I have a foster-cousin from my third foster home who I had a special friendship with, back in my youth.  We were two against the world!  We usually got together once a summer, on week-long canoe trips to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota.  Usually, her brother and her dad came with us, as well as my foster family.  Lori and I had to fend off bears (well, at least we were on the LOOKOUT for the bears), skeeters, unruly brothers and doing the dishes over a campfire.  We ate together, portaged together, played games together, sang together and enjoyed the beauty of nature together.  We came from two different worlds, but we got along famously.

I recently re-connected with her, and it’s been a highlight of my evenings – to be able to catch up and enjoy her friendship again, despite the miles (she’s in northern Minnesota and I’m in south central Texas). 

We decided we’d make two quilts together.  I’m going to piece six 15″ blocks for her quilt and the same for my quilt.  Then, she’ll do the same.  By the time we’re done, we’ll swap “our” blocks and put our quilts together. 

A couple of weeks ago, I got her blocks cut out – she’s using the Oh Cherry Oh fabric, from AbbiMays.com.  I’m using Crazy Eight fabric designed by Sandy Gervais.

I’m excited and hope I can get my blocks cut out sometime this month, so I can send her the remaining fabric and give her the opportunity to make our blocks.

Have you tried an intimate (less than a 4) block swap?  It’ll mean a lot to both of us, to have quilts that we share made by each other.  I hope you’ll try it, too!