My best friend has been that for almost 30 years now; most of my adult life. We have worked together, shared flats, travelled to all sorts of wonderful places together, played killer cribbage tournaments, laughed loads, and read a million and one books together.
I was away a lot, working and travelling, but the friendship was always there. Then I got married and had babies and moved them to a different continent than her. This was not what we planned! She is their auntie. Seriously, how can we live so far apart?! But never has the friendship faltered. Yeah, I know, you have a best friend just like that too. I think every last one of us should all have a friend like this.
Anyway, last year, before that big '0' birthday of mine, we were chatting on the phone and she asked me what I wanted for said birthday. I laughed and joked, and replied, 'A quilt.' I was just being silly and she knew it. Because I am the quilter and she is the baker. Seriously, she makes stuff like this -
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| All photos shamelessly stolen from her IG account. |
Then, in the post yesterday, arrived our Christmas parcel. (Thank you, Parcelforce for keeping it on your shelves for three weeks because we know you had it due to parcel tracking.) In the Christmas parcel was my birthday present too.
She sent me a quilt. I couldn't believe it. But it is better than that. She didn't just have a quilt made for me. No, no, no - she went out and took quilting lessons. Made a quilt for herself to learn on. Then made this for me. This is only the second quilt she has ever made, and she learned to do it just for me.
See, I told you I have the best bestest friend ever!
She used a jelly roll, and yardage of that nice soft dotty blue. I love the colours. They make it look like a quilt that has already been loved for years. Which it will be eventually.
She pieced the back, and did straight line quilting. Only after she took an fmq class though, and tried that but decided against it. Seriously?! It took me years to learn this stuff. She did it on a sewing machine she bought second hand about ten years ago.
She did all this just for me. Now you know one of the reasons I love her so much. She's my best friend and always will be.
The End
Susan
PS: She has started another quilt and her partner gave her fabric vouchers for Christmas. She has officially crossed over to the other side. Bwahahaha!
Now that is what I'd call the best friend! Looks like you need to get busy baking cakes then! And decorating them Mrs - the FMQ of the cake world?
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness that's amazing! Clearly she's a wonderful friend - and she makes fab quilts too! What an incredible story. Hold onto that winner of a buddy :)
ReplyDeleteYou need a big NSFW header at the top there - my eyes are leaking! I think you're very lucky to have a friend like that - I don't and they're not as common as they should be! Not only did she make you a quilt, it is a BEAUTIFUL quilt. But you're her best friend so she obviously has impeccable taste!
ReplyDeleteNow that's a story! Beautiful quilt and friendship. Here's to many more years of both.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic present - not just the quilt but the whole thing! And I'm glad to see that you have infected her!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story, friends like that are very special!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful friend and quilt! the thought and time that must have gone into that gift is so special!
ReplyDeleteI adore my best friend, but I know she would never do this for me!!! You have actually made me quite teary!!
And YEAH! another one converted!
This is just a lovely Story. Great best bested friend :)
ReplyDeleteawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
ReplyDeleteYou're right ... you do have the 'bestest best friend'! That is a beautiful quilt!!
ReplyDeleteAh, that's just choked me up. How wonderful x
ReplyDeleteoh beautiful :-) what a gorgeous friend!
ReplyDeleteI am sitting in the parking lot at work with a tear running down my face!!! Thanks for that btw!!!! You do have a bestest bestie!!!!
ReplyDeleteAw, that is such a great story.
ReplyDeleteAh that's really sweet. It's a lovely thing to do for a friend.
ReplyDeleteOK you win! Your best friend is awesome! This made me cry. X
ReplyDeleteThat's the best story ever! Everyone should have a friend like that x
ReplyDeleteThat's the best story ever! Everyone should have a friend like that x
ReplyDeleteA true friend indeed.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the bestest friend ever!
ReplyDeleteLOVE XXXXX
ReplyDeleteYou are very blessed with such a friend. It's a beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story and an amazing friend, and a beautiful quilt! I bet there wasn't a dry eye in the house when you opened that baby up! Rxx
ReplyDeleteYou are one lucky lady (and she is too!).
ReplyDeleteAww that's a beautiful story. Definitely a fabulous bestie.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing friend! and the quilt is so cool!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!! You are so loved, and so lucky to have such a special friend.
ReplyDeleteAw, wow :) that is friendship! You're a lucky girl!
