Magnolia Blossom Art

Career Changes Going On!!

2009-09-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

I've been out of touch on Magnolia Blossom Art for some time. Haven't been able to work much on crafting and boy do I miss it. Things are going well around here, lots going on. After 25 years of in-home daycare, I have made a career change and have been extremely busy these past few months!! Not one, but TWO new businesses have I launched ... it is so exciting!! They are slow going as I guess is to be expected in the beginning, but it has only been a bit over 1 month since both have been up and running. I have started a new blog about all the changes and will be posting regularly about new information about my businesses.

You can follow the links below to my websites and I would love for you to become a follower on my new blog ... Nanny Goes Digital!!

With Heritage Makers we are able to preserve our family's heritage through digitally storybooking. Check it out and if you are interested in what you see contact me right on the website, I'll be glad to get right back with you to answer any questions you may have. Also, if you think you would be interested in becoming a Personal Publishing Consultant like I am, please get in touch .. I just know you will love the company and what is better than making a living at something you love!! You may want to become a consultant as a hobbyist, or for some part time income, or perhaps would like to turn it into a full time business as I have, whatever you feel would work best for you, it is a rewarding, easy, convenient way to earn money. Just get in touch, I'll help you with any questions you may have!

With Beacon Errand And Concierge Services I am able to provide help to my community by doing what I love ... helping out those in need!! Getting the word out is somewhat of a challenge so any networking ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated, you can email me right from my website!! Suggestions and ideas are welcome!!!

Hope all's well with you and look forward to hearing from you, your thoughts on my career changes and any helpful hints you may have in the area of networking!!

LOTS GOING ON ... NONE OF IT CRAFTING ... BOO HOO ... BUT GOOD NEWS FROM MBA

2009-04-07T05:14:00.000-07:00

Where have I been you may ask? Well shortly after my last blog I found myself going in the hospital for emergency surgery ... apparently my appendix decided it was feeling quite out of place in there ... with me having a hysterectomy 30 years ago, gallbladder removed 6 years ago, the gastric by-pass done last June, there's really nothing left in there to go after ... I hope anyway!! Following the appy surgery, the abdominal muscle was a bit slow to heal ... so, long story short ... even though I only missed two days work, it was all I could do to get through the days ... then I would crash at the end of the day. On top of that, ball season has begun and with 3 of the 5 grandsons playing on 5 baseball teams, we are gone most afternoons watching them play ball ... LOVE IT!!! So crafting has taken the back burner and I sure do miss it ... I forget how relaxing and gratifying it is to loose myself in creating!!!
I also have been very busy gearing up for our Relay For Life Event on June 5th. Being coordinator of the Kids Care Program there's been a lot to get organized and that has kept me busy ... it's all good, though ... we have an awesome night of activities planned for all ages, from the youngest of kids to the oldest of adults ... we are looking to a fun night of relaying together.
Admists all of this ... I have somehow managed to reach my goal weight given to me by my surgeon at the time of my gastric by-pass surgery!!! I have lost 148 pounds in less than 10 months! I am so excited, happy and proud of myself .. but more importantly, I feel marvelous!!! When I had surgery my daughter encouraged me to set some goals for myself and fix some rewards to those goals ... so I did. Every 30 pounds I lost I went for a manicure ... and when I hit goal my husband and I were taking a cruise. I just didn't expect to accomplish it in 9 1/2 months!! As a daycare provider for school teacher's children. I have the week of spring break off ... so on a Cruise we're going ... we leave Monday morning at 5:45 for Miami to board a Royal Caribbean ship to cruise the Bahamas ... I can't wait!!!
I'll be busy when we get back finalizing things for the Relay ... but crafting is in the near future ... I can't stand staying away .. gotta get back!! In the mean time, I'm making curtains for 2 grandsons and my daughter, so that will keep me in the mode.

Do You Have Plumber's Insurance????

2009-02-18T10:37:00.000-08:00

The Youth at our Church, Port Norfolk Baptist, are participating in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine to raise money for hungry children around the world. The end of the month they will be sleeping outside in front of the church in cardboard boxes during the actual 30 hour famine period. They had a Sweetheart Luncheon last week serving fried chicken and fixins to raise money, but I think one of the funniest and most original fundraisers I've ever seen is the Plumber's Insurance Plan. If you do not buy insurance, this lovely tub can be placed in your front yard until you come up with $10.00 to have it removed. You can also pay$5.00 to have it placed in a yard of an uninsured person. The lovely tub was randomly placed (by the youth, they LOVE us!!) in our yard and we then paid money to have it placed in someone else's yard (after paying the $10.00 removal fee) and it now is in our daughter's yard (we didn't pay for this placement ... she has two teenage boys ... again randomly placed by our youth, I think ... youth loving youth !). We have gotten such a kick out of this inventive way to raise money ... our youth minister is GREAT .. always coming up with new and unique ways to get our teens excited about Christ and the love He wants us to share with all ... and this way to raise money for those less fortunate is certainly a lesson our youth will not soon forget, nor many of us older folks ... keep showing that love guys!

2009-02-13T06:29:00.000-08:00

New week ... new Fabulous Friday Freebie ... this week's featured Etsy shop owner is Robin of Robin's Art's & Craft's

Robin has a lovely shop with handmade cards, tags, stickers and more. You will enjoy browsing her shop as much as I have ... her things are lovely with much time and care taken with each design. Stop by her shop ... feel free to do some shopping ** wink, wink ** and then stop back here and leave a post for a chance to win ... scroll down to see the rules ... and remember ... there are more ways than one to get in for a chance to win!! Robin has offered this lovely clutch purse card this week as our Fabulous Freebie giveaway ... you won't want to miss out on a chance to win ... GOOD LUCK ... ENTER MANY TIMES, MANY WAYS ... INCREASE YOUR CHANCES!!!!

There are several ways to enter for this week's giveaway ... don't miss out ... you won't want to pass this up!
Here's how it works ...
1) Go to her Etsy shop ... Robin's Art's & Craft's
2) Browse Around ... feel free to do some shopping :-) 3) Pick your favorite item in her shop
4) Come back here
5) Leave me a post about your favorite item
6) You're in the pot for the drawing!!
Want more chances to win? ... you can do one or more of these things after you post about Bonnie's shop and you will have additional chances to win !!
* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Etsy Shop and tell me what you like the best ... 1 additional chance to win
* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Artfire Shop and leave a link of your favorite item in a post here ... 1 additional chance to win
* Blog about this contest ... 1 additional chance to win ... Leave a comment here with a link!
* Become a follower of this blog ... 1 additional chance to win ... no need to leave a comment! All Followers will be entered in our Fabulous Friday Giveaways!
* Let your friends know about this contest! ... 1 additional chance to win for every person you send an email to ... (include me via CC at magnoliablossomart@gmail.com)
* Buy something from Robin's Art's & Craft's ... 5 additional chances to win for every purchase made by a Magnolia Blossom Art Reader!
GOOD LUCK ... HAVE FUN!!!

