Joy

I really wish I could put into words how very special the women in my stitching group are. Here is an example to give you an idea. The above work is "Friends Count" by Mary Garry. It is an out of print chart by a woman who no longer designs. It is a chart that is very hard to get. Jayne, pictured above, had the chart.
Barb, pictured below, wanted to stitch this piece, so Jayne lent her the pattern. Get this, before stitching the piece for herself, Barb stitched it for Jayne. Not only stitched it but personalized it so that we are all represented on the piece.

Below are all of the people who are represented on the piece. Teresa is symbolized by the quilt, I am represented by the book, Cathy is represented by the Inspired Needle itself, Karin is represented by the Dutch tulip, Linda is represented by the crow, Pat is represented by the hypodermic needle (!) as she is a nurse, Patti is a teacher and so she is represented by the ABC and Barb is a cyclist and is represented by the bike!
Barb charted all of those symbols herself. What a beautiful work of art!!!!!!! So you see, my stitching friends are truly one in a million!!!!!!!!!

P.S. The picture of Barb with the Carriage House Samplings 1848 Reproduction Sampler is special too! She knew that as soon as we saw her finished stitching that we would all want that chart!!! She was right, and she was prepared. She had purchased each of us a copy of the chart!!!!