the "hornbook fairy" (AKA a special friend)

I hadn't planned on doing a blog post today, but then I got the nicest note from JoAnn H. of Ohio, and I wanted to go ahead and share her story of a very special gift she received. The generosity of her friend is another example of some of the special friendships that have evolved through our shared love of needlework.

First, some background information. Bethany is JoAnn's daughter. Last week you saw the huswifs they had stitched and assembled together. The Quaker Hornbook project that JoAnn mentions today is a group only project. Her local needlework shop, Inn Stitches in Canton, Ohio, ordered the kits for a store group project.

JoAnn wrote, Bethany called me today and asked if I had read the email to you from Tommye B. showing her samplers and telling the story of her friendship with Karen and how Karen was always stitching gifts for others and how good it made her feel and through the years their friendship has grown and it makes Tommye feel good to stitch for others.

Bethany reminded me of the gift my friend Ronda had given me. The history: I had taken a class to do your small hornbook and when I finished the stitching I couldn't find where I had put the hornbook (so I wouldn't forget where it was when I needed it), Ever done that? The completed stitching has been in a drawer for many months and on a recent Thursday Night Stitch-in a wooden hornbook appeared where I was sitting and I didn't see who put it there. The next day the Hornbook Fairy emailed me to let me know it was her.

I have a hard time accepting gifts like that, but when Bethany called she suggested that I finish the hornbook and give it as a gift to Ronda (similar to Tommye and Karen) and if she doesn't want to accept it, tell her if I ever find mine she must finish stitching hers and give it to me as a gift. I thought that was a grand idea.

The stitched cottage in the photo was stitched and put together by Kim and Dee at Inn Stitches as a Christmas gift to me last year. I was truly overwhelmed with the gift. To think they would work so lovingly and long on such a beautiful piece and then give it away. Aren't stitchers the best people you can ever know?

Just to let everyone know how easy your finishing directions were to follow: I didn't start finishing the hornbook until 11 a.m. and was finished by 2:30 the same day and I even took time to eat a bit of lunch. Thanks Ellen for making everything so easy to do.

Don't you love hearing such wonderful stories?

JoAnn, your hornbook looks wonderful. I hope you are finding the hornbook threadholder useful.

I love the cottage etui also shown in your photo. In fact, I'm green with envy. Dee and Kim did a terrific job with that ... a special gift for a special person. Thank you for sharing a photo and also the special story behind your completed project.

Special projects: Just a reminder that the Quaker Hornbooks are only available to groups of 10 or more. Details can be found here. This is the only chart that I sell directly to stitchers. All other charts should be ordered from your local needlework shop.

Teaching projects: I often get inquiries about my teaching projects. These projects are class pieces only. I've not yet decided if I'll release them once I quit teaching.