ReplyDeleteyou're right -- you do have the best friend ever!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing (and very talented!) best friend!! Beautiful quilt too.
ReplyDeletewow, definitely the best bestest friend ever. YOu're so lucky!!! The quilt is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteShe is clearly the best! Maybe you can encourage her to start a blog too.
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing friend! (And the quilt is really beautiful!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful friend and beautiful quilt! I'd be friends with her just for the cake ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story and friend! And no I don't have a friend like that. Wish that I did! And yeah they all come over the quilty side after trying it!
ReplyDeleteThis is just the best story. It shows the power of friendship even from a distance. You are such a kind and loving person, it's only fitting that you have a friend who is so willing to do things to make you feel special. That quilt is perfect. I zoomed in to see the perfect points and matching seems. She did good! Another new year blessing ✔️
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pictures it was grey and snowy here when I finished it. I'm beyond thrilled that you love it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely fabulous thing to do for your best friend, how incredibly sweet of her, and how clever of her to make such a big quilt for her second ever attempt. Just brilliant, you lucky lady!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is LOVE at its best. BFFs truly are a special blessing. I have one like that too and am grateful for her every day, even though she too lives on the other side of the world.
ReplyDeleteYou will treasure this beautiful gift for always.
xx
How brilliant - and excellent indoctrination into the evil art xxx
ReplyDeleteWow Susan, cold shivers passed when reading your story! Only the best bestfriend could give so Special present! That quilt is so beautiful, I love the Fabrics, colours and the pattern! And the quilting is Super; I haven't quilted normals size quilt with my simple machine. I'm so happy your friend has passed to the other side! First i thought that she sent to you a cake like rolled quilt or somehow quilt-related! x Teje
ReplyDeleteWhat's lovely story...you are so blessed to have such a wonderful friendship! Congratulations to both of you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a smashing friend to have! (And a great way to convert someone to quilting...must remember that!)
ReplyDeleteP.S. The quilt is wonderful - please pass on my congratulations and admiration!
ReplyDeleteAny friend who'll make a quilter a quilt is a keeper in my book...she rocks !
ReplyDeleteAnd isnt your quilt fabulous !
Everything in this post is just beautiful... The quilt and your friendship. That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post! Thank you for sharing such a good thing!!
ReplyDeleteBFFs rock!
ReplyDeleteNow that is friendship for you - are you sending her baked goods through the post? ;-) Seriously though, this is just brilliant!
ReplyDeleteEverything about this is so awesome. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a star! The whole idea is an incredible gift......and in return you have given her the gift of quilting.
ReplyDeleteA lovely friend. I have my best friend since we were 8, and nobody knows me like her.
ReplyDeleteAnd your nearest cake decorating class is... where?
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who is just as good!I have only known her for ( whisper it, please... 49 years...)
Two treasures. . . . and a whole new avenue of sharing has opened up.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous story.
Wow! What a gesture of true friendship! Let's hope she doesn't ask you for a 3 tiered cake for her birthday! Jxo
ReplyDeleteI think that this is the nicest story I've read so far this year. What a wonderful friend, and what a beautiful quilt - I bet you cried when you opened that parcel. Does this mean you are going to learn to decorate gorgeous cakery creations for your next visit to her?
ReplyDeleteYou do have the best friend. But you must be a great friend to inspire it.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe she managed to avoid asking you for advice or help as she was learning. That's so special that she learned to quilt just for you.
ReplyDeleteI think you're lucky that tiered and fancily iced cakes don't hold up quite so well in the post.
She sounds amazing! Lucky, lucky you! (And a gorgeous 2nd time out...)
ReplyDeleteBestest friend and such a lovely quilt! And so great to know she's caught the quilting bug, too
ReplyDeleteThat is just amazing!!
ReplyDeleteHa, yes, she's officially sucked in, but what a lovely thing to do!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift! what a great friend!
ReplyDeleteI'm still in shock at your BFF's straight line quilting!! She's completely a star and an amazing quilter :) p.s don't worry about emailing a reply!!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the lengths she went to to make this for you! I bet that she regrets it now that she's been sucked in ;0)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky, lucky duck you are to have such a fab BFF x
Very cool quilt from a very cool lady. You are so lucky :)
ReplyDeleteWow, that is absolutely amazing g . What a fantastic gift
ReplyDelete