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