I have a Spring Finish

Bernice's Lone Star Quilt

I just finished putting the borders on a Lone Star Quilt that I am making for my Mother-In-Law. I thought it looked like spring and she loves purples so it should make her happy. Now I just need to get it to the frame and quilted... Oh how I wish I had a long arm quilter, Well I can dream can't I....LOL

Nanbon's Corner Information:
Don't forget to keep watching as I will soon be posting a link for my Birthday Giveaway on Nanbon's Corner. Also if you go there now you will find all kinds of buttons and posts on wonderful giveaway sites to enter. The Winner for the Reading Glasses Shopper Giveaway was Debbi. Congratulations to Debbi and thank you to all my readers who entered the giveaway.

PIF Project

This is one of my charity quilts, it was delivered last weekend to a lady who is fighting cancer, she was in remission and now it is back. She wanted something to take to the hospital with her to keep her warm as she gets her treatments.  Sandi,  the recipentent of the quilt, is the lady in the back with the smile's, the other lady in the blue shirt is Sharon, she recommended Sandi for the quilt.

The puppy has a new name, new owner and soon a new home.

Two weeks ago I was contacted by not one, nor two but three people looking for puppies and they had my email from the ad we had in December.  All were told we had 1 little girl that was three weeks old. We waited until the little girl went to the vet and got her first shot and OK from the vet the she was healthy. I then contacted the first lady and she came out to see her. She wanted the little girl but her fiance just wasn't sure, he wanted a manly dog. Second lady was contacted and she came out Sunday, the minute she got out of her car and saw our beautiful little girl the lady said, I want her.  They looked at the parents and played with the baby. Both her and her husband fell in love with the little girl. I know Vicki wanted to take her home, but she was only 6 weeks and she needs to be with her mom for two more weeks. Just to make sure she gets the very best start.  Vicki emailed me and they had decided on a name, the baby girl is now Mitzi.  Next weekend Mitzi will make a trip to her new home, her new parents have been getting ready for her arrival. They got her food, treats, toys, collar, leash, puppy pads and rain gear.  Can you tell that little Mitzi will be one spoiled girl, oh thats right, not spoiled, pampered. We have one more week with her, then we will deliver her to her new home. She is one lucky little girl to be getting such a good home with this wonderful couple.

My Sad Encounter Today.

We have one of those black tub ponds in the front flower bed. I went out for the mail today and as I passed the pond I noticed something in the water.  From time to time I will find a mouse or frog floating in the water, but today it was bigger. It was almost as big as the puppy and it looked like a puppy but with bigger ears.  I fished the little creature out of the pond and it was a small bunny. Poor little thing was just trying to get a drink and must have fallen in. I get so sad when I see something like this. I know that a lot of creatures benefit from my ponds so I won't take them out but I wonder what I need to do so that a bunny can get a drink safely. I guess I  need to put the slate ramp back in the pond, maybe that would help.

Golden Quilter Awards- Vote for your favorite nominees

SewCalGal blog is hosting the Golden Quilter Awards, Stop by http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2010/02/update-on-golden-quilter-award.html to vote for your favorites in the quilting world. The Categories are: Best Designer, Best Teacher/Instructor, Best Author, Best Quilt store (physical location), Best Quilt Store Online, Best Long Arm Quilter, Most Innovative New Product (Physical Item), Best Innovative New Product (Software) and Most Influential Person in the World of Quilting AKA Lifetime Achievement Award. I have voted for my favorites, now you can too, please take a few minutes to look over the list of Nominees and Vote for your favorites. What a wonderful way to honor these men and women who love quilting and who inspire others, plus the new products that we all love and would hate to be without.

