I do hope that everyone excuses my failure to post on my BLOG. I am fielding emails and trying to get some sort of sanity to what I am selling in a moving sale and what we are packing. We have about 26 days left and we are beginning to panic!!

For those who are members of Pam's Club, we have a ton of people who are not that familiar with how websites work, and have had little exposure to computers. When you join the Club, you select a USERNAME and PASSWORD. There is a reason for this. Almost every website (including Amazon and E-Bay) require usernames and passwords. Every time you come into the website, you type in your username and password at the very top of the page and click on LOGIN. I do NOT mind helping those of you who can not remember your username and password. We can look it up for you, and there is a place to click on if you have forgotten your username and/or password. The problem is, that most people do not read it, or they could re-set their username or their password easily. It is just like every other website that requires usernames and passwords.

We are getting raves about the Club, and many "Thank You" emails, and it just gets better and better. Susan and I are planning a series of videos as soon as we are settled in Colorado once again. I DO NOT want people who have joined to go away frustrated because they can not LOGIN. This is always because they have either forgotten their username or password. I would prefer an email (if you do not understand how to reset it) asking for assistance. You are missing so much, and that is frustrating for me.

We have worked very hard on this club, and the people who are active members just love it.

Many of the emails that I receive are from people asking "Why don't I get member prices when I purchase something from the Store?" It is because you are not Logged in. The Club has no way of recognizing that you are a member unless you put your username and password at the top of the home page and click on LOGIN.

Do not be embarrassed to ask for help. I would prefer that you do that, rather than just walking away.

Now, I'm on my way to sign a bunch of books, prepare for a trunk show in McDonough, GA tomorrow and then start packing!!

For those who have asked about our son Dallas, YES, Dallas will still be doing all of the film editing, and we are hoping that our entire little Bono family can visit us in Colorado next summer!!

This has been a wild week for me, so I took a little break a few minutes ago to look at different quilts that people are making who are my Friends on my person Facebook page. This ladies work was just begging for me to say something about it. I wish the photos were bigger, and I hope that she writes to me. Her name is Margaret Lee Charlton, and she is from Adelaide, Southern Australia. The photo of Grandmother's Flower Garden is the first one that I saw. It is hard to tell from the photo how she did this, (which I would love to know), but it looks like the border has crochet mixed with the patchwork.

I just have to say what I adore about these quilts. The sampler quilt, is obviously appliqué, but the scallops using the large floral print are so effective, it just brings this to life. I adore her color selections. Her quilts are dramatic, yet they have a softness to them that just makes you feel very peaceful. All of the right fabrics in all of the right places. Margaret, I am really impressed. You should be very proud of your work.

In beginning to pack for our move, I have an entire room full of my quilts that are in huge trunks from many, many years. The highest compliment I can give to Margaret is that I would be glad to trade one for either one of hers! Really stunning! (I don't expect her to take me up on this!)

Give me your feedback on what you think makes these so outstanding!!

I get many emails every day, and a number of my fans often forward things to me that they feel that I will enjoy. I am in the middle of answering a ton of emails, but I just got this one, and this one really got me as I have recently had a conversation with my son regarding the important things in life that can be learned from animals if we pay attention to them. I received this from Pam Hill. The beginning was in small print so I am writing that out; then I will copy the rest. It would be interesting to see how many people agree with me that animals are wonderful teachers.

It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her.. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it.. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand.. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies..' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by..

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

Good Morning, Good Morning! I was actually able to finish a pattern last night and get Edith Choiniere's French workshop and patterns online. I did not have fun with the French. Edith did a great job translating for me but when you don't know what you are putting out there for people it's a little scary.

Right now I have absolutely no design time and have dozens of ideas running around in my head. Robert started packing our movies last night. I had no idea how many we had. Good Grief! Anyone know what you do with VCR movies? I would think it would cost a fortune to have them put on DVD. I have a few that are real treasures, like the unabridged version of "Dances With Wolves". We still have an old VCR player.

The little pattern I finished last night was taken from a collection I did years ago, but I loved one panel of it, so I doubled the size, added place mats and it's a happy little table runner. Not great for this time of year, but hey, who says you have to give just winter things as Holiday gifts? I was pleased with the outcome.

