Made It!

Yeah!  Finished Halloween house #4 last evening,
 meeting my goal of one house a month.


















Even got house #5 ready to stitch.  I think this one
is really going to challenge me to finish it by
the end of March.

Took three of my small wall quilts to be machine
quilted today.  One has sat here for a year
waiting to be quilted and I just never seem to get
to it so decided if I wanted to enjoy them, I'd
have them done. 

For Christmas my daughter and family gave me
a rod to hang my quilts from.  We finally got it
hung in my crafting room, so I'm anxious to
get some of these projects finished so they can be
hung and enjoyed. 

I just purchased one more rod for another wall that
we will hang so I can enjoy more of my quilts.  It's
so fun to walk in to my crafting room and see them
hanging.  Surely brightens up the room.

Stay Safe and Be Well.

Nola

What A Difference A Day Makes

Yesterday was a beautiful spring-like day with the
temperature in the 50's.  It was all I could do to stay in
doors and do the things I needed to.  However, I did
snap this picture of my little crocuses opening up to the
warm sunshine:

Today we are in the mid 30's and with the wind it
feels like 29F.  It is very windy and the sky is
dark with heavy storm clouds.  Actually, the air is
very brown-looking.  Guess the wind is stirring up
a lot of dirt. 

Yesterday I was in shirtsleeves and today I can't
seem to get warm even though I am all bundled up.
We're supposed to get a storm, but lately they've
just fizzled out. Will see if anything comes from
this tonight.

Finished my "March Hang Up" this afternoon.
I purchased kits for each month last year and
never got them made up.  Am getting off to a
slow start this year, but hope to keep up with them.
One a month shouldn't be that difficult, should it?


















Think I'll go make some hot chocolate and see
if that will warm me up enough so I can do
a little stitching on my Halloween houses.

Stay Safe and Be Well,

Nola

The Winner Is.....

Thank you all for participating in the book Give Away
 for  Jennifer Chiaverini's new book Sonoma Rose .
The lucky winner, chosen by Random Number
Generator is LeAnn

 Congratulations, LeAnn.

Stay Safe and Be Well,
 

Nola

Two Finishes!

Although I don't set New Year's Resolutions, I do think
about things I want to accomplish or change in my life
and one thing I really want to do this year is finish
projects that have been sitting on the back burner while
I concentrate on newer projects.

I am happy to report that two projects are now
completed.  This one from "American Patchwork
& Quilting" which I posted about in January, 2011.  It
didn't take long to piece it together, but it has sat in
my pile of "items" to be quilted for several months now. 


















Also finished the stitching, added borders and a
little quilting to Kaaren's "September Song."


















It feels so good to have these finished.  Will probably
put the stitchery away until fall, but at least the table
topper is out where I can enjoy it.

Just a reminder, the give away for "Sonoma Rose"
will end tomorrow.  So there is still time to enter
if you'd like to win a copy of the book.

Stay Safe and Be Well,

Nola

GIVE AWAY!

I LOVE to read!  In fact, there is nothing I enjoy more

than a good book!  Just ask my family!

Recently, I was beginning a new book when I received

an email asking if I would be interested in hosting a

"Give Away" for Jennifer Chiaverini's new book,

Sonoma Rose, due out February 21st.

I couldn't believe it!  What a coincidence--the book I
was starting was her latest (or so I thought),
The Union Quilter's.

Some time ago, my friend, Laurel, introduced me to
 Jennifer's "Elm Creek Quilt" series and I've been a
fan of hers ever since.  So, of course, I couldn't pass
up this opportunity to preview her new book and share
with those of you who read my blog, an opportunity to
win a copy of her new book.

I love the way Jennifer writes and how she draws you
into the stories and makes them come alive on the
written page.


This new book, Sonoma Rose, tells the story of a
young mother's heroic journey in a prohibition-era
America.  I read this in two day!  I  couldn't lay it
down as I was so caught up in the story and how
it was going to end.

If you've ever read any of Jennifer's books, you'll
definitely want to enter the Give Away for a chance
to win her new book.  If you've never read any of her
books, this is your chance to become acquainted
with an awesome writer.

