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Please, indulge me as I take this off my chest.
:)
Never say Never. I have said this a million times, and yet, I have said "Never" way more times that I care to admit!
"Oh, no... Blogging is not for me... I would never blog... I have no time, besides I would have nothing to say!"
LOL...
"and who would want to hear me babble..."
:)
pss... I do the 'Happy Dance' every time you leave me a comment!!!
Last year I posted for the first time: I called it 'Hexies al Fresco' and I was surprised how wonderful it felt- after having watched and swooned from the side-lines, to actually contribute my 2 cents worth. Robyn made me feel that I could do anything, and that I had something worth contributing to her Groups "Great Hexagon Quilt Along" 1 & "too".
One of the comments received that very first day, changed everything: as Nadine came bursting into my life.
She has been my friend, my Hexi-big sis and my Fairy Blog mother ever since. And she taught me that blogging could be anything we choose it to be. And meeting her in person last February, was even more wonderful that I dreamt it could be.
Then came Ingrid, and her fabulous confidence, making up her own rules as she dazzles with her down-to-earth charm: "Valentina, we could all gain if you blogged." This statement blew my mind...
And you have all witnessed what has happened thanks to Klosjes!
:)
I still pinch myself, whenever I get a chance to visit my Dutch quilting sisters and feel a reconnection to my Dutch roots. I was after all born on a Dutch island and have such debt and gratefulness to the Dutch school system in shaping me into whom I am today. And to be able now to honour that history, by sharing this beautiful dance of mutual inspiration is a 'coming home' --- full-circle.
Hartstikke Bedankt, Lieve Meiden!
Then all of you, my Aussie and NZ sisters, my Canadian sisters, my American sisters, my fellow European sisters, and all those wonderful new sisters scattered in places like Mauritius, India, Latin America and slowly even my Cypriot sisters. ...am I forgetting anyone?
:)
I feel that we are all connected and I am just waiting for us to meet someday, in person, right?
Like my dad would say: To dream costs us nothing.
I have spent the last few days getting to know Tineke in person, here in my very own home and stomping grounds and it has been wonderful. We have shared about what blogging means to us, what quilting means to us and what dreams we have for the future. She shared her baby with me, her quilting magazine "Quilt & Zo" and I was inspired, dazzled yes, even swept away by her plans. How she has plans for us to grow as quilters: So girls, start designing your very own quilts and pass them on to Tineke... 'To dream costs us nothing' and now we even have a way to make it happen...
All of You have proven to me, over and over, that blogging can be what we chose it to be. That the Quilting Sisterhood is alive and here, closer than we think, to help us grow as women and in our chosen craft.
That we can be supportive, understanding and forgiving of one another.
That we can be connected by virtual threads of friendship.
That we are not alone.
That experience is valued and can be shared, and that we, girls, can have a whole lot of fun with needle, thread, gorgeous fabric, and a computer!
Thank you. I can no longer imagine my life without you. You have enriched me, personally and have infused my work with new creative life. Thank you.
ok.
I said it.
And this is what I have for you, to say thanks.
...leave me a comment or 2 or 10 and I will be so pleased to send one of you a little BIG gift, just because you are YOU!
A Fabulous Sewing Tin, Ribbons, Home-made Rosewater made by me, :)
in a vintage bottle, the cutest plasters you have ever seen in the cutest tin that could later house lots of needles , thimbles and anything else your little heart desires, and a fat quarter of the exact rose from which the rosewater was made from... swoooon!
So one year on, and Hexies are still working their magic in my life:
Countless gardens and new friendship blooming over a cup of tea, all over the world on One Flower Wednesdays,
And Charm Hexies providing magical rainbows of colour and the promise of new friendships...
and for me
because of You-
The best is yet to come!
:)
Quilter Blogs & Store Search
Just noticed your adoption poem...how wonderful! Congrats, know you feel very blessed!
ReplyDeleteHi "my sister in spe" Valentina
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to meed you in the Bloggerworld and I wish you all the Best for the next Blog-year!!
