Garden . . .

When my mom was a mere girl of 12

she was coached by her oldest sister

to do this stamped cross stitch.

My aunt was a hard task master

and made her take it out

if it was wrong.

It was wrong ~ she was only 12 and this

was her first attempt at cross stitching.

Sadly it was also her last.

When we moved to Waco I unearthed this

lovely piece in a frame.

I took it to work and removed it from that

frame.

It was old then and I stretched it.

As you can see it is crooked but I was afraid to

pull it too tight.

I was afraid it would tear.

As you can see the frame has a light

place at the bottom.

I must fix that!

I digress, so I cut the mat and framed it.

I think it is gorgeous,

not because my Mom did it,

but because she stuck with it and

made it perfect.

Well, it was also cause she did it.

It is one of my favorite

pieces.

The very best part is that today

is her birthday!!!

Today she is 93, and though she doesn't stitch

she made my sister, Debbie, and I

some beautiful dresses as

we were growing up.

I cherish the memories of

wearing those dresses as a child

and still remember

what they looked like.

She also taught me to sew when I was just

eight

and I have sewn for years.

My daughter, Heather,

wore some of the cutest clothes around.

My dolls

had some pretty cool things too.

So what started out as a hard stamped cross stitch

by a strict task master

turned into

some awesome clothes. It also taught me

the great

love for what you can paint with a needle and thread.

Thank you Mom!

Happy Birthday ~

I love you very much

and I hope you have many more to come.

God Bless you for coming by and looking.

Lenna