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Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Our Talented Friends




It has been an especially active summer for us, with lots of travel, not all strictly for pleasure. For the second time in recent weeks we will have visiting family in the house while we ourselves are not able to be here! When you already feel that you want to see the grandchildren as often as possible, that can be a bit painful.

It is also a challenge to keep a good connection with the blog. As so much has been said around Blogland recently, there are notable changes with blogging in general. Other social media can be so much easier and less time consuming. Fresher faces, with so much more exciting to share, can seem to take up all the air left in the room. And worst of all, my dearest blogging pal has just thrown in the towel for a while! I hope and pray that it is just temporary. But while I completely understand, I miss her presence terribly!

All that said, I just had to share with you one of the most lovely things that has ever happened to me in or outside of my blogging experience. 



Waiting for me at the return of one of our trips was a mysterious package whose return address I recognized. It was from Patricia Eaton (Pat), from Arkansas, who is immensely talented with a blog of her own, Bird Nest On the Ground. Pat has now and then over the years taken the time to write lovely emails of praise and support for my blog, assuring me that though she did not often comment, she was a regular reader. She has also sent lovely things by post that she knew I would love.




But this time she has outdone herself! Pat saw a beautiful vintage towel that I had posted on the blog a while back and decided to copy the design and make a special gift for me!




I can't tell you how humbling it is to received such an exquisitely worked object of beauty, custom made especially for me. It leaves me utterly speechless at the lovely gesture.




Pat meant it as a thank you in appreciation for my blog. And I know that she would not mind my sharing her impeccably elegant work and beautifully written note with you.




I was so thrilled to see that she had even signed her delicate work of art on the back. Isn't that just the loveliest handwriting? That alone is becoming a lost art!






The finishing details with the lustrous bead work is just breathtaking.
















This magnificent little pin cushion will always be the loveliest memento of my blogging days. I love the personal monogram. And isn't that adorable pale pink heart pin just the perfect finishing touch?










Pat's beautiful letter says so much more about her wonderful talents than it could ever say about mine.

























Thank you Pat for your beautiful heart and your wonderful talent! I am overwhelmed.

There are many of you who visit and leave a sweet comment now and then whom I can never reach either because you are not a blogger, and have not left a return address, or you have a Google plus profile page (or Blogger page) with inadequate email or blog address information. Please check if this is the case for you. But thank you so much for leaving a good word for me! I also have many non-blogger and shop friends and family who read regularly, but do not have a way of commenting (or just don't! haha!), since my settings do not allow "anonymous" comments. Thanks to all of you too for stopping by now and then! I love sharing my small world with you!

Happy days to you!
 We are still summering on. . . .

Jacqueline




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41 comments:

  1. What a beautiful gift -- she must have an "old soul" to do such wonderful traditional hand work. Your blog is a work of art in itself, and deserves such a wonderful present. Sally

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  2. That shows you what a special person you are...
    What a beautiful piece of art....breathtaking!
    Hope you don't stop blogging...
    You were one of the first I discovered....
    For its sheer beauty...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  3. That is exquisite - the handwork and the gesture both. What a beautiful spirit she has (as do you).

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  4. Jacqueline, I just checked your blog, at an odd time for me, I usually take a look in the mornings. I can't believe how beautiful you made my stitching look...so beautifully photographed and with such kind words. I have enjoyed your blog more with each post and will as long as you choose to continue doing it. Thank you so much for sharing this little pincushion with your viewers....I loved making it for you. My best to you, dear friend! pat

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  5. Oh how lovely... she does such beautiful and timeless work. White on white, and monogramed, you must be over the moon!
    I must say it is EASY to understand the love she sends your way. You are an artist and your posts are a happy moment in so many peoples day. You never fail to make me smile:-)
    I have been working on picking up the towel and freshening up a bit, you kind e-mail words meant more than you could know:-)
    Big Hugs:-)

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  6. This is such a beautiful gift of kindness. What an encouragement to keep blogging. xo

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  7. Pat does lovely work---just exquisite. Even her handwritten card is beautiful.

