my best friend's quilt

Do you have a best friend? You know, one of those people who no matter what will always, always be there? Whether it's 10 am or 2 am, when in need, she'll come running? I have one.  Her name is Ashley and she turned - well, let's just say she hit a birthday milestone - last month.

So, what does a quilter make for her best friend? You guessed it...a quilt!!

Ashley and I have been friends since 8th grade...25 years, plus.  We've known each other longer than just about anyone else.  Longer than college buddies, longer than husbands.  Longer than most everyone but our own families.  Nuts if you think about it, really.  Ashley is the kind of person that everyone needs as a friend.  Positive, devoted, fun, dependable, loving, outgoing, and so on and so on. I really could go on forever.

She's seen me through good and bad.  From mistake-laden high school boyfriends (really, what *was* I thinking?) to the birth of my kids and everything in between.  No matter what I'm freaking out about, she calms me down.  And trust me, she's had plenty of experience in that department!

We were maid/matron of honor at each others weddings...where I nearly dropped Donnie's ring...and even had our second children three days apart.  (Ok, so the last one wasn't planned - she has her kids early, while mine, like me, tend to be late.)

We've pretty much grown up together, but in many ways have never changed.  Bon Jovi and Def Leppard in high school, and again this past year.  Track meets when we were juniors, half marathons in our late thirties.  And she's a quilter, too. :)

OBX 2010

Jane, Ashley, Julie, me

Ashley lives in Chapel Hill, which is only about an hour-and-a-half away, but still isn't close enough for my taste.  Between them and all the friends we've met through them, I can't tell you how many times we've considered moving there. 

Despite the distance, we get together whenever we can.  Beach trips, lake weekends, vacations in the mountains (the quilt pics are at her mountain house) and as many sleepovers as we can manage.  We're so absolutely blessed that our families get along so well.  Our husbands are great friends - despite the years it took for us to get them together so they'd figure it out - and the kids are constantly asking when they get to see each other again and always include each other in their lists of "best friends".  Makes me smile.  I hope with all my heart that they'll be friends forever, too.

Lifetime friendships in the making.

So, happy birthday, Ash. I love you more than you know and I'll never be able to thank you enough for all you've done for me.  I wish you all the best now and forever - and here's to many more years as best friends!

(photo by Shelly Bainter, via Facebook)

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Quilt Stats

Pattern: Lemon Squares by Faith at Fresh Lemons Quilts

Size: approx. 60" x 70"

Quilt Top Fabric: 

Robert Kaufman Essex Linen Navy and Quilter's Linen Straw
Sandi Henderson Secret Garden; Modern Meadow, Garden Tapestry and Picnic Flowers Midnight
Simon + Kabuki Juicy Blossoms, Mini Stargazer Teal and Sprigs Pewter
Kona Solid Sage
Michael Miller Dumb Dot;  Gray and Beige

Backing: Adornit Long Live Vintage, Curly Motif Grey
Binding: Sandi Henderson - Secret Garden Vintage Ironwork Midnight

Pieced and Quilted by: Angie Kimel (me!)


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