The next chore is to get folks over here to help us pack what we consider to be "unpackable", like all of our framed art pictures, lamps and lamp shades. Actually so many things we have came from the west, and some are strange shapes. I also collect pottery and have some really unusual pieces I have picked up here and there over the years. I like surrounding myself with creative things that are handmade, and western art.

I am getting ready for a Newsletter on Sunday night with a fabulous offer to non members of Pam's Club and our members will get it FREE too! Also a great deal on our Big Book!

This weekend I am going to be a PACKING FOOL! I do hope this is the last move. Enough is enough!

New in the life of Pam Bono.....too much! Have had several people email me about the castle wall quilt in an old out of print book, so Robert and I have spent the weekend reconstructing the pattern, which is a lot of work, but I'm getting there. Working on graphics now. This design is SO CUTE for the "Princess" craze that is going on right now for little girls. Our granddaughter, age 4 loves all of the Princess products, and the design I refer to here is actually her play mat in her room. It's a design that I did years ago for Better Homes & Gardens. I think everything has a cycle. Personally, I really like the idea of bringing the wonderful Disney movies out for these little minds. The world of Fairy tales and "Happily Ever After" never hurt me. I think it develops dreams and dreams develop imagination!

Look for a Newsletter later this week with a wonderful surprise for our Club Members and for non Members as well. Fabulous new collection. I can say that because Susan designed it and I just love it. It's not simply for the Holidays. It can be used all winter long.

56 days before we leave for Colorado. 56 days and COUNTING!! I sound like ET...........HOME! HOME! HOME!

Well Hello! You all are probably saying "Why did she start a BLOG?" My intentions are good, but I didn't anticipate a move as quickly as it has come, and it's creeping up! We already have the moving truck reserved, people in Georgia to load and people in Colorado to unload. So much involved with a move! The Incredible Hulk has developed a skin problem on his back (hot spots), so we have been back and forth to the vet. Anyone knowing a home remedy for hot spots, I'm sure open to it. Nothing worse than a bald Bulldog!

The other thing I have been doing is preparing to introduce a new designer from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Edith Choiniére and I have been friends for a very long time. Edith is the one who brought our Remembrance Poppy quilt to the Royal Canadian Legion. At the time, I had no idea what a fabulous artist she was, but I sure know now.

I love to introduce new talent to the marketplace because, to be perfectly frank, when I do go to shows, I walk through and see the same old thing over and over. I often wonder if people don't want something a little different.

Susan and I tried paper piecing once and didn't care for it, but Edith has made me change my mind. She achieves a curved look with paper piecing and her style is very elegant. We just put her workshop online last night in English, and the French version will be on in the next couple of days. Her patterns are online now in English in our Store, under E-Patterns and then Guest Designer Patterns. We will also be introducing her E-Book of her gorgeous Geisha quilt design soon. I am putting a photo of her Multi-Purpose Bag on this post. I have one and I have to tell you that not only is it functional (I've never seen so many pockets in my life), but I constantly have people coming up to me and asking "Where did you get that?" It's fabulous for a plane or traveling by any mode of transportation. The designs speak for themselves. So I hope everyone takes a good look at them. I am so proud of her work.

I don't know how many people are interested in what someone like me goes through to move, but I will try to keep posting. I have to tell you that we will have our entire team back in Colorado, which is FABULOUS! Susan, - of course, and Molly will be with us again. My wonderful photographer, Chris Marona has beaten the diagnosis they first had regarding a very dangerous form of cancer, and he is doing great. I can't wait to see all of them. Robert and I are getting excited. I don't even care if The Incredible Hulk gets "Skunked!"

Hello everybody. If I am absent here and there for a day or two it is because we are beginning to prepare for our move and also keep everyone in Pam's Club supplied with new designs before, during and after our move.

I did want to post this quilt. I have posted Carol Moellers quilts before, but this one is special. It is called "Cripple Creek Columbines". I am adding some of Carol's letter as I feel it is so inspirational for everyone. This lady has a very busy life and yet relaxes by quilting and creating.

From Carol's Letter:

Hi Pam, I just wanted to get back to you. I am so very excited. Cripple Creek Columbines has been juried into Houston. I also have been asked to make a mini quilt for the IQA Charity Auction. I am so very honored to have been asked.

