11½" x 12" x 5"
The story of "Stitching Lady"
I attended my first ANG Seminar Auction in 2003 and marveled that stitchers donated their time and talents to create needlepoint art to raise funds for education. I felt motivated to participate sometime in the future.
The following night was the Needlework Expo (or shop till you drop).
Entering the large ballroom filled with stitching treasures, I stopped in my tracks as I found myself standing in front of a long table covered with fabulous painted canvases. My hands attached themselves to a canvas that was simply exquisite! I blurted out "What are these?" . . . probably meaning "are these for sale?" Those were the canvases to be stitched for auction at the next seminar in Reno, 2004.
My name tag read 'first timer' and the woman speaking to me assumed that meant 'beginner'. She offered me a small painted canvas 10 mesh to 'begin'!!!!!!!!! as an alternative to the one that I was holding. I quickly clarified my status, all the while still clutching the canvas which I now was beginning to realize was 2 full size canvases on 18 mesh plus 3 attachment pieces on congress cloth!.
I asked her to 'hold' the canvases for a half hour while I decided if I would make the commitment. Needless to say, my decision had already been made and I had trouble focusing on my shopping while dreaming about working on those canvases!
Convincing myself that the Stitching Lady was Hungarian after my heritage I was thrilled to bring her home. Finally, realizing that she was Russian, it was still okay.
ANG had trusted me enough to gift me with the opportunity to stitch those beautiful canvases! What a wonderful feeling!
The canvases were painted by Dede and I provided the threads, time and inspiration. The 'finishing' was done by Petra Dennis.
Five months later, I mailed the finished pieces back to ANG for 'finishing' and then on to Auction. Now the fun really begins!
It's now 2004 and I'm attending ANG Seminar in Reno. It's my first afternoon at Seminar and the 'day of' the Auction. My 'stitching lady' is waiting her turn for Live Auction. She's in very fine company. All of the pieces waiting their turn were exquisite.
I found a seat near front and center in the audience, not wanting to miss any cues to the bidding. Imagine my surprise when my entry was first, opener for the auction!
The auctioneer advised everyone that the first piece brings the best (bargain) price since the crowd needs to warm up to the auction. The bidding began at $200. I waited a few minutes and when nothing happened I raised my hand for the opening bid. Several tense minutes passed as the auctioneer tried to raise the bidding to no avail.
To my good fortune, I'm now the proud owner of my own stitched creation and Stitching Lady sits proudly on a table in my family room.
Some of my friends insisted Stitching Lady was under priced and should have sold much higher. I agree but I'm not at all disappointed!
>Click within the stitchings to see the detail images: