Thursday, May 26, 2011

Houses for Helen.

I had a birthday on Monday. A significant birthday. I turned 40. I had a lovely day, a fantastic day. I woke to presents. I received a champagne diamond and pearl pendent from Daz. It is beautiful. I had flowers delivered to me at work, not one bunch but two! I had phone calls and sms's all day and was feeling very loved. Then I went and checked the post office box and found two parcels there. One was squishy and addressed from Ad. I knew she was sewing me something but had no idea what.

My jaw hit the ground when I opened the card. I thought huh? Then it slowly dawned on me.

She had organized 20 of my quilting/sewing/blogging buddies to sew a house block for me. For me? The brief was simple and effective, a mini wonky house using bright quilt fabrics and plain white homespun. The house size to be between 2” x 1” and no bigger than 4” x 4” square with white sashing to bring block up to 5” square. And look at all the beautiful blocks that then came in!

Carmel did this cute little robot!

This cute little birdhouse is from Emma.

The car under the tree is from Milly and the chook house from Joy.

They are all just stunning. Thank you so much to all the girls who made a block or two. Bec, Lily, Amy, Amy P. Ingrid! AJ! Cass!!! Karen! Mands and Natalie. Denni and Anna, Rose and Sibylle! And Leah!!! Every block is just wonderful, thank you to you all. I'm just blown away by the fact that you had a secret Facebook group going and I knew nothing about it! Sneaky girls! Very sneaky! Big thanks to my dearest sister Ad, she is the one who put it together, did all the quilting and even the binding! She is 5 years younger than me so that gives me a lot of time to think of something to come up with for her 40th!

26 comments:

Millie said...

OUTSTANDING! Happy Belated Birthday! Wonderful quilt, great friends, lucky you!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

What good friends! It is a wonderful quilt, happy birthday!

Kris said...

Oh Helen!! What a fabulous gift, an incredible quilt and super-duper sister and friends!!! Happy, happy birthday to you, you youngster you!!! Kris

Poppyprint said...

Wow, that is just amazingly fabulous!!! What a wonderful sister (and friends)you have...I won't go on about the fact that my own sister didn't even give me a card when I turned 40. She says she loves me...but I have my doubts. haha. I'll stop now before turning your comments into my own private therapy session.

Happy, happy 40th Helen! It only gets better from here, trust me (I have experience).

Lisa said...

Aren't you a lucky girl. You know how I love houses! I love the quilting too!!!

Michele said...

What talented and thoughtful friends you have! Happy birthday!

KateKwiltz said...

How cool!

Happy Birthday! 40 is FABULOUS!

Bec Clarke said...

I am so glad you like it. I was so pleased to be invited to contribute and give back to you as you have always been so generous to me.
All the best for 40 more

felicity said...

I agree with Krista - it's only the beginning of the Fabulous. Happy Birthday and what a wonderfully thoughtful gift.

Cascade Lily said...

Yipee! You so deserve something so beautiful Helen :) Congratulations on the big 4-oh! I was so pleased to be able to contribute to this project. Ads is just a wonderful sister!!

Cindy Sharp said...

Why, Happy Birthday! 40 isn't as bad as it's reported to be. In fact it has been a while since I saw it in my rear view mirror and life just keeps getting better. Enjoy!!

Love your special surprise quilt.

Milly said...

Yay. Helen, happy birthday.. I love this quilt and I am so jealous! I had heaps of fun making my blocks for the quilt and well, ahem, it got a little addictive : blush: I might just be planning one for myself ;)

carol said...

Happy Birthday, Helen! I remember when I turned 40. It seems (actually it was) ages ago!

becanne said...

Happy birthday Helen (hah - you've got a song too!)

Lovely quilt - love how all the houses are so different!

Sarah Craig said...

Happy birthday, Helen!!! It sounds like you had a lovely day!!!

Jackie @ Fred-and-Cissy said...

Happy birthday! What a wonderful present (and well thought out in advance)!!

Unknown said...

How beautiful - and each block so imaginative.

Unknown said...

yay, so glad you like it!
Ads is a wonderful - I am sure she worked some magic to make my house presentable!

happy Birthday sweet lady!

♥Duff said...

♪ ♫ Happy Birthday! ♫ ♪
You are surrounded by an amazing group of family and friends! Some people spend their entire lives looking and wishing for love like that--congrats on "having it all"!!

Car said...

very sneaky friends indeed! They did a fantastic quilt for you!!!

Hope your day was lovely :)

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Happy Birthday Helen. What a divine present to find, so wonderful. xo

Clare said...

This is one amazing quilt. Lucky lucky you.

Karen said...

How amazing is your sister to do this for you! She put so much clandestine work into it - I guess that shows you are a sister worth doing something special for!
Glad you love it - sorry my contribution didn't arrive in time - I would have thought 4 weeks was enough time for Aus Post to get it there :-(

Melanie said...

Happy Birthday! What a fabulous quilt and gift!

Samantha said...

what a wonderful gift! hmm, 6 years til my 40th- time to start dropping hints? ;-)

Carolyn P. said...

I just found your blog thru Mamacjt, and have been going thru your older posts. I just love your blog, and especially your rainbow spikes quilt. All the colour is a feast for my eyes.