E-mail correspondence from beginning to end of the Costa Rica Reflection Quilt

June 11, 2007

Hello Joy,

I just spent an hour looking at your site. Terrific stuff. Very creative. I like your idea for a "Reflection Quilt". I recently took a surfing trip to Costa Rica and it was the most incredible vacation I ever had. I would like to preserve that memory somehow other than just a photo album. My pictures are great but I think a quilt with my pictures embedded on it would be awesome. Then I can sit on my couch and wrap my warm vacation around me. LOL
 
I would like a single size (twin size?) 
My pictures are of tropical beach scenes, local wildlife and surfers on waves.
 
I like the Ocelot and Cheetah fabrics on your "Special Orders" link but I also like the Dark Blue Denim look. Maybe a Cheetah border? but does cheetah go with dark blue? .......Help!!!
 
Would you be so kind as to send me some ideas and an approximate cost.
 
Sincerely,
Bruce
 
PS: My wife said if this turns out she wants a King Size of our trip to Hawaii.
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My Reply:   June 12, 2007

Hello Bruce,

   Thank you for contacting me.  I will be very happy to create a twin size "Surfing Trip" quilt for you. 
How many pictures would you like on the quilt and what size?  3x5, 5x7 or 8x10?

   Yes,  a Cheetah fabric hem would be very striking with your photos and dark blue denim squares.
Perhaps you would like a dark blue micro fleece backing?  Let me know.

    Approximate cost breakdown:

$ 150.00 ................................Labor of Love (Twin)
   125.00.................................Photos (Ten 8x10 photos @ $12.50 each)
    15.00..................................Blanket for middle of quilt
    35.00..................................Backing Fabric
    10.00..................................Ocelot Fabric for hem
    20.00..................................Shipping
$ 355.00        Approx. Total

     I would love to create this 'Reflection Quilt' for you and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,
    Joy             www.joyscountryquilts.com

P.S.  I would truly enjoy creating your king size "Hawaii Trip"  reflection quilt.  
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Customer's e-mail - June 17, 2007 

Hi Joy,
OK, I am thinking of different size pictures like 5x7s stepped in from the edges and 8x10s in the middle. So I guess maybe 8ea at 5x7 and then 4ea at 8x10. Is that workable?
 
I was also thinking of the center piece of the quilt being an embroidered dark blue denim square (or rectangle) with turqoise thread that says "Costa Rica 2007" perhaps tilted in the square. Can you do that and is that an extra cost?
 
I am thinking Cheetah for the border but I am also thinking a little wider hem like maybe 3 inches. Is that doable and is it extra?
 
The fleece backing I am thinking should be dark brown. The same color as the border on your Cheetah Quilt posted on your site.
 
I am fine with the price breakdown but I don't understand the "blanket for middle of quilt" line. What is this item?
 
Sincerely,
Bruce
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My Reply - June l8, 2007

Hello Bruce, 

     Yes, your pictures in the sizes you want and where you want them placed will be fine,  and the
 dark blue denim square (or rectangle) with turquoise thread and wording will be very striking. 

     What type of fabric would you like to use in and around the pictures?  Something with a forest
look?  Or bamboo?   Refer back to my website to view the “Special Orders” with a red
“MPQ”.
These all have a theme, i.e.  “Texas Queen”, “Native Horses” and “ Lab Retrievers”.  
    www.joyscountryquilts.com      I will be happy to shop online for your fabric and will send you
several to choose from.    

     A three inch hem using the cheetah fabric, and a dark brown fleece backing will give the quilt a
 very nice look and feel.  

     The “blanket for middle of quilt” is what I use instead of batting.  My hand-tied quilts never bunch
up after laundering.    

     Updated Cost Breakdown: 

$ 150.00……………….Labor of Love (Twin)
    50.00………………..(4)  8x10 photos
    64.00………………..(8)  5x7  photos
    12.50………………..Costa Rica - 2007
    15.00………………..Blanket for middle of quilt
    35.00………………..Fabric for quilt top
    20.00………………..Ocelot hem fabric
    35.00………………..Fleece Backing
    20.00………………..Shipping
$ 401.50    Total 

     I look forward to your next e-mail.   I will be thrilled to create your “Reflection Costa Rica Quilt”. 

