It starts with just one girl....

I have been thinking a lot lately that I'd like to choose a charity

and get involved with fund raising and volunteering.

There are so many charities that have such good causes

and it has been difficult for me to decide where to get involved.

I thought about cancer because I lost my mom

and my daughter lost both of her Grandmothers to cancer.

And then I saw the commercial on TV

for this non-profit organization called

"Because I am Girl".

They are a charity that supports girls and women

that are in less fortunate situations

than we experience here in Canada.

Girls have the right to be educated, the right to be fed,

the right to be safe and their rights are human rights.

"Because I am a Girl"

believes that although girls are often the poorest of the poor,

investing in them is the key to eliminating poverty.

Empower a girl and she'll change the world!

When a girl is educated, nourished and protected,

she shares her knowledge with her family and community

and can forever change the future of a nation.

Want to join me?

Visit the "Because I am a Girl" web site to learn more

and watch for more posts about my plans to do my part.

(I will continue to make donations to charities

that support cancer research and provide family support)

And two more to finish the set!

These two wall hangings finish the set

of Seasonal quilts in the

"Nancy's Little Hang Ups" series.

They are 12.5"x 12.5" and fit perfectly

in the standing hangers from Ackfeld Manufacturing.

Patterns are $5.95

If you live in the St Catharines area,

patterns and kits are available at

Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

Summer Days!

And just in time, too!

This is the second seasonal wall hanging

in the series called "Nancy's Little Hang Ups".

It finishes 12.5" x 12.5"

It fits perfectly in the standing wire hangers

by Ackfeld Manufacturing

available at your local quilt shop.

Patterns and kits are available

at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co

in St. Catharines, ON

Patterns $5.95

Wholesale inquiries are welcome.

Please contact me at

nenighdesigns@gmail.com

Words to Live By

Here it is!

"Words to Live By"

My latest Block of the Month Design.

I wish I had a better photograph, this one doesn't do it justice.

When I get it back from being displayed at Kindred Spirits,

I think it's going for an outdoor photo shoot!

Hope that you like it!

Let me know what you think!

It's finished....finally!

The quilt that I have been working on for the

Spring Niagara Shop Hop is finally finished.

It's my last Shop Hop quilt

and was designed for Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

Here are the four outside corner blocks.

They each have a saying that I want to keep in mind everyday.

I have named the quilt

"Words to Live By"

Kindred Spirits is giving away the pattern

for these four blocks, if you visit the shop this weekend.

After that, they will be available for sale.

The quilt consists of 12 blocks and sayings

and is being offered as a Block of the Month program

at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co in St Catharines, ON

Patterns are available for the BOM at Kindred Spirits

or by contacting me at nenighdesigns@gmail.com

Wholesale Orders to qualified retailers are welcome.

Watch this blog on Monday for a photograph of the full quilt.

Until then, visit Kindred Spirits if you'd like to see it in person!

I love to stitch! It's been so much fun but I have to say,

I think I'll rest for a bit now....

My fingers need a break! lol

I hope that you like it. It's been great fun creating it....

Now, on to the next one! :-)

A sneak peak.....

Here is a sneak peak of the

Block of the Month program that I am working on.

It is called "Words to Live By".

There are 16 blocks that will be made over 12 months.

There is some simple piecing, hand embroidery

and machine (or hand) applique.

While I was working on the first block,

David's mom passed away after a long fight with cancer.

She was a very special lady.

She had a kind heart, was a wonderful cook,

and a wise woman when you needed advice.

She will be greatly missed.

I was sitting idol and couldn't stop thinking about her

so I created this small pillow that will be placed with her.

She had a very strong faith and I knew that

Psalms 23 would be just right.

It is stitched by hand and on the back it reads

"Always in our Hearts"

Happy Easter

Easter is such a special time of year.

It's a time of cleansing and a new beginning.

It's a time to remember that a sacrifice was made on our behalf.

Be thankful.

May you enjoy the Celebration of Easter with those you love.

God Bless.

Spring just might finally be here!

It has been teasing us here and there but it is Easter after all!

Spring has to be here!

It's time to design another Shop Hop quilt

for Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. in St Catharines, ON

This year "Oasis" designed by Three Sisters for Moda won my heart!

I just couldn't wait to get into this fat quarter pack.

As you can guess the quilt will be scrappy....

with a bit of applique and some stitching...

I can't wait to share it....

Make sure you come to visit the shop and get your free pattern

for the wallhanging size.

The full quilt will be available as a Block of the Month.

Have a safe long weekend. :-)

Two New Tea Towels

"Ladie"

Meet this lovely little Lady Bug

sitting so peacefully on her leafy home, enjoying the sun!

Patterns: $4.95 ea

Kit: $11.95

"Mountie"

This mounted police officer is perfect for Canada Day!

I know we're a little early for that but he was a request by a special customer.

She's making 5 of each of my tea towel designs for her family members!

Pattern: $4.95 ea

Kit: $ 10.95

These will be available later tomorrow.

Hope that you like them!

When you were born.....

