Tuesday, March 18, 2008

WOW - Speechless...... AND......

Okay stitching friends.... to say I'm speechless is quite an understatement here. I'm thrilled, touched, honored, humbled, blessed, lucky and probably a lot more, but I can't come up with the words. This may get long, but bear with me.....

I have a stitching friend, Teresa, that I met approx. 5/6 or so years ago through Char OH, whom I met via Cross Stitch Pals about 10+ years ago. Teresa is one of Char's closest friends and they are both truly wonderful people. Teresa is an amazingly fast stitcher and has rightfully earned the nickname "Turbo Teresa" for her amazing talent at finishing so many LARGE projects so quickly. Several years back when Stoney Creek came out with Hummingbird Trellis, I fell in love with it as did many other stitchers. I decided I needed to stitch it, but not as an afghan, but on a large cut of linen. At that time, all I could find that would work was a 20 ct linen & to stitch it over 1. Fine, right? I bought everything & got started. This is as far as I ever got with it before it quickly became a UFO.....
I'm not even sure what year this was! lol

Anyway, Teresa had gotten it as well & was just stitching away, as pretty as you please on hers. Last time I saw it, it was really close to being done & I was happy for her & told her I was jealous too! Kept asking her (teasingly, of course) when she wanted to work on mine. She kept telling me to give it to her & early last year, she told me to send her mine & let her work on it. I argued with her but she kept telling me to send it. It got to the point where her mother even told me to send it to her. Well, I packed that sucker up with all these millions of skeins of DMC it takes (well, almost a million) and sent it to her. She was supposed to visit in the Spring & I thought hey, if she can get a bit done on it, maybe I'd get motivated to finish it. I'd feel so guilty that I'd have to stitch it since she put time & effort into it, right??

Well, look at what arrived in my mail yesterday afternoon.....




I truly wish you could see how amazingly beautiful this really is. The pic isn't very good as it's hard to get a close of up a design that's approx. 24" x 28" over 1 on 20 ct linen. The colors are so vivid and the stitches are so tiny. It's truly just stunning! I have no idea what I have ever done to deserve such a kindness from Teresa, but I hope to be able to pass the kindness along in some way, someday, though it may takes years & years! I do plan to do something special for Teresa, even though I know she did it because she wanted to, not because she expected something in return. She is truly a remarkable person and I'm blessed to call her my friend!

And btw, last Springs plans changed because we were building the new house & the schedule kept changing, so Teresa didn't get to visit then. I'd thought I'd see her in Oct at the Pal Fall Fling but she moved from OH to KY & had to work.... so she just kept on stitching.... I NEVER thought for a minute she was going to finish it when I sent it to her.... but I'm so thrilled that she did & it will ALWAYS have a place of honor in our home. THANK YOU Teresa!!!!!!!

18 comments:

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I hate to use the Lord's name in vain especially during Holy Week but you get the idea of what I was thinking....my heaven's Amy...what DO you DO for someone that has done something like this?!?!?!?! Truly amazing, totally stunning and utterly gorgeous!!!! Boy-o-Boy...I like you, but Teresa must like *a lot*! LOL!
Couldn't have happened to a more spectacular lady! Congrats it's gorgeous and Teresa YOU ARE AMAZING!

jeannetn said...

amy, this is beautiful...when you get a chance can you tell me what fabric and how much? Your site is just GREAT...

Alberta said...

What a beautiful Pay It Forward! You are truly blessed to have such a dear friend.

Kristen said...

Wow, what a beautiful piece, and what a great friend!

Ruth said...

Wow. Teresa is amazing. And all I have to say is what was that about missing bday surprises? lol

Congrats and tell Teresa she's both amazing and insane! lol

Michele said...

takes my breath away! I've been lucky to have seen Teresa's in person a couple of years at MB .. and I'm sure this one is as wonderful! what a grand thing for her to do .. and I know how much you'll enjoy it Amy :)

Terry said...

What a beautiful piece. It is absolutely stunning, you are a lucky lady to have such a wonderful friend!!!

Sandy said...

I love it and she did a wonderful job. You deserve it. Mine is still kitted up too and I doubt I ever finish it. Can't wait to see it framed. :D

cathymk said...

What a beautiful gift of friendship! It's stunning!

Mel said...

Absolutely beautiful! The design is gorgeous and I my lord - over 1!!!! That's a wonderful pay if forward :)

Paisley said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Teresa is an amazing stitcher and a true friend!

Andrea said...

Stunning! What more is there to say. Teresa has done an amazing job.

Karen said...

WOW! Amy that is absolutely beautiful! I remember seeing Teresa's in MB 2 yrs ago and was just amazed with it and how crazy she was for stitching it, but Twice! whew! I know you will really love it!

Chris said...

Oh my!!! That is absolutely beautiful Amy. A very special gift for a very special lady. Can't wait to see it in person on my next visit to see you.

Anonymous said...

No wonder you are speechless - I am as well - what an amazing friend.

Julianne said...

Amy,

What a wonderful act of kindness Teresa has bestowed upon you! Stitcher's are the kindest, most generous people and I think that Teresa tops the list. I can only imagine how stunned you must have been when you received it. Hugs to both of you.

Marion said...

Amazing!!!
What a wonderful, wonderful friend!!

Take care
Marion

Olga said...

That is an absolutely gorgeous piece! An amazing stitcher and wonderful friendship!