Back in the sewing room

On my second Monday off, I finally went in to the sewing room and cleared that piled up cutting table.  I started looking around for some little project to get into, and came across a picture I had saved on my computer.  These pieced birds show up all over the place, but I know that I have read about them on the patchy menagerie's blog.

I didn't use her tutorial.  I can just look at some piecing designs and figure them out on my own, and I don't intend to sell this design, so I just tried making one up for fun.

Besides making that block, I dug into some scraps leftover from a quilt that I made for my second grandson years ago.  These strips were just too intrigueing to throw away, and I'm so glad that I found a good use for them.  I'm wild about these hotpads that I made.

They're not thick enough for, nor are they intended to be used for, actual potholders.  I use them when holding a plate or bowl to eat in the living room.  My coworkers laugh because I take them to work with me, along with real dishes to warm my meals.  But, why not?  It's the little things in life that bring you daily joy, right?

So, that's my report for the new year's beginning.  Feels like it's off to a good start.  I hope yours is filled with little things that bring YOU happiness.