Taylor's Quilt

Taylor is a friend of ours, a neighbor who was a good friend to Ruthie. She mentioned when she was over here with her mom, Sandy, that she would like a quilt from me - one with plenty of different kinds of quilting and words written into it. Well, with a challenge like that, how could I resist?

She also said that she would like a "grownup" quilt, whatever that is! After all, I'm the one who puts sock monkey fabric into soldiers' quilts. 

A while back I had grouped lots of different 2 1/2 inch strips of Kaffe Fassett fabric into fours. My friend Phyllis took them home and sewed them into strip sets and brought them back to me. Don't I have the nicest friends? I squared them into 8 1/4 inch blocks. I thought I would just sew them all together rail fence style, but them I happened to think, "What if I alternate them with 8 1/2 inch squares?" So I did.

These are all Phillip Jacobs fabrics except the lower left, a Jill Gordon that ended up not making it into the quilt. I really, really like these big bold floral pieces, but it is hard sometimes to see how to use them. 

Eventually, Mr. Muddling suggested using a black sashing strip between the squares. I like it! So, another cooperative quilt. Lots of input from different people, but it all comes together to make one young lady very happy.

Oh, and just to show her how UN-grownup it is, I backed it with this black spaceman/alien print! I do like to laugh, and she laughed, too, and loved it. I would say it was a success.

A little vignette of life around Muddle Manor. In the center bottom row, Lady waiting at the window for her daddy, Mr. Muddling to get home. She knows what time he should be here and assumes her post.

And in the upper right a yummy, delicious Tim Tam with coffee. Thank you so much Margaret for introducing me to them! I've corrupted introduced lots more people to them now that they are available here in the States.

I am past ready for cooler weather, but it's a long way off for us. I was just out in the front watering the poor gasping plants in pots. HOT. I think I'll stay in until later. Maybe it will cool down a little.

I hope you've been having a really good weekend, full of things that make you happy!

Hugs and kisses,

The Big Half-Hexie Quilt

Another one finished! This one is made with a cutting template I bought from Missouri Star Quilt Company several years ago. We used it to make the "Won't You Be My Neighbor Quilt". The template is used to make the roofs for the houses and you can get two of those out of a ten inch square. So, a pretty good sized finished hexagon. And we all know that it's way easier to sew rows of half hexies together than it is to do that dreaded "Y" seam!

I used an orange inner border and a Brandon Mably fabric for the outer border. I like this one! It just says FUN! to me.

The backing is two different black prints that came from my sister in law Gloria's last bunch of fabrics. The binding is a solid purple.

Here it is in its crinkly, freshly washed and dried photo - always my favorite shot!

Out in the back yard, there is still plenty of pretty to see. We had a nice rain yesterday afternoon, which we really needed. I've been doing a lot of watering out there, so I was glad for the rain.

This ominous looking sky appeared this morning and I thought for sure we would get more rain. Alas, we did not.

The good news is:  Blue Bell has cranked out some strawberry ice cream! Mr. Muddling and I made sure to pick up some this week at the grocery. Life is good!

I have several more projects in the works. We'll see how long it takes to get them done. Always more ideas than time for me.. Is that so for you as well? I am really thankful for an air conditioned house and plenty of fabric and sewing machines! Because I'm staying inside!

Hugs and kisses,

Cooperative Quiltmaking

My friend Sandy sewed together some 6 1/2 inch half square triangles I had cut with the Go! Cutter, and paired them with some nine patches that I had made to make this pretty quilt. I think these inner and outer borders she chose really make it a stand out!

The backing is this very nice Free Spirit fabric.

I put together more of those same 6 1/2 inch hst's Sandy had sewn together to make this one.

I backed it with yet another fabric from my sister in law Gloria's latest gift to me.

So there you have it, two quilts neither made totally by either of us, but together by both of us and with fabric help from Gloria! These will also be going to the local airport USO lounge for use by our soldiers. I love that we all have a part in that!

Of course I also had ample help from our three little helpers!

Summer has arrived in all its glory here in Houston, Texas. It is HOT! And I'm staying inside a lot. Isn't it good I have so much sewing to get done!

I do hope you have plenty to keep you busy and happy, too!

Hugs and kisses,

Five Delivered, One More Finished

Last Thursday, Mr. Muddling and I delivered these five quilts to the USO at the local airport. My friend Sandy made the top two and I made the other three. We wanted to get some there soon, because some of the volunteers got a little generous and gave all but two of the ones we'd taken before away to service members! We do not mind at all, we make them to be enjoyed, but they still need some to stay there at the center.

Last night I finished this one and it will go in the next batch. As you can see it is chicken approved.

Deb, I used your fabric for a backing again.  It is so bright and pretty it just makes me happy. I hope it will make soldiers happy, too. Thanks again for sharing!

Just look at all that crinkly snuggleness!

On Monday Mr. Muddling made this new and improved larger ironing board for me. He cut plywood and bolted it to the top of the old ironing board and I covered it with batting and this bright orange fabric. It looks right at home, doesn't it! I'm pretty sure it is going to make my life a lot easier. Mr. Muddling is ALL that!

There has been canning of figs going on here. My mother and siblings all enjoy fig preserves and I am glad to share! Yummmmmmm!

And yes, I've had another idea. Well, several actually, but I am going to try to finish the other two that are mostly a quilt top before I jump too far off the diving board.

It is very hot here, and dry again. But this is Houston in the Summer and that is just what you can expect. Thank God for air conditioning, that's all I have to say about it!  Of course it's also a very good excuse to stay inside and sew.

I do hope you are having a lovely week doing lots of things that make you happy. Because I love you!

Hugs and kisses,