Thursday, November 22, 2007

Giving Thanks

Today was/is (at least for another couple of hours) the day set aside in the US to give thanks for the harvest (though -- our current traditions probably have very little to do with the celebration we're supposed to be emulating). It's also a time to look at your life and think about what it is you are grateful/thankful for. I know it's something I don't do often enough, so it's nice to get the reminder sometimes.

This year I am thankful for young eyes that remind me of the wonder of the first snow of the year. No worries about the roads, travel -- just excitement and wonder that this white stuff came from the sky, and a quick run to the closet and demands to put on her coat so she can go out and play.

I am thankful for my family and friends, near and far. They're pretty wonderful people.

I am thankful for the opportunities I have had this year to play with my quilting and to teach my first quilting class.

And, I am thankful for you -- my fellow crafters who read my blog. You give me encouragement (even when I probably don't need it when it comes to stash enhancement activities), advice, and honest feedback. Those are all things I value. In addition, I've made so many new "imaginary" (though, you are all real -- that term bothers me somehow) friends from all walks of life, all over the globe. I have learned over and over again that quilters are some of the most generous people. People whose generosity in terms of time (and sometimes in terms of fabric, patterns and other goodies) are unparalleled.

So -- as a way to say "thank you" on a day meant for thanks -- I'm going to offer up a little token of my thanks. Remember these pincushions? Well -- leave a comment on this post between now and Sunday, November 25th and I will send you one. Which one I'm not sure (and one of the two finished ones you see in the photo has already gone to a new home) -- but you will get one of them. I mentioned earlier that I had put some scented oil in one -- the one I will send does not have any scent.

Oh -- and if you don't want to take any chances and would like to guarantee that you get one of these -- I still have one spot open on my Pay-It-Forward exchange. If you'd like to play along -- I think I can guarantee one of these lovelies :0). If you are signing up for the PIF -- it will be first come, first serve. Please leave your comment on the PIF post!

31 comments:

Michelle Frost said...

Living in Australia, Thanksgiving is not a part of our culture... But I sure wish it was - especially after reading your thanksgiving post :-)

What a fabulous post, we just don't "give thanks" enough for the things we have..

Thank you..

Michelle

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

I'm in!! Yeah
OOH, ooh, ooh, Mr Kotter, pick me!
Love these pincushions and as I have commented to you before, a blog is a great way to help remind you daily of the things you are thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving! Tracey

Anonymous said...

Well said, as always. We have so much support and bounty to be thankful for. And if a pincushion came my way, I'd be thankful of that too. ;-)

Anonymous said...

I would love a pincushion from you. I keep meaning to make them after seeing them around blogland, but never seem to have enough hours in the day to get started!!

Thank you for the generous offer!

antique quilter said...

I loved those pincushions from your first post about them, I never got around to trying to make one yet.
Yes we have a lot to be thankful for here in the USA.
so did she get to go outside and stand in the first snowfall?
Kathie

Karyn said...

Canadian Thanksgiving has come and gone but I almost feel like I celebrated it again through all my friends in Blogland!

I'm so in love with those pincushions by the way, they ARE on my constantly growing "to-do" list!

Yvonne said...

Lovely post...we do have much to be thankful for. Your pincushions are so cute! Did you have fun in the snow?

Helen said...

Snow? Its snowing for thanksgiving? Sweltering hot 38C here in Oz today. But I am thankful for warm sunshine. :)

Anonymous said...

LOVE LOVE these pincushions (and everything else you do, by the way !) So, I'd be thrilled being on your list. THANKS !

Hugs & smiles,
NADINE

Marla said...

I think I am ready to do the pay it forward. DO you still have the spot open? If so let me know. Also redirect me to the details.

Lisa D. said...

What a wonderful post, Ang. I also have a lot to be thankful for, and enjoyed the holiday with my dear brother and his family. I would love to have one of your cute pincushions. What a wonderful, generous thing for you to do!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

My MIL reminded me last week, while she was in the hospital, that the first words to exit our lips in the morning and the last ones at night should be those of thankfulness.

Chookyblue...... said...

please I would love one of your pincushions........

Anonymous said...

What nice thoughts for Thanksgiving. I would love to receive one of your pincushions.

Lindah said...

Thank you for your lovely post. I/We do, indeed, have so much to be thankful for. As I watched the faces of the 3 homeless folks that were invited to share our bounteous meal and thanksgiving, the faces/eyes so etched from their tough journey, I wept inside in gratitude that my journey had taken me in another direction. Something to remember every day.
I'm thankful for all my blogging friends. Although I do not blog at this point in time, reading yours is a blessing.

Linda H

Perry said...

Love your pincushions! And I would love to see one in my mailbox. And we do have a lot to be thankful for.

Vickie E said...

I make...collect pincushions and would love one of yours to add to my collection. I have done the PIF and sent to 3 people this year or I would gladly join yours...but I think I should leave it for other generous bloggers.
Thanks...

Lucy said...

OOhh I love pincushions and tehse are adorable... Let's hope ...

Beth M said...

Seeing all the responses you recieved for the pincushions - you don't need to send me one. I just wanted to let you now how much I enjoyed visiting your blog. My mom just sent me the link to it.

Mar said...

Your pincushions are adorable!!One can never have too many pincushions :-)

Unknown said...

We don't do thanksgiving in the UK either - maybe we should we do have lots to be thankful for :o)

Kim said...

What a sweet post! And what you said about fellow quilters and bloggers--I couldn't agree more! I think that's one of the best benefits of quilting!

Anonymous said...

Those pincushions are adorable. I would love to win one!!!! Very cute!!!

Unknown said...

it really is amazing to see things through the eyes of chilren.

please put me in the draw for a pincushion.

Jody said...

Oh the pincushions are so cute. I'm glad I found your blog while you were "paying it forward" with them. I'd love to have one.

Jody

Anonymous said...

What sweet little pincushions & what a great blog! My first time here.

Anonymous said...

sorry I miss Thanksgiving... but it is not celebrated here either... however I hope you had a lovely day with your family, and thinking of the loved ones who are not there.
incredible for me to see that snow sprinkle (we hardly get snow !)
I love those pincushions, they're adorable and as I'm a faithful reader, yes please enter my name ! there's a little game at my virtual home, too, at the moment please join in !!!
XO

Kate North said...

You've had a lot of comments already, but if you've still got pincushions to spare, I'll happily give house space to one :)

I'm with you in being thankful for blogging friends (my "virtual" friends I call them) - I have friends I actually know in person, too, but many (most?) of them don't share the same quilting and other obsessions, so where would we be without all our bloggy people to prop us up!

Wendy said...

I agree my blogging friends are very real, even tho my hubby calls them imaginary.

Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing.

Finn said...

Hi Angela, just stopping by after all the Turkey fuss to say 'hello' and see what you are doing.
So happy to read of your blessing. Recognizing how many we have is, indeed, part of being blessed. Big hugs, Finn

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh that is a really cute idea for pincushions! No wonder your in a quandry!