Friends

I've been on vacation since December 20, and I am having a ball. I could get used to living like this very easily.

I met and had coffee with Angela from Raggedy Owl blog. She is as darn cute as her picture and her blog. We are starting a small quilt group, and it was fun to make plans for that.

Melanie from Covered Porches sent me a sweet book on quilting and a charm pack a while ago. I started reading Melanie's blog long before I started writing my own. She is definitely a kindred spirit, and I enjoy our friendship so much. I've been working on a tablerunner with the charm pack, and I'll show that soon. I haven't met Melanie in person yet, but I'm looking forward to that sometime in the future.

Sue from The House that Love Built sent me two Crabapple Hill embroidery patterns. Sue is another special online email/blogger friend. Her emails and comments are always so encouraging. One pattern is called An Embroiderer's Blessing, and she said she thought of me when she read it. It says May your stitches be even, The back neat and tidy, Your threads never tangled, And may you always see well enough to thread your needle. The name of my blog came from my friend Nancyz who is in my quilt group and who has also quilted several of my quilt tops. She made the comment a couple times that the backs of my quilt tops are neat and tidy. Mom used to say that the back of my work should be as neat as the front. I'm hoping to meet Sue someday as well.

I had a sew day with Audrey who is not only my cousin but one of my best friends. Her new sewing room has two sewing machines set on cabinets that face each other. Next to our machines, she had a small Christmas candy dish with Christmas candy in each. It was so special! We had a ball sewing and talked non-stop. I would still be there now if someone at home was expecting supper that night.

I got a surprise email from Laurie Aaron Hird, author of The Farmer's Wife Quilt book and blog. It was nice that she thought to send a special wish my way, and I so appreciated that.

I had lunch with my old and dear friend Marla. We sat down in the restaurant at 11:30 and never left until 4:00! It was great. Years ago when the kids were small, she dabbled in quilting but never got into it much. As we sat at the table, she pulled out a tote bag and said she wanted me to see what she was working on. And she has been sewing patchwork Christmas tree skirts for her daughters. I was thrilled and invited her to join our quilt group as well.


It's been a great time connecting with online friends and friends I can see, and I've enjoyed it so much. Marla gave me this angel. Can you read what is printed on her skirt? It says Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them but you know they are always there. Isn't that true?