Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Surprises sent and received.

"I cannot count the number of times I have been
strengthened by another woman's heartfelt hug,
appreciative note, surprise gift or caring questions....
my friends are on oasis to me, encouraging me to go on.
They are essential to my well being."
Dee Brestin



I cannot tell you how the blogging world has been such a friend to me. Your comments mean so much to me.  Thank you.

When my SIL was sick and we were traveling back and forth to Pasadena I always took my stitching with me. It gave me comfort and keep me busy. During this time I emailed Pam many times and she was always there to listen to me. It was in laws I was dealing with and sometimes I just needed a place to vent. The piece I was stitching always reminded me of my friendship with Pam. I had in mind what I wanted to do with the piece but didn't have a pattern so I had to make one up.


Pam is still working but wants to stay home and stitch all day (don't we all). I wanted to make this piece into a bag she could take to work with her stitching in to work on at lunch time. The LHN pattern had two cats on it and I knew she was a dog person so I changed one. Pam loves acorns so with the saying and the acorn tree I knew this would be a perfect piece to stitch for her. The hard part was not telling her what I was stitching. She would asked and I would say not much stitching now but secretly I was.

This is the front to the stitching pouch.


Inside has a small pocket, wool piece for needles, a zippered pouch for  her stitching and the back a place for patterns.

I surprised her by mailing it to her with my "Thanks" for always being there.

Then I was surprised when I received this gift from Cathey from Pumpkin Patch & Co.


She saw that at Chrismas time Pam had sent me my first Christmas Ornament magazine. Cathey had two of these and passed this one on to me. What fun I have had just looking at all the ormaments I could stitch. I am sure a couple will be added to my long list of to do's.  Thank you so much Cathey for the wonderful surprise.


Mouse was my pen pal in a exchange. She sent me a nice letter in the mail and we are going to continue on with mailing to each other. It is so nice to receive a letter in the mail. It is especially fun to get one from so far away. Thank you Mouse I will be sending out a letter to you real soon.

I learned today that I won a give away from Cathy at Tolentreasures. How exciting is that. Edgar at Blacksheep's bit of the web has finished with the traveling pattern I joined and he will now be passing it on to me. Looking forward to receiving both of these in the mail soon.

Plant the seeds of kindness and grow a garden of friendship. I can say my garden is overflowing.

Always keep love in your stitches,
Teresa





27 comments:

butterfly said...

Oh Teresa how sweet the bag is you made for Pam, I know you were going through a bad time the same time as I was, It is so very special to have some wonderful friends to keep you going through the bad times, What wonderful friends we have here in blogging land.
Wishing you a lovely day.

Laura said...

Wonderful post! Wonderful quote! How beautiful the stitching you did for your friend is! That is a true masterpiece!!!! Amazing! Also, how great to get that magazine and a handwritten letter! Friends are just the best!

cucki said...

Aww wonder quote and what a sweet gift you stitched for your friend..I lOve it so much..
Stitchy friends are Beary special
Have a fun day:)

Lee said...

What a lot of though and love you have stitched into your lovely piece for Pam. A real treasure.
Someone said to me resently that friends made on the internet where not real friends, how wrong she was friends although seperated by miles can share and care so much I know I have been on the receiving end.
Have a nice day

Denise said...

Your mailman has been busy! The stitching pouch is something new to me - I hope she loves it! Congrats on your wins and goodies!

Anonymous said...

Hi

Lovely post.

Your bag for your friend is very sweet. Your stitching is beautiful.

gracie said...

Lovely gifts....it is so true. Like you I treasure the friends I have made with my blog. Only miles separate us...we are together in spirit.

Lesleyanne said...

A gorgeous finish for Pam. I'm sure she will love it. Congrats on the wins and goodies.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

What a thoughtful and beautiful gift you made for Pam. True friends share our good times and our bad.

Deborah said...

The stitching pouch that you made for Pam is wonderful. You did great job on changing the pattern. Wonderful gifts.

Dawn said...

a very beautiful gift from the heart.

Sarah said...

What a lovely post, I'm so glad that you've recieved such lovely thoughts and gifts to cheer your heart over a tough time. Your stitching pouch is just darling as an idea and finished beautifully!

Faye said...

Love the stitching pouch....Nice job~ Faye

Mouse said...

ooooooo love the pouch you did for pam .. just perfect and as I was scrolling down I thought oooo that looks familiar and peeps can see how old I am now eeeeekkkk ...lol
and that was nice of Pumpkin sending you the ornament mag :)
hope you enjoy the TP I can't wait to get it :) love mouse xxxxx

Angela said...

Such a lovely finish for your friend.

Carol said...

What an incredibly lovely gift for your friend, Teresa. I love that you were able to secretly surprise her with it :)

Tricia T said...

Beautiful work, Teresa! I know that your friend will love it - that is such a pretty pouch!!!!

Glad you had some happy mail, too!!

Catherine said...

Your piece is incredible! Anyone would be lucky to recieve such a gift. And how fun that you received a surprise as well!

CalamityJr said...

What a beautiful gift, and how blessed you are to have such a good friend!

Theresa said...

What a great finish!!!!!! It is gorgeous~

Patty C. said...

Your pouch is beautiful - what a thoughtful & creative gift & such a lovely post :)

pam said...

Forgive me for not posting my wonderful treasure.I am still in slow blogging mode I guess. I am looking forward to packing it on my trip and being able to stitch in the plane.

Bekca said...

I think the phrase, what comes around goes around is apt here too. Your kindness towards your dear friend Pam has been echoed in others giving gifts to you. You deserve it Teresa, I hope you enjoy all your goodies.

Pumpkin said...

What a precious project that you did for Pam! I'm sure she just adores it :o)

I'm glad to hear the magazine arrived quickly. I knew you would enjoy it ;o)

Congrats on your win!

Chris said...

That stitching for the bag is wonderful and what a super present to give.. be reading back on hour blog and it is delightful,, I shall be popping back.

Blessings

Chris xx

Edgar said...

What a super bag!!!

Veronica said...

It's a very pretty pouch you've made. Pam must have been so pleased to receive it. Lucky girl!

Hugs,
Veronica.