Happy celebrations, Rita
What a sweet, encouraging, post. I look forward to each one of yours, always eager for the photos of family, projects, and (especially) local scenery. It allows me to leave my surroundings for a brief time, and look through your eyes. I love it. I, too, don't know how I got along w/o my blog friends. I'm going to miss you during your hiatus. How long will you be gone? Michele
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog very much! I, too, love getting comments..it feels less like you are talking to yourself! :o)
ReplyDeleteKijk, dat bedoel ik nou,... je schrijft geweldig! Jouw verhaaltjes zorgen er altijd voor dat ieder mens zich uniek en geliefd voelt!
ReplyDeleteIk ben blij dat je een weblog hebt, want ik geniet hier elke keer weer als ik om het hoekje gluur!
;o)
I 'met' you through the One Flower Wednesday -project and I have enjoyed a lot of your friendship. When I'll sew tomorrow my next flower, I'll think about you, Valentina;)
ReplyDelete... en het meest unieke en lieve mens van allemaal ben jij zelf Valentina. Bedankt voor de afgelopen dagen, het was geweldig & heel bijzonder dat je me toegang tot jouw wondere wereld hebt gegeven.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post, Valentina! I had to laugh about your initial reaction to blogging. Mine was similar. I started because a friend wanted to start a blog, but didn't want to go it alone. I never dreamed that I had so much to share, or that I would "meet" so many wonderful quilters.
ReplyDeleteYour hexies look like so much fun. But I'm closing my eyes so I can concentrate on my WIPs and UFOs. :-)
Another wonderful post, I do love to read yours from beginning to end. You so inspire me to keep trying to find my groove - hopefully it will be before you all have left me behind! I have so enjoyed getting to know you, maybe someday we'll meet.
ReplyDeleteI am a new blogger. I was a blog reader for quite sometime, but I am so glad I joined "the party". Meeting new people, learning about other countries, sharing our lives and troubles has been so awesome for me. More and more I am drawn to the hexies I see. I may have to start doing those too. Congratulations on your year of blogging.
ReplyDeleteI can only echo everything that has already been said. Blogging has made the World a much smaller place and we stitchers are the same wherever we happen to be.
ReplyDeleteLove Shirley.x
Ten eerste gefeliciteerd met je 1-jarig blogbestaan. Goh, het gaat toch een stuk makkelijker in het Nederlands. Ik heb je blog pas recent ontdekt, maar geniet er steeds van. De spreuken die je erop zet zijn ook altijd mooi.
ReplyDeleteIk hoop je nog lang te mogen volgen.
Quilt ze!
I love your hexagon fabrics! So bright and cheerful; this is definitely needed for us here in England today. Gloomy rain on the 1st of June! So unfair. :)
ReplyDeleteHow many hexagons do you have, so far?
Dear Sissie,
ReplyDeletethis is such a special celebration, indeed!... just a sec', I've got to blow my nose because, of course, I had to shed a tear ;>) ...
The wonder of all this is that you wish to thank us, whereas WE are so grateful to know you, and to be part of your big friends circle!
I "pushed" you into Blogland, because I was feeling so much joy, enthusiasm and talent in you, such a strong wish to share your passion for quilting, and I thought it would be a blessing to read you, and get inspired, as well as encouraged by you. You've got that "magic touch" to make everyone feel special...
The funny thing is that - one year ago -I was personnaly going through some sad family events, and I was considering to close my blog, and even quit quilting (OMG!). But then you made me feel I still had many quilts to make, many ideas to share through my blog, you gave me confidence. Actually, Vali, in many ways, you helped me piecing my life together again.
Then I was sooo lucky to go and meet you and your wonderful family, in Cyprus. And I discovered the wonderful mother & wife you are, as well as an exceptional (patient) teacher, and such a funny, funny lady (oh, the giggles!) ...
There's no secret, we're all between friends here, and I wish to THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart ;>)
Well, as you can see, I made it short, as usual ! HeeHee....