I do have a special interest in the Lifetime achievement award. Lorraine Millar ( Nominee) is a wonderful women who passed away from cancer. She had been a quilter all her life (80 years) and even as she fought for her life and endured her Chemotherapy she continued to hand quilt. From the time Lorraine was a young child she and her two sisters would sit at Grammy Armstrong's Quilt frame, stitching to help bring extra money into the home, Lorraine was taught that the stitches had to be perfect and if there was a mistake it needed to be taken out and redone. For years the three girls learned from their Mother and Grand Mother, stitch by stitch. Lorraine was the only one of the three girls who continued with her gift of quilting. When Lorraine married and started her family she to would quilt and crochet to bring extra money into the home. Her quilts were treasures and each one was made with Lorraine's loving touch, each stitch was perfect. If she heard of someone in need of a little warmth or cheering up, Lorraine would make sure a quilt headed in their direction. She made quilts for the homeless, returning soldiers, newborns, seriously ill children and cancer patients. When there was a marriage or new baby in the family a quilt would be made as that special gift.  Lorraine had also helped out at the local Jr High's Home Economics dept. teaching the students the art of quilting. I remember when she helped out my 6 grade class as we drew our Lancaster Heritage blocks, stitched them, she sewed them together and set up a frame in our class room and we learned from this wonderful lady how to quilt. The Lancaster County Heritage quilt was given to our town mayor at the end of the school year. Lorraine always had her frame set up and neighborhood children would come and learn sitting around that frame, not only did we learn, but we stayed out of trouble. There wasn't a quilt that Lorraine and I made together, she was hand stitching and me I liked my machine so we did our own thing our own way. When she was going through her Chemo treatments I stayed with her for two months, and in that time we made our first start to finish quilt together, it was a Dina Pappas design for a watercolor heart quilt, I added a embroidery section that said " Live, Love, Laugh" this is what we lived by. The big frame was long gone as her house was just not big enough for it, but she had her large oval lap frame and she would work when she was strong enough and not sick from her Chemo. We finished this joint effort quilt which was for my home and started on the basket of flowers quilt for her home, The top was made, and borders added and put into her lap frame, the plans were made as to what designs would be quilted, she started to quilt it, but the basket was never finished as this wonderful women lost her battle to Cancer. I inherited all her sewing machines and items. I felt a strong urge to continue in her work, to finish her unfinished projects. For years my husband and I had searched craft sales, yard and garage sales for fabric, yarn and equipment, we would deliver the years goodies to that lovely lady and she would turn them into beautiful items which she would give to those in need. I now continue to do her work and make and donate quilts to nursing homes, ill children and cancer patients. Lorraine may be gone but her work lives on in me, I am her daughter and so very proud of her and all she had done and all she has passed on to others. So Lorraine Millar was my vote for Lifetime achievement award...To me she has already won her Golden Quilter's Award.

The Last Finished Quilt made with love by Mother and Daughter and the basket quilt still unfinished

Great Giveaway at Nanbon's Corner

If you read my last post you probably noticed all my winnings for January and February. I want to tell you about one of those wins and give you a chance to be a winner to. In January I was the lucky winner of a Gift Certificate to Reading Glasses Shopper web site. There were so many styles to choose from, half frames, full frames, bifocals, computer glasses, sunglass readers, folding glasses and accessories. I purchased a pair of the 4.0 readers with my certificate to use with my counted cross stitching and beading. I was so surprised when I received my glasses, they were really well constructed, rather stylish and very comfortable to wear, all this at a great price. I had order a pair for me for my crafting and a pair for hubby to use with his coin collecting. I just love my new glasses for doing the close work of cross stitching and beading. I loved them so much I wanted to share with all my readers so I contacted Reading Glasses Shopper and I was offered a gift certificate as a giveaway prize. My sister site Nanbon's Corner, is hosting this great giveaway for a $25. gift certificate to Reading Glasses Shopper web site. If you would like a chance to win this great prize visit Nanbon's Corner to place your entry. You can get up to 5 entries in the Reading Glasses Shopper's giveaway.The Giveaway will end on March 21st, winner will be drawn using the Random Number Generator and winner will be notified by email. OK now here's you chance, rush over to Nanbon's Corner and get your entry in for this great prize.
http://nanbonscorner.blogspot.com/

Good Luck, hope you win.......Nana Bonnie

March 1st

Another Month has come and gone, with the One World, One Heart Giveaway taking up most of January and February, my little blog has gotten behind with the updates.  As you all know I am so addicted to giveaways, I spend hours searching these wonderful blogs, learning about new products, and best of all entering their giveaways, or maybe the best part is the winning of great prizes. I love these blogs so much and have so much fun in my search for these blogs that I now have a giveaway blog called Nanbon's Corner you can visit here http://nanbonscorner.blogspot.com/  Stop by and say hello and enter my giveaway.  Ending today March 1st is the Pillsbury coupon for yummy sweet rolls and a beautiful desk top frame...  Starting tomorrow I will be offering a Gift Certificate to Reading Glasses Shopper web site.  This is one you just don't want to miss out on.
I didn't get to post my wins for January so here is what I have won for January and February

January Wins 

Charm Squares from Quakertown Quilts, Pattern from Stitcher's Workshop, Fiskar's 12 in 1 tool from Sew Mama Sew, Gift Certificate from Reading Glasses Shopper, Lazy Susan electric buffet server from Trying to Stay Calm, Santa Wall Hanging Kit from This n That Fabric.