Sincerely,
   
Joy
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Customer's e-mail - June 20, 2007

Hi Joy,
 
I went to your link and looked at the Lab Retrievers quilt and was blown away. I did not see that one before. It gave me some ideas. I really like the busy pattern of the dogs fabric. I was thinking about using a rain forest effect fabric and maybe throw in a couple of tree frogs. You see a lot of that in Costa Rica. The rain forest fabric should be leafy is what I am thinking to create the busy effect I liked in the Lab Retrievers quilt.
I was also thinking the small strips running between the rectangles should be an Ocelot fabric. If you can get all the spots to follow the line of the strip but maybe a bit wider like 1- 1/2 inches. What do you think? 
I am wondering now if Blue Denim would work with my quilt. And I think I would want to have the fleece backing be forest green.
 
The cost adjustment for my previous email is fine. Now I just have to decide what I want. Please begin as soon as you can. I can't wait to see it.
 
Do you need a deposit?
 
Sincerely,
Bruce
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My Reply - June 21, 2007

Hello Bruce,

    Thank you for choosing me to create your "Reflection Costa Rica Quilt".  I have added your quilt to my list of "Quilts To Create".

    I will begin shopping for rain forest and tree frogs fabrics.  Will e-mail you what I find and you can let me know if I am on the
right track of what you have in mind.   I feel using the ocelot fabric as a frame for each of your surfing photos will be very pretty.
Forest Green fleece backing is perfect.  We can just wait and decide on having Blue Denim in the quilt at a later time.

    You can send me your snapshots and/or digital photos together with a $200.00 deposit so that I can have the photos transferred
onto fabric and order the fabrics you choose for your quilt.  We will then be on our way to creating a very unique Reflection Quilt.
I will let you know when I receive your photos and deposit.

Thank you again,
       Joy     www.joyscountryquilts.com-                                                
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Customer's e-mails:  June 22, 2007

Here are my pics. I am sending a ck Monday. This is going to be fun.
 Bruce

Customer's reply to my fabrics e-mail:  June 22, 2007

Yes you are on the right track................ Boy that was fast too...........
The 1st one looks really close to what I was thinking but I wish it was a little toned down.

My reply:    I agree.  I am still looking and will send more.  We will find just the right fabric.
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 E-Mail to my customer - July 5, 2007

 Hello Bruce,

      I received your $200.00 deposit and Thank You note today.  I appreciate your confidence in my steering you
in the right direction so that the end result will be a most awesome quilt.   Thank You.
      I will now have your 21 photos transferred onto fabric.

      Finding a rain forest themed fabric with tree frogs is more difficult than I anticipated.   But am still searching
for just the right fabric.   Will send more for you to view soon.

Sincerely,
    Joy
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July 16, l970

 Customer's reply to my sending him iron on tree frogs.   Click here to view tree frogs and fabrics.
 

I really like the tree frog iron ons. They are exactly what I invisioned. I  kind of like this leaf pattern and color but with the iron on frogs. I'm trying to decide if I really want the cat fabric as a border. It might be too much.
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The creation of this "Costa Rica Reflection Quilt" will begin first part of next year as I do not have enough time
to complete it this year. 

Thank you for visiting.

