So I Had an Idea

 I had these blue-bordered sixteen patch blocks left over from this quilt. Yeah, sometimes I get carried away.  Anyway, I did not have any more of this blue fabric, but I did have an idea.

I also had lots of 2 1/2" strips in red and beige leftover from this quilt.  It seemed to me a good idea to sew some of them together in segments.

And  this is what I've come up with so far. I'm using a different blue for the cornerstones, but I think it will work. The lady at the USO asked for patriotic colors and I think this will fit that request.

I've also done a lot more cutting of red, white and blue strips that will grow into more quilts.

There have also been some blue and white star blocks assembled that will play along with other units. It will be fun to see what happens. Yes, I'm muddling. Frequently. But I have fun with it, and that's definitely a good thing! I'm thankful to have something useful to do  that (sometimes) keeps me out of trouble. 

I'm also thankful for flowers. There are a lot of them blooming outside right now, but these little African violets are in my kitchen window and they make me smile, even while I'm washing dishes.

I hope there is plenty to make you smile, because you know - a merry heart doeth good like a medicine! Proverbs 17:22

Hugs and kisses,

Dancing Nine Patches

The Dancing Nine Patches quilt is complete! This one went together very quickly, thanks to a stack of nine patches I had ready to go.

This is a free pattern from Bonnie Hunter. 

I like it, and I hope the very nice man receiving it tomorrow will like it, too.

I had ordered this flannel fabric a while back with nothing particular in mind for it, and it arrived just in time to be the backing. It is a good quality flannel and that makes me happy.  It was on sale from Connecting Threads! The binding is this nice black and white stripe.

We are still getting lots of rain, but the gardens seem to be enjoying it. 

I hope your weekend is just bursting with happy things for you.

Hugs and kisses,

The Good Thing About Having a Cold

You KNOW that's a joke, right?  There's nothing good about having a cold!  However, in my never-ending quest to redeem the bad things that seem to happen to us all, I spent my weekend cooped up with a cold - - - sewing. I had bought a jelly roll of "Glow" by Gudrun Eria fabrics a while back, and though I had also bought a pattern to use with the jelly roll, I decided I'd better not get too ambitious. So I stuck with the very easy rail fence. I just added in a one inch strip of solid brown in each block and also as the first thin border. The outer border is a Jinny Beyer print.

Here it is outside on the patio with the sunlight playing off the fabrics. It seems a happy quilt to me and that is always good.

The backing is this Jinny Beyer print.

And my very favorite shot of any quilt - the morning sunlight  showing off the freshly washed cuddliness of it.

I also have started using up my nine patches that I have been using as leader/enders. This will eventually be Dancing Nine Patch, a free pattern from Bonnie Hunter. I like accumulating a pile of units to use in another quilt with very little extra effort.

Somehow I had the foresight to make an applesauce cake before the cold hit full force. Thank God!  It was necessary. Really. Cake is good for what ails you, don't you know?

I hope you are having a perfectly WELL week!  Because not being well is just no fun. Me?  I'm thankful to be feeling better!

Hugs and kisses,

Pin Up

Lady is sure of her place in the world. And she has absolutely no qualms about making herself comfortable on our bed (and on the Grand Illusion quilt!). But we do love her. She is such a sweet loving little girl. And she would make a pretty good pin up girl, wouldn't she? And after all, we make quilts to be used.

I've been pinning up quilty parts on design walls. I'm actually working on three right now. Making progress, but none are finished yet.

Mr. Muddling and I (mostly Mr. Muddling) finally got the fence finished in our back yard. It is really pretty. 

I can't leave without giving you a glimpse at the beautiful flowers and growing things out there in the yard at Muddle Manor. You should be able to enlarge the picture by clicking on it.  I do love Spring. And I fully intend to enjoy it while I can!  That last little photo in the bottom right is cucumber seeds that sprouted overnight. There are peaches, plums, lemons, and blackberries growing a little more every day. I am such a country girl at heart. I love seeing these things growing. I love the idea of being able to eat things we grow right here. It's probably a very good thing that we do not have lots of land. I might hurt myself!

I do hope you are having a really good week and that you are finding things in your own world that give you joy! Our Heavenly Father has given us a beautiful world to enjoy, and I am thankful.

Hugs and kisses,

Making Quilts to Donate

My friends Phyllis and Sandy and I have been busy making quilts to donate to the USO here at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. There are a lot of service men and women transitioning through here going to various destinations. The people I've talked to who are in or have been in the armed forces have all told me that the USO is the one organization that has been the most helpful to them. I like to help people who are getting it right.

I know these are big, grown up men and women, but sometimes even tough guys like to remember sweeter things.

I think we all tried to include things that might make someone smile.

Or reminisce. 

But mainly we want them to know that we value their service, that they have not been forgotten. Hopefully they will feel the love and the prayers that went into each of these quilts as they rest under them on their way from here to there.

I am playing with these pretty fabrics now. Because of course there are always more quilts to be made. The flowers are Phillip Jacobs prints. I always enjoy playing with these bright vivid colors. The pale green in between is a Kaffe Fassett Liberty print. This particular project has gone through several false starts. Just when I thought I had it all figured out - I didn't. But I think I have it now. Perhaps it will find itself assembled soon. One hopes!

It has been so pretty here. I finally got our little garden planted with some tomato plants and cucumber seeds yesterday. I'm already looking forward with eager anticipation to fresh produce!

There are always things that can bog you down and make you fearful in this life if you allow them to do that. I choose to focus on what is good. God has been mighty good to me even in the midst of challenges. I am thankful for His many blessings. Most of all I'm thankful He loves me, even in my imperfection!

I do hope you're having a wonderful weekend, and that there are things that make you smile.

Hugs and kisses,