According to Miss Manners, it is better to give someone a gift late than never. Thank God for that or I would constantly be in time out for my tardy quilt gifts.

Strong Hearts finally went home with its new owner Thetus Knox this weekend. It was originally a retirement gift, but by the time I gave it to her it could have been for many reasons — or no reason at all except that she is my friend.

Strong Hearts began with leftover blocks from a quilt I made for a breast cancer survivor. I knew this quilt would end up with a strong, beautiful woman, and so it has.

Strong Hearts, 38 x 38 inches, by O.V. Brantley 2009.