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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Newcastle, Ontario
My very best friend of 30 years and her hubby came for a visit, the last few days. My girlfriend and I have always exchanged small or hand made gifts, but it has expanded to include the hubbies. I've been toying with new projects and decided to make something new. I took an old picture of their 4 children (all grown up now) when they were young and made it into a 3 dimensional Christmas scene, mounted inside a shadow box. Her son, who lives in North Carolina, surprised her by saying he's coming home for Xmas this year, and that became my theme. I was pleased with it and thought I'l like to share it here.
I got a hand made quilted, reversible table runner, made by my friend (which looks great on our new harvest table) and her hubby made a wonderful wooden turned bowl for my hubby. It's made from a tree from their old backyard in Deep River, where we all used to live. Now we have a souvenier of their old house to remind us of how lucky we are to have friends like them.
hugs,
Brenda
Tami Eveslage Original Teddy BearsIts wonderful Brenda! So is the table runner she made for you. I love the story too. what a meaningful way to exchange gifts.
Back Road BearsBrenda,
That picture is such a special gift!!! And what a gorgeous bowl!
But that table runner..... WOW!!! The quilting is wonderful. I love the colors, the pattern.... it's all just wonderful and looks perfect on your table!
Newcastle, OntarioThanks Tami - they are very dear to us and special people.
hugs,
Brenda
Drea's BearsI love the picture box, what a fantastic idea!
The table runner looks great on you table and I've always loved hand turned wood.
What a wonderful and very meaningful idea.
Thanks for sharing Brenda!
Hugs,
AndreaM
Newcastle, OntarioThanks Daphne and Andrea,
My friend was a professional quilter for years. She is retired now as her quilting partner passed away a few years ago and she has tendon problems. However, I am lucky enough to have one of her full size Amish style quilts. I adore it - it's black background with wonderful colours - I should take a picture of it. My sneaky husband ordered it for me for Xmas two years ago and it was my all time best present ever!
hugs
Brenda
Drea's BearsBreanda, I would LOVE to see a photograph of your quilt.
My mom made me a queen size teddy bear quilt for Christmas three years ago she did it entirely by hand and it took her almost a full year to make it!
Quilts are so warm and cozy there a perfect compliment to bears don't you think? 
AndreaM
Flying Fur StudiosSoo cool, what a great tradition between friends............
:clap: :clap: WOW!! I love the shadow box.......that is such a neat idea and it was so very well done! 
And how lucky you are to have friends like that......very special! 
The bowl is gorgeous, as is the table runner. All of you are so very talented! :hug:
The shadow box is WONDERFUL, Brenda! I'm sure she just cherishes it already. And what lucky friendships you've formed with these talented people. The runner and bowl do look great on that lovely table. Is that the dining room of your new house??? (Can it still be called new? How long have you been moved in, now?)
Newcastle, OntarioHi Shelli,
Yes, it's our new house and the harvest table and chairs was our early Xmas present to ourselves LOL! We moved in at the beginning of September, but really aren't settled yet, partly because of my lack of organizational skills and a huge part because of the terrible packing job by the moving company. We are still finding parts to things in the strangest places ie Kitchen kettle in the garage! We have actually asked for a rebate for part of the cost . But life moves on, and the main floor is good so I'm happy at least for that. I'm working on projects in my studio, even though it is a MESS and I would definitely win any contest for the worst studio LOL! It will get sorted out eventually.
hugs,
Brenda
Brenda....you are such a talented person. I love the shadow box and I love that you create gifts with such personal meaning and style amid this season of consumerism.
Your dining table and chairs are beautiful and the runner is just perfect. My mum is a quiltmaker and I'm a wannabe quilter.....but me and perfect 1/4" seams aren't a natural match! I'm sure you'll get so much enjoyment from the runner and bowl - they look stunning!
Past Time BearsALL VERY LOVELY, Brenda! What a terrific tradition!
Newcastle, OntarioThanks for all the kind comments, everyone. I really enjoy receiving and giving hand made gifts - they come packed with love. I'm so pumped about these picture boxes and want to make more for Xmas. There is something about old photographs and their linking to our memories, that keeps me looking for new ways to use and display them. I just HAD to show someone, as I can't show anyone in our family because I want to make more as family gifts and that would spoil the surprise LOL!
Melissa, don't feel badly - I have tried quilting and although I managed to finish one 3 x 5 feet , it is definitely not for me. I really admire quilters - the perfection involved is astounding. I'm also not good at bringing together so many colours that will compliment each other. I guess we can't be good at everything.
hugs,
Brenda
What beautiful gifts Brenda - and such a lovely tradition, with your friends.
Gifts like these mean so much more than going to a shop and buying something.
Hugs
Carolyn
