Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The Friendship Quilt


While I have been hard at work in PT,  (yesterday with my therapist "gently" pulling my arm over my head I achieved 172degrees out of 180degree rotation,) a friend has been equally hard at work creating a get well gift for me.

With every carefully selected pattern : dandelions, hedgehogs, leaves, a trellis, pears and countless stitches Gwen created an indoor garden to not only keep me warm but to bring the outside in, thus (hopefully) keeping me away from digging and cutting down bushes and all the other forbidden pleasures.

This was only her second quilt and it took her longer than she expected. She carefully monitored my progress on the blog hoping for a speedy recovery but not too speedy.

She sent encouraging text messages and vaguely alluded to a present she was working on but was having technical difficulties with.

I was having my own technical difficulties so gave it no mind.

I just wanted to be able to wash my face with both hands, clean the litter box with my dominant hand so I wasn't constantly slinging sifter litter about the mud room with my left hand and get that baseball size clump of shampoo out of my hair.

Now my hair is clean, right shoulder achy but working and I am the overwhelmed owner of this piece of loveliness.





We had a long, cold and snowy winter but spring continues to arrive daily with flowers and sunshine and waving dragonflies and and gifts filled with love and hard work.

Thank you Gwen. I thanked you privately and now I'm taking it public. I'm so touched by your generosity and creativity.

My bed is more inviting than ever. Now if only you could have stitched a magic spell that would keep Gus sleeping past sun up.

xo J









26 comments:

  1. You are one lucky lady to have such a talented and thoughtful friend. Keep healing!

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    1. That I am! She's a crafty, creative, go big or go home kind of woman.

      And funny to boot!

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  2. Things like this make me want to cry. There are some really good and kind people in the world. The quilt is beautiful...a true healing blanket. lucky you.

    xo sarah

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    1. Yes, beautifully said. I was wishing I could write like you this morning when I put these thoughts together.

      Sarah would have just the right words I thought. Healing blanket indeed.

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  3. I find myself thinking, "It is as I suspected. She is highly lovable and inspires dedication and devotion:)." What a great present.

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    1. An unbelievable present, not unlike the sentiments expressed by your family in your latest post.

      We are two very lucky women aren't we?

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  4. As a quilter I can really appreciate the time and effort and love that went into this piece. LOVE the colors and fabric and everything about this. What a great friend Gwen is - and you must be a great friend yourself to receive such a special gift. Awesome!

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    1. I know, she really took the time to consider each and every piece of cloth. She's all Virgo like that.

      I'm just a lucky and overwhelmed friend/

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  5. So glad you are back to more frequent posts!

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  6. Because I love you and your posts!! Soul sistah

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  7. Darn iPad!! Anyhow, I love reading as well as viewing!! Garden on!! Grill on!! Life is short, be happy!

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    1. I like your attitude. Keep commenting, no matter how many times it takes:-)

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  8. You lovable you!!! This was a real labor of love. The colors are so perfect. Next winter, you'll love it even more. Beautiful, Jane.

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    1. No not me, my friends! I don't know how I got so lucky.

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  9. Jane...what a special gift! I think every stitch is made in love and becomes a gift of the heart for the quilter. The wonderful fabric and design is so unique...just like you! She captured your essence in a gift of warmth and comfort. Now if you can just get Mr. Baby (or toddler now) over for a cuddle, you can share Jan Brett's wonderful books about Hedgie the Hedgehog. I think your lovely quilt would make an awesome reading tent!

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    1. What a great idea, he loves to read. Going to check out book now.

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  10. What a wonderful gift, made totally with love. You are a very lucky girl indeed!

    That180 degrees over the head was the hardest part for me. My PT had to constanftly coach me to relax andlet him have control, but ultimately worth the effort. You're doing great ... keep it up. Xoxo

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    1. The woman on the table next to me said I was tough, gotta be I said.

      You're my coach!

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  11. Lucky you. You are loved.
    Quilt is beautiful.

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  12. Hi Jane! That is the sweetest gift :) Finally I can write you. For some reason the iPad doesn't allow me to posts comments, so when i travel i have no way of leaving them!! Loving your posts and that you're doing so well.

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  13. The quilt is lovely! What a good friend. Glad to hear the arm is gaining movement. I remember PT, no fun! Have a wonderful weekend. Bonnie

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  14. What an absolutely gorgeous gift and made so loving by hand too. Sending lots of get well wishes your way. Happy weekend.
    Paul x

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