The Kindess of Stitchers

I think it is a truth universally acknowledged that stitchers are some of the most kind and generous people out there.  I appreciate that I am slightly biased in this area, but if anyone else is reading this I'm sure they will agree!  The stitching community abounds with RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness), whether it be gifting chart, fabric or threads or a wonderful finish made just for you.

I've been on the receiving end of such generosity several times, but what I like most about it is that it means I have a memory of that stitcher, of a connection we shared, that is never forgotten.  I remember each gift received and the kind hearted stitcher that gave it to me, I remember that stitcher as I use the materials they generously gave me.  So, I know that there is a beautiful skein of purple Polstitches floss (amongst other things) in my stash from Lesley, two gorgeous skeins of Caron silks (purple shades again) from Tiff and some wonderful fabric and threads (yep you guessed it purple again!) from Nic.  Last year a generous stitcher in the US sent me about 10 or so precut packs of linen as it was a fabric she could no longer stitch on, but she knew it was a fabric I loved.  I've had charts RAK'd to me that I enjoyed stitching all the more so as someone had picked it out especially for me:


HAED Mini Unleash the Butterflies stitched with HDF silks
Hand painted mount by Passifloral - special treatment for a special piece ;)

This year has proved to be no different, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank two stitchers for thinking of me.  The first is Lynda, the designer behind LoopyLou Designs, who after seeing a video where I featured one of her designs (Floral Spring) sent me one of her beautiful charts as a thank you:

A Little Victoriana by LoopyLou Designs

The colours for this design are so elegant and I can't wait to stitch it and of course finish the designs as they are intended to be finished!

This week I also received an exciting envelope all the way from Australia from a stitcher that I "met" on the Cross Stitch Forum.  The envelope contained these beauties:

An amazing selection of hand dyed cotton and silk, perle and stranded threads!

 

To say I was thrilled with the contents is an understatement!  Collecting hand dyed threads for me is a (dangerous!) hobby in itself separate to my stitching with them, so I was excited to see a few threads from Aussie dyers that I had yet to add to my collection!  A huge thank you to Marilyn for a stitching parcel that made my day!

 

Kindness and generosity are not always shown by tangible things like threads and fabrics though.  One of the most precious gifts any of us has is time.  Stitchers are generous with this too.  I know that I would not be the stitcher I am today if it wasn't for those of you out there that have shared your knowledge, experience, WIPs and finishes via your blogs or on stitching forums.  Those of you that have shared tutorials and taken a great deal of time to photograph or video each step.  Stitchers have shared a wealth of information and even if you find your question still goes unanswered, they are always happy to help!

 

To all those stitchers I say thank you and have a great stitchy weekend!

 

Happy Stitching!