Saturday 2 March 2013

Quilters, a generous lot

It has been a strange few months.  Some extraordinary highs and some deep, dark lows.  I have worked and worked worked and thankfully that is pretty much done, looking good and in many ways has kept me going.  In fact now that has almost stopped it is leaving me a little lost at sea and staring into space.  Blogging is a public space, I have to bear other's in mind so details that I can share are scant, plus I want it to be a positive and uplifting place but life doesn't always play the game.  There have been some tricky times and it is ongoing as life events often are.  Some days are very hard and I am sorry to say, at the moment it feels like it is getting harder.  I know it will pass but it is difficult on a day to day basis when you are living it and trying to do the stuff you need to do.  Amidst this,  I have had amazing support from so many quilty friends, lately it has been like a birthday with parcels and packages.  I have felt so touched by the generosity and thoughtfulness.  When I think about it, we are quilters and we feel a need to make quilts for ourselves and more often for others.  We can never make enough quilts, we can never have enough quilts, We want to wrap people up with them and look after them- the ultimate expression and purpose of a quilt- so I shouldn't be surprised by all this loveliness but I am in reference to me.  This isn't a 'look at what I got post', but really a massive thankyou, a spotlight on the givers and a start to give something back with a giveaway- I am just preparing a post for details of that.
So... here I am...in someone else's stitches
This was part of box of  goodness from Doe, I was totally speechless.  She designed a lever arch file cover with the most inspiring fabric selection ever- it like an ode to all my favourite prints!  Hand embroidery all across the front, tiny, tiny stitches, perfectly soon and vintage buttons too.  It is amazing it really is. And the green Spoonflower fabric behind it (already planning a use for this Doe!) and lots of other sweet treats...what to say? 
 I'll start with thankyou Doe xxx  Doe is a hugely talented sewist, just take a look at her Flickr stream and your jaw will drop.  Her eye for colour and attention to detail has me every time, just take in that tiny heart at the end of doe...
Chase has sent me so many lovely packages in the past and we have swapped fabrics and treats before. Sadly I sent a Christmas package with makes/fabrics/sweets  for her and her daughter and as often happens that time of year, it never arrived- I have had this happen before but only at Christmas.  So I am prepping something now for her and her daughter, and meanwhile she sent this...the little Lottie tag drawing by S makes me smile, it really captures her! 
This is such a 'Chase style' make, all those tiny squares, all the tiny hand stitches- I feel like a bit of Chase is in my sewing room!  Both the needle book and the little bag are already in use with my English Paper Piecing prep for Sewing Directory Exeter meet up.  Chase has an Etsy shop with her hand made beauties in and destash fabrics too.  The hand quilting is such a treat- she does it so beautifully...thankyou Chase xxx
Ayumi feels like an old friend now and she never fails to amaze me with her generosity and kindness.  She sent a care package including these stamps that she had hand carved.   The casserole dish is so cute and the details on the utensils, wow-  they are each not much longer than 1", incredible!    She is a multi talented creative! And her book, Patchwork Please! is out later this month!  A sew-along is coming too.
Thankyou Ayumi xxx
 And another total surprise, a box of delights from Brioni.  Packed full of sewing and sweet treats...
Another talented quilter with a book out soon.  Brioni's work is so beautifully detailed and she combines shapes and motifs in such a clever way- I can't wait to see what's inside- I just know the quilts are going to be astoundingly good.  Thankyou Brioni xxx
And from Krista, I now feel like a member of a special club that has one of her amazing thread catcher pin cushions.  These are a genius idea... the pin cushion with its weighty filling...
and the sprung edge to keep the generously size thread catcher open.  Love it!  Such a cute fabric choice, I think it is a Lecien print, and I love the tape measure tape round the edge.  It will be in constant use.  Thankyou Krista xxx   And Krista is going to be at FQ Retreat 2013 too- I can't quite believe that!
I am over whelmed,  I really am.  There have been a lot of tears.  I can't say it enough, thank you xxx
sib blog

27 comments:

  1. I hope you are feeling the love :)

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  2. Thank you for sharing the beautiful gifts sent to the very talented and charming quilter! Wishing you the best from California with lots of love!