    I identify with your busy summer. I've been reading more blogs than commenting as I broke my arm in June and am not healing well.

    Hope you have a great rest of the summer!

    Jane x

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  8. What an exciting surprise !! And what beautiful hand work, not many doing that anymore....a precious treasure!!

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  9. What a beautiful gift to receive. We have many talented and caring bloggers in the blogging world.

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  10. The pin cushion is really beautiful and so is the handwriting in the letter that accompanied it. Since I started blogging again I've noticed that many of the blogs I used to read have gone quiet. I started again because my blog acts as a diary - a record of places I've been and interesting or beautiful things I've seen. It was when I looked back at it earlier this summer that I realised what good memories it brought back. I hope that you continue to blog as well.

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  11. What a kind present. And all the better for being such a surprise!
    Don't stop posting your wonderfully restful photographs.

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  12. What a beautiful gift! How lucky you are to have such a dear friend in Blogland.
    Greetings from Holland,
    Thara

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  13. What an incredibly beautiful -- and more important -- thoughtful gift. Pat is indeed a talent and a treasure and I can only imagine the audible gasp you made when you opened her package and read her lovely note, too.

    I have found blogging to be one of the most satisfying communication ventures of my life. I find that other social media don't capture the warmth, the intensity or the passion of the individual. Facebook keeps you up to date and can alert people but not really provide much content. Instagram and Pinterest can be pretty or useful but cold with litter connection. I still don't get Twitter. But with blogging you form relationships, discover like-minded people who all have their own unique spin on a topic or passion, you have time to settle in and savor a series of photos or a thoughtful essay. I, too, am distressed when there is no way to contact a blogger to thank them for a comment or visit -- they mean so very much.

    In the years I've been blogging, I've met bloggers, stayed in their homes, bought from their shops, received surprise gifts and cards. We've become friends. I hope you keep your blog for a very long time, for it is one of my ports in a storm.

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  14. Jacqueline, that is a beautifully crafted pin cushion from your blogging friend. How thoughtful of her to design it. The bead work around the edge is so sweet too. Just lovely. I haven't been blogging as much this summer and August seems to have been a whirlwind of road trips and busyness but I'm getting my groove back a bit, hopefully! Take care. Pam

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  15. Hi Jacqueline, Simply a stunning and thoughtful gift. I love the precious design so beautifully stitched by hand. Lovely words of thanks you so richly deserve.
    I am sure you will treasure this piece for years to come from such a very talented designer who has a giving heart.
    Thanks for sharing your gift.
    Happy end of summer~~ Hugs, cm

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  16. So beautiful, and so YOU!! Love the handwork. What a wonderful friend!!

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  17. The pin cushion is beautiful!

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  18. Your friend's handmade gift is exquisite and you deserve it. Oddly enough I have just made a collage that bears striking similarities to the one that heads your post, but I have no way of showing it in this post. But I am using it in my latest post to be finished today on
    www.myimaginarycottage.com.

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  19. What a beautiful gift to receive. So perfect and gorgeous for you.
    Kris

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  20. Such a sweet gift to be treasured for a long time! She does have beautiful handwriting! Nowadays kids cannot write properly or clearly! I work at a college and have to do database entries. 98% of the time I cannot read the handwriting clearly!

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  21. What a beautiful gift, Jacqueline. One to be treasured for a life time. It seems her heart is as big as her talent..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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  22. What a treasure! Beautiful art - both the stitching and the handwriting. And so thoughtful.

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  23. Such a beautiful and thoughtful gift.
    I have been MIA from blogging for quite a bit now. Sadly, things have changed for all the reasons you say. So different from several years ago before Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Oh well.
    Roselle

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  24. Jacqueline, just want to let you know that I am one of those who thoroughly love your blog, but rarely leave a post. Today I have decided to be better about that. After reading your post today and realizing that you may one day decide to stop blogging, my heart sank. I adore your blog and get excited when I see it in my in box. I never want you to leave! So from this day forward, I will always let you know how much I appreciate you.

