Merry Christmas everyone,
Just needed to share this with those that will understand. 2 years ago on Dec. 26th the Lord called home a very dear friend of mine.. she was closer than a sister. Very much missed. That year she was making her daughter-in-laws totes. One was finished the other, 3/4 of the way done. When her husband gifted me with all her quilting stuff, this tote was in it; waiting to be finished. I took it out many times in an attempt to finish it. Her daughter-in-law would of loved to have it, but every attempt brought back many memories and it was just too emotional to even attempt to finish it. So I would lovingly pack it back away, dried the tears and went on to something else. Well the other day.. I pulled it out and just finished it.. no thinking of what it represented.. just fabric needing to be put together.. I finally finished it... and now her daughter-in-law will receive it this Christmas, as I said in the title.. it will be a "Gift from our Angel." Just needed to share with those that would understand... thanks for listening.

I understand completely! She will love the gift!

She will love the tote and the fact that you finished it for her. Blessings to you for making it.

(hugs} I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend. My best friend and I are that close...I can't even imagine.

I'm sure her DIL will cherish this gift.

This must have been a very special friend and you are just as special to do this for her DIL. Some things money just can not buy.

I am sure it will be something special she will cherish always. You are such a wonderful friend to finish it for her.

very pretty! She will be touched and I am sure she will love it and you!!

I completely understand and tears welled up just reading your story. There are angels out there watching us and she is smiling right now

May you always find comfort in the shadow of angels wings for your kindness.

So sweet! Love the color too.

Honey, that is the nicest thing I've read in quite awhile.
What a treasure you are :)

she will love it, might better put a box of tissues inside it. great job finishing it.

I understand, beautiful purse thanks for sharing with us

there will nothing more special for her to have. stay close. Blessing for you both.

Great story. Beautiful purse.

Great job and try to remember the good times with your friend.
Hugs
Sue

Your dear friend is looking down with a huge smile
God Bless.
Gail

It's beautiful! And you are a special angel for finishing it for your friends d-i-l.

That's is so sweet

Its beautiful...your story touched my heart. I hope that the story will follow the tote wherever it goes.

There's more than one angel in this story!

Justme, Your story was very emotional and your friend's DIL will love you for finishing the tote. It's a very special tote. Thanks for sharing. Eiltcoq.

How wonderful. It will be much loved.

You did a beautiful job. What a precious gift. Blessings to you.

What a wonderful gift. Bless you for finishing it.

What a touching story. Your friends DIL will treasure this always. I understand how it could take the time to finally finish it, I have been trying to start a memory quilt for my aunt of my uncles shirts who passed in April. He is my godfather and I was especially close to him and I have not been able to cut into his shirts yet. Hoping to tackle this after Christmas and finish it in time for my aunts birthday in January.

I was so moved by your story. I also lost a friend recently and share your grief. DIL will be moved too, I'm sure. God bless you all.

What a wonderful gift!

The true meaning of Christmas.A gift fron the heart.

What a thoughtful and loving thing to do!!

This lovely bag will carry so much more than "things" ... the memories are endless! How wonderful that you honor your good friend in such a loving way. To memories ...

What a beautiful story! So sorry for the loss of your friend {{{{HUGS}}}}. Her daughter will cherish the tote, I'm sure!

What a nice story. Sorry you lost your friend, I understnad that part all too well. I lost my husband 4 years ago on our 27th anniversary, then 11 months later lost my mother and then my best friend ov over 20 years died 9 months later. She left me all of her quilting stuff. It has been hard to work with.
The tote finished beautifully.

Oh My!!!!

What a wonderful gift for your friends DIL... she will cherish it.

I am so sorry you had such a loss, as I understand what you have been through. I lost my big brother when he was only 43.... We were extraordinarily close and it really broke my heart in two. It is still a very difficult thing to accept but one way I get through the emotional times is to remember how lucky I was to have such a wonderful person in my life. He also gave me a wonderful sister in my SIL and a beautiful niece and nephew. I was blessed to have had him in my life.

I know that your friend would have appreciated your finishing her project and it will always be a wonderful colaboration between you!

Hugs

Caroline

What a wonderful (and hard) thing you have accomplished. I lost my only sister when she was 40, 32 years ago. I didn't get to tell her goodbye and her loss has always been very hard for me as there was only the 2 of us and we were only 2 years apart. When we were going through her things, my Mother sent all the material home with me. There was a beautiful piece of turq. and black corduroy that I love. I can't tell you how many times that material came out of the box only to be put back without doing anything. Finally 5 years ago, I got it out and made a vest. I cried while sewing and then said, Thank You, Paula.

I understand so well I lost my mama 4 years ago this 14th. I am now in tears.

So sorry for the loss of your friend..Hugs and love going out to you...I am dealing with the loss of my stepfather Nov 17,2010 and the loss and grief that my 83 year old mom is going thru is so painful to watch and to try and help her with her loss of husband and benefits leaving her so hopeless is enough to cause me to want to go to bed and pull the covers over my head... thanks to all of you on the board who are there to give comfort and hope makes things better. Thanks to everyone for all the love and understanding found here.Sorry for rambling hope you are Blessed with sweet memories and comfort in your loss.

Thank you all for wonderful thoughts and prayers. Today the tote both went to my friends husband, (it is wrapped with a special letter inside) we sat there and told each other no tears... he just held the wrapped gift, and told me with tears... that he feels the love.
He said he would give it to Rebecca privately, as she will need a few moments to herself.
I can't express with words, the hugs, the thoughts and the wonderment of this board. Thank you again to all of you!~ yes indeed quilters are special

Very Nice! I understand completely. Three years ago on Halloween Eve I lost my dear neighbor across the street. She had a brain tumor and suffered for 6 months. Her husband gave me all her sewing stuff, even her sewing machine. When she was sick she told me she had been working on something that she wanted to finish but couldn't. I offered to do it for her, thinking it was something for one of her grandkids. Turned out when her husband gave me the stuff there was a quilt top in there that she had been working on. It was for me and in a dog print. I finally was able to finish it and it is on the back of my sofa and gives me great pleasure to know she made it for me; that last thing she ever worked on.

Beautiful.....
Sooooo Sweet of you to finish it....
{{{{HUGS}}}}
bopeep