Friends.....

This has been a week of friendship and sharing of special treasures!

I received a wonderful package full of the most delightful scraps and swatches from Jude. A myriad of beautiful colors, textures, weaves - velvet, eyelet, linen, etc. If you are familiar with Jude's work, you will understand how special it is to have received a small piece of her collection. And leave it to Jude to include someone special in the package. Those of you who follow Spirit Cloth and "What if" - can you spot it?? Thank you so much Jude - you made my day!

Later in the week - Sabrina and I received a Priority Mail package from Lisa -- way over in Oregon. It was a total surprise. First there were two absolutely beautiful glass beaded "Dotee Dolls" inside. One for Sabrina, and one for me. The one for me has a special message on the back and Sabrina's is the one with the sunflower. But that's not all - there was more.

Also inside were several hand carved antique wooden type fonts from Lisa's grandfather and great-grandfather's printing business in Oregon. Lisa is a native Oregonian. I can't believe she sent these to us. Sabrina went crazy over them. How special they are. We will treasure them.

As if that wasn't enough - Lisa also sent me two curved beading needles because I am such a spazz and am having a hard time beading a doll that Grace sent me AND one of James Taylor's cds - with I think has every song he ever sang on it. I've been listening to it for two days. It's wonderful. Lisa knows I love James Taylor. Fire and Rain was the first "45" I ever bought. I was 11. I still have it.

Lisa and I have been friends for a while now. She lives in Oregon and is a master at documenting its beauty. I so enjoy her photography and narratives. I visit Pursuing Art often and we share some great conversations.

Receiving presents in the mail is "awesome" as Sabrina puts it. But the gift of friendship is even better! The world just doesn't seem so big anymore.