Jewells of Thought

So not too long before our Bishop Reunion I got a request. This was a very special request from a young girl. A girl who was about to turn the big Birthday of 10. Our Sunday afternoons at Grandma’s, her Great-Grandma’s has been quite a journey for us. Watching her grow up to this age has been so precious for me as her older cousin.

Unfortunately, within a very short time her Daddy was left to be both Mommy and Daddy to her after a devastating illness took her Mom’s life. This little girl has something very special though she has 3 Grandma’s in her life plus Great-Grandma’s that dote on her as well as the rest of us in her family. There is no lack of love for this precious girl. Selena and Marissa are only 2 years apart and they have been absolutely inseparable at Grandma Bishop’s House throughout the past decade. I have tons of photos of them hiding under the study desk and in the front parlor, to them playing outside with other cousins.

There is something so fun and even magical when I get a project in mind for a person whether from a request or ask or a present from me for a special occasion. One year I made all my Aunts a pillow with their names, their kids and grandkids on each pillow made specifically for them. The one difference in those pillows was that I just stitched the cross-stitch work on them I didn’t make the pillow. Now I can finally proudly say I made this pillow for Marissa.

So she has asked me before about my hobbies especially my needlecraft. There is an interest to know some of what I do with my hands and these creations. On this particular Sunday at Grandma’s apartment she asked me about making something with Lilo and Stitch. Honestly I don’t know that much about this Disney Movie or which one is which. For her, though I was going to make whatever I could find to make. Then I asked my Aunt, her Grandma, Rita which she wanted most or if I should do the set. That essentially is what I had to go on and from there I thought of what I would like.

Literally this was just after finishing the Tractor for little Jonathan that I started looking for a key and a good picture and I found it that same weekend. I absolutely love making these personal pieces and now that I can actually turn them into pillows just gives me more adaptability now.

The response from Ian and Brenna was priceless over Jonathan’s pillow. I am so glad I was able to make that gift for him and them. Some of the reactions I get are really special to observe. Yesterday was another priceless reaction that made me even more emotional. Maybe I am rubbing off on my niece too the week before Selena made Marissa a diamond painting that was a heart that she could use as a keychain. She was really excited to make that for her and to give it to her. I wasn’t sure how to give the pillow to her I didn’t think about a bag and was still doing last minute stitches on the bottom side to finish it.

When we arrived at Grandma’s apartment we noticed they were there, but she wasn’t where she normally sits. It gave me an idea. After I showed it to Aunt Rita, who thought it was really cute I left it in Marissa’s seat and simply waited to see how long it took her to come back. My goodness we waited at least 5 minutes but not quite 10 minutes I think. I was thrown by her exhilaration. She was absolutely excited about what she just found on her couch.

My boyfriend said it best, her face said it all. I guess I am always hoping they come out the way I want them too, but I don’t know if they actually come to the recipient’s idea when it’s an ask. So I am nervous about how it will go over at first sight. There are times I think my family and boyfriend are a little biased in their responses cause they like whatever I make so it seems.

There have been times I have thought about needing a photo of the piece with the person. Yet I don’t seem to remember that at the time. This time Aunt Rita helped me to remember this idea so I got a photo of her with her pillow. Honestly though I was afraid I had put too much purple or something and I wanted the bottom to be done a certain way and it was done another way. However, she took one look and was smitten with it. This reaction was amazing to see I was so certain that I needed to do things a different way and wasn’t sure what she would say. The look on that darling’s face spoke a thousand words to me.