected. I do enjoy these blocks. They are huge - almost twenty inches square - and go together very easily.

I am once again working on the Bonnie Hunter Grand Illusion mystery quilt tonight, or I was. But I noticed my machine was running slower and slower and slower, so I took it apart a bit and look what a mess! That is all cleaned up now, so hopefully it will be back to its usual perfection.  If not, Mr. Muddling is standing by to render aid!

I do hope you are having a wonderful weekend and that you are finding plenty to make you happy. With all its problems and challenges, it's still a wonderful life!

                                 Hugs and kisses,
                                     

A Wedding Gift

A friend of ours is getting married this month and I told him I'd like to make a quilt for him and his bride. He asked her what colors she'd like and she said "patriotic". Perhaps because he is an Army veteran.  Anyway, this is the finished product. It is definitely red, white and blue!

I've had this flag stamp fabric for a long time, and it seemed to be the perfect backing for this quilt.

Here's a little closer look at the backing in all its quilted, washed and dried and crinkly glory.

Since it IS all about love, I replaced the blue star in the center with this little heart in a red star.

I really like how this one evolved and became. I hope they like it!

We have had cold weather here that seems to keep coming back, just when you think it's gone! I know a lot of you have had more of that than we have, but still. Enough is enough. Thank God for flowers in the house! I love the little African violets. They bloom several times a year, usually just when I need a spot of beauty They're nice that way.

I found this beauty hidden away in the back yard. I had no idea there was a bloom on that rose bush. I brought it in just before the latest round of freezing nights. Another spot of brightness and beauty here inside!

And speaking of brightness and beauty, would you look at what Miss Ru's friend Dawn sent all the way from the UK!!  She make a couple of bracelets and a key chain for me and another key chain for Mr. Muddling. They are gorgeous!  Each one has little commemorative touches. And what makes them even more precious to me is the fact that Dawn battles MS. I know it was not easy for her to make these and when I mentioned that to her, she responded, "Pain is a reminder I'm lucky enough to still be alive."

Dawn is a beautiful lady, just as Miss Ru was. They met on a chronic pain online group. Looking at Ruthie before she become so ill, you would never have guessed the pain she endured on a daily basis. Because she did not talk about it unless she just had to do it.  I know that there are many who have even worse struggles that are not visible to those with no knowledge of their situation.  I try to have mercy on those I encounter who may not be the kindest ones around. After all, I don't know. We could all use some mercy, couldn't we?  

I hope you've had a wonderful week and that you have a great weekend in store! I am thankful for each and every one of you.

Hugs and kisses,