Sweet Magnolia...Our Cinderella Moment

I am dancing on air today.

Long timers here will remember the

"Say It With Flowers" 

Blog Hop last May.

I shared many flower themed designs...

but my focus was really our sweet Maggie's memory quilt.

Tho I finished all the applique

in time for the hop...

it hung in our shop as seen above

waiting for inspiration to finish.

Around the first of the year, I happened to be perusing my Facebook page

when Ricky Tims sent a post out asking if there were any quilters

who hade made a memory quilt of their pets.

He wanted to write an article for

The Quilt Life.

 I sent Ricky a picture of our precious girls' quilt

(probably even the one you see above)

never imagining it would even be considered...

but happy just knowing for at least 5 seconds

he would be looking at our
"Magnolia Blossom"

Well guess what!?!?!

Ricky included Maggie's quilt in his article!

Our order just arrived at the shop today!

I've been sitting on this news since January 23rd.

That was the day Ricky emailed me to ask if he could

"borrow Magnolia Blossom" for the article.

It was also the one year anniversary of Maggie's passing.

Coincidence?

I think not.

That was on a Thursday....

Ricky needed the quilt in LaVeta, CO

for a photography session by the following Wed.

I was THRILLED...

ECSTATIC...

OVER THE MOON...

One slight hitch....

the quilt was still not finished!

I messaged Ricky back to thank him...

and sheepishly asked....
"Do you remember that I said the quilt was not done?"

His reply:

"You can have until Friday to get it here"

Needless to say....everything I had on my "to do" list that day, 

and the next day

and the next.....

was pushed to the side.

Excitedly I worked....adding borders....doing ditch work....

then it went to Bob....

my longarm Hero....

he stippled the center...

then back to me and binding....and a label.

Try as I might (two cameras - aaack!)

 I could not get a clear shot of the label

Here is the design I worked up in Print Shop...

and then printed onto fabric....

I will always be grateful to Ricky for filling my mind and my time on that
January 23rd...instead of feeling the sadness of the date...
I was filled with such joy and anticipation and happy memories.

The quilt by the way...left Monday from Florida 

and arrived on time Wed to LaVeta....

which was pretty ironic since Ricky also happened to be on the

south west coast of our Sunshine State on Monday 

trying to go home when there was some pretty nasty weather....

his flight out was delayed...

and delayed...

and delayed some more.

He never made it back to Colorado until Friday....

Next time I suggested he "priority mail' himself home....LOL

I am so thankful to Ricky for choosing Maggies quilt...

He's made me feel like Cinderella!

And I also must give Madame Samm a big Huggy Hug....

without her inspiring blog hops...

this quilt would probably not have been made.

My only regret is that my two biggest fans are not here to help celebrate this happy day.

They would have been so proud...their little girl 'in print'. 

Then again....perhaps they already know....

perhaps Ricky only 'thinks' he made the choice.

*wink*

One last thing before I go to gaze upon the magazine...again...lol

I mentioned a"Give-Away" did I not?

If you've made it this far...you certainly deserve a chance to win a copy of

The Quilt Life.

I just happen to have "one" to send to one lucky someone.

(okay...we did go a little crazy and ordered beaucoup for the shop)

[the give-away is now closed]
So please if you will...leave a comment below for a chance to win.
I will send this anywhere....
That's what Maggie would have wanted....

Be sure you are NOT a 'no-reply' kinda peep...if you're not sure,
include your email address in the comment or else I won't be able to contact you when you win.
(if that should happen...I'll just have to pick another name).
Deadline to leave your comment is Wed. May 14th - 10pm EST.

Remember...Dreams DO come true....
I hope it happens to YOU!