Wheeewwweee ... Glad they've found homes!!!

2009-02-09T09:28:00.000-08:00

We were having puppy withdrawals and were getting a bit concerned that maybe one from that fabulous litter of 10 puppies I posted about in January may end up HAVING to come to Virginia! But, fortunately for everyone, they have all found wonderful homes. I think we may be in trouble, however, when and if Izzy ever has a litter. She is the sister of our Blossom and is a beautiful girl! She's not the next one planned for a litter ... good for us ... 'cause we may just melt and give in to the temptation ... OH NOOOOO ... three Saint Bernard's .. what would we do .... we'll see what happens ... I'll pray for sanity!!!

I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of the last two to leave .... you can see why we melt when we think of another baby in the house ... aren't they adorable!!!!!

THIS WEEK'S FABULOUS FRIDAY FREEBIE

2009-02-06T04:53:00.000-08:00

Okay ... another week, another Fabulous Friday Freebie ... ready ... set ... here we go!!! This week's shop is Bonz Photography and Cards.

New Etsian, Bonnie, has some beautiful works of photos and card sets. She specializes in photography and handmade note cards of dogs, cats, animals, flowers, landscapes, and architecture. I just loved her shop when browsing through Etsy one day and invited her to participate in the Friday Freebie ... I was thrilled when she agreed to offer one of her card sets as a giveaway. I know you will be taken away by her work of art and I'm more than happy to be part of sharing her art with all of you. Bonnie is offering the winner a choice between the "Dogs Galore" card set and the "Assorted" card set ... so you know the drill ... follow the rules below to have a chance to get in the drawing ... the more you click and post the more chances you have to win ... SO GET BROWSING .. AND HAVE SOME FUN!!!

There are several ways to enter for this week's giveaway ... don't miss out ... you won't want to pass this up!

Here's how it works ...

1) Go to her Etsy shop ... BonzPhotography and Card Shop

2) Browse Around ... feel free to do some shopping :-)
3) Pick your favorite item in her shop

4) Come back here

5) Leave me a post about your favorite item

6) You're in the pot for the drawing!!

Want more chances to win? ... you can do one or more of these things after you post about Bonnie's shop and you will have additional chances to win !!

* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Etsy Shop and tell me what you like the best ... 1 additional chance to win

* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Artfire Shop and leave a link of your favorite item in a post here ... 1 additional chance to win

* Blog about this contest ... 1 additional chance to win ... Leave a comment here with a link!

* Become a follower of this blog ... 1 additional chance to win ... no need to leave a comment! All Followers will be entered in our Fabulous Friday Giveaways!

* Let your friends know about this contest! ... 1 additional chance to win for every person you send an email to ... (include me via CC at magnoliablossomart@gmail.com)

* Buy something from BonzPhotography and Card Shop! 5 additional chances to win for every purchase made by a Magnolia Blossom Art Reader!

GOOD LUCK ... HAVE FUN!!!

Getting old sucks!!

2009-02-05T17:50:00.000-08:00

Okay I had put it off for more than two years ... getting my eyes checked that is ... using only Walmart "Reading" glasses to get by. But finally I made an appointment and had them checked and today I got my new glasses .... tada ... I can see again!! I am typing this post without having to hold my head backwards while looking through the bifocals and leaning over the computer desk at the same time ... guess the neck kinks will get better now, huh! They are going to take some getting used to, however, cause they are a small frame with bifocals, so depending on how I tilt my head, the vision is totally different. I was told that they would take a week or two to get used to, but if I wore them all the time I would get used to them more quickly ... wow, sewing and crafting is going to be so different now ... whoo hoo ... I can see again!! But I have to admit that facing the fact that I need bifocals is not something I was ready to accept, I guess using the Walmart things didn't make it feel real ... but now I don't look like I have on "Granny" glasses that were perfectly positioned half way down my nose .. but still ... getting old SUCKS!!!

GREAT MONDAY FIND!

2009-02-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

As I was "dropping" some Entrecards this morning I came across this site ... "Cents" able Momma ... great find for those of us looking for ways to save on our grocery bill and more!! Her site has printable coupons, recipes, menu ideas and much more. I just wanted to give a shout out and share her site with you. I know I'll be printing some coupons and passing the info on to my daughter-in-law who, as a stay at home mom with 5 in the family, does count on coupons to make her grocery $$$ stretch. Scroll down and you'll find her button ... you might want to grab it while visiting her site and add it to yours ... I'm always about sharing the wealth of ways to make our dollars stretch!!! ENJOY AND THANKS TO CENTS ABLE MOMMA!!!!

CANCER AWARENESS ITEMS ...

2009-01-30T05:49:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I haven't posted much this week, and it's for a reason! I've been very busy, with the kiddies here at my daycare feeling somewhat under the weather with winter colds I haven't had much time to do much but make them feel better, which usually requires holding them! In my free time (when and if they did take naps!) but mostly at nights, I was creating some new items. As you have seen, I love making the Crazy Quilt purses in all different colors and this week's brain storm (I have to be careful of them ... they're dangerous!!) was to expand my purses by creating some cute, funky, chique purses that would bring awareness to the different types of cancer. Being very active with our local Relay For Life, on of my passions is to not only raise money for the research to find a cure for cancer, but also to bring awareness to the community at large of the disease, cancer, and how we can all work together to try to put a stop to this horrible invader that has touched so many people. ... So last night I created my first of hopefully many Colors of Cancer Purses. This first one is in PINK .. the color for Breast Cancer. My grandmother lost her life to breast cancer when I was 12 years old and I miss her dearly ... but my mother is a Breast Cancer Survivor of 10 years and for that I celebrate her life and this purse is in honor of her!! It is a cute rectangle embellished with ribbon and buttons, fully lined and ready to be proudly carried in honor of all those who are or have battled Breast Cancer. I am keeping the prices very reasonable on these purses and will donate part of my proceeds to the American Cancer Society.

I also started working on Colors Of Cancer Key Chains and Bookbag Pulls. These simple ribbons come in any color which represents a type of cancer. I will be making them in a number of colors, but if you tell me what type of cancer you would like represented, I'll make the keychain iin that color! As with the purses, these keychains and pulls are very reasonably priced with part of the proceeds going to ACS.

You can find both of these items in both my Etsy and Artfire Shops ... help us with the cause!!!

AND THE WINNER IS ........................

2009-01-30T05:39:00.000-08:00

.................... BLUE VIOLET ... one of our followers. Congratulations!!! You're the lucky winner of that lovely, yummy Valentine Heart Necklace .... YEAHHHHH!!!

