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,

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,

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,

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,

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,