Wednesday, May 21, 2008

a tribute

Once upon a time, there was a couple who were young, expecting their first child and in the midst of a huge remodeling project in their first home. The project was so huge, in fact, that it necessitated them moving out for a period of 6 months while their house was rebuilt, inside and out. There were other things going on, too. The husband was working 1 1/2 jobs-one being a rotating 12 hour shift job. Things were crazy.

Enter a sweet, mature, handy and creative couple-a cabinetmaker and a quilter. They had a good 20 years of life experience that the young couple didn't have. They offered to hang cabinets, helped paint walls, cooked meals. They stepped in an befriended the young couple at the most perfect time possible. 

That young couple was my husband and me. And our friends Bruce and Nancy were hugely instrumental in our lives. Nancy taught me how to quilt. And there is not a day that goes by that I am not extremely grateful for the time that she took to teach me.

Today is Nancy's birthday. And I thought it fitting to (finally) make her a quilt. It's a pittance of a thank you for all she has done for me, but hopefully it's a start.

She is a friend, but more than that, a mentor. She shared recipes, counseled me through days with a colicky baby, days of cabin fever during those LONG Minnesota winters. She babysat our boy, and became Nana to him. She unpacked boxes of kitchen stuff after we moved. Helped throw me a baby shower. So many things, I could go on and on.

She still cheers me on. She reads my blog daily and she joined in the first quilt along. She has done so much. Little things, but big things, you know? 

So, thank you, Nancy. 
I hope you have a fabulous birthday.

61 comments:

Sherry said...

What a wonderful tribute & a lovely quilt. I'm sure Nancy will love it!

Keep up the wonderful work,

In peace & pieces,

Sherry

Emily Cole said...

How sweet! What a wonderful relationship - you are lucky!

Heidijayhawk said...

that is very touching. she has taught you well. i'm sure she will love it!

maggiegracecreates said...

All those little things hinge the universe, don't they - this was a wonderful tribute.

Beth said...

What a wonderful way to acknowledge your friend and mentor. I wish there were more people in the world who appreciated the knowledge and insight that experience and age brings. I wish there were more men and women to mentor those younger.

And....I love the quilt. The colors are right up my isle.

Beth

Gretchen said...

Wonderful tribute!

And the quilt - look at those points! Wow.

Thanks so much for sharing your story.

Roxanne said...

Ahh, you totally made me cry! I love the quilt, can't wait to see it in person!

Lina said...

What a lovely person to have in your life. We all need a Nancy. I'm sure she'll be thrilled with her beautiful gift and such a heartfelt post.

Nanette Merrill said...

Happy Birthday to your Nancy. I love the quilt so much!

Andee said...

I join you in wishing Nancy a Happy Birthday! Everyone needs a fabulous friend like her in their lives.

Amy Jo said...

What a fantastic story and quilt. Happy Birthday to Nancy!

kat | Taylor Made designs said...

that is the sweetest post ever!
Happy Birthday Nancy :)
I am sure she will treasure that quilt always.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your friend Nancy. You both seem to know how to "pay it forward". Bless you both.

house on hill road said...

happy birthday to nancy! i'm sure she feels just as blessed to count you among her friends.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post. It's great to have wonderful friends. I love the quilt.

lera said...

A lovely tribute, Amandajean. I hope Nancy has a wonderful birthday.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt! What a special way to say thank you.

Anina said...

What a wonderful tribute! You're lucky to have someone like that in your life and she's lucky to have you as well. Beautiful quilt!

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

Happy Birthday Nancy! ANd what a great gift. Its a beautiful quilt!

Stephanie Pettengell said...

What a lovely thank you, Nancy is lucky too - she has you.

dutchcomfort said...

Happy birthday to Nancy! How wonderful to read your tribute and to learn about your mentor and quilting teacher! You made Nancy the most fantastic quilt!
Isn’t it wonderful you’re passing on your quilting knowledge to so many of us now?

Sweet P said...

What a gorgeous for a truly special person. I'm sure she'll love it.

Anonymous said...

Amanda, Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt, the kind words, the birthday wishes, but most of all for the friendship. I loved sharing quilting with you and now you teach me things about it. I treasure times we have spent together and think of you and your family all the time. Wish you still lived close by. The quilt means so much. I will treasure it. Love you.

erica e said...

i love this. its going into my list of favorites.

Jeanne said...

Happy Birthday to Nancy. She sounds like the perfect neighbor! I'm sure she will love her new quilt.

Linda said...

Oh, how I remember those days, too. Tarp, on the roof, in the winter, in Minnesota. I have to hand it to you, I probably would have lost my mind. The house turned out great, though! I realize how much Nancy and Bruce's friendship means to you and K. The quilt is beautiful! I'm sure it will be treasured for a very long time. I hope Nancy has a great birthday!

flanthrower said...

