Saturday, October 6, 2012

Kindness of Strangers

Sometimes I am truly amazed at the kindness of people.
 
First the back story - I work with people every day that I never meet. I am a "remote" employee and I spend a good portion of my days on conference calls. Usually with the same people hundreds of miles away. And because of the nature of these "faceless" meetings, we sometimes find creative ways to get to know each other.
 
Anyway - one day in a meeting as we waited for the meeting to begin, someone asked "If you could do anything for a job and still get your same paycheck and benefits.. what would you do?"
 
Well, that's how I found out that someone I speak to all the time is a quilter! Her answer was that she would quilt all day long. We've talked fabric a time or two since that day.
 
So fast forward about 5 months to a couple weeks ago. She sends me a message and says. "Heidi, would you be interested in a long arm quilt frame and sewing machine?"...
 
FOR FREE??
 
My answer "Um.. YEAH!!!"
 
The only catch, we had to come and get it. She lives in Minneapolis but would bring it to her cabin in Wisconsin. Only an hour drive southeast from my house.
 
So me and Mr Heidi hit the road! Not only did I get to meet my coworker for the first time but we brought this baby home!
 
 
It is way better than I expected!! It is a Grace King Size Frame and Janome 1600P. It has a stitch regulator and laser guide along with all these wood templates. I'm still in a state of shock. It's so big we had to set it up in the basement.  

 
Bobbi helped me name her. Her name is Lucy and I will be loading fabric on her tomorrow and taking her for a spin. I need to watch the video on how to do that first. But she's all set up and ready to go.  
 
Anyone want to come help me figure her out?
 
And receiving this amazing gift has given me a very strong urge to "pay it forward". I'm just not sure what I'm going to do yet. I'm open to ideas!
 
So what would your dream job be?
 
 

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34 comments:

Ginette said...

Enjoy your new toy!!

Quilting with Jannette said...

I agree with your co-worker - I'd quilt all day long! (although if I HAD to quilt all day to collect a pay check, I might change my mind!)
Enjoy your gift!

Kindred Quilts said...

My dream job? The same as yours, and Bobbi's! Enjoy Lucy!

Christine M said...

How exciting for you. Have fun playing with your new toy!

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Wow, that is really wonderful! Enjoy using it!

Gene Black said...

WOW! That is a great surprise. I am so happy for you. I just wish I lived close enough to come figure it out with you.
My dream job? Probably being a travelling quilt teacher!

Asiyah said...

In my dream job I am mom to lots of children who are in the foster care system. I would love to just let them be children who don't have to worry about where their next meal comes from or whether they are in a safe place.

My second dream job would involve teaching those children how to sew or quilt! LOL.

Mrs A said...

I would tag along as the travelling quilt teachers assistant!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

How fun! What a wonderful gift! My dream job? Hmmm, quilting all day does sound very enticing! ;-) Have fun with Lucy!

Needled Mom said...

What a wonderful gift!!! You are going to have fun with that new toy.

I think I would love to own a quilt fabric shop so I could feel fabrics all day long and meet other quilters.

Bobbi said...

My dream job would be to have a summer quilt camp. After reading the elm creek quilt books I'm inspired to attend a retreat and meet other quilters. Of course the cabin would have to be in Colorado or somewhere with scenery. I can't wait for you to learn how to run Lucy so you can complete a quilt for me.

Kari @ The Purple Quiltapotamus said...

Oh my goodness what an amazing gift! You are so lucky!

stitchersanon said...

Hosting craft weekends and teaching. Has to be doesn't it? And WOW...what an amazing RAK...looking forwards to seeing what you managed to do on it...and working out what it is rofl xxx (the last comment was me, not you teehee). Make that bad-girl go!

Denise in PA said...

I'm SO happy for you! You're gonna love it! So nice of your co-worker! My dream job would be to run an on-line fabric store o:)

Linda Lee said...

WOW!!! AWESOME!!!! Oh yes.. that sounds like a wonderful dream job! Mine would be a cabin in the woods with the all the things I would need to do my quilting!

Her cabin couldn't have been far from my house!

Mariela Alethia said...

AWESOME!

Quilter Kathy said...

That is an awesome serendipity! So happy for you!
I would cuddle babies for half a day and quilt the other part of the day and be the happiest person on the planet!

Katie M. said...

What a super generous gift. To pay it forward.... offer to quilt some quilts for Project Linus or some other group that donates quilts to 'causes' . You will get some practice and others will benefit from that.

Rina Mason said...

Isn't it amazing how good things happen to good people. Enjoy your new toy. My dream job would be to own a quilt shop where I could be surrounded by fabric and the creations of talented people while meeting others who enjoy the same.

Jeanette said...

Fabulous. Enjoy your new toy. My dream job? To own a quilt shop/ quilt retreat So people can do both at once. Hugs,

Bev C said...

Hello Heidi,

Congrats on your gift. My dream job is being me a Mum Lover Mother etc.

Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Karin said...

Oh WOW!!! I´m so excited for you.... what a amazing gift! Enjoy your new toy and have lots of fun with it!!!!

Wendy said...

Oh wow!!! I work for a multi-national company and I'm liaison for those in companies abroad, I must remember to start talking fabric with them, you never know what they might want to give me!!

Quilt Doodle Designs said...

Wow! What a wonderful gift! My dream job is the same as yours, .... Someday my patterns will take off and I will stay home and create, someday. Enjoy Lucy!

Anonymous said...

I think I'd like to be a nurse.
What a great new toy.

Quilter Mom of 3 said...

I would be a clothes designer for myself & children, as well as a quilter.
I LOVE patchy everything & have made my own children some interesting clothes.

My next step is patchwork upholstery...

Cheryl said...

Wow Heidi, that's so amazing and wonderful!!!! Lucy is the perfect name and how kind of your co worker!

Teresa said...

What a beauty! COngratulations. I'm sure you'll find ways to pay it forward. You'll make lots of practise quilts learning to "frame quilt", so start making a list.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I think you are one LUCKY gal!
Pay it forward? Quilt say 5 quilts for others/yourself, then 1 for charity and just make it a rule. In the end you will feel better and the world will have received a special gift from you.

Joan said...

Ok - same dream as you of course...How wonderful for you - I am so happy you got to have your dream come along - Best wishes for your sewing on it...I look forward to seeing more.

Beeshebags said...

My dream job would be 'yours about 5 months ago' lol

Congrat's on the quilting frame and machine and of course I'd love to come help you work it out....want one myself one day....another pipe dream.

For a serious dream job, it would have to be crafting entrepreneur!

Hugs
Naomi

Coral said...

I probably have a dream job; working in a fabric shop. But it pays one third of my last job. Plus the hours are long and no lunch time. Officially we do have: but it never happens - urgh!

I have a quilting frame - it takes a lot of practise.

Unknown said...

Congrads on Lucy and you have a special friend to hold on to. I don't get paid to do my job (wife, mother). What I try to do and if I ever play the lottery and win, is to do for others...try to make someones day special no matter what kind of day they are having...give them a little that they might not have. Looking forward to following your blog and seeing what you and Lucy do together! xoxo

Anonymous said...

What a blessing! The Lord will inspire you as to your future direction! Hugs, Doreen