Saturday, April 24, 2010

Special Correspondence




Dear Eleanor,

Long time ago I had a book, and I lent it out. And I never saw it again.
I don't know if it was your book. But I have a strong suspicion it might have been.
Before lending it out, I had the presence of mind to quickly photocopy the one quilt that had inspired me to buy the book in the first place.
After a few years and as a celebration of the arrival of our adopted sons I embarked to make and hand-quilt this quilt for my bed. It is my most beloved quilt, and it has now spent several winters on our King-size bed.
I just photographed it a few weeks ago as it was time to wash it and put it away until next Fall.
I would like to show it to my blogging friends, but before I do I wanted to show it to you, if in fact this is your quilt.
Thank you for the inspiration and thank you for having your email available so I could contact you.
With warm regards,
Valentina


Dear Valentina,

So lovely to receive your e-mail, and pictures of your quilt.
Yes, it is one that was in the WI book, one I must have made in about 1980(!) a long time ago.
So much has happened since then, and no doubt similarly for you.
Quilts are like stepping stones in our lives, linking us back to times passed.

Now I am no longer making quilts but my daughter is, and they are beautiful,
she lives in Somerset in the west of England.
It is nice to know that my quilt was part of a new journey for you.
Thank you very much for contacting me.
Best Wishes
Eleanor

ps you might like to see what I am doing now,





I cannot express fully what receiving this email meant to me.
You know how we often mention that thread that unites us as Quilters through time and space?
Thank you, Eleonor, words cannot fully express the thrill and the honour to have you enjoy my version of your quilt.


This is a very special quilt for me. It is the first time I completely figured out the pattern from just studying a picture. And it is the first time that I hand-quilted free hand.


I knew this quilt needed a vine in the border, but I wasn't finding the right one. When I finally settled on one, I couldn't mark it because my chalk pencils would not show on the print of the green border fabric. So, after getting over my frustration I just started quilting, and I love how each flower looks different and exactly where I wanted to it to be.
I have been a lot more 'irreverent' in my quilting since, and enjoying myself so much more.
Trusting my own likes and dislikes and making my quilts my way.




As you can see, I wanted the chose to do a simple quilt in the ditch to show off Eleonor's geometric brilliance of her design.

I hope you like it, too.









28 comments:

  1. Valentina, your quilt is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, the fabrics and colours are so beautiful. What a lovely story and how wonderful you got a response. Your hand quilting is stunning and I hope in time you can give me some hints as I do all my quilting by hand! I just love reading your posts Valentina, have a lovely weekend, you are such a sweetheart. Ann xx

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  2. Over de 200 klosjes! Een mijlpaal. Ik moet eens tellen hoeveel ik er heb. Maar 200 heb ik er nog niet, denk ik. En wat een prachtige quilt! Fantastisch.

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  3. 200 klosjes wow! I must say I didn't get a chance to pick up klosjes this week because my DGD is with us and you know the little body needs a lot of look after!!! I love it though - Hugs Nat

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  4. Thank you, Valentina -- I have blogged about your lovely gift and gave a link in my blog. Perhaps you will get some new visitors!

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  5. Such a moving correspondence, and GORGEOUS quilt, Vali! I'm in awe. You are so talented and your quilts show the love you put in making them...
    OMG 200+ klosjes! I really, really have to catch up ;>)
    XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOO
    NADINE

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  6. beautiful quilt, what a clever lady you are. It must have been lovely for Eleanor to be able to see it too.

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  7. Thank you for showing this quilt story, it is a beautifull quilt and a special pattern. Congratulations with your 200th klosje! That is a lot.
    Groetjes
    Annemieke

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  8. SO lovely, and it's a king size and functional! I love everything about your quilt, especially since knowing the background of it. So nice to hear from Eleanor, I can only imagine your excitement upon receiving the letter. Thank you for sharing your story, it was presented beautifully.

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  9. Beautiful quilt Valentina...and such a beautiful story to go with it..
    Congratulations with your 200th klosje!
    Julia ♥

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  10. I love your quilt and how clever to be able to draft it from a photo.

    Congratulations on 200!!!! You have done four times more than me!

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  11. What a special story. And a wonderful quilt. It is a compliment to the maker that she inspired you to create your own quilt.

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  12. a beautiful quilt and I love that you hand quilted it freehand, its beautiful
    what a touching post and lovely letter.
    Kathie

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  13. A beautiful quilt and a lovely lady ..... what a treasure you have. I love what you did with the border, very different and unique.

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  14. Your quilt is beautiful! The very thought of handquilting a king size quilt overwhelms me! Your freehand border really looks great - a good solution for a difficult to mark fabric. I don't know if I'd have the confidence to try that either. 200 klosjes - hurrah!!

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  15. A truly inspiring story. I'm always touched by the stories behind the quilts.

    Wow 200+ I am in awe and awaiting pictures.
    Happy Stitching Terry

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  16. wow, 200 klosjes!
    Zover ben ik nog lang niet.
    Groetjes Berbel

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  17. What a wonderful story and a beautiful quilt! And 200 ... I so want to make those after the wedding! Your hexies are adorable too!
    Blessings,
    Donna

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  18. Goosebumps all over!! What a magnificent story! Do you store the quilt together with the letters, so they don't get lost. so when your grandchildren to be ever come across this quilt they know the history, just imagine, pfffff, wonderful!! Hey, 200 klosjes and maybe yet a bit more hihi!! Love your way of self-motivation!! dikke knuffel, Daniëlle en tot woensdag!! XXXD

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  19. Your quilt is beautiful! Love the colours you used in it!
    200 Klosjes? Wow! How many more will you make?

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  20. What a wonderful story, and it matches the quilt:)
    best wishes!

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  21. A very special quilt indeed! And, over 200 klosjes! I better pick up the pace!

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  22. Glad to hear that you're feeling better now. It's a lovely quilt and nice to have that personal note from the designer.

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  23. What a lovely quilt you made, and I'm sure it's well-loved. Wow, 200 klosjes, you're almost there! I'll be happy if I get half as many hexagon blocks finished!

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  24. Valentina - that is a Beauuutiful quilt and the hand quilting also..well done...and how fantastic to recieve that email back. How many more Klosjes are you planning to make.

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  25. I am so inspired!
    Ive never even attempted a quilt, but would like to at some time in my life...yours is a dream, what a wonderful story accompanies it too!

    Sending love
    Julia x x x

    ps - thanks for your lovely comment on my blog too x x x

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  26. What a wonderful story and a beautiful quilt. Congrats on 200 Klosjes!!! I'm still trying to find my groove. I know it's there, it's just hiding.

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  27. Your quilt is breathtaking, Valentina! What a wonderful story to go along with it. The colors are soooooooooooo pretty and your quilting is lovely. 200 klosjes! Yahoo!

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Thanks for your comment! Please, feel free to write in Español, Nederlands or Papiamento if that is easier for you . And I will try to answer any questions as soon as possible, as long as I have access to your e-mail.

My Patchwork Family Through Adoption

A Bit of Africa and China
Came knocking on our door
And in a home where there was longing
Now empty rooms no more

Like a Quilt of Many Colours
Our Family stitched together into One
God's Love and Grace for us Abundant
In the Miracle of our Sons

Written by Valentina
2006