Dear Diana,
The photo pillow that you made for our Mother’s Christmas present was one of the highlights of our Christmas. She was so touched when she saw what it was – she cried and then we all cried. You made it so special with your search for vintage material and lace – the quilted pink was perfect for the pillow and matched the pink dress our mother was wearing and of course the vintage lace set if all off. The picture of our mother and her sister was taken in approximately 1924 and had quite a bit of damage on the original. The copy you put on the pillow was so clear – we thank your professional photographers that made the print.
Diana, your skill and talent were put to good use – it made our Christmas. Your craftsmanship and talent shown through in this gift. Thanks again for your care with our Christmas project.
We will think of you every time we see the pillow.

Sincerely,
Rande Hackler, Virginia
 

My granddaughter’s pillow arrived yesterday, and it is just beautiful!
I know it will be a wonderful keepsake in the future to remind her of her riding days.

Thank you so much.
Rose Marie Stefanski
 

Diana,
We received the pillow today and it surpassed all my expectations.
I actually cried when I first saw it. You have been truly blessed with an amazing talent.
To be able to take someone's memories and transform it into something so beautiful
is a gift. Thank you so much for doing this for us. My daughter is in love with it!!!!
I am taking it to the barn tomorrow to show Abby's friends so be prepared for
some more orders. We will be back in touch after this show season
is over to make another pillow!

Thanks again,
Amy
 

I love my custom photo pillow! Diana did a fabulous job in her selection of colors and fabric patterns! Together, they complement the color of my dog, Max, beautifully. You can see the excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail in her work.

Kristin Hlavac-O-Brien
Happy Go Lucky Farm
Yaphank, New York

The pillows that Diana creates are wonderful lasting memories.
I'm very glad that I have one.

C. Hallock, Florida

Diana made me three pillows, one for each of my horses. Each one had a photo she had taken, surrounded by intricate patch work, coordinated to the colors in the picture. They are quite a conversation piece, and very unique.

Barbara Yoerger
N. Fort Myers, Fl.

Diana produced 3 beautiful cushions for us each adorned with family pictures. They are exquisitely crafted and everyone who sees them comments on their intricate stitching - a truly original product!
David West
West Sussex, England
 

I have known Diana Berthold for over 25 years. Her design and workmanship are meticulous. She has a strong work ethic. Her love and knowledge of horses has inspired much of her work which she is able to express in a very unique way in her quilts.

Vera Tonry, (Spinner, Weaver, Fiber/Textile Designer - Artist, Master Gardener)
Oregon

Hi Diana,
Just saw your horse show ribbon quilt. I loved it, what a creative way to use the ribbons, instead of just hanging them around. I especially like the idea of the pictures included, shows the origination of the ribbons. You always come up with such creative ideas.
Keep up the good work. See you at guild.

Beverly Delaney (Eastern Long Island Quilt Guild Board Member)
Sag Harbor, New York
 

I have seen Diana’s quilts and they are works of art!
Her attention to details is meticulous and her execution and “eye” for design is superb.
Anyone who is fortunate enough to have one of Diana’s masterpieces is very lucky, indeed!

Barbara Messina
Medford, New York

What to do with all those ribbons your children have won? We want to save them, but they always seem to end up in boxes.
To those of you who have shown, those ribbons represent a lot of sweat and tears and, of course, money. Our family solution, we called Diana. She took many of those boxed-up ribbons and turned them into a quilt. My daughter now has her memories on the wall, not in a box, where she can look and remember all those great times she had in the show ring.
As a mother, every one of those ribbons represent time spent with my daughter that I may not have had. As I look at the quilt and she leaves for college, I will remember
fondly every moment spent with her and the memories we made that will live on forever.
We thank Diana for the time and consideration she put into our memories.
She was the answer to the age old question of what to do with all those ribbons.

Terrie Bauer
Westhampton, New York
 

Diana,
You have truly outdone yourself once again! After seeing the Horse Show Ribbon Quilt, I could not even imagine how you could top this? Not only is it beautiful with all of the colorful ribbons and photos that you have incorporated but just the imagination it took to design such a quilt. I was truly amazed but not surprised that you would create something so breathtaking, your talent once again shined through.

Keep up the innovative work so that you will continue to dazzle us again! Bravo!!!

Donna Marcley
Sayville, New York

Please let me say a few words with respect to Diana Berthold, regarding her as a friend and regarding her as an artist.