What a gorgeous quilt! I especially love the way the reds jump out.

Do you mind telling me how big those blocks are? This seems like the perfect quilt project for some fabric I have.

Unknown said...

That is the best account I've ever heard. That is too sweet. Happy Birthday, Nancy.

Anonymous said...

Very sweet post. You are so lucky to have her in your life. We have a similar couple who "adopted" us before we even had kids and they are still a special part of our lives.

And this quilt may be my favorite one yet! I am about half way done with my first ever quilt, inspired by you! I am having so much fun making it so I know I will make more when I am finished. I will have to remember this one, it will surely go on my list!!

Sara said...

A very happy birthday to your friend, Nancy! I know she will love that quilt!!! It is beautiful!

Small things that we do for each other mean so much...and become the things that we remember the most!

Jeannette Bruce said...

Wow, what wonderful friends to have!

Georgia said...

I love this quilt so much - I don't know if I could give it away! Is it a difficult block for a beginner? Could you show us how to do it?
Nancy is very lucky indeed. What a great friend you are. :-)

Luísa Silva said...

I love to read the tribute to your friend. She must be a wonderful lady. So I repeat your words:have a fabulous birthday Nancy!

Karen said...

What a wonderful story! Happy Birthday to Nancy!!! She certainly did a wonderful job teaching you to quilt. Love her birthday quilt.

Philigry said...

you are so sweet, so giving, so inspiring. this quilt is so beautiful and I am sure she will love it so much. you are so lucky to have such a lovely woman in your life!

Katherine said...

What a beautiful post, Amandajean. Nancy sounds like a very special and wonderful friend. Best wishes to her on her special day!
I can't think of a better tribute to the friend responsible for getting you into quilting. I love the quilt you've made for her.

sulu-design said...

What a beautiful tribute to Nancy. She sounds like a truly fabulous woman. You're lucky to have found one another. She's going to love this quilt. Quite the special gift.

Frieda said...

Happy Birthday Nancy!!!!!!!! Amandajean, what an amazing tribute you wrote for your friend and mentor. The quilt is beautiful, but the words you wrote for her will also always be remembered. You are one special person. Thank you for having us along on your quilt lessons.

Bee said...

That is a very sweet story. Everyone should have a Nancy in their lives. The quilt is beautiful, she'll love it.

tami said...

You are so lucky to have them in your life. I'm sure she will love your gift from the heart.

Helen said...

Wow, what a lovely gift, Nancy sounds like a very special lady who deserves it. :)

driftwood said...

she sounds like a wonderful friend, and I'm sure she is so proud of you for passing on what you have learnt, and being such an inspiration, and she's going to love that quilt!

Anonymous said...

Wow! They sound wonderful, like another set of parents or sister or just great friends. I think the quilt is such a fitting present. I just love it.

Abby and Stephanie said...

What a beautiful and very special quilt.

Carol said...

What a wonderful story and a very special quilt.

Sandy said...

What a sweet and touching post. Everyone should have a friend like you and Nancy in their lives.
Happy Birthday Nancy!

Emily Cole said...

I forgot to tell you - I'm celebrating my 100th post, there's a giveaway of course!

SewAmy said...

OOH, I want a Nancy in my life. She sounds wonderful and I know she will LOVE the quilt.

Val said...

How blessed you are to have a friend like her. How blessed she is to have a friend like you. There is nothing like a true friend. I hope one day to make my Mom, and my best friend a quilt. Maybe one of your quilt a longs! Thank you for passing on what you have learned by teaching so many.

beki said...

Aww, how lucky you are to have her in your life!

Mary Sarah said...

The quilt is beautiful! I'm sure Nancy will love it and I'm sure she loves you as much as you love her.

jacquie said...

The quilt is wonderful, but the best thing is hearing about your friendship with Nancy. Blessed to have friends like that!

Clair said...

The hourglass quilt worked out great. Pretty pretty pretty. I like pretty things.

Anita D. said...

Your story is a great way of reminding us we're blessed in order to be a blessing.

Emily said...

Nancy is one lucky lady to be the recipiant of such a beautiful quilt!

Rebekah said...

how lucky you were to have such a generous couple in your life when you really needed it. This is a beautiful quilt and I'm sure that she'll love it!

- dlm. said...

What a touching tribute to a wonderful friend and mentor! You BOTH are lucky to have each other. The quilt that you have made for her is beautiful!

- dlm.

Anonymous said...

I love this quilt! I love the colors. It's so fun and happy!

CONNIE W said...

What a great friend you have and this is a beautiful quilt.

Cathie in UT said...

You are very blessed!
I too have a sort of Nancy in my life...she has been my quilting mentor and a dear friend.
As her health has gotten worst it reminds me that I need to thank her more often than I have been...thanks for the reminder

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Nancy, and thank you for such a wonderful tribute to your friend. The world needs more of you both!