THIS WEEK'S FABULOUS FRIDAY FREEBIE

2009-01-30T04:18:00.000-08:00

Another great freebie this week! It's from a fellow artisan who has absolutely BEAUTIFUL jewelry. In her Etsy Shop, Adorn Me Jewelry, Tina offers "Handcrafted Jewelry that fits your body, your style, your life." She has offered a lovely pair of earrings for this week's freebie. As you can see from her Etsy Shop Welcome, she is having a Valentine's Day Sale ... check out how you can get some fabulous items for a terrific sale price ... details on her welcome page.

Check out Tina's Blog Adorn Me Jewelry... give it a read:-)

Also, visit her Website ... Adorn Me Jewelry ... it's fabulous!!

There are several ways to enter for this week's giveaway ... don't miss out ... you won't want to pass this up!

Here's how it works ...
1) Go to her Etsy shop ... Adorn Me Jewelry

2) Browse Around ... feel free to do some shopping :-) Don't forget her Valentine's Day Sale!!
3) Pick your favorite item in her shop
4) Come back here
5) Leave me a post about your favorite item
6) You're in the pot for the drawing!!
Want more chances to win? ... you can do one or more of these things after you post about June's shop and you will have additional chances to win !!
* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Etsy Shop and tell me what you like the best ... 1 additional chance to win
* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Artfire Shop and leave a link of your favorite item in a post here ... 1 additional chance to win
* Blog about this contest ... 1 additional chance to win ... Leave a comment here with a link!
* Become a follower of this blog ... 1 additional chance to win ... no need to leave a comment! All Followers will be entered in our Fabulous Friday Giveaways!
* Let your friends know about this contest! ... 1 additional chance to win for every person you send an email to ... (include me via CC at magnoliablossomart@gmail.com)
* Buy something from Adorn Me Jewelry ! 5 additional chances to win for every purchase made by a Magnolia Blossom Art Reader!
GOOD LUCK ... HAVE FUN!!!

NEW BLOG ...

2009-01-25T20:57:00.000-08:00

I just started a new blog ... Team For Abie ... I'd love for you to give it a look and tell me what you think. I'm hoping to use it to keep our team informed as well as to bring awareness to fellow bloggers about Relay For Life. Any tips, suggestions, ideas you could thow my way would be greatly appreciated ... I'm lovin the help from my blogger friends :-)

READY FOR ANOTHER FABULOUS FRIDAY FREEBIE???

2009-01-23T03:55:00.000-08:00

Here we go .... this weeks giveaway is just in time for Valentine's Day! June, owner of "I Sew Cute" has a special Valentine's Day "pretty" for our blog giveaway. Take a look at her shop ... very unique and yummy jewlery. Her things are so adorable ... sweet and lovely.

June has selected this beautiful heart necklace "Sugarlove" for our lucky winner. Sugarlove is perfect for Valentine's Day or anyday you're feelin' the love!

There are several ways to enter for this week's giveaway ... don't miss out ... you won't want to pass this up! Check out June's Blog I Sew Cute... and draw pretty nifty also! ... give it a read:-) Here's how it works ...

1) Go to her Etsy shop ... I Sew Cute
2) Browse Around ... feel free to do some shopping :-)

3) Pick your favorite item in her shop

4) Come back here

5) Leave me a post about your favorite item

6) You're in the pot for the drawing!!

Want more chances to win? ... you can do one or more of these things after you post about June's shop and you will have additional chances to win !!

* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Etsy Shop and tell me what you like the best ... 1 additional chance to win

* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Artfire Shop and leave a link of your favorite item in a post here ... 1 additional chance to win

* Blog about this contest ... 1 additional chance to win ... Leave a comment here with a link!

* Become a follower of this blog ... 1 additional chance to win ... no need to leave a comment! All Followers will be entered in our Fabulous Friday Giveaways!

* Let your friends know about this contest! ... 1 additional chance to win for every person you send an email to ... (include me via CC at magnoliablossomart@gmail.com)

* Buy something from I Sew Cute! 5 additional chances to win for every purchase made by a Magnolia Blossom Art Reader!

GOOD LUCK ... HAVE FUN!!!

AND THE WINNER IS!!!

2009-01-23T03:42:00.000-08:00

The winner of this week's Fabulous Friday Freebie is Renee Henderson from Something Homemade ... CONGRATS!!! If you go to Jenn's shop and convo her, she'll instruct you on how to pick out your earrings!! Thanks for playing along .. and thanks to all who played this week ... ready for another one???

LEMONADE AWARD ... WHOO HOO!!

2009-01-22T20:05:00.000-08:00

Julie, at Julie's Daily Inspirationals recently nominated me for the Lemonade Award. I appreciate the nomination, thank you so much. The Lemonade Award is for sites that show gratitude and a wonderful attitude. I think that’s a good group to belong to!

Rules for the award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Nominate your favorites and link to this post.

My Choices for the Award:

Inspirations In Clay

Smart-Bottom Enterprises

AutismLearningFelt

Mommy's Little Corner

Kitt's Krafts

My Strength and My Song ~ A Personal Journey

Nascarnana's Ramblings

RELAY LIKE IT'S 1985!!

2009-01-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

My husband, daughter and I went to the Regional Relay For Life Kick-Off tonight and we "Rocked Like It Was 1985"!! Not only was it fun, but it is so inspiring to hear all the survivors and caregivers tell their stories with such courage and strength, to hear all that has been accomplished in cancer research, and to witness the numbers of volunteers that work so hard to raise money to help toward the goal of finding a cure for cancer. We all have our stories of loved ones who have battled cancer, some winning the battle, some not, but to be there with the hundreds of others who put hour upon hour of volunteer time for such a great cause is so rewarding. We had a great time dressing in '80 garb, sharing fun and excitement with others, but more importantly, just knowing that it's the beginning of another year of preparing for the big event this summer that will bring more money to go toward reaserch, treatment and prevention of cancer is a wonderful thing!! RELAY FOR LIFE ROCKS!!! Our team Relays for the Elizabeth River Event in Portsmouth, VA which will be held this year on Friday, June 5, 2009. We have already raised over $2400.00 and have another fundraiser in March .. our annual Tea Party! We have a great group of people on our team and we all work hard while we have fun raising money for cancer. My daughter is Chairperson of the Activities for the Event and I help her by taking care of the children's activities .. it's fun ... we're busy ... WE LOVE IT!!!

Okay ... Have to Share this!!

2009-01-19T22:41:00.000-08:00

A terrific fellow artisan with beautiful work, Joani, wrote a great post on her blog that I just must share with you ... it is so nicely put and so true!! Go check it out ... Inspirations In Clay .... enjoy!!

AND THE WINNER IS .....

2009-01-16T06:28:00.001-08:00

ADORN ME JEWELRY , (her shop) (her blog) ... one of our followers ... congratulations! Thank you all for entering our Fabulous Friday Freebie Giveaway featuring Kitt's Krafts. CONGRATS again to Adorn Me Jewelry!!

