It is beautiful and I loved reading the story behind it. But if I were you, as soon as you get it finished I would give to her. Why wait? Life is too short.

Your quilt is beautiful and the story behind it is lovely, too. Wonderful job and thanks for sharing!

Nothing is quite as special as a personalized gift, and this quilt has it all. What a wonderful friend you are!

Absolutely gorgeous quilt. Great job!

I think it turned out super! She will love it and it is a great story too.

What a darling quilt. I am sure your friend will fall in love with it when she sees it. Just keep the secret to yourself. I made a Chevron quilt in her favorite color turquoise and white for a dear friend last Christmas, that I taught school with for several years. We haven't seen each other in a year or so, but we email regularly and chat on the phone. I had a horrible time trying to remember each time I talked to her when I was making it, not to let the cat out of the bag. She knew I was quilting and would want to know what quilt I was working on. She has had some health issues for a while now and has to rest a lot and often when we talk, she says she is curled up under her Gerbie quilt as she calls it.

This is such a joynfornboth of you. It is more bless to give.
Don't ever wait...give it to her now..and insure it when you mail it.....

wow...very, very nice....!

WOW. What more can I say. You both have a wonderful and very special friendship. God bless you both. BrendaK

OH, this is just so great. You did find just the perfect fabric. Your work is great and your friend will love it. Thank you for sharing.

Your quilt is as lovely as the friendship you enjoy. I wouldn't save it for her birthday, I'd send it right away as an expression of your feelings for her. I think a gift for " no reason" means more!

Wow, I love your center panel. Do you know who puts it out. Your fans are wonderful, too, and you did find the perfect fabric for it. I am very impressed with your quilt. Please show it again after you finish the quilting.

wonderful/beautiful, sure she will love it.

Beautiful.

That is just lovely...

For something as special as a 40th birthday, I think you need to give it to her in person! Love the story and the quilt!

what a beautiful quilt, your friend will cherish it!

Very, very pretty. It is really magical and she will love it !!!!

What a lovely story. We are lucky if we have one friend like that. And your choices are perfect. Congratulations all around.

Beautiful!! Love how you did the fans!!

Lovely quilt.

She will love it, great job.

What a gorgeous quilt, I'm sure your friend will be touched for your thoughtfulness. I too have a friend who moved away and I was heartbroken, however, we have remained friends despite the distance, and we keep in touch so when we do get together it's like we were never apart. When my daughter moved to FL she and her husband became surrogate parents so I didn't have to worry about her having someone to help her out when needed, and they treated like one of their own daughters. Good friends are hard to find, but they are worth their weight in gold.

This is so heartfelt - the design and fabrics speaks volumes. I am sure she will love it forever, like BFF's. Great story too.

thank you guys for such wonderful WONDERFUL words of love! i can't wait to get it quilted and i will put up pics when i do. right now i am trying to figure out how to quilt shauna's for her birthday. i think THINK i have it sorta figured out and ill be putting it to the test here maybe later today. i will share pics of both when i am done ~ !! thank you so much it means more than you know to read your expressions on here. when she gets it, i am going to have her read all of your replies!

O.K......So now I want to be your best friend!! Your quilt is beautiful.

Oh, those fans blow me away. The Ciceley Mary Parker Rose Fairy is a beautiful centrepiece (have it as a cross stitch on my wall). Your friend is very fortunate.

What a lovely quilt and story, I have quilted many of these Michael Miller Fairy Panels and I have always quilted them in straight stitches on the diagonal to form a diamond as the fairy is beautifull on its own. You can search the archives under my name and look for Fairy Quilt for Kate, it is the Morning Fairy but I have also done the Rose Fairy too.

Such a beautiful quilt for your friend. She is sure to love it.

This is a beautiful quilt, you did a great job.

It is wonderful! What a great story!

What a beautiful quilt! I'm sure she will love it, I know I would.!

That is my favorite panel. It reminds me of my youngest DD when she was small. I made a basic throw with it and complimentary print. THEN I painted my spare bath pink, made curtains and decorated towels using the complimentary print. OF COURSE, then I had to add a few more fairies and a framed needle point of the same darling!

i will do that and thank you so much for your help!

AWESOME!!! What a wonderful gift for a wonderful friend.
It's beautiful. Thanks for sharing the story. Hugs, Sharon

what a beautiful quilt for your special friend

I want to say ..... Same way I feel. This is awesome. And you have a lovely friendship. :)

Judy in Phx, AZ

What a wonderful story, your friend sounds like one of those people that you don't see for years then you sit down with them and talk like you just spoke yesterday!!! What a special friend you are and I love your quilt fabric choices!!! QUOTE=Teddybear Lady;6783864]What a beautiful quilt and story. Your friend will love it! I know I do.[/QUOTE]

There's nothing like having a person in your life that holds such a special place in your heart and what more to express that love than in a quilt. Thanks for shaing your story and your quilt.

Beautiful quilt