February Wins

 Gift Certificate from Passion for Beads, (OWOH) Braided Wire Cuff from JaxsBeads, (OWOH) Fountain Seed Bead earrings from fred Beans Nook. (OWOH) Quilted bag from Artquilts, (OWOH) my heart painting from Caryls realms and last night I was notified that I won, EggsacT egg timer from Brynwood needleworks blog, GetSerious pet odor remover from letsjustgiveitaway, and Mary Kay's Day and Night Time Wise kit from dedeblogland.

See it does pay to play, hope you find some giveaways to enter, if you need a starting point visit my giveaway site at http://nanbonscorner.blogspot.com/ enter my giveaway and then look to the right and you will find buttons for some of my favorite sites. If you know of some great sites, send me a email at Ladycolmn@aol.com or leave a comment here

 HAVE FUN

a Bargin Saturday

Yesterday was our usual running around town day. We decided we would get a early start and set the alarm clock. Our goal was to visit some of the yard/garage sales that were listed in the paper. I was awaken before the alarm went off by our little Pom as she had to go potty. I opened the door to let her out, RAIN, Hey its not supposed to rain. That puts a kink in our day as who in their right mind is going to set up a yard sale in the rain. We didn't get quite the early start as planned but than WHY it was raining, no sales to shop at. Well that was not totally true, there was a church in Pensacola that was having a sale and it would be indoors so Yes we could go there. We found the church, parked and went inside, I stopped at the first table and that was it, I never got any further. Why you ask, well the lady had floss, craft items and quilt fabrics so I shopped, we talked and the lady bagged my purchase, in 8 bags.... Total cost $17.00

two bags in the back are filled with whites

two Christmas panels ready to quilt

fat quarter bundles and the Garden Princess complete quilt kit

WOW what a great deal, there were fat quarter bundles, fabrics, floss, quilt blocks in progress, patterns, and a quilt kit.... I would have spent $ 17.00 for just one fat quarter bundle in a quilt shop. The lady told me she was cleaning out her sewing room to make way for a foster child and I was helping her by buying the material. A Win Win situation for us both. I belong to the World of Charity Stitchers and I do the quilting for this area so getting all this material at this price is a blessing for me, as I am sure you all know how much quilting materials cost.

From there we headed to Alabama and some of our discount stores, just to be nosy and see if we could find any bargains. We stopped, but no luck at the stores we visited. We did pass the Tanger Outlet Stores and I happen to spy the Coach sign. Hubby turned the car around and into the shopping center we went. This is a place that we normally do not go to, I know outlets are supposed to be cheaper, but I really don't see that much of a difference, but hey we were just having fun so why not stop. We stopped by the Corelle store, I just love my Corelle Dishes, but I am getting a little bored with the pattern and I have broken a few so time for a new set. Well, we looked and I found a style I loved, but the price was just not that much of a bargain so I talked myself out of them. I will wait till Wal-Mart has them on sale.