Fabulous Friday Freebie

2009-01-15T17:05:00.000-08:00

This week's giveaway ...you pick!! Our artisan, Jenn, is willing to allow the winner to pick a pair of earrings of their choice from her shop.

Her work is really beautiful ... you must check it out. She's a lovely gal and her shop is so nice. Her jewelery is outstanding and reasonably priced.

Don't you just love these frog earrings .. they are so adorable!

There are several ways to enter for this week's giveaway ... don't miss out ... you won't want to pass this up! Check out Jenn's Blog ... give it a read:-) So Bead It Jewelry Blog

Here's how it works ...
1) Go to her shop ... So Bead It Jewelry

2) Browse Around ... feel free to do some shopping :-)
3) Pick your favorite item in her shop
4) Come back here
5) Leave me a post about your favorite item
6) You're in the pot for the drawing!!
Want more chances to win? ... you can do one or more of these things after you post about Jenn's shop and you will have additional chances to win !!
* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Etsy Shop and tell me what you like the best ... 1 additional chance to win
* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Artfire Shop and leave a link of your favorite item in a post here ... 1 additional chance to win
* Blog about this contest ... 1 additional chance to win ... Leave a comment here with a link!
* Become a follower of this blog ... 1 additional chance to win ... no need to leave a comment! All Followers will be entered in our Fabulous Friday Giveaways!
* Let your friends know about this contest! ... 1 additional chance to win for every person you send an email to ... (include me via CC at magnoliablossomart@gmail.com)
* Buy something from So Bead It Jewelry! 5 additional chances to win for every purchase made by a Magnolia Blossom Art Reader!
GOOD LUCK ... HAVE FUN!!!

They Just Jump Out Atcha!

2009-01-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

I decided last night to make some new Thumbprint notecards for my Etsy and Artfire shops, so between watching the kiddies, getting an order ready for the mail and having a Vacation Bible School meeting here today with my VBS co-chair, I got them finished. Whoo Hoo ... they are so cute they look like they just want to jump off the paper right at you! After I get some more crazy quilt purses done, I plan to create more designs of these adorable notecards. As my tag under my name displays, I love making a variety of art. I've self diagnosed myself as adult ADHD ... I get board quickly working on one item, I have to break from it and do something else for a bit ... so I decided to break from the purses and create a few of these notecards ... so much fun, so cute ... I just love them!!

I am only putting 2 of the sets here, but there are 4 complete sets listed in the shops :-)

MY POOL IS GREEN!!

2009-01-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we have only had our in-ground pool for about a year and a half and there seems to be a debate in the household (which only consists of myself and hubby, since Maggie and Blossom can't really give their opinion, and if they could probably wouldn't cause they hate the pool anyway). Here's the thing ... last year I followed the instructions of the pool installer thinking he just might know what he was talking about ... shocked the pool, backwashed it, added DE to the filter, etc, and then set the timer to run the pump 4 or so hours each night so the pipes wouldn't freeze. Well this year hubby decided he would take over the task of "closing" the pool, except he didn't do ANYTHING to close it! He every once in a while goes out there and skims off leaves and pine needles (not really necessary) and hooks up the Phantom (robot vacuum, which BTW ... now it's green too) and will run it for an hour or so. Now don't get me wrong, he's a great guy, loves me more than life itself (and me him) is a great husband, wonderful father and best "Big Dabby" in the world, but he usually argues with most of what I have to say ... something in the testosterone I think! So when I suggested we shock it he debated that it wasn't needed and rambled about the whys and whatevers that it was necessary. If I make mention that it appeared to be turning green his only response was that the water wasn't green, it was only on the bottom ... WHAT?? I've tried to not get upset or emotional when bringing up the ever greener pool so as to not get his male parts defensive and this past Saturday as I had Maggie and Blossom out back giving them a well needed bath we "tried" to have some sane discussion about the ever growing "stuff" in the pool and there were more ramblings about what it didn't need and what the solution was (not sure what it was, nothing I thought relevant, but anyway) I did mention that it was getting to the expensive point just with the chemicals that would be needed to open it this summer and that I was concerned about the pipes freezing. More ramblings ... we'll get some DE and backwash it, I'll vacuum it ..... what about trying to CLOSE it (just my thoughts). I did convince him to set the timer to run the pump for a couple hours each night as the forecasters were predicting below freezing temps this week ... he had some rambling about that as well ... “We probably don't need to run it without backwashing the filter and we can't backwash the filter without DE (we ran out, imagine that!)” ... oh my goodness, what's more expensive, again my thoughts, the filter or new pipes that just happen to be UNDER CONCRETE!! Anyway, the timer got set!
Last night about midnight I let Maggie and Blossom out for one more potty before bed and the noise was quite loud from the pool pump area ... went outside (freezing by the way .. me, not hubby, he's sound asleep!) Not much flow in the pool ...hum that's not so good ... but it's cold and I'm tired! Off to bed...
So this morning when I went outside to fill the dog's outside water trowel (well they're almost as big as horses!) I decided to turn the pump on to check it out ... not a good idea. My emotions finally got the best of me. My beautiful NEW pool is green, the pipes are in jeopardy of freezing, the cost is now going to be high to get the mess cleaned up .... urggggg.
I got my self together and placed a calm (somewhat) but firm phone call. “We need to talk about the pool. What are your plans? (this is where I almost started crying) What are we going to do to fix this?” I went on to tell him about last night and the “no flow” I observed this morning. He broke ... okay we need to get a handle on this (you think?) this is what we'll do. So we, together!, came up with a solution about how to get this under control ... now that didn't hurt, did it (didn't really say that, BUT WANTED TO!).
So why am I bogging about it, you may ask ... well, first, cause it's good therapy .. and second ... to share that after 38 years, there are still things couples need to work out and work on and we're prime examples of that. Besides that ... it's really funny if you think about it. I'm at the age that I can often look forward, I used to say “It really is funny after looking back on it” ... now I try to find the humor in it at the moment ... makes life easier to live while living it :-)

Excitement Fills The Air

2009-01-10T19:24:00.000-08:00

I went today with my daughter and two members of our Relay For Life Team "For Abie" to a Regional Leadership Training Session ... it was awesome!! We are so excited about this year's Relay For Life Event. My daughter in Chairman of the activities for the event and I serve as a sub-chair for the activities for the children. The other two team members co-chair the entertainment. We got so many ideas and are pumped up for the event in May. We have LOTS of planning and coordinating to do between now and then ... but we're ready to get busy. In addition to that my daughter and I are co-chairs for our team, so we have to work with our team to plan fundraisers between now and the event (including a Tea Party in March) and deligate duties for the 24 hours of the event. The theme this year for the Event is "Hollywood" and we are brainstorming how we can decorate our site and what fun things we can do as far as fundraising.

