Welcome to Ma's Got'a Notion
Here at Ma's, we got your back...quilt back, that is!!!

Yes, spring has sprung, but if you are an Illinoisan, you know our weather is bipolar, and it can swing high one day and low the next. But the good news is we are on our way to nicer weather soon. Of course, the humidity will quickly arrive, so enjoy the mild weather while we have it!

You may or may not have noticed that I have been missing in action for the last three months. You know how sometimes we have a sixth sense, which comes from being a wife and mother for many years. We always knew when the hubby or kids were up to something. Well, my hubby has been sick for many, many, many weeks. Back in December 2024, he was complaining of dizziness. Around the same time, I was supposed to sign up for the All Illinois Shop Hop. That sixth sense was nagging me at the back of my mind, and I decided to take a step back in 2025, and I declined this year's participation. A couple of years ago, I took a step back from doing shows, too, because my old body has a hard time bending and lifting anymore. We all need to listen to that little whispering we often have sturring in our gut; it will most of the time lead us to a safer path and where we should be at certain times. I know now that I made a good decision to step back this year as his health steadily declined.

With all that being said, I hope you all will still make the trip to Havana to see us. I still have lots of new items coming in almost daily. I try to be at the shop as much as time allows when I am not taking my hubs back and forth to doctor appointments. Deb holds the fort for me; I am so grateful for her help. If I am not running him to a doctor, I can usually be at the shop for a couple of hours in the morning and after lunch in the afternoon. I come home around 1 pm to get him a bite of lunch and then return to either the shop or studio in the afternoon. He has regained a good appetite and regains his strength daily. His heart only works at 35%, and he is on blood thinners, so I like to watch him closely throughout the day. He tells me he does not need a babysitter...but I still feel better knowing I am doing all I know how to do to keep him safe and encouraging him to regain his former good health. Our health is nothing to take for granted; I would never have believed how fast his health took a nose dive. We need to guard our health first and foremost.

Our California daughter will be home for a week, the first week of April, to be with her dad so I can get some work done at the studio. This is her third trip home since he got sick to help me. Our son, who lives in Peoria, comes every Sunday to do the heavy lifting around the house for me and visit with us. They are good kids who have helped so much through this ordeal.

While she is home, I plan to get somewhere to purchase a few items to make weekly FaceBook Lives more professional than just with my cell phone. I am no actress or comedian, so bare with me while I try to adjust to the camera. I have never been comfortable being the center of attention, so I avoid a camera like the plague, I do not even like my photo taken. But, if you let me on your screen, I will do my best to bring you my best face forward! I will announce when I will get my mug to your screen in advance, the day of the week, and the time of day, and I will try to keep it short and informative. I hope to be repetitive, using the same day and time each week to keep you and me on the same timeline for convenience. I will announce that info in a few weeks, well in advance of the first video. I will NOT be waiting around for people to come online; that drives me crazy, and I lose interest in staying on to watch the entire video that others are hosting. Your time is valuable, and the replay will be up for 30 days, so if you do not have the time to watch the live, you can catch the replay at your convenience. I will have a few items for sale each week; they will have a NUMBER. You can call the shop at 309-543-6613, and we will take your information for the item. Leave your name and number if the phone is busy, and we will call you back. I want you to know, "I do not keep credit card number info on file." I will keep your phone number and address but not your credit card info. I will shred those numbers as soon as I run your card. Once we get in the swing of things, you can comment in the feed what number you want, and if you have ordered from me on previous FB lives, I will have your phone number and give you a call. Some items will be singles and others multiables. The singles will be the first to comment, the first to get; that's the only fair way to do that. My cell number is 309-357-1728. Please put me in your contacts list as I may return your call on my cell to allow the shop line to be freed up.

I hope you will find the time to visit the shop or my online shop soon. I try to bring you the finest quality fabrics in the marketplace. Not to brag, but brag I will...when you are looking for the perfect wide backing for the labor of love you put into your quilt top, no one does it better than Ma's...oh gosh, no wonder my arm is sore; it's reaching around to pat my back when I brag about my wide backs! LOL

Come to see us soon. For many years, I tried to do shows and hops to keep in contact with you, but family and health matters, and my calling is home for now.  If circumstances change, I may return to the circuits and bring my wares to you. But in the meantime, I invite you to come to the shop. Havana is a quaint town with fun shops and great places to eat; make a day of it!

Or, visit me online: https://www.masgotanotion.com/