We then proceeded to drive around the center to see what other stores might capture our attention. There was only one that caught my eye and that was the Coach Store, the sign that had lead us into the center in the first place. We parked and entered the store, there were tons of shoppers everywhere. There was a lady handing out slips of paper and on the paper it said take an additional 20% off. Seems we hit the jackpot, a big sale day for the Coach Outlet. I love the Coach Style, but they are just way out of my price range, now was my chance to own my on Coach purse. I expected the purses to be around the normal $300 dollar range, but they were lower and on opposing sides of the store were shelves with 50% off. OK, the purse I fell in love with was Dk blue shoulder bag, $269.00 so 50% off would be $135. then another 20% off, so what is that around $108. I really wanted it, the purse was in my hand, the check out was just steps away, and I put it back on the shelf and we left the store. Hubby asked why I didn't get the purse, he would have bought it for me after all my birthday is coming soon. But I just have a hard time spending that much money on a purse. I know people do it all the time, but for me, I would rather spend money on materials for my charity quilts or items for the grand kids. I guess I am just the typical giving Mom type, always thinking of others and trying to make their day just a little brighter. I will one day have my Coach purse, I will find a gently used one at a yard sale and pay a lot less then the $100. for it. In the meantime I will continue to try to brighten the day for others that are facing a far rougher road than I. Maybe others will follow my example and lend a helping hand, give from their heart, brighten a strangers day and ask nothing in return other than a smile.
On our way home we stopped by the Oasis Truck Stop at the Wilcox Road Exit along I-10, Hubby wanted to get something to drink. We noticed three train cars sticking out of the building as if they were derailed, broken cement blocks lay on the ground and the siding of the building was torn back were the cars had entered the building. Seems this is a new themed restaurant and yes we decided that we would give them a try. On entering the train car, we saw a train track over the entrance, I then spotted a counter and I started laughing.  There at the counter were the stools as every counter has, the only difference was the seats.  The first stool was a western saddle, then a round bar stool, followed by two airline seats, a metal tractor seat, and what looked like the seat from a Harley. As we were taken to our booth I noticed the tables were glass topped with hot wheels, tech decks or other transportation vehicles tucked inside along with travel trivia.  On the walls were Bikes, scooters, peddle cars, skates, and anything else that had wheels. The area for the server station was designed to look like a school bus and yes they entered this area through the bus doors. I also noticed the back end of a pickup truck with the tail gate down, which was the table for two dinners. The place was charming in its decor.  I ordered the Crab Cakes and hubby had the Shrimp. Our orders were delivered in a short time and the food was wonderful. I found the broiled Crab Cakes to be more crab then filler, perfectly seasoned and cooked. I also tried one of Hubby's shrimp and they were as good if not better then the crab. There was a light breading on plump shrimp cooked to perfection. French Fries, Hush Puppies and Cole Slaw were served with the platters and Hubby always judges a restaurant by the Cole Slaw, this restaurant passed with 4 stars. I only had one minor complaint and that was with the Hush Puppies, I found them to be undercooked and I told the server who in turn told the kitchen manager. I was told they had a new cook and he was then instructed to cook Hush Puppies a little longer. I was a little disappointed that the manager didn't think a complaint should have been addressed by him as most restaurant managers would do. But all together this is a very good place to eat and the prices are very reasonable. We will stop again and try more items from their menu. I found this article on the web on this restaurant.
http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/derailed_diner_on_track/551149/Nov-29-2009_11-03-pm/

Visit My Giveaway Site Nanbon's Corner  http://nanbonscorner.blogspot.com/

Meet the baby

As I promised in a previous post I will let you know about Mariah and the surprise she gave us. January 31 I awoke to a surprise. I got up and went to let the dogs out of their room and into the yard. Mariah never came out of the room, so once the others were out of the house I proceeded to go and check on the little girl. To my surprise she was in her bed and hiding something that was squeaking, no it wasn't a mouse although it was that size. I moved her leg and found a little black puppy, I moved Mariah out of the bed to take her outside and found a brown puppy. Our little girl had delivered two very tiny pups and no we didn't even know she was pregnant, guess that is why the pups were so tiny. They weighed in at around 1 ounce. We decided to stay home that weekend instead of our normal running around town, just to make sure things were ok. Melanie and the kids came out Sunday and new mom and pups seemed fine. Monday I checked the pups and did a weight on them, the black one was gaining and the brown one was losing weight and seemed dehydrated. I was concerned that the black pup was keeping the little brown one from feeding so we headed to the pet store and picked up some puppy formula just to give the little kid a fighting chance. She continued to go downhill and Tuesday she was gone. Poor little Mariah she was still trying to take care of this little kid who didn't move. I let her have the puppy with her a little while and then sent her outside for a potty break and proceeded to get the puppy and wrap it up for burial. Mariah missed her for most of the day and continued to look for her, it broke my heart watching her. By Wednesday she seemed back to normal and was taking care of the black kid. Well the little black has been doing super well, she is growing bigger every day.She is now over one pound, her main activities are eating and sleeping. She tries to play a little and trying to cut in the puppy teeth mainly on my arm or fingers. She will be 4 weeks Saturday and is walking, or at least trying to. She looks like she is a little drunk as she tries to get her feet under her. She is already using the puppy pads and tonight she escaped from the whelping box and ended up in the dining room. I think she was looking for the other dogs as I let her play in the living room with them. The Pom's have taken to her and seem really gentle with her. I have posted some of the baby's pictures, she is so cute. I have had two people who were looking for pups in December email me and are interested in this little girl.

Pups the day they were born

puppy at 2 weeks

puppy at 4 weeks

I have also been working on a Quilt for a lady who is fighting Cancer. This was a request from a member of my World of Charity Stitchers group. Because this quilt needed to be done really quickly, I choose a snowball block for the CCS heart squares and a 9 patch for the other blocks. The photo is not showing the true colors which are shades of purple, pinks and greens and burgundy. The top is done and I made enough of the blocks for a lap quilt for the nursing home. Next week I hope to have it quilted and ready to deliver.