I, as have most people, have been touched personally by cancer. My father-in-law for who the team is named, lost his battle with cancer as did my grandmother, my grandfather as well as my step-father last summer. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and we have many friends who have or are currently battling cancer. It is such a tough disease and touches so many, but we also have seen major strides in the development of ways to treat and prevent cancer and our hope is that in years to come, with the help and support of all that help fight this battle, we will see a cure!!

I just wanted to share our excitement and enthusiasm as we work to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back. Our team has cookbooks we are offering for a $5.00 donation and also we have Luminaria bags we will be glad to light for a loved one for you with a donation to the American Cancer Society. There is a link here on my website where you can make an online donation and if you leave me a comment telling me if the donation is for a cookbook or a luminaria bag (be sure to give me the information about the loved one you would like to have a bag lit for) then I'll get the cookbook out to you and be sure to light a bag for you. If you are donating for a cookbook, please email me with your address.

Thanks to all who help us and may all of us that have been touched by cancer continue to work toward finding a CURE!!

2009-01-10T13:45:00.001-08:00

Some New Crazy Quilt Purses !

2009-01-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

I just finished these two crazy quilt purses and two pouches and listed them on my Etsy shop. They are so much fun to make. I had an order for a green/brown one and decided to make a couple extras:-) Have two more orders for different colors ... they're so popular around town!!

LAST WEEK'S WINNER ...

2009-01-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

Drum roll please ... the winner of last week's Fabulous Friday Freebie is Jo from Smilemosters! Congratulations ... the bracelet is beautiful, I know you will enjoy it!!

THIS WEEK'S FABULOUS FRIDAY GIVEAWAY!

2009-01-08T20:38:00.000-08:00

These are so adorable and unique ... I WANT ONE ... I am so excited to add them to our Fabulous Friday Giveaway !!

Dani makes a variety of art which is displayed in her Etsy Shop ...

... these Koolaid notebooks caught my eye.

I have had a good time browsing around in her shop. She is a great artisian and I have enjoyed convoing with her about art, the blogging world and more :-) She is a great person and I'm sure you will enjoy the crafts in her shop. Check out her NEW blog at ttp://kittskrafts.blogspot.com/

Once again this week you have a chance to win another great item from a great artist!

Here's how it works ...

1) Go to her shop ... Kitt's Krafts

2) Browse Around ... feel free to do some shopping :-)

3) Pick your favorite item in her shop

4) Come back here

5) Leave me a post about your favorite item

6) You're in the pot for the drawing!!

Want more chances to win? ... you can do one or more of these things after you post about Dani's shop and you will have additional chances to win !!

* Go to my shop Magnolia Blossom Art Etsy Shop and tell me what you like the best ... 1 additional chance to win

* Go to my Magnolia Blossom Art Artfire Shop and leave a link of your favorite item in a post here ... 1 additional chance to win

* Blog about this contest ... 1 additional chance to win ... Leave a comment here with a link!

* Become a follower of this blog ... 1 additional chance to win ... no need to leave a comment! All Followers will be entered in our Fabulous Friday Giveaways!

* Let your friends know about this contest! ... 1 additional chance to win for every person you send an email to ... (include me via CC at magnoliablossomart@gmail.com)

* Buy something from KITT'S KRAFTS SHOP! 5 additional chances to win for every purchase made by a Magnolia Blossom Art Reader!

GOOD LUCK ... HAVE FUN!!!

Too Adorable Not To Share!

2009-01-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, so as you may have noticed, we have two Saint Bernards, Magnolia (AKA Maggie) and Blossom (hence the name, Magnolia Blossom Art) who are our mid life crisis children and we treat them accordingly! They are so funny and loving, in their own special ways. We got Maggie first, a sweet smooth coat (short hair) gal with a gorgeous head and perfect mask. A year or so later we decided to get another girl and named her Blossom. She is a large, big boned, rough coat (long hair) with a large head which has no mask. How do you tell a 145 pound dog her spot is on the floor when she thinks she's a lap dog!! She can't quite understand why her whole body won't fit in our recliners with us, but she gives it a good effort!! Oh, I could go on and on ... anyway ... we got them from Wanda Pevahouse in Jackson, TN. Wanda and I have developed a great long distance friendship over the past couple of years and we keep in touch about dogs and grandkids via email. Wanda sent me pictures the other night of her new litter and I just couldn't resit sharing them ... they are just adorable!! I told her I wish I had a farm I could fill with Saints .. they are a great breed of dog. Wanda has beautiful dogs, with great pedigrees and most importantly, it's evident how much she loves and cares for them. Saints are a large, sweet, kind gentle breed of dogs ... I just love them so much!!
By The Way ... the Papa of this litter is the same dog pictured on Wanda's button to her website ... Papa Louie ... Maggie's Papa as well. Blossom is from Banker, another great dog of Wanda's ... you can see pics of him on her website :-)

Oh ... aren't they just ADORABLE!!!!

ALL THINGS PINK!!

2009-01-07T17:36:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, why not hook your sweetheart (or yourself ... LOL ) up with something homemade and pink to show the LOVE!! Here are a couple of things I think will do the trick ...

She'll (or you ... hehehe) will love this Crazy Quilt Purse in Pinks and Browns. It is handcrafted using high quality cotton fabrics in a quilt design and machine embroidered in a variety of stitches using pink thread. Fully washable with a removable insert in the bottom of the bag.

Or how about this "My Heart's Desire" Necklace and Bracelet ... make her heart go pitter patter!!

"Pretty In Pink" .... Absolutely!! Beautiful ... necklace, bracelet and earrings ... sold separately.

For Valentine's Day or any day ... these All Things Pink items are more than perfect for that special someone ... visit my Etsy Shop for details and to place your order.

OMGoodness ...

2009-01-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

This blog thing is challenging for us middle agers who aren't very tech savvy ... but my new blog face is pasted on ... would love to know what you think :-)
Mandie from H B Corner made it for me and very happily guided me through applying it, I might say ... she's awesome! Check out her website Life In The Craft Lane with Mandie I grabbed her button and you can too!! She has some GREAT designs for all your web needs!! I got some great business cards from her as well .. worth checking out:-) Thanks Mandie!!
Some changes coming up for the GiveAways ... more ways to win ... keep checking .. and don't forget to leave me a post about Dragonsfire Etsy Shop to get in on the bracelet she'll be giving away Friday ... this is so much fun ... won't you join us!!!
Have 6 Crazy Quilt Purses cut out and getting ready to sew some up ... will post pictures as soon as I get one finished ... they are so rewarding to work on from an artistic point of view ... making the colors work for each one is just plain FUN!! I think these greens and browns will be the first one I put together ... love the colors!!!