I just enjoy quilts. I am not doing this to try to create a business or trying to promote anything. I just love quilts and the creativity it allows me to express. Quilting helps me let go of difficult situations that happen at the clinic. It is my outlet, to relieve the sometimes stressful and sad days. It makes me happy to make quilts.

The part I cherish the most, are the wonderful people I have met in the last two years. Some of them I have became friends with over the internet and some of them I have met in person. We have kept in contact via phone, email, and Facebook. We make plans of when to meet up with each other at quilt shows. I met two wonderful friends for the first time at the MQS show in Overland Park, KS. One of the ladies is from England, another is from Norway.

I live a very busy life with helping my husband with our two veterinary clinics but I always find time for people and quilts. When I make a quilt it is more than just making a quilt. It is a story to capture something special. You have touched my life and it was a wonderful honor for you to blog about my quilt, and special friends (Tim & Michelle), so here we go again. A special quilt to cherish this moment. The quilt will be based off your pattern "Daisies in the Cabin". Since I have a love for animals this quilt will have a woodland St. Nicholas appliquéd on the top of it with woodland friends. These woodland friends are actually people who have taken the time to touch my life. You will be one of the special woodland friends incorporated in the quilt. I am going to enter it in the International Quilt Festival of Ireland in the Christmas exhibit. When I saw "Daisies in the Cabin" it had the perfect Celtic background look I was hoping to find. It had the woodland theme, with the log cabin blocks. It is just perfect!!!! It will be done in very muted shades of fabric. Very subtle and soft. Then St. Nicholas with be in the foreground with his woodland friends. You will be the first to get to preview this quilt when I get it completed.

Thank you so much for taking the time to care and notice. I am a quilter who is inspired by people. My quilts are about the people who touch my heart with their kindness.

Take care and have a wonderful day Pam!!!

Hugs, Carol

Hi Everybody! Thought I would post this on my BLOG because everyone on my Facebook pages gets to see it too. The last week has been pretty hectic for me. We are THRILLED with the response and kind letters we are receiving about Pam's Club. Keep it up you all because I'm sure going to need you and we are going to be putting new additions on continually.

I have an important announcement which may not surprise too many of our fans who have known us for a very long time. Robert and I are moving back to Pagosa Springs, Colorado the first part of October. Don't worry, the website and all of your emails will be in good hands during our 1,600 mile move - but it is a permanent move.

Despite the great love that we have for our son Dallas and our adorable little grandchildren, our hearts are in Colorado. We are Colorado. We want the opportunity to spend the rest of our lives there and have our grandchildren come out and visit us and show them what true beauty, wildlife and peacefulness is all about. Susan and I want to put Chiara and Logan on Aztec (Susan's pony) and buy them cowboy hats!!

I am attaching some photos of our new home. For those who are not familiar with Santa Fe style adobe homes, this is what we love. It's hard to tell much from the photo of the home, but it is 3,000 sf. on 5 acres which backs up to national forest land. The lot next to us is 17 acres and is pine forest and vacant. The entire front of the house is a wall of windows overlooking the San Juan mountains. There are deer in the yard, my adorable little Abert Squirrels, coons, Elk, an occasional bear and probably some skunks for The Incredible Hulk to chase. He will NEVER BE ON A LEASH AGAIN! He will be free to smell all of his favorite things and we will be right with him. I will walk out of the door and smell the pines and be very, very grateful. Hulk can sit at the front windows and look at all of the chipmunks that he used to bark at - and the deer!

Our entire team from Colorado will be back with us. Susan, of course, who is like a sister. She is responsible for finding this home for us. Molly will be back with us - we have missed her so very much. All of our dear friends are there, and there are plenty of airplanes for our family here in Georgia to fly on and be with us as the house has plenty of bedrooms.

We were targeting the end of April, but when Susan found this, and the opportunity presented itself, we grabbed it.

In October, you will, once again receive Newsletters with continual photos of Colorado and the wildlife, Durango and the area that is so very important to us. We may even end up with a Bulldog puppy......who knows!

I can't thank all of you enough for your support and the lovely emails I am receiving. Every single one of you are deeply appreciated.

Love & Hugs!