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  25. I have the pleasure of knowing Pat and her work only gets more meaningful as time goes by. Her heart is just as lovely as she is. The pincushion is beautiful. You are blessed.

    Brenda Wall

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  26. What a dear, dear gift. So beautiful in the artwork, but also beautiful from the heart. You are on my list of pretty blogs I visit regularly and I would miss you.

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  27. What an incredibly thoughtful gift from a talented friend. I have to say that it is most appropriate for you, Jacqueline, for you will appreciate and admire both the beautiful work and the heartfelt sentiment.
    Heart and hand gifts are treasures!

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  28. Oh, Jacqueline, this is stunning! What a sweet and thoughtful gift. Patricia's talent is unmatched! Wow. What a random act of kindness, and couldn't have been bestowed on a less appreciative receiver. ♥

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  29. How wonderful to receive such a package
    There is such talented wonderful people here in blogland

    I love the J she put on your sweet pin cushion

    Janice

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  30. What a lovely token of friendship and a beautiful keepsake! Such a sweet and talented lady. Your blog is beautiful and I know it must inspire many people and brighten up their day. It does for me! xo Karen

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  31. Oh Jacqueline, what a LOVELY gift and expression of appreciation for all the inspiration and beauty you treat us to through your blog!! Pat's exquisite handiwork is such a treasure and keepsake.
    Mary Alice

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  32. I can tell you from MANY years experience, that Pat and her sister are salt of the earth people!!!! Both are talented loving girls...the best there are!
    Your piece of art is absolutely stunning, and well deserved!! You are such a lovely person and I'm glad that fact has been noted!
    Blessings to you,
    J

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  33. Oh Jacqueline, what a treasure Pat is to have gone as far to create this beautiful gifting for you it's really shows when someone's heart is in thae right place that they pay that much attention to who you are as a sharing person, a giving person, and a talented person in all you collect and post.
    You know how much I adore you, and your desert home, and I have to tell you not just because Pat gifted you, but because I feel just as strong about you and your post as she.... I found a beautiful Brown Transferwares platter, thinking of you instantly I wanted to purchase from this thrift shop and send it on to you, but in the examining I took notice of not one but three flaws that bothered me, and if it bothers me I won't let it bother a friend. I just wanted you to know that loving thoughts are deep, and most of the time go unnoticed and with this post I wanted you tho know you are thought of from many bloggers out there not Just your sweet dear Friend Pat....I know the name and the site, I just don't get around to friending everyone, but after this post I will go visit her.

    Your pillow has found the most perfect home to rest in (yours)

    I will see you soon and all the beauty you share in your posting....please don't take the easy way Out and leave blogging, blogging is a special art form, I too have an Instagram, yet so tired of hearing how great it is, I really find it as more of a place to stroke ones ego, there is lacking that personal side of instagram will never measure up to and that's the way blogging touches ones soul.

    You touch our soul my dear.

    Many day ahead of you blogging,
    Blessings

    Xx
    Dore

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  34. Jacqueline,
    Absolutely exquisite!!!
    What a precious work of "heart" Pat has given you, dear friend!!!
    I know you will cherish it always!!!
    Thank you for sharing this elegantly stitched pincushion and her equally as elegant hand~written note of gratitude!!!
    Your blog is truly an ethereal experience!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  35. What a wonderful gift to receive !It is absolutely beautiful !

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  36. What a wonderful surprise! Such a wonderful treasure. She sure is talented

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  37. What a sweet and charming gift...so thoughtful! I always love visiting your oh-so-beautiful blog Jacqueline!

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  38. Such a lovely, heartfelt gift to a lovely deserving person.
    Debbie
    xo

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  39. What a beautiful gift and gesture Pat has bestowed on you Jacqueline. It truly is a lovely piece of handiwork and one I'm sure you will treasure. Thank you for sharing it at Shabbilicious Friday. I'm delighted to be featuring Pat's pincushion at tomorrow's party.
    Hugs - Kerryanne

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  40. What an absolutely beautiful gift - and such a reflection of your style - how wonderful the friendships in bloglandia are, truly.
    Thanks for sharing !

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