Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Wednesday 15 August 2018

The Postman Arrived at 5.25 a.m.

I saw the bright headlights shining  down our driveway , very early.I knew a parcel was arriving from Grandmother’s Garden in Gordonton.

My dear friend Mary-Ann had phoned to say a parcel without a name would come in the post. It did, a panel, a beautiful cat panel and an amazing  and gorgeous  card, hand-made by Jocelyne Leath,  a renowned textile artist now living in Perth, Western Australia.

The panel is by Linda Picken for Blank Quilting Corporation 2018, Furr Ever Friends., and along the lower edge  is  a row of 18  little kitties, in the colours used.


Cat Panel with all the cats

Cat Panel,another Ginger Boy smiling

The card is stitched with a glitter thread, and has tiny beads and more added. Stitched greenery adds to the scene. The centre piece is bound with brown thread, then glued to a gold card, a blue frame, and all on silver card.

Card and cat August 2018

Mary-Ann and I have known each-other for  some 17 plus years,and shared so much. Lambs born, a much loved sheep that finally died after days of being treated with injections ( yes, I learnt to  do that too), and then the triplet lambs and Mouse in the paddock.  Our loved cats that have left us,  Leo, with golden tulips planted by his grave to match his thick fur, new ones arriving, and now new lambs each day. This photo is from the archives.

Mouse & triplet lambs

This July we shared our birthday with Joyce, all in July, a few days and more than a few years apart. With 16 of us there, we all had a name tag, as there were family and friends from all around, and many had not met before.

Cutting the cake July 2018,Joyce, Mary-Ann and Jean

The cat panel will be a special memory quilt for Basil, I will add a border or two, and it will be on our bed. Thank you so much Mary-Ann for this special gift, it will be a treasure always.

The rooms ,couch and desk are  quiet without our ginger boy, I have to plant some grasses and flowering plants to share his special place in our garden. A few more from the archives.

Basil  perched on the couch cushions as though he had lived here always, and  lying on the desk, surrounded by sewing fabric , pens, and the machine. That looks like a green bear there too.

Basil on the couch July 2018Basil by the Bernina 2018

He loved to sit on Joyce’s knee, and was always so gentle, never  using his claws at all.

Basil on Joyce's knee 2018

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Days shared with true friends are full of joy”

Greetings from Jean

35 comments:

Susan Heather said...

That panel is delightful. So sorry to hear about Basil. I missed your last post. It is always sad to lose a pet. Hugs....

Allie-oops Designs said...

Wow that's early, lol. What a gorgeous panel, and a treasured gift from a wonderful friend. The card is just lovely as well!!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jean, the cat panel is so pretty. I am sorry about the loss of Basil, he is a furr-ever friend. Sweet photos of Basil, the goats and lovely ladies.
Enjoy your day and the week ahead.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Jean ~ what a sweet post about friends, felines and family life.

I love that cat panel. Each kitty has a wonderful little personality.

Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

What a stunning gift! And lovely memories too with a wonderful outing.

Tish Stemple said...

What a sweet gift to remember Basil by. The handmade card is just beautiful.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

What a sweet gift. It made me think of Basel straight away and I'm sure will be perfect on your bed.

Kathleen said...

What a treasure - a package and a great friend. I am sure you will make something stunning with the panel.

Barb said...

What a fun day to get such a wonderful mail surprise....will keep Basil's memory alive.

Carol Mattingly said...

Such an absolutely loving story. Love the lamb photo. So cute. Those cats are gorgeous too. Carol

Lori Skoog said...

The perfect gift for you! Can't wait to see whaat you add to the panel!

Leeanne said...

I too missed your last post about sweet Basil.........such a handsome soul with love that touched your heart. You will miss him for sure, but he is no longer in pain, that helps mend your heart. Best wishes & love.....xxx

Out To Pasture said...

What a thoughtful friend Mary-Ann is! Your shared shepherdessing days must have been wonderful. Handmade cards are the best! The July shared birthday-bash looked like fun. Name tags are a good idea!

