Blackbird Designs Exchange from Ela

As you know, last year I created and ran 4 Rounds of an exchange of Blackbird Designs.  It was fairly successful until the last round when 50% of the exchangers failed to complete their commitment to their partners.  It was a hugh disappointment to me and at that time, I decided to end the exchange and delete the blog.  Enter Patti from Tapestry of Dreams.  She asked to take the exchange over and she's successfully grown the exchange with this round.  I wasn't going to participate in Round 5 but she twisted my arm and am I ever so glad!  My partner was Ela from France.  She sent me a fabric roll:

Ela chose to stitch Bluebird's Message over one and set it into a quilted patchwork of beautiful fabrics.  I can't show you how exquisitely made this piece is.  The craftmanship and stitching is beautiful.  I was speechless when I opened up the package.  I am blown away by the generous gift and generous heart of Ela. I know that this piece took a long time to make and I just can't get over how someone that I've never met in person would do something so time consuming for me.  I can't thank her enough.  I will cherish this piece of artwork and will fondly think of Ela whenever I place one of my own pieces of needlework into it while it waits for finishing.

I just had to share this with you.  It came to me during a very bad week and provided me a ray of sunshine in week filled with emotion, a lot of tears and more prayers.  A lot of changes are going on in my life, a lot of adjustments both financially and relationship-wise as I adjust to being the sole bread winner while the DH is looking for work and while he is home 24/7 changing up my routine. 

If you'd like to see more of the beautiful work this exchange has produced, click on Blackbirds Designs Exchange.  If you would like to join these talented stitchers for Round 6, drop Patti a note. Her contact information is on the the Blackbird Designs Exchange Blog.  You won't be disappointed.