New Scarf ... so pretty

2009-01-06T06:26:00.000-08:00

Getting some things wrapped up so I can cut out some Crazy Quilted Purses ... bought enough material last night to make more than a dozen ... so excited, they are so much fun to make and design. The colors of the new ones range from navys ~ browns ~ blacks/greys ~ red/blacks ~ greens/browns ... I can't wait to get going on them.

In the mean time, I finally got around to taking some pictures of a scarf I finished over the holidays and listed it in both my Etsy and Artfire Shops. It is so pretty in shades of orange, long, soft and cuddly! My prices are very reasonable as I am always on the look-out for yarns on sale and I use ones I have had on hand ... take a peek and grab one at a GREAT Price!

Off to cutting and slicing some cottons ... yippee ... can't wait to share the finished products!!

Recipe Of The Day

2009-01-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

After a Christmas Break we're at it again. We have had one winner and I can't wait for you to try this one!! This has become a family favorite young and old ... we just love it! If you want to make it more health conscience ... just substitute the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream with fat free versions. It's easy and delicious!! Here's how it works ... cook the recipe then come back here and let us know what you think. I'll take all the bloggers who share their thoughts and put the names in the "pot" to pick a random winner. You will receive a Relay For Life Cookbook from which this recipe comes as a special gift just for taking part! Please take time to visit our Relay Team Website and my Nanny's Journey blogsite where the contest runs as well. One winner from both blogsites will be chosen ... Get in on the fun!!!!

BEEF STROGANOFF
1 pound beef sirloin, cut in 1/4 inch wide strips
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 clove fresh garlic
salt and pepper
1/2 cup flour
1 medium onion chopped in medium sizes
6-8 fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can milk
1/2 pint sour cream
1 bag wide egg noodles, cooked

In large skillet, heat oil. Dredge beef cubes that have been seasoned with pressed garlic, salt and pepper in flour. Brown beef in skillet of oil and add onions and mushrooms. Then add cream of mushroom soup and milk. Simmer 10 - 15 minutes or until beef is tender. Add sour cream and stir through. Serve over hot egg noodles. 4-6 servings

Fablous Friday Give-Aways Are Back !

2009-01-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

Took a break for the Holidays ... but we're BACK!! We've had two great giveaways and this new one won't dissapoint you ... this week's Etsy artisain's work is equally as unique and beautiful as the first two ......

This week's artisian is Tammy from Dragonsfire.

She has beautiful Chainmaille design jewlery and has chosen a lovely Blue Crown Bra celet for some lucky person. This is how it works ... visit her shop, take a browse around ... feel free to do some shopping ... then come back here and tell us what your favorite item in her shop is. I know it will be hard to pick just one, and that's okay ... you can tell us about more than one if you'd like. Next Friday I will put the names of those that post in a random drawing and your lovely bracelet will be sent to you ... that easy ... that fun ... so get going, now ... check out her shop!!

You can also blog along with Tammy on her Dragonsfire blog

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-01-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been busy over the Christmas break. I had 6 crazy quilt purse orders to fill before Christmas and have two more orders since then ... YEAH!!! They're getting popular around here. I'm making myself another one in the next week or so .. a corduroy one using mainly browns ... can't wait to get it done!!

We had a BLAST with the kids and grandkids for Christmas. Spent Christmas Eve with the whole family then made the rounds Christmas Day to our Daughter's and two Son's houses ... the grandkids are all so much fun to be with on such a joyous occasion!! Took some day trips with hubby going to Colonial Williamsburg on Monday then went down to Nags Head Tuesday taking our 7 year old grandson, Jakeb, to spend the day with our daughter and her family who rented a cottage for the week. The three youngest grandsons stayed with us New Year's Eve and Day ... we are so fortunate they all live close by ... love being with our kids!!

Three blog Give-Aways since my last post. Melissa won the bookmark and Heather won the earrings. Hazel will be recieving a Relay For Life Cookbook for trying the Blonde Brownies ... congrats everyone for your winnings :-) Look for more give aways SOON!!!

HERE WE GO ... FABULOUS FRIDAY FREEBIE NUMBER TWO!!!

2008-12-12T06:17:00.000-08:00

This week's Fabulous Friday Freebie is from the Etsy shop of Joan ... Inspirations In Clay

Her work is absolutely beautiful!! I purchased several necklaces from her for Christmas presents ... her work is indeed unique ... and stunning. Most of Joan's work is made with polymer clay which she creates individually then crafts into outstanding pieces of jewelery. Joan is a very sweet gal and a pleasure to work with, a good kind hearted person .. her personality certainly overflows into her work and reflects the love she puts into each piece.

This is how the giveaway works ... roll into her shop ... check things out ... I'd even do some shopping while there (wink-wink) then come back here, post a comment about your favorite item in her shop ... then you're in! I'll put your name in the drawing for a gorgeous pair of earrings Joan has reserved for this giveaway. I'd love to hear all the wonderful things you have to say about Joan's work ... I'm sure you'll feel as I do that it is certainly a one-of-a-kind beautiful place to do some shopping :-)

Visit Joan's Blog at http://inspirationsinclay.blogspot.com/ ... once again, you'll love as I do learning more about her work and life as she puts her heart and soul into her creations. Thank you Joan for offering a sample of your beautiful work for our Give-Away!!

OUR FIRST FABULOUS FRIDAY FREEBIE WINNER !!!

2008-12-12T05:15:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for entering our first contest. The winner of our first Fabulous Friday Freebie is Melissa ... Congrats Melissa, I'm sure you will LOVE your new bookmark. Heather does beautiful work and this Pheasant Bookmark is truly a gorgeous piece of her fantastic work! Melissa, if you'll send me your email address to magnoliablossomart@gmail.com, I'll forward it to Heather and she'll get your gift out to you ... ENJOY!!!

TIME FOR ANOTHER RECIPE OF THE DAY ... GET YOUR TASTE BUDS READY!!!

2008-12-06T06:38:00.000-08:00

This one is an entry from my youngest son's wife. She makes the most delicious Blonde Brownies. They are a favorite dessert every Christmas Eve. This year, or any other year as far as that goes, I won't be able to eat them, but I do want to share them with you. I have never made them, but she swears they are so easy to make ... so here it goes. NOW ... DON'T FORGET THE RULES ..... PICK A RECIPE, MAKE IT, TASTE IT, BLOG HERE ABOUT IT AND YOUR NAME GOES IN THE POT FOR THE DRAWING FOR THE AMAZING RELAY FOR LIFE COOKBOOK "RECIPES FROM THE HEART".

BLONDE BROWNIES

1 stick plus 3 tablespoons butter, softened

1 box light brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups flour

2teaspoons vanilla

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup nuts

Mix all ingredients together. Do not over mix. Do not mix with electric mixer. Must mix by hand. Pour into greased 9" by 13" pan. Bake in 350 oven for 40 - 45 minutes.

