Sometimes the magic begins with something as simple as an email:

June 3rd, 2010 at 07:17AM (EDT), an email from Madrid, Spain:
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY DAUGHTER A QUILT FOR HER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SUMMER 2011. I HAVE SAVED FABRIC FROM HER FAVORITE DRESSES SINCE SHE WAS A BABY AND WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD USE THESE FOR A QUILT.MY BROTHER LIVES IN LOS ANGELES, SO HE COULD BRING THE MATERIALS TO YOU AND I WOULDNT HAVE TO SEND THEM FROM SPAIN. LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU

Jun 3, 2010, at 5:41 PM, Sharona responded:
Yes, we would love to make your daughter a quilt for her high school graduation. How wonderful that you found us, and that you would ask us to make your daughter’s quilt. Your brother would be most welcome as he delivers the “future” quilt goods.
In some of the quilts we have made, people have included a favorite poem or photo – perhaps of a dear pet or a beloved friend or family…we can transfer those onto fabric and include them in the quilt…I also like to know if there is a color your daughter does NOT like. These are as important as colors she DOES like.
I would like to know the approximate size of the quilt you would like. Any size is fine, I just need to know that. Our website has quilt sizes listed, so that may be helpful to you. (they are in inches, sorry)
You have given us plenty of time Gladys, to be finished next year…thank you for that. We need at least 3 months to design your quilt, prepare your daughter’s fabrics, sew, then quilt, and bind AND get it back to you.
I ask a $300 deposit when your brother brings in the fabrics, then I can give you an estimate of cost, when we see what we are working with, what, if anything, we need to add, etc. The remainder would be due when the quilt is done.
On another note, I just finished reading “Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Do you know the book? It is set in Barcelona, not so close to you but closer than to me.
Thank you again

Later that same night:
Hi Sharona
I saw New Pieces in an Oprah program about 16 years ago and thought, one day when my daughter graduates from High School I will have a quilt made for her. And now we are almost there, time flies!!!
Good to hear from you so quickly. And yes I have read the Shadow of the Wind, one of the best books I have ever read. I also lived in Barcelona for a while and it is a wonderful city, quaint, beautiful modernist architecture and a city by the sea, which is always magical.
I recommend you read another of my favorites The Sum of All Days written by chilean author Isabel Allende.
My daughter Gabriella, does not like pink or yellow. Loves blue and purple.
At this moment I have accumulated her actual dresses throughout her life, do I need to cut a piece of each fabric I would like to have included, if so, what size should the square be?
I was thinking the size should be for a twin bed. I dont know if you put the squares of fabric on both sides (I have lot of them) or only on one side.
Thank you for the information, let me know the other details so I can give my brother what you need.
April, 2011
Magic Happens!