Your Happy Quilter - Joy Wostal
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Jan. 4, 2008

Hello Bruce,
Hope this finds you doing well in the New Year.
    I am sending you a lay-out of one of your pictures trimmed with ocelot fabric,
and one of the frogs, on a fabric I found while Christmas shopping.
    Let me know if you like this or want to shop for another rainforest fabric.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,   Joy
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Jan. 6, 2008

Dear Joy,
I absolutely Love It !!!!  The fabric is perfect with the frogs. The only thing I do not like is the white around the photo. Can you crop the photo so there is no white showing?
I can't wait to see more. I am getting very excited after seeing this layout. The trip was awesome and I am sure after seeing this display that the quilt will be awesome too.  
Thank you,
  Bruce

Jan. 6, 2008 - My Reply

Great!    Will do another lay-out.       Click here to view new fabric.
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Jan. 7, 2008

Yes Bruce,
    You have a very good idea of what you want. It is much better without the white.
Let me know if you agree to this lay-out.
    I am excited about starting your Costa Rica Reflection quilt.
Sincerely,
Joy
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Jan. 8, 2008

Wow............
I am really seeing extreme potential there...........
I just had a thought looking at this with more pictures laying out. Can you do it just like it is? I mean "Leave" the "Leafs" continuous. Just cut holes in the leaf fabric so that the pattern is not interrupted. The border can finish out with the Ocelot. And then the "Tree Frogs" can be random as if the pictures are suspended in a Costa Rica Rain Forest. Can you show me what I am describing? I really would like to see a larger layout with more pictures and maybe the border as I am imagining it. I am really getting excited.
 
Thank You,
Bruce
 

My Reply:    Yes, Bruce,   I can leave the fabric continuous and applique the pictures onto the fabric.
                        I will do a complete lay-out with all of the photos and a border within the next few days.
                    Sincerely,   Joy

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Jan. 9, 2008

 Hello Bruce,

Here is lay-out II.  The white edge on all of the photos will be folded in when I applique each photo onto the
fabric. I had no idea how you wanted the photos arranged so I just randomly laid them this way and that way.

Can you find all 8 frogs?  Let me know if we are nearing what you have in mind for your 'special' quilt.

The designing of a quilt is the exciting part and it takes time but we will get it just right before I do any
cutting or sewing.

Sincerely,    Joy                    Click here to view Lay-Outs
 

Jan. 11, 2008
 
I like the Ocelot strip in the border. The pictures seem a little too hectic. I am thinking maybe keep them horizontal but not in columns or rows. And try a border with Ocelot next to the Rain Forest with a wider Green strip and finish the edge with Ocelot. And maybe put a border or 2 around the pictures? Can you try that for me?

Thank You,
    Bruce

Jan. 15, 2008

Hi Bruce,  
   Here are two lay-outs.  Let me know if I am getting close to what you are looking for. 
Photo I:  I used several different colors for borders around the photos and added a yellow strip down the green side strip.
Photo II: Shows a few photos framed with the ocelot fabric and a small strip of brown in between the side strips of ocelot.             

Sincerely,    Joy                   Click here to view two lay-outs
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Jan. 20, 2008

I received a telephone call from my customer letting me know he is a little behind in getting back with
me due to a big push, and a lot of overtime, at his job.
  He will get back to me as soon as he can.
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Feb. 22, 2008

Hi Joy,
I finally had some time to really think about this and I believe I have a final decision on the layout. After looking at the different picture orientations I really like the busy pattern after all. You know the 1st one you sent me. Sorry I made you go through all that. But it really helped me. The twin Ocelot border with the brown center strip is very nice for the Border. I like the stepped widths just like you show it with the wider Ocelot strip on the outer edge, slightly smaller brown strip in the center and the thinner Ocelot strip against the rainforest fabric. I like the color of the small rusty brown swatch for the brown center strip. What is that fabric? It looks rich. Is it soft?
 
And definitely border all the photos with the Ocelot. Probably the same width as the  inner border. And the tree frogs.......... Just let it happen. 
 
I also want to find a small Costa Rica Flag to throw in there somewhere. And I have a coaster emblem of a beer that is brewed there. I will send it to you. It's heavy rubber but I thought maybe you could have the image transferred on fabric so it could be sewed on the quilt somewhere.
 
I also have an idea to embroider the words: "Costa Rica 2007 - Pura Vida" across the top center of the quilt on the rusty brown border strip. I think maybe in a burnt orange thread. And with that said I was thinking of adding several other names around the border of the different surf spots we went to.  Here are the names:
Salsa Brava, Manzanillo, Jah Handers, Cocles,
Playa Hermosa, Roca Loca,  Olly's Point, Roca Bruja,
Tamarindo, Langosta,  Avellanes, Little Hawaii, Playa Negre.
I would like to do them in different colors alternating between Yellow, Green and orange. I know it will be extra but can you do that? 
 
