Thursday, October 11, 2012

It's a Small World...

I continue to stitch on the Hillside Samplings sampler that I've been working on; haven't made too much progress since my last post.  Maybe this weekend I will have an update for you.  I wanted to share a story with you though.

Back on my September 5 post I shared with you the article on Hövej Embroidery that I wrote for Ellen Chester's newsletter. When I was researching this article I came across a website that I had not found before.  The website is about a woman named Mrs. István Szigethy.  Mrs. Szigethy is 85 years old and lives in Hungary.  She was born in Hövej.  Her father died when she was very young and before she even reached the age of 10 she learned to do the beautiful white on white Hövej Embroidery.  She would stitch all day long and sometimes at night producing beautiful needlework that could be sold so that she could help support her family.

Please, if you have time, visit her website.  It's written in English and it includes beautiful pictures of this special embroidery.  You can read the rest of her story and see this beautiful embroidery!


You might wonder why I am so enamored with this embroidery.  It's kind of special to me because my great grandfather was born in the tiny village of Hövej.

When I found this website a few months ago, I clicked on the "contact" link and sent an email asking for more information and explained my connection to Hövej.  I received a reply from Mrs. Szigethy's daughter.  We have been writing back and forth for a few months now.  Mrs. Szigethy and her daughter gifted me with a book on Hövej Embroidery as well as some pictures from their exhibit and a calendar from the village.



I had indicated an interest in learning how to do this special embroidery and they sent me a doily on a frame that was worked in stages so that I could see how to start and work toward the finish.



I was so touched by their kindness; to show my appreciation I sent a box with some tatting from my mother and some hardanger pieces that I had stitched as well as a few Minnesota goodies.  This week I received an email telling me that my box had arrived and many of the items that I sent are now on display in the exhibit in Hövej!

Do you recognize my blog pictured in this display?


Look at the beautiful curtains covering the window!


Another view of the exhibit:


The contacts that I have made and the friendships I have formed as a result of a common interest in fine needlework - it just amazes me.  It really is a small world, isn't it?

11 comments:

Margaret said...

Ok, that is just so cool!!!! Wow! You must be so thrilled in every way. How wonderful to receive the gift of friendship from Mrs. Szigethy and her daughter, and to receive the book and that lovely doily! Wow! And so cool that your gifts in return have made the exhibit there! What a special tie to your ancestry and all! I hope you get a chance to try this type of embroidery out. It looks so beautiful and so unique too. Thanks for sharing with us about this!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Wow, what a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing with your readers.

Barb said...

What a very interesting type of embroidery. It is beautiful.It is a small world!

Mrs. DillyDally said...

Oh Cathy...that is all so wonderful! What an amazing journey! Love how needlework has enriched your life...thanks for sharing it with us!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Cathy, this literally made me tear up. I am so touched by this connection you have made. It is amazing the friendships that are made though our mutual love of needlwork. Thank you for sharing this. It made my day!

Anonymous said...

Cathy--

This type of embroidery is just lovely. Thank you for featuring it.

Do you know if the book is for sale anywhere? I would like to learn this type of needlelace.

Carol S.

Patti-Rocky Mtn Stitcher said...

Wonderful! And well deserved :)

Samplers, Silks and Linens said...

what amazing kind people to send you that embroidery like that so you can learn - I would love to see you learn this embroidery - pity everyone is so far away for you to learn - I am interested to see if you are able to pick things up on your own.

Ellen said...

Oh Cathy! This is so exciting! Any chance that you can make it to the exhibit? Wouldn't that be neat?

Looking forward to seeing you next week. Just think a week from today at this time, the first class will be over. (Boo hoo--after all this planning.)

C Street Samplerworks said...

Cathy,
What a wonderful story, and your family connection to the village makes it even more fascinating! The Hövej embroidery is exquisite. I envy people who can create such delicate work.

Fran

Lynn said...

Oh how exciting for you Cathy to have made these connections with a part of your heritage! I think it's just so special that Mrs. Szigethy sent you the needlework on the frame to aid in explaining the process. I hope you are able to try it out and that you share it with us.