Some Fun Thank You Gifts for Nurses

Some how on my last post people got the impression my dear friend had passed away.  She is alive and kicking...for the record.  She was sent home with hospice care and I had the great fortune and honor of spending 2 weeks with her.  You can't begin to imagine what your kind thoughts and prayers have meant to me...THANK YOU!

Mary Jane wants to thank the nurses at the cancer center and asked me to make some Humbug Bags for her.  Between the few I was able to finish and the one's my other dear friends helped me with....we have them finished.

Notice the handle on this bag?  The zipper was extra long so I used it as the handle....better than cutting it off and throwing it away.

 Keep in mind I did not stuff any of these with tissue paper...which would have made for better photos. 

 I had so much fun doing some outline stitching on this fabric....I hope the nurse who receives it enjoys it as much as I did making it.

Choosing a variety of fabrics was fun...each is lined with a coordinating fabric too.

Deciding what type of handle, if any, you would like for your Humbug Bag.  You can use almost anything that coordinates with the fabric.  I put some cotton cording on this one and I think it turned out very cute.

When making the handles with fabric I have added some RocLon Multi-Purpose Cloth to make the handle a little more sturdy.  See pix below:

I cut the fabric border to make the handle and used 1" of Roc-Lon Multi-Purpose Cloth.  I enclosed the Multi-Purpose Cloth inside the fabric border. 

Nice little gifts I think and I'll be putting some  home made Buckeyes in each one (wrapped well of course) .  Buckeyes are Mary Jane's favorite sweet so what would be more appropriate?

In case you LOVE chocolate and peanut butter....you Love the following recipe for Buckeyes (click on word Buckeyes for recipe).

I hope this post leaves you a little inspired and know I soooo appreciate your visiting and comments.  They warm my heart!

Smiles,
Kelly

Christmas Presents

I am told it is 4 days before it will be Christmas Day 2013.  Since I live in my own world, I'm clearly not aware of the date now when Christmas Day falls and I still have several gifts to make.  Since my embroidery machine is laying belly up without a pulse, those gifts will have to wait until the Babylock technician can revive her.

I'm sharing some gifts I have made for Christmas today....at least the one's I remembered to take photos of during these past few months.

 A large I-Spy quilt for my boys when they lay on the sofa.  It was beautifully quilted by Joanne from Splitting Stitches Longarm Quilting (she quilted all of the quilts in this post).  There are no two blocks alike and the boys will have a ball playing with this quilt.

 This quilt was made for one of my mother's doctors, at her request.  The pattern is Big Ten by Swirley Girl Designs.   

I can't say who this is for in my blog post as someone just may pop in and read the post...so I'm just not saying.... :)

This is as far as I got on the drink koozies before my machine passed out cold.  They will be nice when they are all finished.

These are the machine embroidery gifts that I remembered to take photos of....what is wrong with me?  I typically take photos of everything....my brain must need to be called back home.

A reflection of our Christmas tree in the window...I thought it looked so pretty with the snow on the bushes out front of our house.

I hope all is well in your world....I'd love to hear about your experiences during the holidays.

Smiles,
Kelly

Sales, Free Shipping, Lessons and a Giveaway at IHAN

If I never see "Sale or Door Buster Special " again, I will still live a very fulfilling life.  What about you?  I don't want to stand in line for anything.   I certainly don't want to  pay more in 3 days when I discover I really need the item I did not buy when it was on "Sale."  Yes.....I"m getting old...LOL

No need to get up at 3 AM to shop at IHAN.  I'm a kinder and gentler sort of retailer :)  Shop anytime 24 hours a day and you still get the same good price.

In the spirit of FUN and FREE.....I will be throwing the names of those who order from IHAN between Nov. 24th and Nov 29th into a jar and drawing a name to win a Surprise Package worth over $50 

How often have you seen the word "Sale" at http://www.ihavea-notion.com/ ?   You don't see "free shipping" either.    Ever wonder why?

Lets talk about the word "Sale" and what it really means.  "Sale" means that every other day of the week that the item is not on sale, I charge you more. Why would I play games with those who shop with me and trust me?   (Clearance is a different story all together.)
Why no free shipping?  Because I would have to pay to ship your order and frequently that would mean I would work for very little or nothing.  Hmmmmm.....I would not suggest to anyone that working for free is a good thing.....unless you have agreed to do that in advance :)   Now if USPS and FedEx wants to ship for free....then you know for sure I'm all over that and your order will definitely ship for Free!!!

But you do see "Giveaway" often on the IHAN blog.  I love to do giveaways because it gives people just like me a chance to try something new, read a book they might not have otherwise considered and sometimes to simply lift the spirits of someone who might benefit from something fun in the mail.

 

Since opening IHAN I've learned that advertising can mean something as simple as letting people know I'm here and open for business.  No tricks no gimmicks....just a simple Howdy....come on over if you like.

It was another blogger that taught me about advertising.....a simple thing really.   Gene Black, from ArtbyGene Blog,  made a button and put it on his blog to let others know IHAN is a shop and it is here on the Internet.    I have been absolutely floored and appreciative for those folks who have shopped at IHAN and on their own accord have spread the word.  

What I love the very most about IHAN is this blog.  Blogging has changed my day to day life and the way I look at the world. I thank each and every one of you for reading, leaving comments, sharing and being a part of my experience. 

Smiles of Gratitude,

Kelly