There are  three ways you can win.*  All you have
to do is:
1.  Leave me a comment
2.  Indicate you are a follower
3.  Post about the Give Away on your blog

*This Give Away, I'm sorry to say, is only open to
blog readers in the United States and Canada.

The lucky winner will be announced Friday,
February 24.

If you are set as a "no reply" blogger, be sure to
include your email address in your comment.

I know you'll love reading this latest book of
Jennifer's as I did.

Good luck to everyone!
 

Nola

Three Little Quilts Finished

At the end of January, my friend Karen  had a post
 about babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
at the Brooke Army Medical Center (BMAC),
needing blankets and asked for some help.  I thought
that this was something I could surely find time to
do.

Today I finished the third and final quilt and will
now get them ready to mail.  It was a good way to use
up things I had on hand and they were quick and easy
to do.

Here are my finished quilts:

Stay Safe and Be Well,

Nola

Sweet Surprise!

Happy Valentines Day!

My day was made special by a sweet little surprise
from my grandson:

Thank you, Ian, for the delightful handmade card
and my favorite candy bar.  You're awesome!

Hope everyone is having or has had a wonderful
Valentine's Day.

Grandma's Valentine Party

Saturday was the big day---Grandma's Valentine party!
The grandchildren have been so excited counting down
the days! (As has Grandma!)  What a great time we had.
(click on pictures to enlarge)

 

Can't wait until next year!

I've Been Spoiled!

It has been fun participating in Cheryll's Initial Heart
Swap.  As I mentioned earlier, this was the first swap
I have ever done.  I didn't know what to expect.  But,
I was blessed to have a partner, Laura, who literally
went above and beyond and absolutely spoiled me with
lovely Valentine goodies!

First was this heart shaped box with a sequin braid,
fabric bow with a wooden heart on the side tole painted
roses on the top (which she painted).  Laura indicated
on her blog that she had recently learned to paint these
small ceramic doll heads.  Isn't she talented!

Inside the box were more goodies:  Small fabric hearts,
felt hearts and a wall plaque with another of her
hand painted ceramic doll heads.  Can you believe
how busy she has been?  Oh, and the inside of the
box was lined with fabric and a braid with tassels.

Did you see the little red "heart" ring?
It even lights up!

There's more:  A lovely pillow with a vintage
picture, a stuffed heart to hang on my wall and yummy
chocolate.

Thank you so much, Laura.  You really went the
extra mile and made the swap exciting and fun for
me.

Today I'm delivering invitations to "Grandma's Annual
Valentine" party on Saturday.  Then, I will spend the
afternoon wrapping little prizes for the games we
will be playing.  I don't  know who looks more
forward to this--me or the grandchildren.

When Kohler (4) was here on Tuesday, he said his
Mommy was helping him count the days until the
party and that there were four more days.  Then
Ian (8) came by later and asked if they would be
getting an invitation. (I always make invitations).
With the luncheon on Tuesday I didn't get them
done until last night.  It made me happy that he
liked to get an invitation!

Busy, busy week for me.  But, I love it!

Now if I can just get this inflammation in my eye
cleared up.  Thank goodness it's not contagious...
just looks bad.  The Dr. has given me new medicine
and an antibiotic to try, because what we've been
doing hasn't worked.

Stay safe and Be Well,

Nola

Friendship Luncheon

For some time now I have wanted to host a luncheon
for a group of friends where we could just sit, visit,
share a light lunch and enjoy one another's company.
It seems we all get so busy and just don't take the time
to really visit.

Time moves so quickly and we never know what lies
down the road.  Three of us are cancer survivors.
Actually, one is still receiving radiation treatments.


My daughter was kind enough to make the invitations
for me (so I wouldn't talk myself out of it again--which
I have done a couple of times)
The picture doesn't really do it justice.  The background
is actually pink with red and pink hearts and scallops.)


















Eight lovely friends were invited.

We had so much fun eating, laughing, reminiscing,
and just enjoying being together.  All the work and
preparation was well worth it.  As each one left, they
received a little "Friendship Basket" filled with
Dove Chocolates.

I'm thinking this should become a tradition each
February to gather together and share a lovely
afternoon.

Stay safe and Be Well,

Nola