Quilt Drawing

Robin has posted about this family on her blog, I wanted to spread the word.

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Donation quilt - Open Heart Surgery fundraiser
In September Don has to undergo open heart surgery to repair or replace the Mitral Valve - and we have finally come up with a way to raise money for what we will owe after insurance pays their part. To read more about Don's surgery - click here. I have been making quilts for years, it is one thing that I can do to contribute to our situation - and we've decided to use one of the quilts for the fund raiser, and it is the Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt that was finished just last year. It is hand pieced and machine quilted, by Julie from Idaho.

It is double bed size - the fabrics are 100% cotton, all tone on tones . . .
Julie did a fabulous job - using her home sewing machine . . .
It is Don's all time favorite quilt - he says it just makes him happy to look at it . . .For a donation of $5.00 you get your name in the drawing five times - a donation of $10.00 gives you 12 chances and $20.00 will give you 25 chances, etc.

To keep this from being an actual raffle - anyone can have their name entered without a donation (though we really do appreciate the donations, but completely understand if you can't donate, not everyone can in these economic times and we don't want you to feel bad about that). Send us your good wishes and prayers - they mean so much to us.I have talked to many internet and local friends - and they are all excited about this and we already have many donations and offers to take donations for us also.

The drawing will be Sept. 6 - Don's birthday - the surgery is scheduled for Sept. 4, at this point. Any money raised over the amount that is needed for our co-pay on the surgery (approx. $25,000 if everything goes smoothly) will be donated to another person or family with a medical need. We welcome ideas of who to donate to once we reach our goal.

To donate, - we are currently working on an online payment process - email for details.We also accept checks, just email for the address to send them to. Some of our friends are taking tickets already and gathering donations, which we truly appreciate. It is amazing the support and love we feel during this stressful and scary time.If you would like to post about this donation quilt on your blog, we surely would appreciate that - and you would get your name in the drawing 5 more times and for each person you send over this way who donates - another 5 times in the drawing.Thank you all for reading this post - and for your support and prayers.

Happy Easter

Wishing everyone a blessed and happy Easter.
May the Lord live in your heart.
God Bless

Contest Winnings

A group of Herbal blogs have gotten together for a group contest.

Below are the details, there are still 4 weeks to go. Why am I telling you this, well because I have been fortunate enough to win twice. See my winnings below.

Herb Blog Group Contest(s)

Welcome to our Herb Blog Group Contest!
For the week between Friday, February 27 and Thursday, March 5 you can enter simply by entering a comment in response to this blog entry and take a chance at winning a full year's subscription to The Essential Herbal Magazine! The Essential Herbal is written by, for, and about herbie people and the things they love. It is a grassroots publication that talks about the things you want to know when it comes to herbs.
The following blogs are also participating, so stop over to enter with them for additional chances to win AND the chance to explore some cool blogs. If you are already a subscriber, we"ll just add the free year on the end. Be sure to leave an email addy in your response so that we can reach you if you win!

Possum Creek Herb Farm
Blessings of an Herbwyfe
Garden Chick ***
SunRose Aromatics ***
Herbs from the Labyrinth ***
Patti's Potions ***
PrairieLand Herbs ***
Aquarian Bath ***
The Rosemary House ***
Natures Gift ***
Torchsong Studio ***
The Essential Herbal ***

*** These blogs will be having contests for the next 10 weeks. Be sure to come back!

I want to say THANK YOU, to..........Karen at Garden Chick for the darling fairy cookie cutter, recipe, and frosting crystals that she gave as a prize. This cookie cutter will also make a nice pattern for applique and for making soaps as well. Thank you Karen.















Next , my THANK YOU, ..........goes out to.........Rosanne at SunRose Aromatics for the wonderful gift of Organic Liquid Castile Soap, Apricot Kernel Meal, and Organic Aloe Vera and Seaweed Gel. Thank you so much Rosanne.















I hope you will visit these websites, and HAY.......go join in the contest, there are still 4 more weeks to go.