FABULOUS FRIDAY FREEBIE

2008-12-04T20:45:00.000-08:00

Here it is ... my first Friday Giveaway! This week's Artisan is Heather who owns jinx1764. Heather creates jewelry, items and original art inspired by feathers. They are truly FABULOUS!!! Check her beautiful works of art

out at her shop ... jinx1764

Heather's Shop

PHEASANT AND LEATHER BOOKMARK

I'm sure after you take a look you'll agree that JINX1764 has the most beautiful work using feathers, leather and other materials for unique and absolutely gorgeous works of art. This is how it works ... fly into her shop, JINX1764, look around, feel free to do some shopping!! ... then come back here and post a comment about your favorite item. Next Friday I'll take all the names of those that posted a comment and randomly pick one winner. After the winner gives me their address, I'll forward it on to Heather who will get your beautiful Pheasant and Leather Bookmark on it's way to you. Wanta play ... join in ... the more that play the more fun it will be!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY!!

2008-12-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

PICK ONE OF THE RECIPES FROM THE COOKBOOK THAT I POST HERE ... MAKE IT ... TRY IT ... POST A COMMENT ABOUT HOW YOU LIKED IT. I'LL PUT THE NAMES IN THE "POT" AND PICK RANDOMLY A WINNER WHO WILL WIN THIS COOKBOOK CROCKED FULL OF HUNDREDS OF DELICIOUS RECIPES !!! HURRY ... GET YOUR NAME IN THE POT!!!

RECIPE OF THE DAY ....

This one if for the kids ... they can make it themselves (with some help) for an afternoon snack ... it's perfect for the upcoming holidays!!

AFTER SCHOOL PARTY MIX
4 cups crispy corn and rice cereal
2 cups miniature pretzel twists
1 cup fish-shaped cheddar cheese crackers
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 small garlic clove, pressed
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Parmesan cheese
1 package (0.4 ounce) buttermilk recipe ranch salad dressing mix
1 package (3-3.5 ounces) microwave popcorn

Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl gently mix together cereal, pretzels & crackers. Melt butter in microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds or until melted. Mix garlic in with butter. Pour butter, cheese & Rance dressing mix over cereal mixture and stir to coat evenly. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven, prepare popcorn according to package directions. Carefully stir popcorn into warm cereal mixture. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.

Recipe Of The Day

2008-12-03T09:18:00.000-08:00

BRAINSTORM IDEA ... I tend to have them from time to time and it usually means ... WATCH OUT!!! Anyway ... I thought I'd post a recipe every day or so from our Relay For Life Cookbook and on December 15th ... in honor of my mother's birthday who is a breast cancer survivor ... I'll have a drawing for a Free Cookbook!!! So this is what you do ... pick one of the recipes I post, make or mix, whatever, give it a try and post a comment on how you liked it. Remember to post AFTER you make and try the recipe!!! I'll put your name in the pot (lol) for the cookbook giveaway ... yesterday was my granddaddy's spoonbread and today a used to be favorite of mine. I only had 2 maybe 3 drinks a year, but not anymore since surgery ... anyway it's FABLOUS!!!

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN MARTINI
1ounce Absolute Vanilla Vodka
1 ounce Armereta
2 ounces Pineapple Juice
1 splash Coconut Rum
1 slice Pineapple
1 Cherry with stem

Place slice of pineapple in bottom of martini glass. Mix all vodka, armereta, pineapple juice & rum in shaker with ice. Shake and add to glass. Place the cherry in the center of the pineapple.

REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY!!!

Enjoy!!!

Recipe Of The Day ... From the cookbook

2008-12-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

GRANDADDY'S SPOON BREAD
1 cup corn meal
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salad oil or melted shortening
1 cup milk
3 eggs, separated

Cook cornmeal and 2 cups milk till the consistency of mush. Remove from heat; add salt, baking powder, oil and 1 cup milk. Add 3 well-beaten egg yolks; fold in 3 stiff-beaten egg whites. Bake in greased 2 quart casserole in slow oven (325) about 1 hour. Spoon into warm dishes; top with butter. Makes 6 servings.

$5.00 CHRISTMAS GIFT!!!

2008-12-02T10:34:00.001-08:00

If you make a minimum donation of $5.00 to my Relay For Life Team "ForAbie" I'll send you a "Recipes from the Heart" Relay For Life Team for Abie Cook Book. It is stocked full of 100's of recipies from our team members. All money goes directly to the American Cancer Society, but the donation needs to be made through our team, For Abie in order to recieve the cookbook. They make GREAT gifts!! Click on the book below and it will take you right to my page for our team, follow the instructions to make a donation and leave me a comment that you did so ... as soon as the donation appears on my site, I'll ask you for your mailing address and I'll ship out your book ... that easy ... and for a good cause ... best of both worlds!!!

SALE ... ALL CHRISTMAS ITEMS!!

2008-12-02T10:16:00.000-08:00

Get your order in for Christmas. All gift tags and gift bags are 25% off now till Christmas. Must place order by December 15th to insure it arrives before Christmas. Check it out on my Etsy Shop ... hurry quanities limited!!

2008-11-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

Cyber Monday ... BIG SALE ... Last Day of Holiday EtsyFest ... Purse and Crochet Day !!!

I have 7 orders for the wonderful Crazy Quilt Purses ... they are so unique and adorable. I love the detail of the variuos stitches. Mother/Daughter matching sets are a favorite for Christmas Presents this year. I made one of the black, white and red ones for my duaghter-in-law ... friends, family and strangers have gone crazy over it!!

This black scarf has to be the most soft and snuggly scarf I have ever made!! I can't wait to make one for myself :-)

BIG SALE ON JEWELERY BLACK FRIDAY!!

2008-11-27T18:41:00.000-08:00

Friday, November 28: All jewelery in my shop will be 30%OFF !! Stop in and check it out. In addition ... EVERYTHING ELSE IN MY SHOP WILL BE 15% OFF!!!

http://www.magnoliablossomart.etsy.com/

HOLIDAY ETSYFEST IS HERE!!!

2008-11-27T08:17:00.000-08:00

Have you checked it out yet?? Now through Monday, December 1st almost 200 Etsy Artisans are participating ... click the link above and check out the SALES!!!

39 MINUTES .my time to Holiday EtsyFest!!

2008-11-26T20:21:00.000-08:00

Hope you're as excited as I am. What a great time to do some shopping at some fantastic Etsy shops, and we can save some money too ... bonus!! I have my eye on a thing or two ... do you???

Tomorrow I'll be drawing for the Gift Card Give-Away ... you still have some time to post what you are thankful for ... I've already sold a set of these gift tags, so get your post in quick!!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Day and good luck in the EtsyFest sale days :-)

One More Day To Turkey Day!!!