I have known her for over thirty (wow!) years and in my mind could not ask for anyone better to share good times and not so good times with. She has always stepped up to the plate when needed or has offered a solution to whatever issue was at hand. She is a person that you can count on.

Over the years I have accumulated various items that Diana has created and either given to me or has mailed to me to put to use and let her know how the items worked out. They always revolved around the horse world since both of us shared horses as the passion in our lives. I can't begin to tell you how great her designs are and how useful her creations are. A few years ago, she started to produce pillows and quilts in addition to the handbags, jackets, and various other items she creates.

She sent me a pillow with a picture on it of me and my favorite student in New York. I cherish that pillow and it sits next to my bed. Sometime when she's not so busy doing commission work I hope to have her do another pillow of my favorite Jack Russell. I can't imagine having anything else as precious for a memory.

So, if you are considering Diana to reproduce something special for a memory or for a gift, please do not hesitate. Her work is not only lovely but she is meticulous in the process.

Carla Hallock
Florida
 

When I opened the package that contained my quilt, it was 1:15 am, after a long day of traveling to attend my friend’s wedding. I couldn’t wait! I HAD to see the ribbons (which brought such joy and satisfaction to my life) in their new physical form. What a euphoria it was! I carefully laid out the quilt on the floor and looked adoringly yet scrupulously at the stitching, the patterns, and the entire whole of the quilt. My husband commented right away that you had taken great pride and attention to detail in your work. I was quiet and he asked if everything was ok. I was lost in all the tapestry of memories…but soon came to and commented on the elegant workmanship and how happy I am for making the decision to have a quilt made.

I am so grateful for the dedication, consultation, and planning you put into the quilt. It really shows that you take notice to your client’s interests. As each day goes by, I look up at the quilt, which hangs in a special place near my horse pictures. The quilt brings a smile to my face. I’m so happy to have experienced the disciplined and demanding equestrian years. It also reminds me that I need to “get back in the saddle” so to say; maybe not horse shows, but I do miss horses in my life. Perhaps, after my school and career change expenses, I will have another horse again to re-ignite the bond between horse and rider.

What people have to say about the quilt:

My parents, who were the ones who made it all possible:
“What a wonderful way to preserve such wonderful memories. Just looking at the quilt reminds us of the long hours you put in training and the long hours we put in ring-side, cheering, nail-biting, and just being proud of our daughter, no matter what the award!”

My best friend and long-time riding companion and competitor:
“Rach, this is an amazing idea to keep your equestrian memories. I find myself looking at the picture you sent and getting lost in the “riding days.” It brings back memories of watching the school clock, only to race out to the stable after school and ride until sunset. Or, the long, lazy days of summer where we rode at any chance we could get, trained for shows like we were Olympians, and just spending quiet times with the horses.”

My friend who didn’t even know I rode:
“WOW! (looking in awe at the ribbons and pictures, mouth agape.) You ride those big animals?” --this response was just classic!

I’m looking forward to bringing my quilt home at Christmas so I can show my relatives, especially my two grandmothers. One loves to knit and quilt (she helped my cousin with a quilting and knitting project with 4-H). The other grandmother loves horses. She was an accomplished horsewoman for her time and I know she would love to see the quilt and for me to tell her about some the special memories.

Rachel Ostraat
California

Thank you so much for all your work. Both pieces are incredible!
Thank you! I will definitely be sending you more ribbons in the future!

All the best,
Georgina Bloomberg
 

Diana,
Thank you so much for the lovely ribbon pillow – not only did I receive the pillow well before Christmas (even though I placed the order late in the year) it was exactly what I had envisioned. I had the pillow made as a gift for the owner of the little black mare and she was absolutely thrilled with it. It now sits in the center of her trophy room. She particularly liked the way you had framed the black ribbons as a border. Absolutely wonderful work and I look forward to having a pillow of my own made!

Sincerely,
Margaret Fiester
Crofton, MD

Dear Diana,
The ribbon pillows you made for my daughter are absolutely exquisite – beyond anything I’d imagined! She is absolutely thrilled with them and I can’t wait to share them with her friends and their moms at the barn. I know they will be lining up to place their orders! It is a perfect solution to the boxes and boxes of ribbons we had stored up for years. On top of that, I get to have her smiling face and her pony’s right in the middle. Now we need a quilt to complete her room! I can’t sing your praises loudly enough.

Sincerely,
Debbie Rodriguez