Garden Beneath the Northern Lights

Quilting has been an amazing journey for me. From my first quilting class in 1992 in Indianapolis, IN, my life has been blessed. I have moved around frequently and quilting has been a constant in my life. Joining a guild or small group in a new city offers friendship, learning opportunities and a sense of belonging. For 25 years a friend in the Netherlands and I have been exchanging blocks, letters and inspiration. When the IMQE offered to pair me with Leena, a new friend from Finland, I jumped at the chance. It has been incredible to learn how different and similar we are. She lives in a harsh climate above the Arctic Circle and I live in sunny Florida. Leena has been to the USA as an exchange student and has also visited Florida. We both have daughters – her oldest daughter will get married this year. I can’t wait to see the wedding quilt Leena will make for her. Thanks to Google Earth I have seen her house with the red roof. It is a small world indeed. Leena and I both love hand embroidery and wool so my quilt has both. I have never seen the Northern Lights but I know she has and I wanted to include that in my small quilt. What a beautiful display during those cold dark nights. I hope Leena will love the little quilt I made for her and think of me when she sees it.