Saturday, July 21, 2012

Friends - both old and new...

People are often surprised when I tell them I am naturally shy. 
They think from how I write that I'm really outgoing - and once I get to know you I am quite relaxed and laugh (a lot) - but at first, I'm a shy thing. The fact that we have moved 18 times in 21 years probably has a lot to do with it, but I think being an only child raised by elderly grandparents could also be a contributing factor. I spent my growing up years quite removed from kids my age, and yet I was very content with my own company. Still am, actually.
It's because I am shy (and personally content) that I don't often seek out friendships when we move to a new town, and I rarely spend time away from my home as I homeschooled the two youngest children for 11 years, and have run my own business from home since 2009. 
My home is my place of security. My home is me in my natural habitat.
But I want to be brave and dip my toe in the waters of making 'real-life, people-you-can-hug-and-drink-coffee-with-friends'. 
I invited my good friend Wendy to drive up from her home 90 klms away and spend the day stitching with me on Friday. You see, I had invited someone else too. Someone I had never met! And because I am so relaxed with Wendy, I knew she would help me relax quickly. 
On Friday morning Blossom woke with a fever and stayed home from work, so my stitching group suddenly grew to four, and all my nerves vanished.
 (note to self: God is good ALL the time)
Inspired by Master Chef the previous night, I baked Orange & Blueberry muffins with an Orange & Vanilla syrup, and set out my favourite tea cups and plates...
Blossom got out a cross-stitch she'd started four years ago and never finished...
...and I prepared my own project to stitch.
Just after 10 a car pulled up, and the door to making a new friend opened. 
Not long after this Wendy arrived. And so our stitching day began!
Please meet our new friend, Angela. 
 
Wendy, me, and Angela
 Blossom was our photographer.
Actually, two hours into our day together, Wendy and Angela realised they had met years before and had been wanting to catch up ever since! Small world? Honestly, we laughed so hard all day that my shoulder and neck are still aching and I won't need to do any tummy exercises for a week!
Angela is a sweetheart, and even brought a freshly baked gluten free Banana Cake, whose leftovers Mr E happily enjoyed later that night. Thanks Angela. :-)
 I don't think we got as much stitching done as we'd planned, but I'm sure that's testimony to how much fun we had together. 
A good day. A new friend. And plans to do it again soon.
If you're shy like me, I encourage you to take the plunge and reach out to a new friend. It could be wonderful. :-)
~~~~~
I am so excited to be able to offer KITS for some of my new patterns! 
I get lots of emails from blog readers asking if I sell kits for my designs, and I thought it was probably about time I did some. 
In my shop HERE I have a limited number of kits available for making the...
"Daring Dresden" cushion cover ~ $27 AUD
...and the "HAPPY" Table Runner ~ $29 AUD
 
Both kits contain all the fabrics, trims and threads to make the project, plus a paper pattern. 
Both kits are free post throughout Australia, or $12 postage overseas.
You can visit My Elefantz Shop HERE.
~~~~~
All the info about Elefantz HOME issue 14 can be found HERE on the magazine page. You'll also see what my lovely guest designer for this issue, Vicki Tucek, has made for you! She's a very talented designer whose quilts are amazing!! Visit her blog HERE for some inspiration.

For the next 9 issues of the magazine I will also be sharing one block per month from my shabby roses "A Christmas Story" quilt. This is in addition to my three new Elefantz designs each month.
The first block we'll make is 'angel', and I will show you step by step how to copy my decorative applique technique...
I've already prepared my block. This is the third time I've made this quilt, and I still love it!
~~~~~
Time to get back to pattern writing...

Ho hum...the hard part about being a designer. ;-)
Have a lovely weekend, surrounded by people you love and lots of laughter, ok!?
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

16 comments:

Vickie said...

Oh such a warm and fuzzy post Jenny..love it....be you shy or not we wouldn't want you any other way...congrats on having the kits-I know they will run out to be mailed...cheers Vickie

Anonymous said...

such a lovely post Jenny and what a lovely ending.xx

Sara said...

Shy people are the best---coming from another shy lady!;)

Your teacups are so pretty:)

Maria said...

Pleased to read you had a wonderful day and made a lovely new friend...
Beautiful new sewing kits ...

Larissa said...

Sounds like you ladies had a marvellous time!!! ... Looking forward to the coming magazines :)

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Very nice post! Just a joy to read. I, too, am shy and worry that it comes across as unsociable. Your kits are lovely and destined to become best sellers! Thanks so much for sharing!

Allie said...

Well how cool is that, a new friend! So glad you girls had such a lovely time. I used to be horribly shy, Jenny, hardly talked to anyone - until I figured out that it wasn't all about me, lol, and nobody was picking apart my words and behaviour like I was. Once I started listening more, I found myself sincerely interested in other people, and the shyness vanished.

I love your Christmas Story quilt so much, I never tire of seeing it, and I really, really need to get started on making my own - now if I could just find more hours in my day!!!!

janice15 said...

I was always a little bit shy as well but for the last couple of years not as much as before...I'm 54 so I don't know if it's age or what...lol...a very lovely post thank you for sharing it...Happy Saturday with love Janice

Unknown said...

Lovely Post Jenny...Pity we don't live Closer I hear where you are coming from...
Soo Glad you now have a New Stitching Friend they can make a Huge Difference in One's Life..Hope it Continues for You.
Hugs
xx

Melody said...

I'm so glad you had such a great time. I can't wait for the next Elefantz Home

Christine M said...

Sounds like a lovely day was had by all.

Abby and Stephanie said...

I dislike the pattern writing portion of business...oh and the bookkeeping too! Looks like a special day spent with friends. Love that dresden. I think your kits will fly out the window. :o)

Kaylee said...

How wonderful Jenny that you were able to spend your day stitching, meeting a new friend and catching up with a long time friend. I am looking forward to "A Christmas Story" BOM in Elefantz Home, I have always wanted to make this quilt, I now make a pact with myself to stitch this BOM each month :-)

Karen said...

Very proud of you for moving outside of your comfort zone, and such a wonderful result too.
Everything was in order for your visitors, that was very nice.
Very happy you had a good visit...K

Sue from Cyprus said...

What a lovely post Jenny! It's great to meet new friends for the first time. I, like you, am also shy and meeting new people still makes me feel uneasy. Once the initial meeting is over, I stand back and ask myself what all the fuss was about!! Have a great week.
Hugs, Sue from Cyprus x x x

Wendyb said...

another of my 'bestest' days Jen.....all my days with you and Bloss are the BEST...and it was lovely to share it with Angela too!
xoxoxo sweet sweet hugs my gorgeous friend
Wendy :O)