Here it is! I called it "When you were born..."

The poem is hand embroidered and reads...

Before you were born, I dreamt of you;

I imagined you; I prayed for you.

Now that you're here, I hope for you,

I love you and thank God for you.

It is pretty in the pink and brown

but would be just as nice for a little boy in blue.

Patterns and kits will be available at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

this weekend when Michelle celebrates the store's

1st Anniversary on Saturday March 26, 2011.

New Design coming soon....

"When You Were Born..."

A work in progress...but you get to have a sneak peak!

Isn't this just adorable!

This new collection from Moda called Lilly and Will by

Bunny Hill Designs just arrived at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

My mind started working right away and

two new designs have come of that brain wave....

Here is a sneak preview of the baby quilt. The poem is lovely.....

Check back soon to see the completed quilt!

I hope to complete it this weekend

and then I just have to beg Jane of Jane's in Stitches

to quilt it for me....

Bunnies are so comforting...

These little guys will comfort the little one that receives this quilt!

New Tea Towels..

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Meet "Lucky".

This happy little leprechaun is ready to grant your wishes!

Make your own tea towel and bring luck to your day!

And Happy Easter!

"Ears" hears it all!

How can he help it with ears so big!

Ears hopped in just in time for Easter!

He's so quick to make and would be a great hostess gift if you're

invited some place special for Easter....

Of course if you have to cook Easter dinner this year,

you'll have to make one for yourself!

Kits and patterns are available for these two patterns

at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. in St Catharines, ON

Think Spring!

I can't wait until Spring!

We had a few days of warmer weather... just enough to tease!

It was time to create another "Hang Up"

(the class was two days later)

and I needed some inspiration!

What better inspiration than a warm, sunny day...

I dreamt of all things spring and here's what I came up with for my newest pattern!

Hope you get a nice warm feeling when you see it

(especially since it's cold outside again

and we are expecting more snow :-( )

Kits ($21.95) and patterns ($6.95) are available at

Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. in St Catharines, ON

New Tea Towels for Winter!

I rotated this photo....really I did. But for some reason it didn't upload that way! :-(

I designed two new tea towel applique patterns for the Tea Towel Club.

Patterns and kits for these two winter tea towels

are now available at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

Hope you like them!

Dream On

One of my all time favorite blogs is Camille Roskelley's "Simplify".

Camille, is a pattern designer, fabric designer (for Moda) and has a new book (shown above)

as well as a wife, and a mom to three little men.

Her post today is about dreaming. Visit her blog and see for yourself...

Set your goals... and then set your mind and see your dreams come true.

It happened to Camille, it can happen to you!

Butterfly Kisses

The Niagara Falls Quilt Guild "Rainbow Country Quilters"

asked me to design a block for February for their Block of the Month.

It was to have a Valentine theme and finish 12"x 12".

Here's what I came up with...

I hope that they like it!

Now they have my wheels turning and I'm on a roll....

Watch for a new BOM in the spring at Kindred Spirits!

Nancy's Newest Hang Up!

This newest "Little Hang Up" is to celebrate Valentine's Day....

I love the new fabric line from Moda called Bliss

and the reds and pinks from that line were just perfect!

Patterns and kits will be available at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.

in St Catharines, this coming week end!

Here's wishing all of you lots of love on Valentine's Day and always!

Saturday...A Good Day to Bake

These are my family's favorite cookies.

It's snowing outside today and I'm not working so baking seemed like a really good idea.

I've included the recipe just incase any of you feel like baking this Saturday too!

Nan's Chocolate Chip Skor Bit Cookies

In a mixing bowl cream together the following:

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

Add the following dry ingredients and mix together:

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Mix in:

1 pkg of Milk Chocolate Chips

1 pkg of Skor Bits

Place on baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes

Warning: Blogging and baking don't mix well...

the cookies tend to get a little over done! :-)

Happy Saturday!

New Year, New Goals!

Welcome 2011!

2010 was a year of big changes for me, including some big challenges.

I am stronger for it but I will say, that I am definitely looking forward

to a new year and the positives that come from the challenges we face.

I didn't make a list of New Year's Resolutions

because usually within a few days they are forgotten

and life continues on as it was.

I did however, set some goals for 2011.

1. Decide which direction my life will go and make a plan to achieve it.

2. Read more.

3. Blog more and learn more about creating my own blog backgrounds, developing my blog to include more tutorials, free pattens and increase my followers.

4. Be a guest blogger on other blog sites and

invite other bloggers to be a guest with me.

5. Design at least one Block of the Month pattern and publish it.

6. Create individual pattern designs and publish them.

7. Offer my designs for sale on the internet by setting up "shop on-line".

8. Make at least one quilt to donate to charity.

9. Spend more "girl time" with Em

10. Walk Kadie at least 5 days per week no matter how cold or hot it gets.

11. Be the strength and support that my family members

are going to need this year.

12. Quilt and knit as much as possible! (My favorite goal!)

I hope that you have a healthy, safe and creative New Year!

Thanks for visiting my blog and come back often. :-)