For the Love of Nancy

When I was a girl I needlepointed. As it was an expensive hobby I didn’t keep it up, but I never lost the skill. Then one year I noticed a friend’s needlepoint Christmas ornaments and was wild for them. She introduced me to Nancy at Chapel Hill Needlepoint. That was over 12 years, over 300 needlepoint projects and a billion dollars ago and I love it more today.

One of the best things about needlepoint are the friends I have made stitching. Nancy is the center of my needlepoint universe of which there are many satellites orbiting.

One great friend I have made through Nancy is Kate. Nancy is Kate’s person. Last winter Kate went with Nancy to a needlepoint trade show. While there Kate secretly talked to a canvas designer and asked her to produce 12 ornaments about needlepoint and Nancy in particular. Kate was creating the 12 days of needlepoint. When she got the canvases she asked eleven of the most faithful of stitchers if we would each stitch one ornament for Nancy.

Of course no one said no. We had two weeks to do it with specific instructions about colors and sparkle threads, as Nancy loves sparkle. I got the number five which was scissors as I love scissors. After stitching we turned the canvases into Kate who then had them finished into ornaments. Kate bought a white tree for displaying them.

As Nancy’s birthday is in two weeks Kate secretly searched Nancy’s calendar to find a time we could gather to give her this surprise gift. Her store normally closes at four on Friday’s. I arrived at three, acting like I was just there to pick up some finishing. The store was packed with so many friends, all stitching and some other customers who just happened to be shopping.

So at four most everyone got up to leave the store to get the random customers to leave too. Nancy asked me to stay and talk and Kate suggested we could play mah Jongg. Nancy and I sat down at the table and not five minutes later all the stitching friends reappeared at the door carrying twelve colorful gift bags, cupcake boxes and other goodies.

Nancy did not know what was going on and we screamed, “Happy Birthday.”

Nancy opened each bag and exclaimed about the beauty of each ornament, a little overwhelmed by the extravagance of this very personal and loving gift. After she had opened them all Kate told the whole complicated story of making this gift happen, which involved lots of secrets and covert actions.

As stitchers we all really appreciate when someone stitches something for us. We know the amount of work and love that goes into a needlepoint gift. So to give Nancy 12 ornaments all about her was a big expression of love. It never would have happened if it wasn’t for Kate as she bought all the canvases for us to stitch.

It made for a very happy afternoon. I know Nancy will cherish this gift all of her days as we cherish her.