Friends in Stitches by Amy

A few days ago Amy Goodard sent me a photo of her completed Friends in Stitches which she took as a class last fall with the Western Reserve Sampler Guild in northern Ohio.

Friends in Stitches really illustrates the wonderful friendships many of us have formed thanks to our shared love of needlework. On Monday, I wrote of the special friendship that Margaret and Sheila have developed. Several weeks ago, I wrote about Sandra and Chrissy, and today Amy shares her special friendship with Kathy.

Amy wrote, "This piece reminds me of the friendship that I have with my stitching buddy Kathy Jett. She and I have been going to the Just Cross Stitch Christmas in Williamsburg seminar in December together since 1991, and we look forward to it every year.

"I also associate times in my life with when I was working on needlework pieces and I finished this one while on a cruise to Bermuda. I always believe in - Have cross stitch will travel - and I take it along wherever I go. "

I know what Amy means when she says, Have cross stitch will travel. I always take at least one project with me on a trip, and I pack my stitching before I pack my clothes. I'm sure many of you do the same.

Below is a photo of Amy's lovely work. She wrote, "I had to add eyes to the girls - eyes are like windows to the soul."

The back of the case, a small sampler, is not shown in these photos. You can see it on the teaching page of my website. I personalize the back for each event with the name of the guild and the class date.

Friends in Stitches is a class project and is not available in shops.

Thanks, Amy, for sending a photo and telling us about the project and your special friendship with Kathy. I look forward to seeing you again in May 2010 when I'm at the Inn Stitches' retreat to teach The Fruit of the Vine Sampler Huswif and Call of the Sea.

I'm looking forward this weekend to teaching in Brighton, Michigan for the Livingston Lakes and Mill Race EGA guilds. I know I'll see some of you there.