Circle of Friends: Such a Wonderful Surprise

Every day I appreciate my quilty friends.  You guys inspire me, give me a laugh, put life in perspective and remind me how real and touching friendship is, no matter how close or far you live from one another.  Monday afternoon, though, that friendship came into my home in a very real way.  And I broke down and cried in the kitchen. 

Let me (with great humility) show you the most gorgeous quilt that has entered this house: Circle of Friends.  

Goodness I wish I had prettier, more inspired photos to show you.  I was just running around like a loon trying to snap photos before the rain started and/or the sun set! 

This quilt was made for my partner and I by a lovely group of ladies separated by miles and miles (in Ireland, England, Morocco, N. Ireland, Scotland, Australia/NZ, Canada and the USA), but who support one another in any way we can.  I am so grateful to call these ladies my friends: Annabella, Emily, Hadley, Helen, Judith, Lucy, Nicky, Kat, Leanne, Rhonda, Sarah, Sarah and Susan.  We met one another through blogs, swaps and bees but over years became very real life friends.  Many of us have met in person, many of us have not.  That does not in any way diminish the bond we all share.   

You see, my partner and I have been through quite a difficult spring due to illness.  Each day we heal and take one step closer to re-gaining what was our normal life.  This circle of friends popped in/out with well wishes, giggles in the evenings when the house was quiet, and sanity checks when I was pretty sure I was loosing it.  All the while, they were secretly stitching away.  Who knew?

I can nearly mentally assign each block to each buddy with their fabrics shining through.  They were stitched together with love, then quilted in an amazing, symbolic spiral pattern.  The back is an adorable heart print with the biggest (most fantastic) quilt label I have ever seen!

I so wish I had a better photo for the siggy block/label.  Susan (in general) has a way more beautiful, more complete post here you can read.  I'm still scattered and a-buzz with emotion trying to put this post together. Her post is way more coherent.

They even thought to make a gorgeous cushion cover of coordinating blocks in a matching quilted spiral.  Perfect!  It has a super green cord back.  I'd love a skirt in this fabric!  This is going to look so amazing on the couch and I'll think of you guys each and every time I walk into the living room.

Honestly it's prettier in person.  I should have ironed it before taking photos.  Sorry, guys!

Let me tell you, though, of Brian's impression when seeing this quilt.  I had about 30 minutes to mentally digest its arrival and meaning, then I ran outside (ripped the laundry from the line) and popped the quilt up to take photos before the big rain drops came.  Brian came home during the photo shoot and our conversation when something like this:

Me: Come on over here and let me show you something.

Brian: Sure.  Ooo.  That's pretty!

Me:  Amazing, huh?  It's a gift.

Brian: That's way to nice to give away.  You should keep it.

Me: Um...no.  It's a gift from my friends to us.  A little love after our spring.

Brian: Seriously?  Look at the little pieces.  Wait.  Is this all quilted in one continuous spiral?  Holy (bleep-'n) frijole!

He loves it.  I love it.  And we both thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  xx (with kisses and more tears...the good kind)