Here's a BIG, friendly (((HUG)))to you, to all our friends, ... and to me, of course ;>)
XOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
NADINE
Ook ik ben regelmatig bij jouw te vinden en ik geniet er ook van ,gezellig dat Tineke bij je was,jij hebt haar in het echt gezien ik nog niet,komt er nog wel eens van,naar Cyprus gaan is ook een wens,tot ziens Bep
ReplyDeleteI met you also through the One Flower Wednesday , your sweet little picture of the flowers with the butterfly was the reason I took a look so you are an inspiration even without knowing it .I love reading your blog and I am quite new to blogging , just started in Jan because I wanted to continue to be part of OPAM and needed a blog to do so and I am glad I did , Although I have lots to learn about blogging I love it and enjoy the friendships I have formed all over this great earth .Keep up the great posts I love reading them .
ReplyDeleteSheila
What a touching story! I think because you are a wonderful person, you get all those wonderful comments and connections with other quilters. Je krijgt wat je geeft, en je geeft zoveel! You give your heart and soul to us readers and quilt sisters and we love you for that.
ReplyDeleteHope to read many more blogs, and Thank you for being you!
Saskia
It is always fun to to be in blogland. You get to know so many friends and get so much inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteWat een mooie bloemen heb je weer gemaakt en wat een gezellige bericht is dit weer.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary Valentina! Wonderful that Nadine pushed you into blogging. I really enjoy reading your postings. En het is zo makkelijk dat we in het Nederlands kunnen reageren als we het in het Engels niet meer weten ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy bloggy anniversary!! Your post made me laugh -- particularly the part about wondering who would read your blog. I had the same feeling when I started to blog. It's amazing how the quilting blogs bring so many of us together.
ReplyDeleteI was so much excited, that I forgot to mention how cuuute your new flowers are ;>)
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
NADINE
Ooooops ! And also how gorgeous your charm hexies are ;>) LOL LOL LOL
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
NADINE
.... Not to mention that LOVELY, PERRRRFECT giveaway ! (You know how I just can't resist those tins, don't you?)... Crossing my fingers AND toes ;>)
ReplyDeleteHey, you said "as many comments as you wish" !
OKAY, this will be my last one.... on this post.
;>) ;>) ;>)
XOXOXOXOXOXO
NADINE
Dear Valintina MBL is making the first coffee of the day and I am doing the happy dance because of your friendship. You have been a support when I needed it and an inspiration to a fledgling blogger.
ReplyDeleteHuggs Terry
Ditto to everything you have said so beautifully about blogging. I have made such wonderful friends, you of course, being at the top of the list!
ReplyDeleteYou my dear girl and friend, are one of the most special people I have 'ever' met!!!
ReplyDelete..and dear funny gorgeous Nadine... You girls enrich my life!!!
I am blessed and I dare to hope that one day we will meet.
(((((((((Huge hugs)))))))))
Guess Who :p
Oh Valentina, I think you are such a special lady and I am honoured for the contact we have had. I just could not stop laughing and continued laughing reading Nadine's comments!!!! LOl You have a gift of writing Valentina and I think say so much of what we all think. I have been inspired by so many blogs and 'met' such wonderful sweet quilting ladies. The Dutch connection we both share and the care and support you show to other's and receive also makes me so happy to have known you. Best wishes always to you and your dear family. Ann ~ Australia.
ReplyDeleteHappy Bloggoversary
ReplyDeleteI just love all those gorgeous Hexies and your wonderful post. Must admit I would be lost without my wonderful friends in the blogging world too.
Just love the little giveaway. Presentation is Perfect and Rosewater :-) My Middle name is Rosemary :-) Cheers
ReplyDeleteLynne
how perfectly put.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspitation especially your little work box, with squares shapes scissors, etc. I am off to find something similar to organise myself.
thank you for being a blogging friend.
What a beautiful giveaway.
sheilaMC
I'm touched to read your post. I agree with you about blogging sisters from around the world. I can't imagine life without blog either. It had been great to meet you Valentina. You are warm, giving and caring. You belong here in blogland.
ReplyDeleteLove your flowers with the yummie color - Hugs Nat
Valentina, I can not imagine how it would be without you in my new world of blogging!~You have welcomed me with open arms, encouraged me onward, given me sweet little priceless comments and thoughts... You are such a lovely lady and I am SO fortunate to have met you. Thank you for all that you are, all that you do and please never stop! We'd all be lost without YOU! Love ya, my friend.
ReplyDeleteOh, and your lovely prize is so thoughtful and so YOU!
