With the giving season upon us we've been talking so much about how people have reacted that received a quilt from us. I'm as guilty as the next person about wanting to bask in a joyful and thankful response to one of my quilts, but I also know that isn't how everyone reacts to gifts, even to gifts they love. This is my proof;

My friend's birthday was today and this past month or so I've worked on a quilt for her. We live pretty far apart (different states) and I don't think she really knew I quilted and such. She hasn't been to my house in a little over a year (we go over there more because my husband has family there) and I've been quilting for just a year now. Anyways, she loves the Wizard of Oz and collects stuff from the movie. I made her a quilt with some of the Wizard of Oz fabrics that came out this summer (or spring, or whenever it was). I wasn't sure if she'd liked getting a quilt or not but I wasn't going to let my feelings be hurt if she didn't like it. I wanted to make it for her so I did.

I gave it to her last night and she reacted fine to it. She looked at it for a bit and said she really liked it. Showed it to her husband and he said he liked it. I was pretty sure she did in fact like it, but the reaction wasn't a super excited one. That was okay though.

This morning she text me and told me that words could not describe how much me giving her that quilt meant to her. She said it was the most thoughtful thing anyone had ever done for her and that she loved it so much. She thanked me again and told me how happy she was I was her friend. She text me again even later and sent a picture of herself riding in the car (passenger's seat) wrapped up in her quilt. :)

I can't tell you how much that message touched me. The quilt meant more to her than just any 'ole gift a friend could give. It probably isn't like her to react big to a gift but that didn't mean she didn't appreciate the gift. Best of all, I got to feel the deeper meaning of giving and that is better than any gift I could receive.

It's a beautiful quilt. So glad your friend sent you the messages to tell you how much she love it!!!

Beautiful quilt. I bet she was shocked when she first opened it.......after all it is an amazing gift.

I knew she'd love it! Some people just don't get real excited about anything, even the best gifts, but that doesn't mean they don't love them.

I
made a quilt just for the fun of using Kaffe Fassett prints. My MIL saw it while visiting recently. I debated on giving it to her for Christmas, but decided I couldn't bear the thought of it living in a closet. My MIL would not have used it since it wasn't her decorating colors. Then when she was waiting for me at a quilt shop during the holidays, I offered to make her quilt of her choice. She said she didn't know what she would do with it if she had it. I am so glad I kept my quilt!

Pretty quilt. I like the pattern you used.

Thanks for sharing!

Beautiful quilt. I am happy that you made her day and she made your day. Aren't friends neat?!!

Beautiful quilt, very lucky friend.

Beautiful quilt. Bless your heart.

I love how you made that...its wonderful!!!

How sweet and the quilt is beautiful. I've only had one bad reaction to a gift. It was a purse, but the other women that received purses from me at the same time were almost jumping up & down. But, that's OK...I now know which woman doesn't like handmade.

I'm so glad she liked it! You did beautiful job.

Great quilt & a great friend!! :thumbup:

That is a beautiful quilt!

Wow, your quilt is so pretty... love the colors!

I've seen several of your quilts since I joined the board and am shocked that you've only been quilting a short time! Your work is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!! :D:D
Thanks for the great post, so happy for you and your friend.

Beautiful quilt and a great story. Thanks for sharing.

I'm a Wizard of Oz fan and did a challenge quilt using this fabric because this year is the 70th anniv of Oz. The quilt you made for your friend is beautifully done.

Very pretty quilt! A great job for just quilting for a year, you should be proud! What is the name of that pattern?

Beautiful, I want to make one for me as I am an OZ collector, Can you tell me what pattern you used.
Thanks.
Pam

Thank you Susan, I appreciate the compliment very much.

To those that asked about the pattern, it can be found (for free!) here; http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=561

Your quilt and the story - just beautiful. We have that fabric here and I have looked at it several times....but was not convinced it could be used very effectively...that is until I saw yours....you have a real talent for getting the best out of fabric.

My lifelong best friend collects nothing. Her home is gorgeous, could be right out of the pages of a decorating magazine. She throw things out all the time...she has NO clutter, and redecorates often. Throughout the years, she has shown a slight interest in quilts - mainly I think to appease me. :) So I finally made her a quilt, altho I was a bit nervous about what might become of it. She went NUTS over it, and loves it. She told me, "No matter where I go, where I live, I will ALWAYS need a blanket! I will keep it forever." Whew! I was happy to hear that. LOL

what a beautiful quilt

beautiful quilt and beautiful story!

I posted on here yesterday how I don't jump and squeal and act out about things, and that a subdued reaction isn't necissarily an ungrateful reaction....your friend sounds like me!

I really like this quilt. I love your choice of colors and I think your friend is very lucky to have the quilt and to have you as a friend ! :)

I love your quilt, my friend likes to do jigsaw puzzles, is there a pattern for the one you made?

I love your jigsaw puzzle quilt is it interesting and bright. I am glad your friend appreciated it.

I am glad your friend told you how much the quilt meant to her. It is lovely and will now have a happy home.

That's great! Glad to hear that she liked it. You know I am the same way sometimes and don't realize it. I had a friend of mine to make me a beautiful table topper and my husband was here when she gave it to me. I absolutely loved it but my husband said he thought that I didn't like it because of my reaction. He said I didn't say a lot. Well, I didn't because it shocked me so much that she had made it for me that I was taking it all in that someone had actually given "me" yes me.. a beautiful homemade gift...I did however, let her know how much it meant and how much I loved it and that it was just such a surprise to me and it was. It's so great to hear that your friend liked it.

Sweet story to go with a beautiful quilt! Nice job! :)

how nice

She was probably overwhelmed that someone would think enough of her to do something so much from the heart.

A wonderful story!

It is a more simple pattern you mad gorgeous with your choice if fabric. Sometimes choosing just the right fabric can make all the difference! I love your quilt.

So thoughtful of you to give her the quilt with special fabric. And how wonderful that she emailed you her true feelings. You each have a special friend.

I love it. so glad she liked it

How wonderful is that!!!! The deeper meaning means more than a bunch of excitement at the moment!

It's a beautiful quilt and I'm happy your friend enjoyed getting it :)