Julie Fukuda said...

You have attracted wonderful friends and even a wonderful cat. What a sweet thoughtful gift. The memories are so special and will last a long time.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

What a beautiful, thoughtful and perfect gift. The kindness of friends is truly a reminder of how important they are to have in our lives.

And again, I am so sorry about the loss of your treasured and precious Basil.

somethingrosemade14@blogspot.com said...

It's always so sad when our beloved pets cross over and leave tiny holes in our heart. Basil picked the right family to spend his last days with and make memories. Sorry for your loss and the cat panel is just a wonderful gift.

Mystic Quilter said...

You'll have a wonderful memory quilt of Basil, with this delightful panel of kitties.
Thank you for sharing the photos of Basil, lovely wee boy.

Inger said...

I thin this is where my new phrase comes in, as I read this and tear up while I smile: sad smiling.......

Our photos said...

Wow, i love the cat panel !

Jenn Jilks said...

You are an amazing person, and you draw wonderful people to you. This is such a heart-warming post.
My dear client(95) was grieving her sister's (98) funeral yesterday. Today was tough with her. I think I made her laugh. Love you lots!

Sharon - IN said...

What a sweet panel, and sweet memories of your kitty. Hugs!

What Karen Sees said...

Such sweet kitty photos and wonderful memories. And I love the baby lambs, and miss seeing the beautiful rolling green hills of NZ dotted with sheep, (and also what we lovingly call 'Oreo" cows)!!

Paige said...

Jean, so sorry to hear about Basil! You do have some nice photos for memories. The one with her sunning by the window is sweet!

Terra said...

The cat panel is gorgeous and so was Basil, it is sad to hear he is gone.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

How pretty is that panel and I love reading about your wonderful friendship with Mary Ann. My heart goes out to you because I know how hard it is to not have your sweet Basil. Hugs and prayers

Hannah said...

What a lovely birthday party! And the cat panel is so special, so many cute and artful cats and flowers, it will be special on your bed. The photo of the hungry lambs is so funny, having to hold the third bottle with knees! Those nursing lambs can be quite rambunctious! I enjoyed your comment on my blog.

Cheryl said...

I am so sorry for your lose of Basil.

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

So sorry for your loss. It seems they take a piece of your heart with them.

KB said...

What a wonderful memorial to Basil. I'm glad that the post arrived with such an amazing gift!

Joyful said...

Aw, your cat was so pretty and I'm sure you have many fond memories. I still remember my cat too though she crossed the bridge many years ago already. Your friend gifted you with a most beautiful quilt and when you add to it it will be your perfect remembrance though it is pretty perfect as it is.

likeschocolate said...

I can't believe the postman came so early. WOW! The quilt is beautiful. She is a fantastic artist. Sorry for your loss! Our pets become family members and when they go leave holes in our heart when they are gone.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

A very sweet gift, quilt and card. Enjoy time with family and friends, human or not ;)

Denise :) said...

What a sweet panel -- a delightful gift, purrrrfect for a kitty-cat lover! Your Basil was a handsome fellow -- I know how much he's missed. :)

Dee said...

Dear Jean, I read this posting and the one before about the death of Basil who lived with you for five months. He surely was a blessing in your life, and you were a blessing in his as he lived his final months and weeks and day on Earth.

When Dulcy, the cat with whom I lived 17 1/2 years died back in 1989, she gave me two books that later were published as "A Cat's Life: Dulcy's Story" and "A Cat's Legacy: Dulcy's Companion Book." In the first book, she gave me these words: "At the end, all that matters is love. My love for my human and hers for me. I have planted the memories of our life together in her heart. She will find them there when I am gone and they will comfort her."

I trust that your memories of Basil are comforting you now. Peace.

Fundy Blue said...

What a lovely, thoughtful gift from your friend Mary-Ann. The cat panel is gorgeous. Loved the photo of you and your friends, and the photos of Basil. Take care ~ Don't work too hard, my friend!