Monday, March 21, 2011

So proud.

I am so proud of my daughter that I just had to share it.
My 10 year old daughter Amanda asked if she could go to Boulder Co. this summer to visit my sister Barb. I told her it would depend on Barb's schedule and how much it would cost to buy a plane ticket.
So she called her Aunt Barb and asked if she could come during the summer for a visit.
Of course her Aunt said yes !!!
So than she asked me what a plane ticket would cost. I said we could probably find a deal but because she would be flying unaccompanied it would cost more.
After a few minutes of silence, she announced she was going to make the money herself for the plane ticket. She came up with a plan and asked if I could start a blog for her.
She said she was going to sell bookmarks to pay for her trip.
She was going to call it Bookmarks for Boulder.
So I got busy and designed a blog page for her and the orders started rolling in.
Since yesterday afternoon she has gotten 11 orders.
Check out her blog.
http://www.bookmarksforboulder.blogspot.com/

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Shocked and sad !!!

So I heard there was a new quilt store in my town, oh boy so exited, can't wait to go !!!!!
It was in a beautiful log cabin style building in the oddest part of town, but when I walked in it was like wonderland.
It was so cute, and cheery and the most beautiful fabric that I haven't seen in other shops. I really thought I found my little piece of heaven. That was of course until I picked up a bolt of fabric and the price was $11.25 a yard. I thought no that can't be right, this must just be a special bolt. So I tried to wipe the look of shock off my face and walked around some more. Found another must have piece and when I picked that bolt up it was $12.05 a yard. What !!!!!!!
Now I know people in other parts of the world have had to deal with high price quilt fabric but not here !!!!!  They come here to buy our fabric....
I had heard the price of cotton was up and with all the gas  and everything else going up but $12.05 a yard....
Such a sad day for me.  I guess I will truly shop my own stash for a while.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Acts of Kindness

Wow, the nicest thing was done for me and I need to share it with all of you.
Before my Mom died she bought a beautiful new sewing machine, it was the Bernina 440 Quilters Addition.  After she died her machine sat for about a year before I could even think about touching it. I know my Mom  wanting me to use it but I just wasn't ready.
So finally my Dad gave me the push I needed to start using it. I took it to the closest Bernina store and got it serviced. Even thought I have been quilting and sewing for years I had been using a Baby Loc and didn't know much about Bernina's. I asked them how much it would cost to take a class on this machine and was told there are several and each one is $50.
Months later my good friend Anna and I went to the Bernina Connection in Phoenix. We both really liked this shop and been to it several times. This day Anna was making a purchase and said to me, you should take your classes here. This got the attention of the women at the register and she asked what class was I looking to take.
I didn't want to go into the whole story so I just told her I inherited a 44o and I need to take the Basic Operation class. She asked if my Mom purchased her machine at their shop, because if she did they would honor her benefits and give me the classes for free. When I explained she didn't they said I should contact the store she purchased it at and ask them if I can take the classes there free of charge.
I explained to the lady that I didn't care for that shop and found they lacked in customer service.
She then said how lucky I was to have inherited that machine. At that point my friend explain that it was very sad to me to have that machine and that it belonged to my Mom who I recently lost to Breast Cancer. The women was very kind and said she understood how hard it must be.
Anna and I let the shop and headed for lunch. Within 15 minutes Anna's cell phone rang and the women on the other end explain she was from the Bernina store we just let and she had shared my story with the own Val Spanks and Val would like to speak to your friend.  When I got on the phone Val first said how she was sorry about my Mom and that she has lost her Mom not that long ago and she knows what I was going through. She said her store would like to adopt me and my machine and give me the classes for free.
I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. They  tracked us down through Anna's name in the register, found her number and called us.
I attended my first class yesterday and couldn't believe how kind everyone was.
There still is goodness in this world !!!
So I want to tell you all to check out this great shop, The Bernina Connection, 4219 E. Indian School Rd. Suite 103 , Phoenix AZ 85018.  602-553-8350  http://www.berninaconnection.com/
Thanks again Val for you generous act of kindness.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Shopped my own stash !!!

This weekend my friend Diane and I had our own shop hop. (another Thelma and Louis adventure!)
Okay, I am going to say this because I know my husband doesn't read my blog.... We were so excited to get out and away from our families for the day. We were going to do one of our very favorite things, shop for fabric !!!!!
We travel all over the far east valley and hit 5 different quilt shops. We laughed, stopped and had lunch, shopped some more, got turned around and drove in circles but had a blast.
There was only one thing missing in our great day, we didn't make any fabric purchases ???
What !!!! no purchase !!!! ( Didn't even have to tell a little white lie, No honey I didn't buy anymore fabric.)
We were sad to say there was nothing new that we said" we just have to have it !"
We either already had it or it just didn't move us. We were very disappointed and believe it or not sad.
So the next day we got together to have a sew day. The most amazing things happened !
I started pulling fabric from my stash, I would hold up one group and say, "Remember how excited we were when we both this!" Then I would pull another group out and say, "Oh yeah and remember this great line". Well I won't mention how many groupings I pulled out to prove a point but then it dawned on me. I loved this grouping so much back when, I had to buy it all. So why not get excited again about the beautiful fabric and actually make something out of it! Duh !!!
So I am making my 10 year old daughter, Amanda, the cutest quilt from Sanctuary. A oldie but goodie.
Sorry for the poor quality of this picture, it just doesn't do the fabric justice.
Be sure to check back to see the finished product.
A ladies, you know who you are, I bet if you shop your stash we will fall in love all over again.

Monday, March 7, 2011

What is your toothpaste doing for your overall health?

Oral health is such an important part of our overall health and largely overlooked.
80% of all Americans suffer from some form of periodontal disease (gum disease).
If you have periodontal disease, you have increased your risk of getting heart disease by 25%. Good oral hygiene is necessary not just for healthy teeth and gums, but also for the health of your entire body.


A lot of science went into the development of our toothpaste. Our toothpaste is truly unique because of the natural ingredients we use to kill the bacteria, strengthen the enamel, promote healthy gums and whiten teeth. If you look at the ingredients in store brands such as Crest or Colgate, you will see a lot of ingredients including sodium lauryl sulfate and FD&C Blue Dye and other artificial colors, flavors and ingredients. Our tooth polish is just $3.89 compare to brands like Sensodine which sells for $5.49.
Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients our  uses:


1. Tea Tree Oil – kills the bacteria and bad breath. If you are prone to Canker Sores, Tea Tree oil helps heal them fast and most time prevents them from occurring all together.


2. Propolis – honey bees collect this from tree sap and use it to plug up holes in beehives to prevent disease and inhibit bacterial growth. It is a natural antimicrobial with antibiotic and anti fungal properties.


3. Myrrh – comes from the dried gum resin of certain trees and is a natural antiseptic for the prevention and treatment of gum disease


4. Xylitol – safe, natural sweetener that also helps reduce plaque buildup and prevents tooth decay

5. Papain – enzyme found in papayas that breaks down stains and whitens teeth naturally

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Some of my Favorites.

I was browsing my pictures and ran across some of the Purses, Diaper Bags and Book Bags that I haven't seen in a while. I realized they are truly my babies and I loved going back and seeing them again. So I decided to share them again with you.
Hope you enjoy seeing them again as much as I do.

Bella Blossom


One of a Kind Purse
Bella Totes

Diaper Bags/Book Bags/Computer Bags