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  3. Kerry, you are so often in my thoughts! I wish you all the best and send you warm hugs! Your presents are most beautiful and I'm sure your friends have got as specials gifts from you! x Teje

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  4. What lovely gifts Kerry to show how treasured you are :) Hope you enjoy your w/e and the sun is shining down in your nexk of the woods, it always helps to lift my spirits x PS - I've just bought my ticket to FQ retreat - am so excited!!!!!

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  5. Gorgeous gifts, I hope they're helping you through this, and I'm sorry things are still crap for you x

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  6. I'm glad you're surrounded by such wonderful people. Sending you hugs and cyber-cookies!

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  7. So glad you're feelin' the love, Kerry! Sending many good wishes your way... xxx

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  8. I'm sorry you've been having a rough time. I really do enjoy your blog. Hugs from Tennessee. XOX

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  9. Lovely happy goodies ;). Wonderful!

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  10. Makes me smile just looking at those wonderful gifts. Hope they can continue to bring you lots of smiles even through the difficult days.

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  11. These are all such lovely gifts, truly wonderful! I am so very sorry to hear that you have been having a tough time...I hope that your circle of friends (near and far) and your own deep knowledge of your true, beautiful, creative self helps you to navigate through turbulent waters. xx Jennifer

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  12. I'm sorry that you are going through a rough patch. I think it's wonderful that your quilty friends have rallied behind you and sent lovely things to brighten your spirits and offer support.

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  13. Kerry , I'm so sorry that you are still feeling sad and down . Eventually this will pass and you will start to feel better . In your own time . It's ok to take your time . Lovely gifts from your friends . We are all behind you , supporting you . Love from Gina x

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  14. Beautiful gifts - I hope things become easier & brighter soon xx

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  15. So sorry you have been having such a crap time Kerry. What amazingly gorgeous makes you've been sent from around the world! I really hope things start improving for you soon. Lots of love xxx

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  16. What lovely friends you have Kerry ~ the ebb and flow of life is sometimes so difficult to navigate ~ especially when things are not as we would like them to be. I hope life becomes a little more light and whatever it is that's going on resolves itself. I'm thinking of you ~ sending love

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  17. So many wonderful people care about wonderful you. In difficult times this is such a good and heartwarming feeling. Keeping it close to your heart will make it all pass a bit easier and a bit quicker. Hope all this difficulty is gone soon.

    Best wishes for a super great future!

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  18. In your post today, you perfectly described why we quilt. I hope you are okay with me using it to explain to those who ask me why and what do I do with the quilts I make, and why do I sometimes make them for strangers. I do not have a blog, but I have a FB page. I live in CA, but have a daughter in Fort Collins, the land of Penny and Tara, I am going there today for a visit, so excited. I wish you calmer seas as you go forward and thank you for sharing.

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  19. Kerry, you are happy with your friends!!! So many lovely presents! :) :) Jolana

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  20. Gorgeous gifts; you can never have too many pretty things. Chin up chook xxx

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  21. Lovely post - Quilting people are the BEST!!! Virtual hugs to you as the days go by...challenging and not! Remember the hard times only make you stronger...you have lots of people who care - never feel alone.

    You are constantly one of my inspirations...hope you can feel the joy you have given me!

    Connie :) xoxo

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  22. I have followed your blog for some time now and really enjoy all the wonderful inspiration. Hope it helps to know that those of us anonymous followers out here wish you all our best and pray for you as you forge on each day. Here's hoping that they will get better & better.

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  23. Well, maybe not so anonymous, but don't know you personally, that is. Keep the faith!

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  24. How wonderful! Quilter's are a kind and loving lot. So glad they warmed your heart and reminded you that you are not alone. We all need to be reminded of that at some time or another. :)

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  25. You are such a lovely, sweet person. You deserve a lot of love from your fans in blogland! I hope you'll feel better soon, Kerry! Love to you!

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  26. Hugs from the snowy N.D! Thinking of you each day and knowing that you are feeling the loves and well thoughts by many friends and families~ xxc

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