One GreaDeserves Another (even if it's super minuscule in comparison)

I was given a gift...

 ...by someone I've never met.

A sweet quilting blogger friend of my Mom's learned she didn't have much longer to live due to cancer.  She, very generously asked my mom if I would want her quilting machine!  I couldn't believe it!  I took her up on her offer but was at a loss as to how to thank her.

She sent it to me from Omaha Nebraska.  I payed the shipping which ended up being a good sum but nothing compared to how much the machine is worth.  

This machine is just like my mom's so I am already familiar with it.

I had sent a card to her trying to express my appreciation but it just wasn't enough.

She had told my mom that I could repay her by making lots of beautiful quilts with it and teaching my daughter how to use it.

I figure, in addition, I can use it to bless the lives of those around me by making quilts for people who would appreciate them and also, letting any friends and neighbors use it that would like to.

 One week after I got it all set up in my guest room this dear woman passed away.

Around the same time I found out I would be receiving this machine, I wanted to make a rose themed quilt for a friend that was going through a hard time.

I mentioned this to my mom and she told me years ago, she had collected rose fabrics just because...no real plans for them, and that later she had made them up into 12 sampler blocks. She  never made them into a quilt and very willingly offered them to me!

They were perfect and I was able to come up with this...

(the color on my camera seems off...the orangey fabrics really aren't that orange...more a soft peach)

I was extremely intimidated quilting it.  It was only my third large sized quilt and I knew how unthrilled I had been about my first two.  I knew I needed to practice though and this would be a good opportunity.  I chose the two best spots in my quilting to take a picture of and post :)

I used this stencil in all 12 blocks and then did some loopy circles in the sashing.

On the big green border, I was able to incorporate roses again.

As long as no one looks at it closely, it's fine :)

I was thrilled to be able to use the machine though and am so excited that it is right in my basement to use whenever I want...and whenever anyone else wants :)

What a blessing!