Friendship From NZ...

Marrianne's Friendship Block

I always get excited when I find a package from Marrianne in my mailbox. I know there's going to be something wonderful inside...and she never fails to deliver.

Marrianne is also participating in the Farmer's Wife quiltalong and she made a Friendship block for me.

Look closely. See where she "signed" her block and a little note for me? That's all hand-stitched!!! Teeny, tiny stitches by her own hand. I'm love this special touch, girlfriend!

She told me in her note that she's been trying her hand at bobbin lace. She made this sweet, caterpillar bookmark for me. I adore it's little bead-y eyes! You're really doing a great job with your new endeavor. He's a sweet, little treasure and I'll have fun using him, too!

There's only one thing she sent me that I couldn't photograph...her traditional bag of Pineapple Lumps - a Kiwi confection that I have received from her in the past - and really look forward to.

Honey, the post office mangled my lumps! They were squished, melted and trying (hard) to get out of their packaging. They "chocolated" all over your quilt block. I had to toss the sweets, but I immediately tackled the block with my favorite cleaner, soaking it until the stains came out. It's newly pressed and photographed and now will be a treasured addition to the friendship quilt I'll make some day.

Please, please don't worry about the pineapple lumps. I've actually saved a little stash from your last shipment, so I do have some. In fact, I sat down and ate a few after I had to hold a "ceremony" for the new package. (sniff. sniff)

Thank you so much for your generosity, and sharing your talent with me. You know how I love you, and I value your friendship every day. (Do you realize it's been over four years that we've been long-distance friends? Yup!)

Marrianne doesn't have a blog, but you can follow her progress on her Farmer's Wife quilt on our Flickr album (here). Her blocks are really beautiful, so please check them out. Once you're there, click on the link that will take you to all the photographs in the group so you can see how much everyone has accomplished. It's pretty impressive.

Thanks again, Marrianne. Your Friendship block from me will be on its way very soon. xoxo