8 years ago my Dad and I were in Santa Barbara, California helping my great aunt move to an assisted living residence. After a few days of moving and getting her settled, Dad and I took a drive to Solvang for the day. It's a lovely touristy city with lots of fun shops and good food. We found a cross stitch shop that I had to visit. While I was shopping, Dad brought over this Dimensions kit ... a lovely scene of wolves in a forest. He loved it and asked if I would stitch it for him. It was the first time he'd asked me to stitch anything for him so of course I said yes ... a yes I struggled off and on for 8 years. After the first couple of years he stopped asking how the wolves were doing ... lol, smart guy! After 8 years, all I had gotten done was part of the main wolf. I was so gung ho on this at first, but soon realized I just didn't have the brain to work at pattern like this ... every time I picked it up I hated it more and more and felt sooo guilty for not getting it done for him ... well this year he was turning 80 (on June 19th) and again the guilt was really really hitting me hard because they still weren't done. Well, I swallowed my pride and emailed a dear friend of mine, Theresa (no blog), that we affectionately call Turbo Needles. Theresa has done huge designs, loves doing them and said yes when I asked if she would finish the wolves for me. 8 long years later they arrived back at my house last month ... seriously it only took Theresa a couple of months to finish them!! And WOW did she do a great job. I had them framed and gave this incredible framed piece to my Dad on Saturday. He was thrilled and hung it up immediately! I will always been indented to Theresa for getting this piece done for me and my Dad. Ignore the flash on the pictures ... May I present to you ... The Wolves ...
Last week I picked up a wip I had started last year and finished it up ... I loved stitching this one!
Sneak Peek Halloween by The Trilogy
stitched on 32 ct. Belfast Dirty Linen
with the recommended floss
I also finished by Lizzie Kate's Life's A Beach ... fun stitch that should have gone quicker but the 4 ply floss was slow stitching for me ...
Life's a Beach by Lizzie*Kate
Kit complete with fabric, floss and buttons
I hope everyone is staying cool these days! We had a lovely weekend of weather here ... high 70's ... it was perfect! And Terry and I made the best of it. Saturday we spent at the local farmer's market and then went to dinner and a movie. If you haven't seen Midnight in Paris yet, don't delay .. go see it!!! It was wonderful!!! Nice to enjoy a Woody Allen movie again. Sunday we spent in the yard ... then I stitched the afternoon/evening away working on another older wip. It was really a nice weekend ... I hope you all had a nice one too!
I hope you find your
Joy in your stitches ...
I'm grateful for sunny days ...
Last week I picked up a wip I had started last year and finished it up ... I loved stitching this one!
16 comments:
How wonderful that your dad finally has his wolves...Theresa did a fabulous job. A project like that wouldn't be my cup of tea either, and my dad never asks for anything so I can certainly empathize! A very Happy 80th Birthday to you dad :)
Whoo Hooo for Theresa!! She is amazing, isn't she? And - Go YOU for thinking to do that and making your Dad so happy!
Why was I not surprised to see Life's a Beach on your blog? I am thinking I have to make it too! I really love Halloween Peek too - I was looking at those Peek series today at DSL...
What a delightful finish for your Father! A big Kudos to Theresa for finishing it so quickly for you. It is gorgeous....stunning!
Your Trilogy finish is cute as a button as is the L*K beach :)
Fantastic finish. How lovely that Theresa finished it for you. Your father must be smitten.
Love your trilogy and your LK piece as well.
Happy Birthday to your dad! and glad you were able to get the wolves finished up for his special day. :) great finishes on the other 2!
So glad Theresa finished that stitch for you and for your dad! She did a beautiful job of it! Sounds like you had a perfect weekend!
Theresa did an awesome job on your wolves and glad you could give it to your dad. Love the Halloween piece you did.
Michele the wolves are gorgeous and kudos you and Theresa - how wonderful you were able to give it finally to your dad. There are some projects where we just have to face the truth and do what needs to be done - farm it out, give it away etc. Not to mention you get rid of the guilt!
The wolves look fantastic! We actually have that print tucked away somewhere - I think it's about 8x10.
How nice that your friend was able to help you out!
I have a similar story about a train I am trying to finish up for my father, I started it about 6 years ago, and it's still not done...the pattern is really hard to follow, so I keep putting it down...I LOVE Solvang! I grew up in Ventura, a mere 40 minute drive south of Santa Barbara, and every summer at least once a summer we would always go down there and go shopping...just me, my mom and my aunt. I, too have fond memories of the needlework shops there! The wolves look great as do your other finished pieces also!!
You and Theresa did an amazing job on the wolves for your dad, Michele! I can't imagine doing a gigantic detailed piece like that either... I'm sure your dad is so touched that it finally got done.
Your Trilogy and LK pieces are so cute! Please send some of your '70s weather east--we are just melting over here--ugh!!
Your Dad must love his wolves, and belated Happy Birthday to him! You and Theresa both did an amazing job of stitching. I think this design would be a hard one to finish. I love your other pieces - they are so fun! Especially Life's A Beach!
I just now found your blog and want to let you know that I enjoyed it so very much. Very uplifting and inspiring. I love it and will be a new follower of yours. I also blog at http://lindalees-crossnmystitches.blogspot.com/ and I enjoy blogging. When I see blogs such as your though, I realize how much more mine needs. Keep up the wonderful work and I'll be back often! LindaLee
I am so in awe of anyone who can stitch those large, intricate designs. How wonderful that you found a way to have the project completed for your dad.
Lovely finishes, and I love the header picture for your blog!
That's great that your dad has his wolves! :) Yeay for Theresa! I wouldn't be able to stitch them, either--but thank God for stitchers like Theresa, who go at things with gusto. :) That's great. Happy birthday to your dad!
Love your stitching!
So glad your Dad got his wolves and you don't have to agonize over not getting it done any more! There's nothing wrong with asking for help; we'd be boring stitchers if we all were talented at the same things!
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