I finished my new sampler Sunday afternoon on Mother's Day. Such a wonderful day. Each of my girls fussing over me and their grammy in their best, sweetest way. The sun was out, the birds were singing and flying, the dogwood was fully in bloom. Mom was there watching me take the last couple of stitches.
And then she said, "Can I have that?" She never asks for anything. Especially these days when she is feeling way past the need to acquire stuff. It's Mother's Day. Of course, I said yes.
Problem is that I also promised it to Jane for her birthday. When I got around to naming the design, it was halfway stitched. Even though it wasn't a perfect likeness, I thought of her Katie and Andy up there in the windows, her Ben at the door and Roxy in the window. The whole thing just sort of (and I do mean sort of) looked like her beloved house in Barney Park- sold last summer. With her birthday coming up, I thought it should be for her. And I told her so.
But Ben was a black lab and Roxy is gray. I was planning to take out these dog/kitty stitches and redo them for her. Instead, I'll make another one. This time I'll drop the spots and make Ben's tail longer so he looks like a lab.
Works for me too. I get to stitch it all over again!
very beautiful!!
Posted by: Millie | May 10, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Isn't it funny when you do a piece of work for someone, and you think about them while doing it, that you actually imbue parts of them in it? How sweet that your mom asked for it. And like you said, you can always make another. Have a lovely day. - Cheers, Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | May 10, 2011 at 08:56 AM
I think this is your best sampler yet. Will you make me one too? ;)
Posted by: Susan M. | May 10, 2011 at 09:01 AM
So sweet--the story and the sampler!
Posted by: LeaCR | May 10, 2011 at 09:30 AM
It's perfect in every way! And it's really quite lovely that your Mum asked for it, isn't it? Made me smile.
Posted by: Julie | May 10, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Beautiful, Charlotte. Love in every stitch......
Posted by: Suzy McQ | May 10, 2011 at 09:59 AM
most gorgeous embroidery! i recently went to the quilt show here in paducah ky and found fabric crayons to use to shadow color to fill in my embroidery... pretty cool effect ... :)
Posted by: donna!ee | May 10, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Can't wait to stitch this one! It's beautiful.
I was in my first embroidery class yesterday, working on your house sampler. Everyone in the class loved it wanted to know about it, so I shared your website. If you notice some buyers from Oklahoma, it's because of your sampler in this class!
Posted by: Claudia Small | May 10, 2011 at 11:33 AM
I love your HOME stitching! You are so talented! The little doggie just makes it say, "you're home".
Heidi
Posted by: Heidi Woodruff | May 10, 2011 at 12:59 PM
I just love this story... so sweet. You are so lucky to have your mother to celebrate Mother's Day with... sounds like a good day. Can't wait to get my sampler!
Posted by: Monica Fullerton | May 10, 2011 at 01:40 PM
What a sweet Mother's Day story, Charlotte. So happy your Mum will now have your little labour of love to keep for herself :)
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | May 10, 2011 at 01:55 PM
So sweet. I love the stitchery. And also loved seeing the photo of you with your mom and girls. Lovely ladies, all!
Posted by: Beth | May 10, 2011 at 02:23 PM
How pretty. Both the sampler and the story make me smile.
Posted by: Lorrie | May 10, 2011 at 03:10 PM
adorable. i love that your mom asked for it!
sighing over dogwood blooms in MAY. :)happy mother's day, a few days late.
Posted by: april | May 10, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Beautiful story to go with your gorgeous stitching, Charlotte!
Posted by: maya | May 10, 2011 at 07:01 PM
I really love this house, Miss Charlotte....
How wonderful that your mom asked to have it....
THAT is the highest of compliments, isn't it?
Your life seems so perfect right now. How nice it must be to be you - lucky lady!!
I absolutely love what you do.......and you make a lot of people very happy.
xo
Posted by: jone | May 10, 2011 at 11:54 PM
Love your sampler & your sweet story. Hugs.
Posted by: Troy Louise | May 11, 2011 at 02:10 PM
bless your heart this is just so fetching! i love love love the doggie...how long does it take you to do this much stitching?! i am so slow!
Posted by: sharon from farm and fru fru | May 11, 2011 at 08:51 PM
The sampler is beautiful-----and the part about your mom asking for it just melts my heart! Can't wait to get mine-- I love the stitches on the roof!!
Posted by: Penelope | May 11, 2011 at 09:09 PM
I'm so glad your mom is enjoying this...it's as sweet as sugar candy and makes me happy just to look at it! BRAVO! xox
Posted by: linda warlyn | May 12, 2011 at 12:59 PM
I agree, sweet as sugar.......your family,story, and your heart art! Happy stitching away the rest of May!
Posted by: Cherie Wilson | May 12, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Thanks for sharing your story and picture with us Charlotte. Yours turned out beautiful. Love the colors you used. Can't wait to get started on mine. Take care!
Posted by: Teah | May 12, 2011 at 04:34 PM
So cute! I just ordered mine. :)
Posted by: tammyCA | May 15, 2011 at 02:25 PM