Her 40th Birthday gift :)
 

Her name is Lulu. I spent 13 years as her next door neighbor and partner in crime. when she remarried and moved across the USA i was devastated. happy for HER, yes, but so completely heartbroken for me at the same time! Years ago she gave me a necklace of the globe with a note saying "what do you give your best friend? why, nothing but the world of course!" i have pondered for a couple of years now as to what kind of quilt to make her. it had to be personal and perfect of course ;) Although her and i are non communicado from time to time she will always have that special place in my heart. i figured out the design but not the colorway. i kept looking and then here on the board (bless this place!) i found 2 yards of the most perfect fabric and bought it and the panel and have spent the last few days ripping and pulling my hair out but i got it! Not to mention when she called this morning for coffee and i was working on it and never let a word slip ~ that was hard! I have to keep it a secret until the middle of february next year!!! GEESH! .....Alas the top is finished! and if i get a larger harped machine (thinking Juki 2010 here!~) i will do my level best to quilt it for her as well. the only real influential person in her growing up life has been her grandmother, hence the fan, and grandma has called her pixie since she was just a little girl with a springy ponytail. and her favorite colors are rose and pink. what do you think? i am SO thrilled with how it turned out! it will come to life if i can quilt it right. remember im no pro here, only my little domestic machine, but any quilting suggestions would be GREAT! i am binding it in the dark green you see as the cornerstones. thanks for looking and listening! had to give it a story or it would make no sense!
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This is beautiful! Your friend will be so pleased. Great job.

Wow! I think it's beautiful! What a thoughtful, perfect gift. You know she'll cry. I would. <3

Better send a box of tissues with it. It is lovely.

Oh my. I echo all the above comments. But besides the sentiment, those fans are flat out gorgeous!

What a beautiful quilt and story. Your friend will love it! I know I do.

Oh my goodness, that is a beautiful quilt. It speaks volumes. It would be so hard for me waiting to give it.

Beautiful quilt and beautiful story. I love the design and the little black cornerstornes.

I wish I had a friend like you who would give so much thought and love into a gift. You're a special person.

what an incredible story. and the quilt is stunning.

that is stunning.

very nicely done

I love the fairy panel and how you have set it!:thumbup:

That quilt is beautiful in and of itself. When you read the story about the fairy, colors, etc., it becomes magical. She will need TWO boxes of tissues!

Absolutely perfect!!!

Your story is so touching. This will be a special gift for your special friend!

she will love it

Beautiful! Love those fans.

That is gorgeous

It's awesome. She will love it.

This quilt shows you know your friend very well. It's beautiful beyond words and it illustrates the listening powers of a true friend. Congratulations on all your hard work and know that it is sure to be loved!

What a beautiful quilt. Your friend will love your creation. You did a nice job on the design, the colors, and piecing. I'm sure your quilting will be great too. Nice story too. Thanks for sharing.

Absolutely gorgeous!

those fans are splendid.

I love the quilt and the story behind it! You did a great job of putting it all together with all the sentiments you put in it. She will love it forever! Beautiful!

The bonds of friendship can be as strong as family bonds. I have been blessed to have have had 2 such friends in my life, loved them like my sisters. Your quilt is perfect for her and I know she will love it. You are a good friend!!

It turned out gorgeous!!! I'm your friend!! Where is mine??? heheheheh!!!

You've done a spectacular job on this quilt....LOVE the way you did the fans. Your friend has a wonderful, thoughtful, talented friend !!! :)

Beautiful quilt, wonderful story. I would first SID on the sashing to stabilize it, then "draw" on the lines of the picture. Just follow around it all as you please. In the blocks, you could SID around the fans, then do some fmq in the background of the fan blocks. Your heart is obviously in it and she will love it the way she loves you. Isn't it great to have such a wonderful way to express your friendship!

Stunning!!!!!

I love it when a quilt is made personal with so much thought, and it's very pretty too.

Such a special gift for her! You've put lots of thought into this, and time and talent. It will be a treasure for her. :)

It is totally awesome!

What a beautiful story, quilt, and how you put it all together. Wonderful!

The was so much thought and time in this gift, what a beauty you have made for her.

that is gorgeous

That is so beautiful, I'm sure she will enjoy it and cherish it forever.

Your quilt is stunning and a wonderful tribute to a life long friend. Your story brought a sweet, sentimental tear to my eye. She gave you the world on a 'string'. You will give back to her, some of her childhood pixie dust.

I think your friend is going to flip out over this, it's beautiful!

love the story and the quilt she will love it!!!