Wednesday 24 July 2013

Saving the Best Until Last

I have never been shy about informing you all that I am part of the best bee in the world. I am part of other great bees, but Brit Bee is special. It is special for many reasons. Long stories I will not go into, but life has made us what we are much more than the initial bond of sewing that formed the group. There is love and support, and friendship that is strong. We are also blessed in that many of us manage to see each other socially on occasion too. But those of the group who do not get to join in these events are no less treasured. In fact they are treasured all the more as we are aware of them being unable to join in with our get togethers and missed greatly.

This group of ladies caught me by surprise on the weekend though. Totally! Because they presented me with this for my big '0' birthday.


I cannot express how stunning this quilt is. It appeals to me on every level. The beauty of the individual blocks. The low volume background. The amazing quilting by Trudi. But most of all that people I love so much went to the trouble to secretly put it together for me. (God, I'm getting all leaky here writing about it!)


The quilt measures 26" x 34" and is designed to hang in my new sewing space when it is ready. It cannot go anywhere else but. Every time I look at it I will smile. On bad days it will remind me of good things. On good days it will just make me happier. I can never imagine getting tired of seeing it.


I can tell who made some of the blocks, but not all of them - yet. Top row: Laura Jane, ?, Katy. Second row: ?, Ceri, Jo. Third row: Hadley, Judith, Terri. Bottom row: Fiona, ?,?. Did I get the ones I named right, ladies? Can you fill in the missing names, please?

Brit Bee came into my life at a time that I needed these ladies. They make me feel part of something where I belong. I was a bit of a lost soul before. No one I knew sewed. No one really even understood my desire to do so. I was a wife and a mum. I loved that, but this gives me something that is just for myself. And through it I have made the most brilliant friends a person could imagine.

My Brit Bee friends, and all my other sewing friends (many of whom I saw on the weekend) thank you for allowing me to be part of this community. Thank you for being such wonderful friends. Brit Bee, thank you for this amazing gift. I will treasure it always.

But, as it would be wrong without me lightening the mood some, I will show you the other highlight of the weekend. Hadley took a photo of me while the quilt was being presented to me. I am chuffed to bits with the photo, because I now know that my backside looks way better than I realised.


Woohoo! And on that note, I'm off to adore my new quilt.

Susan

43 comments:

  1. It is a beautiful quilt. The fabrics just work together so wonderfully and anything Trudi quilts is just perfect. You are blessed to be in a Bee like that. But it's only special because of the people in it.

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  2. Lovely!
    The quilt is great too! ;)

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  3. What a wonderful, special quilt. The sewing community truly is amazing isn't it, and your beautiful quilt is a testament to that. Happy Birthday! xx

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  4. What a beautiful, special quilt. Brit Bee is the model bee - I think everyone can see what great friendships have been forged between you all. And I hope my rear looks that good at 50 - although I'm not holding out much hope!

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  5. The quilt is such a personal and thoughtful gift....from true friends. And the photo of your bum is a thoughtful gift too.

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  6. I can feel the happiness from here! That quilt is pure joy. Woo Hoo turning a big "O" is not so bad!

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  7. By Jove, you're right! You do have a great bum! Lovely story and a very beautiful quilt.

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  8. What a fab quilt and such lovely ladies! Hooray for a nice ass!

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  9. Well you just have to realise that you ARE special!

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  10. What an amazing quilt' so beautiful! Nice bum too! Xx

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  11. Nice bum!! And, yeah, the Brit Bee is a proper lightning-in-a-bottle group. Often imitated, never duplicated!

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  12. Beautiful quilt, and great arse! :o)

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  13. You can dance in chiffon and have a great backside - what more could you ask for at 50! But seriously, what a lovely gift from your friends. Something very special.

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  14. Arse!!!!!!!!!!!

    Well as I am part of this wonderful group, I know exactly how you feel.

    It was a pleasure to get sneaky behind your back for once xxx

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  15. That is a mighty fine quilt...and backside!

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  16. My arse will definitely not look that good at 50, as it's nowhere near that good now (and a number of people generously took photos of it this weekend for me to check out lol)

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  17. it is a beautiful arse. Quilts no bad either.... except from the dodgy bottomrow middle block. Hint hint. Luff you loads missus x

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  18. Well, it IS the best bee in the world, naturally. you nailed my block in one, of course :)

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  19. What a fab group your are and you really deserve such a special and gorgeous quilt! Fit bum too :)

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  20. Check you Mrs Pert Derrière!
    My block is 3rd row on the right, with the little dog in the middle :) xxx

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  21. A fabulous quilt by a fabulous bee for a fabulous lass who has a fabulous arse xx

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  22. A very special quilt for a very special birthday. What lovely (secretive) friends you have !

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  23. Such a beautiful quilt! Love the lady in red butt shot:)

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  24. It's a really beautiful quilt! What a wonderful gift :o)

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  25. For an 0 birthday.....I wasn't sure if you were 40 or 50..... So take that as a complement too!

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  26. Aw you've got me all leaky now too! My other block is called 'special blessings' and is top row, 2nd from left. You so deserve this special gift and I look forward to seeing it one day, hanging up in all its glory! Jxo

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  27. I LOVE your new quilt! Just saw some more photos of it on Judith's blog. The size, colours, fabrics - all is gorgeous! The perfect item to adorn our new sewing spot!

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  28. It is a beautiful gift for you from such wonderful friends. It will look perfect in your new sewing space.

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  29. What a wonderful quilt and a surprise too! Who said getting older was a bad thing?? those "0" birthdays have their benefits (but I sure don't want to think about the next one I'll be having).

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  30. Now I'm all leaky before I go to work! T'was great to be just a little sneaky for you :) best Bee ever, we are just awesome! Great arse, why would it not be! Bottom right :)

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  31. It is a beautiful quilt made by a great group of folk for a really special lady. Enjoy it. Di x

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  32. Pfwoarrrrr

    What a derriere!!

    I am hoping that all the pics I've seen of myself turn into BEFORE {diet} pics and that next year I have an arse to rival yours!

    Love your surprise 30th ;0) Birthday quilt. I think you guessed Ceri's block correctly.

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  33. Here's to you, your big birthday, your beautiful quilt a and your bodacious bum!!! What a blubbing post - off to get a hanky!

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  34. Love ya girl. And your super hot totty xxx

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  35. It's a beautiful gift and completely deserved :)

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  36. What an amazing quilt! And gat backside indeed. 16 likes!!

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  37. A beautiful quilt for a beautiful gal!!!

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  38. That is a fine looking butt! I would be proudly showing that off in jeans! Gorgeous quilt too. I'm jealous of the quilty friends you guys are.

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  39. Your birthday quilt is just stunning and I was so happy to see it in person! As for your spectacular ass, well, I saw plenty of that in our stifling hotel room, too ;)

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  40. This quilt is so lovely and will be a beautiful reminder if the love and friendship you share with your bee mates.

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  41. We are freaking AWESOME!! You know how much we love being family, ain't nothing gonna change that. Check out your bum!! Looking good for 50!! Mines middle left, a star for a star. :) x

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