Shoppe Additions

Dream pillows on eCrater Shoppe


Hand embroidered with
"Sweet Dreams"
in purple





Lavender dream pillow with hand embroidery, makes a wonderful gift for yourself or a special person on you list.

Place your dream pillow inside you pillow case to help you fall asleep.
Lavender is know for its calming effect. Inside the pillow are lavender buds and soft cotton batting.


Hand embroidered with
"Lavender"
in raspberry





I made a pillow for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter, and had to make another for my son ....he said it really does make a difference, he sleeps much better.

So treat yourself or a loved one to sweet dreams with a lavender dream pillow. Perfect for your travel kit, helping to calm you in a strange place.

Note: After awhile you can add lavender EO to your pillow if you want it make it stronger.



Hand embroidered with
"Sweet Dream"
in raspberry.




To visit my eCrater Shoppe see the side bar. Thank you.

Shoppe Open

Good Morning All:

After a job scare, I have reopened my shoppe......I am trying eCrater this time instead of Etsy.

The reason being that eCrater doesn't charge to list, nor is there a time limit on your listing. Just a little savings. Please see my side panel to visit my shoppe.

I will be adding new items, so please visit often. All items will be hand crafted by me, today I will be adding some lavender dream pillows that are hand embroidered. This takes alot more time then without the embroidery but I think it is worth it. Jewelry will be coming soon, I am still honing my skills there. I have purses in the works as well. Soaps, too.

Thank you for your support.

Thank you
Gail

Jewelry

I thought I would share some of the things I have been doing lately.
Remember to click the picture for a large view.

My MIL gave me some odds and ends jewelry pieces. This beautiful
blue pendent was in there, I have kept is wanting to put a chain on, so here
it is with a new chain and clasp. I am keeping this for myself. It looks like
it could be a blue topaz, the setting is beautiful. One can dream, right?
















Here, the first pair
of earrings I put together.

Swarovski crystals,
silver spacers,
root beer color glass
beads and
rose quartz drops, on
silver plated hoops.


These I just finished.
The picture is not good
but they are
sterling silver chains, with
swarovski crystals and
silver plated crosses with
pink stones.




This is the necklace
that started all this
jewelry making.
Made with hand made
herb beads, in rose.
With reclaimed crystal
beads and antique silver
chain and clasp.

Note the clasp, I just love
this style.

These are works in
progress.
The white bracelet has reclaimed beads (white) which are shell of some kind, 3 beautiful lamp work glass beads, and acrylic leaves. I am waiting for some of the components for these two.
You know how it is when you start a new venture, it takes a while to figure out all the
pieces you need..............well, at least it takes me awhile. Grin.



Next is a rose quartz bracelet,
with 2 lamp work beads,
3 Czech Glass rounds in
Champagne luster, and
gold (plated) spacers.




So......what do you think, are they nice enough to sell?
Is it something you'd buy for yourself or
as a gift or am I wasting my time? There are so many
experience jewelry makes out there, can I compete?

RR details

This is the work I did for Moira. It is nearly time to mail this block on to the next artist, to add her touches.

This first section, I let the fabric do the work, just wanted to frame it a little and add a few beads to help "pop" the design. My addition include the two seam treatments on either side of the aqua print. The right side is a Sassa Lynne thread and the left is from Susan's thread collection dedicated to the mom's in her moms quilt.






Click for a
detailed
look.








Using the same fabric as inspiration again, I decided to do a paisley, this thread is a rayon thread called Stef Francis, Susan gave it me last summer. It is a bear to work with but I love the colors and they were perfect for this block.















An over all look at the block, it is a beauty and this picture in no way does it justice.















A sneak peak

Here is a sneak peak at what I have been up to lately, I have to warn you all.....................
NEVER......SAY.......NEVER...............you see what happens.......I wasn't ever going
to make jewelry................nor was I ever going to crazy quilt.................you'd think I learn.

TA..........DA.............














You may remember a while back I mentioned making beads from herbs. These beads are made from rose petals. I have begun to string them with crystal beads, I think it is going to be pretty, pretty fancy, too. I also have made myself a mom/grandma necklace, but the pictures were not any good so I will have to show it to you later.

More to come,