I adore your lovely Dutch homeland, I've visted twice and can't wait to go back one day! We are both island girls!!!
You are in my thoughts and prayers... XO
What a lovely post, Valentina! Isn't this whole universal blog thing fantastic -The chance to interact with like minded people from all over the world from the comfort of your own home is amazing! Your hexies are beautiful and everytime I see them I get SO tempted to join One Flower Wednesdays!! (Actually today is a Wednesday.....!!) And you know what?, the dear Robyn was one of the first to comment on my blog and become a follower too! I was so excited. Congratulations on your bloggerversary from little old New Zealand.
ReplyDeletePSS: I'm in for meeting up with all the blog sisters. Just tell me when and where, lol!!!
ReplyDeleteHi I know how you feel about the blogging...it is NEAT!!
ReplyDeleteLove the colours of your hexagons.
Hi!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, I'm Jamie! I love your hexagons and way to go with all the projects!! Nice to meet you and can't wait to see what pretty things you make!
Jamie
Oh, my -- I forgot to say how cute your flowers for Wednesday are!! :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, I completely forgot to mention how cute your flowers for One Flower Wednesday are!! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd how lovely and bright and colourful your charm hexies are going to be! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd, being completely shameless, I really am hoping on that giveaway!!
ReplyDeletemooi verhaal. I just found your blog and what a delight it is. I am sending greetings to you from Calgary, Canada. I have a bit of a Dutch connection too, as I have lived in the Netherlands twice in my life, most recently 2000-2003. Why just on the weekend we had some poffertjes. I so want to start an grandmother's flower garden with hexies, just need to get started so I have the little rascals available with I have nothing to do!
ReplyDeleteReading your post I am just touched by the person you are! Thanks for starting blogging, so we all could get to know you! :)
ReplyDeleteLove your thoughts; your pictures; your encouragement!
And love to you from my little part of the world!!! God bless you!
Valentina, your hexies are Beautiful. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteSaskia - that is one very special post and it means so much...to all of us I am sure. I know what you mean about blogging - it was NOT for me -etc...so its nice to know have all these wonderful friends all over the world. You have been so busy too with your flowers...Have a wonderful Wednesday - and every other day too :)
ReplyDeleteMooie woorden, meer is er niet over te zeggen, want jij zegt het allemaal al. Geniet van je eerste blogverjaardag en blijf genieten van het leven, je familie en vrienden (en blijf dat vooral met ons delen!)
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful post...keep making those hexies!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing them
kathie
Love the red centers! Beautiful flowers. Your organization is impressive...I've been carrying mine around in a ziplock bag....I'll have to come up with something better...more eye candy like, like yours. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteTo dream costs us nothing- wow! I love that!!
ReplyDeleteWhat terrific sentiment throughout this post!!
Oh how lovely. With families being so fragmented and scattered now days, our Blog family become all the more precious to us.The dialogue between us all is a delight and the support and friendship cannot be measured. I look forward to being part of your Blog family for many years to come, dear Valentina, love from England
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. It's been pure pleasure to get to know you through your blog and you share so much. You inspired me through your klosjes and I thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely hexes.
ReplyDeleteWhat teeny little hexies!! And isn't blogland a wonderful experience? I am so happy to have found this group of "gardeners".
ReplyDeleteLovely post Valentina and so perfectly said. You are a special lady and I'm so happy our paths have crossed. Thanks to you and your creative advertising One Flower Wednesday is a big hit. I enjoy visiting your blog and always leave with a smile. Thank you my friend. :)
ReplyDeleteI found you last week while blog surfing and added you to my blogroll :-) The online quilting community keeps me sane, since moving overseas almost 2 years ago to a place where quilting has not caught on yet. Cotton fabric is extremely difficult to find, to say nothing of basic quilting supplies and materials. Everyone who visits from the U.S. is required to bring fabric and notions to feed my addiction :-) I don't ask for much, just half their suitcase. lol
ReplyDeleteMoving away from my quilting buddies (we used to meet every Tuesday to sew) left me lonely until I found so many wonderful, inspiring quilt blogs. FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. Seriously, how cool is that?! I love being able to see what's evolving in Sweden or Japan or Australia. Makes me so thankful I live in a technological world!