I think that just about covers it. Let me know if you need anything else from me.
 
Thanks,
Bruce
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Feb. 25, 2008

So good to hear from you Bruce.  All of your ideas for your quilt are possible and very exciting.  I will order the ocelot fabric today and let you know when it comes in.  I will also order a small Costa Rica flag.  Yes, we can have the coaster emblem transferred onto fabric for your quilt.

The brown center strip you see on the lay-out is a fleece fabric.   The fleece fabric together with the ocelot fabric for the quilt border will be very soft. 

The embroidery of all the words you ask for will really add to your "Costa Rica Reflection Quilt".   Your quilt will truly be awesome and a
one-of-a-kind.   I am very excited about creating it for you.  I have quite a few orders I am working on at this time.  Do you have a completion date?

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.   Toll Free #  1-866-817-2980

Warmest Regards,
      Joy                                  
Click here to view lay-outs
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Feb. 26, 2008 

Dear Joy,
I really can't wait to get my quilt. I understand you are busy and I don't mind waiting. Good things come to those who wait right?. As far as a completion date I guess ASAP is soon enough. lol. No really, whenever you can is soon enough. I am just so excited now that it is all decided. But take your time. I am not in a rush. You did not tell me how much the embroidered words will cost. Do you know? I am sending you the coaster tomorrow.
 
Thanks for all your doing. I am certain this quilt is going to blow me and my friends and family away. I never thought I could do something like this. It's really exciting.
 
Thank you.
Bruce
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Feb. 27, 2008

Thank you Bruce.   When the ocelot fabric comes in I will be able to get started on trimming your photos and will send you another lay-out for your approval.

The cost for the embroidery will be approximately $100.00 or less.  My embroidery lady will do a sample for our approval and give me a true cost.   Transfer onto fabric of the Coaster will be $7.50.

We have one more item to decide on.   Backing fabric for the quilt.  If you live in a cold climate you may want to have a nice soft fleece fabric.  Perhaps in a forest green color.  Other choices are cotton or flannel.   Let me know.

Warmest Regards,
     Joy
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Feb. 28, 2008

Dear Joy,
The cost of the embroidered names is worth it. I know it's a cost and I'm fine with the price. Just let me know the end result. I was thinking about the font for the words. I have a font on my computer that is called Surfer. I like this font. I attached a file I created with all the words in the size and font I was thinking about.
 
The coaster cost is fine too but I think I want 2 of them. Maybe in the corners diagonal from each other and turn the top left one counter clockwise and the bottom right one clockwise a little bit.
 
The backing. I forgot about that. I think I would like the feel of cotton best. And the forest green is a good color for me unless you can find a really dark aqua marine.
 
I can't wait to see the next layout with all of this.
 
Thanks,
Bruce
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Feb. 29, 2008                     Telephone Conversation

I did not receive Bruce's attached file with the Surfer font.  My computer showed a plain font.  After discussing this by phone Bruce said he would mail me a copy from his computer for me to take to my embroidery lady.   I will get back to Bruce with the embroidered sample and we will continue with this "Awesome" quilt request.
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March 7, 2008
 

Dear Joy,
Guess what? I am going back to Costa Rica this April. I think I would like to put a hold on my quilt until I return. I might get some better pictures that I may want to add or trade out. Plus I may add some names to the border. I hope this is not an inconvenience to you. I will email you when I return.
 
Thanks,
Bruce
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March 8, 2008

Wonderful on your trip back to Costa Rica.  Have a safe and good vacation.  I have no problem waiting to continue with your Costa Rica Reflection quilt.  Your quilt will definitely be One-Of-A-Kind and will hold many 'special' memories.  We will pick up where we left off when you return. 

Sincerely,
    Joy
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