2008-11-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

This will be my first BIG holiday since my by-pass surgery in June. I'm so glad I'm at the point I have more of a variety of foods I can eat. I think I'll just have a bite of everything ... with no sugar that is!! This is such a wonderful day for all ... we have so much to be thankful for and I love to get together with all the family to celebrate our lives, our families, our friends, the country we live in, and our Lord for all He has given us. I don't to have to do any cooking this year ... except for putting together the squash casserole ... everything is at our daughter's house and we take everything that goes in the oven around there ... this means I can sew, sew, sew today!! I'm making more Christmas Gift Bags today ... hope to put on Etsy in a bit ... will post when I do!

I want to do more give-aways and would love to have some items from some other than my shop to offer. Anyone interested either post or email me.

New Items ... Christmas Gift Bags

2008-11-25T07:40:00.000-08:00

These are fun to make ... I thought what a perfect idea ... make some fabric Christmas bags that will hold a bag of brownie mix. You just add a tag that has the baking instructions and there's a fast, easy gift. I'm off to make more designs!!

Here's What You Win!

2008-11-24T22:29:00.000-08:00

These adorable Christmas Tags :-) Just post on this blog what you are thanikful for and on Thanksgiving Day I'll pick a winner from a random drawing. This Thanksgiving we should all take some time to remember the important things in our lives ... let's be thankful together ... join the Thankfulness Thoughts Blog!!

Thankfulness Thoughts Give Away

2008-11-24T05:11:00.000-08:00

This year has been a tough one for many, but we still are all blessed in many ways. We have much to be thankful for ... what are you Thankful for? I have so much to be thankful for and I wanted to share some thoughts with you ... and offer the same opportunity to you. If you'd like to share some thankfulness thoughts ... feel free! I'll be offering a set of Christmas Tags to the winner of the Thankfulness Thoughts Contest. Enter your thoughts of what you are thankful for this year here on my blog and on Thursday I'll announce who won the contest. The names of those that posted will be entered in the drawing and one will be picked randomly. In order to receive your gift tags, you must email me at magnoliablossomart@gmail.com so that I can communicate with you and get your information to mail your gift to you. If I do not have your email address, I'll pick the next random name. Thank you for sharing and I wish you the best this Thanksgiving!
Why I'm Thankful ...
First of all, I'm thankful that the Lord has offered His Grace and has blessed me in so many ways.
My mother who has taught me how to be amazingly brave and thankful.
I'm thankful for my husband who for 38 years has loved me and been incredibly patient and constant.
My daughter and my two sons, my son-in-law and my two daughter-in-laws who have all taught me how to love more, to stand strong and to look within myself for the strength that has always been there.
I am thankful for my five grandsons, my step-granddaughter and step-grandson who all in their own special ways have taught me how to sit back and enjoy life, to open my heart more than I ever thought I could and to laugh!
I'm thankful for my friends, my “girls” Maggie and Blossom, my church, my home and especially for my family.

TGIF!!

2008-11-21T09:06:00.000-08:00

Today I'm sewing up some grocery bags to deliver Thanksgiving meals to about a dozen or more needy families in the community from our church. Last minute idea, like usual for me :-) I'm also gearing up for the big Holiday EtsyFest begining Thanksgiving Day!

It's snowing!!! We get so excited about any flakes around here, we don't see much of it.

As you see, our "Artic" dog is totally uneffected by the snow .. she's like ... what's the big deal!!
Lovin the cold weather around here ... me ... jury's still out on that one!!! But I did get excited about the few flakes :-)

Hope to post some new items on Etsy this weekend or first of the week. We're dedicated to three of the five grandsons tonight then our little one's First Birthday tomorrow ... woohoo!!!

Weekend's Coming ... WooHoo!

2008-11-20T05:52:00.000-08:00

This has been a busy, long week. Thought I'd be able to relax a bit from last weekend's Fall Fest and Spaghetti Dinner for our Relay For Life team .... WRONG!! Here it is Thursday and haven't done any crafting ... withdrawls ... boohoo!

Our little Christopher is coming over today to stay the night, two nights actually ... yeah! We are taking him and Jakeb to see Madagascar tomorrow night ... can't wait!!

On top of being so busy, it's really cold here this week .. but the upside of that is Maggie and Blossom are LOVIN' it ... those Artic dogs!!

Going to get a bit of cleaning done ... yuck ... but the place is a RECK ... then my hopes are to start on crazy quilt orders. They are so fun to do .. each one is original and the color combinations are fun to create. I did sell another scarf yesterday so in my down time I have another one I need to finish ... crocheting is so relaxing, I love to do it while watching TV.

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is coming to town in December ... my daughter and Iare taking my mom for her Birthday ... never been but it looks like so much fun. That's exciting!!

2008-11-19T07:00:00.001-08:00

Okay ... done all I can here for a while. WOW, for the older not so technical generation, this is a task!
I still have some updating to do on Etsy, but I really need to get to work sewing some crazy quilt purses!! I'm getting excited about the Holiday EtsyFest. I hope it helps all sellers and buyers! My shop is relatively new, so any boost will be a blessing.
The weather is SO cold here!! Don't stay as warm as I used to since gastric-bypass in June and my 100 pound loss ... BURRRR!

2008-11-18T13:54:00.000-08:00

Still working on organizing this blog ... trying to figure some of it out! Did have time to list a few more things on Etsy today and take some new pics and relist a few items. Am getting excited about the Thanksgiving Weekend Sale ... Etsy Holiday Fest!!

Have our 3 year old grandson with us today ... just love those grandkids!! How cute is he!!

It's COLD today and they are actually calling for snow :-)

I'm on my way to a Relay for Life Committee Meeting tonight. I hope to get info on here about our local Relay event. Our team "For Abie" had our annual Spaghetti Dinner/Silent Auction this weekend with great success ... our first official fundraiser for the new year ... we raised $1566.00 ... WHOO HOO!!!!!

Gonna be a busy day ...

2008-11-18T05:15:00.000-08:00

Today is full ... need to update web, blog, myspace, twitter ... take new pics for Etsy and relist some items ... will be putting up my promo for the Big Holiday Sale for next weekend!
Have 6 crazy quilt orders I need to get started on ... busy ... busy ... busy ... you know what they say about idle hands!!

I'll post again with some updated pics ...

2008-11-17T15:47:00.000-08:00

Etsy Holiday Fest
November 27 - December 1
Check it out and get in on some fantistic sales!!

My first post ...

2008-11-17T15:23:00.000-08:00

This is new ... this is fun ... almost as fun as creating art!! Here at Magnolia Blossom Art I am continually creating different things. My art ranges from crochet items to painted items to sewn items. All are carefully created with love and care. Look for upcoming Holiday Sales!! During the Thanksgiving weekend I will be offering 10% off ALL items! Take a look, browse around and do some early Christmas shopping.