Sewing Sistas Christmas

Last week I was supposed to have lunch with my two sewing sisters.  These women share my passion for fabric, and the three of us can often be seen haunting any place that might be home to a few textiles.  We each have our favorite colors and style, and I think I can honestly say we've been able to open up a few horizons to each other along the way.  Although we've only really known each other for a few short years and  live very divergent lives, we are seamed together.  Our lunch last week never happened.  Well....kinda. One of my friends was ill, but I went for lunch (and fondling of fabric) with the other one anyway.  We had a great time, but it's never quite the same unless the three of us are all together.  Besides.........I made both of them wall quilts.  I'm the "artsy" one of the trio.  I'm the one who they both eye suspiciously when I pick up a piece of fabric because they never know what I might do with, or to, it!  The wall quilts were a surprise.  I love surprises, and I could hardly contain my enthusiasm at the thought that I was going to be able to give them away last week.  I was disappointed.

Today, quite unexpectedly, I got my opportunity.  One of them has to have surgery next week, so she called me today to tell me what the doctor had planned for her holiday experience.  I've got to say that she wins the pathetic Christmas award this year.  Poor Baby!  Towards the end of my sympathetic cooing, she mentioned that she was expecting a visit this afternoon from the third sister!  Wow!!! I am so on my way!!  As fast I could, I grabbed my camera, (this was not going to go undocumented!),  my purse, and the bag that had the wrapped boxes (still packed from last week).  Only Santa himself could have gotten there any faster!  I really wanted them to open them at the same time, and this looked like my only opportunity for awhile. This time I was not disappointed.  I'm still so excited, and they loved them!  I thought I'd share:

 Cheryl is from Colorado, so I painted columbine on her quilt.  It is acrylic ink painted on plain cotton fabric.  I heat set it, but I also told her not to wash it!  Because it is ink instead of paint, I wasn't sure if I could mix textile medium with it as I would normally do.  This was my first experience with ink.  She doesn't look like she minds, does she?!

A poem by Suzy Toronto entitled, "She Who Believes in Herself" is embroidered (by machine) on Jean's quilt. Jean is the quilt expert in our little flock, so I just had to do something "quilty".  Yes, that's Ms. Jean on the quilt - can you tell? I painted the flesh parts, appliqued her clothing, and added a mini quilt tacked loosely onto the main quilt.  My daughter-in-law discovered the coordinating floral fabric, and it's perfect!

Merry Christmas, my special friends!

Gratitude for:
- Times with special friends, and the men who love them!
- Not having to wait on a train. (I just barely made it through before the crossing arms came down.)
- Having the lights on at our house again!