Week before last I spent a few days on Cape Cod at a friend's house. I went thrift shopping for my winter wardrobe, went to an open poetry reading at a pub, and participated in my friend's Yankee Swap event with her poetry group.
We had pot luck dinner, we read our poems and they were critiqued, and then we each placed a wrapped gift in the middle of our circle and chose numbers. I got number one. My gift turned out to be a set of flamingo lights. Then others chose. If someone before you gets a gift you like you can take it and give them yours.Since I had number one, I got to choose again at the end from the unwrapped gifts. The first person to get this quilt exclaimed so much about it that I could never have taken it from her. But then my old time friend D. took it from her. And I took it from D. I felt guilty as I only come to the group sometimes. I was an "interloper" and I got the best gift! I almost didnt take it but then I did. And I love it.
I had a bamboo pole so hung it immediately on coming home.
21 comments:
Yankee Swaps make me so nervous for that reason, I either end up losing the thing I like or I don't have the heart to take the the thing I like. I guess they're great for practicing non-attachment, lol.
It's a new word and *event* for me...I think it was fated for you to have #1..and then have 2 chances to get what you liked! The quilt is beautiful....and I see why it caught and held your attention! It looks wonderful on the wall! Brava Suki/Pippi!
I am glad your time at the Cape was good...you needed time to re-charge before the Winter sets in.
Love to you and Bibs,
♥ Robin ♥
I think you definitely came home with the best gift! Although a set of flamingo lights sounds pretty cool too ;)
Suki, you scored big time. That quilt is beautiful. love the kaleidoscope look to it too and all that lovely batik fabric. Nice stitching as well. Bravo. Glad you braved "taking it" from your friend.
And nice time it seems you had there as well. Good for you!!!
It was meant to be yours! I've been to those swaps and they are unnerving! Glad you had a good time!
Beautiful quilt. It sounds like you had a great time. Sometimes not getting what you want is fun too. Makes you appreciate when you do get what you want.
Huh-- that's a new term for me- (Yankee Swap)-- Does anyone happen to know where the name/tradition came from in Yankee-land historical times?? I think I'd be more comfortable with the idea of like the idea of the potlatch tradition... (which is what my 2nd husband and i based our wedding reception on--we had personally chosen gifts for each of our guests to surprise them with in counterpoint to them bringing us wedding gifts..) Anyway-- an interesting stir of feelings can be aroused by the giving of receiving of gifts no matter what the tradition!..(and 'best' gift' is always subjective, too- someone else may have thought the flamingos were the cats meow gift of the day!??) Or thought that YOUR gift to the pile to choose from was best!
You scored Suki! It's a beautiful quilt and you received it in the spirit of the Yankee Swap, so don't feel guilty!
Love the quilt - the colours, the stitching...
It sounds like you had a nice time away and hopefully feel refreshed.
Looks like it was good you waited to take what you wanted.. BIG SCORE! Lovely piece. Glad you got to get away and visit with Friends and do some Artsy stuff with other people.
Wow what a fabulous mandala quilt hanger!
Don't feel guilty you won it you had number 1 and I think you were so sweet not to take it from the first person but from your friend. He/she cleared the path for you ;) It had to be that way!
Glad you had a good time in the Cape.
Have a nice Sunday♥
I don't know about 'yankee' swaps, but this sure is pretty- so enjoy it is what I say.
Beautiful quilt! I can see why you would want it. Lucky you! I've never done this kind of swap but it sounds like fun.
Lovely quilt! Am glad it chose you :)
Gift giving of this kind is always awkward for me because I'm always worried that my gift won't be "good enough." Usually they have a price range for these kinds of things so the gifts will be of equal value. Or they designate "gag gifts." Flaminqo Lights - Handmade Quilt? Hmmm.... Glad you ended up with the quilt to grace your home!
Hi Suki, remember me??? :)
I love the quilt hanging! I thought of it as a mandala like marianne did. So glad you got it!
I hope to chat with you before long so we can catch up. I feel like I've abandoned everyone!
((♥)) Lo
That is a fabulous quilt. Looks like stained glass!
I've played this game before, but have always known of it as "Dirty Santa".
I'm glad you got to have a trip before settling in.
I think the gift is telling you to let go of all guilt and take what you need, love, want from life because you are worthy of it.
I used to hate Yankee swaps but have given up and now just close my eyes and take what I want. Horrible I think!
Glad you had a good time on the cape. Hope all is well
suki, i get a kick out of yankee swaps. to be the first person is gold! this quilt is quite beautiful, what a gift to yourself!!
are you ready for winter? i love that it;s been warm and nice. so far....
love to you, suki,
happy holidays
kj
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