Ik vind het zo leuk dat ik deze groep ontdekt heb en daardoor weer op zo veel nieuwe blogs terecht kom. Van de klosjesclub op zaterdag heb ik ook zo genoten en hoewel de mijne al een tijdje "hangt" vind ik het nog steeds leuk om bij de anderen te kijken naar hun vorderingen. Zo krijg je steeds weer leuke nieuwe contacten. Wie nog durft te beweren dat handwerken ouderwets is, die slaat de plank volledig mis. In dit moderne tijdperk is het een internationale "verzustering".
ReplyDeleteValentina, just as you have been touched, so have you touched others. I too have found that the world has become a much smaller place because of people like you. I thank you!
ReplyDeleteLovely words, Valentina! Spoken from you heart. Yes, blogging has definitely changed my world. I like how you call it 'sisterhood'. That is really the feeling I get!
ReplyDeleteYou know what I love about seeing all those different hex-flowers: you get brand new ideas. I was stuck with using the same fabric for one round. I love how you use different ones for each 'leave'!
Have a lovely day and I hope you can enjoy the sun as we are able to here!
You have inspired me so much, I have cut and tidied my box for the "baby sisters" in the GFG. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Valentina.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for your greetings in my blog :-).
I enjoy visiting all the flowergardens in blogland and get inspiration. Your fabrics are beautiful.
Dear Valentina,
ReplyDeleteYou've been such fun to read. Ever since you won the polka dot hexies, I've been following your progress. I've loved seeing sites in Cyprus and hope you have a wonderful visit to the Netherlands. Kathie L i Allentown
Hi Valentina...I just saw the photostream with the tiny pincushion and it made me smile. It is so ve-ry small; even smaller on the pic then in real it seems. You want a BIGGER one??
ReplyDeleteSee you soon , soon , soon :-) ;-)
You have said it all Valentina! And I have to say when it comes to the hexies - you & Karen have opened up that world to me........ & today I've just discovered I don't have to cut hexagon shapes - just square ones apparently..... who would have thought! LOL
ReplyDeleteThat was such a lovely post, Valentina! I have been blogging for nearly a year now too and feel exactly the same way about all the friends I have made! Lovely giveaway prizes too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on celebrating one year of blogging!
ReplyDeleteMy how quickly a year goes.
You have put my thoughts into such beautiful words. I would be lost without all my lovely 'sisters' in blogland.
Thankyou for sharing with us.
Dear Valentina, Congratulations on your 1st year! Your posts are always wonderfully inspiring & I'm so happy to have 'met' you & dream of meeting you for real one day too! Never stop blogging :)
ReplyDeleteDear Valentina, I have just found your Blog in Nadine's,it was one of your comments that made me wanto to visit you, I am delighted to have done so,your writting speaks for you and through it I find a warm romantic person,that speaks to me and made shed or two.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us your beautiful work and yourself.
I am newer than you in blogland,my blog is very primitive in comparasion with yours,but i have met some lovely people that inspire me and keep me company (I am some time the only person that does embroidery or quilting in this place)
Didn't mean for this post to be so long, sorry
Congratulations on your "Blog Birthday"
Off to join you.
Hugs
Oh Valentina, I have tears in my eyes. What to say? I'm all filled with emotion. So beautifully expressed and shared your thoughts and feelings. They're mutual of course but something to take away "to dream costs us nothing"...
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful post,THANKS... sums up what blogging is about "friendships'... I felt as though I was sitting having that cuppa with you in Cyprus....with love from Aus
ReplyDeleteHugs Dawn x x x
What a lovely post :) Your rainbow colours are so bright and cheeful and Tineke's magazine looks very exciting :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on such a lovely blog, and its anniversary. I am now off to sign on as a follower. Happy crafting, Jenny :)
ReplyDeleteI just found you and I really love the pictures of the beautiful hexagons..I have been blogging about a year and half and just now getting followers and comments.I'm excited by the growing red squares on my feedjit map. This is so much fun!!Visit my blog sometime. Will check back often.
ReplyDeleteValentina, what a beautiful, beautiful post. Your words especially, but also your beautiful hexies and quilting WIPs.
ReplyDelete