Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Trying to put the pieces back together.....

Where do I start??? First, I would love to thank each and every one of you who have emailed, commented, called and sent cards to me! I cannot begin to tell you how each of you have touched me, lifted me and given me hope of brighter days to come.... Losing Ada has truly been the most emotionally demanding event in my life. I miss her, I have grieved for her and there are no tears left. But, knowing she is gone and at peace, offers me content in knowing it was the Lords will to have her join her husband in heaven as her final resting place.... May she rest in peace forever..

This past weekend I found myself finding time to devote to tying up a few loose ends of a couple travel stitch projects that have gone with me to and from the hospital...Ironically, there is purple in each and of course that was my mil's favorite color....I love Little House Needleworks and this one did not let me down.... It almost has a fallish feel to me with the purple and mulberry combination..........

Little House Needleworks
Simple Joys



The Blackbird Designs series "Anniversaries of the Heart" has been an ongoing larger project for me...I added personalization to the third block (I am doing mine in random order...) I had already put the year 1918 in the roof because this square was going to be in honor of her and those purple flowers vining up the side....So I added her name above the house and put 2010 along the left side of the house to commemorate the year she died....



Blackbird Designs
Anniversaries of the Heart series


Here's a snap of the 3 blocks I have done so far....I am really loving the R&R Winter Frost 36 ct linen I am using.....
Blackbird Designs
Anniversaries of the Heart series


Finally, winning this giveaway from Diane Williams at Little House Needleworks has really lifted my spirits....This chart is now on my craft table waiting to be kitted up!!! "The Family Sampler" looks absolutely beautiful and I cannot wait to get started on it....Thanks so much for this fabulous win Diane!!


Little House Needleworks
"The Family Sampler"



Well, need to sign off and wind down... There were smiling first graders waiting for my return today when I arrived back in the classroom...Many hugs and giggles made me feel so loved..The innocense of children makes everyone's heart smile....
Until later, ((**Hugs**)) right back atcha my friends!! :: Faye ::


42 comments:

Karen said...

Love your finishes and such a special way to remember your MIL.

Hugs....

karen

Patty C. said...

Great Finishing
I too enjoy LHN patterns - so charming
Take Care
Patty

Margaret said...

I love all your finishes. It's so nice that you commemorated your MIL on the AotH piece. Must be fun to teach 1st graders -- they're so cute!

Sherry said...

Your finishes are lovely and I love the house you did in memory of your MIL. It will bring special memories of her for you to cherish. My thoughts are still with you and your family during this time.

Yvonne..... said...

You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Take care Faye and let me know if there is anything I can do. I'm here!

I also wanted to tell you that I LOVE your BBD Anniversary of the Heart sampler. Your way of stitching the pieces together is so nice! You will need to bring this to MB so I can see it in person. It is just lovely!!

Cindy's Stitching said...

Sorry about your loss.

Deborah said...

Your BBD series is beautiful and the way you did the house for your MIL is a wonderful tribute.

Sherry :o) said...

your stitching looks like it's helping you move along. There are so many things to go through and emotions that need to be felt. You sound like you are making progress. Keep taking care of yourself and family taking care of each other....

Berit said...

Lovely stitching, Faye--I agree with you completely on the Autumnal feel of Simple Joys-- and I love your random order of AotH piece stitching; it's a beautiful WiP, and a lovely way to memorialize the dear friend you had in your MiL. I've not seen this linen before; thanks for sharing

Catherine said...

Love your stitches and the way you made them yours. What a special way to remember Ada. May you find peace and comfort everytime you look at them.

Mary said...

Faye, your Anniversary piece is beautiful. How appropriate that you won the Family Sampler..a meaningful time for a special tribute to the family name.
Be assured that our thoughts and prayers remain with you and your family during this difficult time. May Ada rest in peace (*HUGS*)

FIONA said...

What a beautiful stitched memory you have worked for your dear Ada - it's gorgeous Faye and it's so lovely that you have personalised it to incorporate something about her. Great to see that stitching has soothed your soul and bought you through this time. Take care!

Nina said...

Faye, I'm so sorry about your lost. Take care!

The stitchings are gorgeous!

Lois said...

Your AoTH is beautiful Faye and I love the block that you completed for Ada - it's beautiful and will carry extra special memories. Love your LHN Simple Joys. It's such a pretty piece. Take care.

Shannon Thomas said...

Your stitching is just beautiful. That family sampler looks like it will be gorgeous when it is done. I have now added the Family Sampler to my want list.

I'm sorry for your loss!!

Happy Stitching

Shannon in PA

Carol R said...

I'm sorry for your loss.
It's lovely to hear how well you got on with your mother-in-law - so many people don't!

Peggy Lee said...

Beautiful finishes Faye. A lasting remembrance of your MIL.
There's something about little smiling faces that set the heart right.

Moreen said...

Your stitched pieces are both lovely and I love the family sampler.

Carol said...

It's good to see you back, Faye... I know that those dear little faces greeting your each morning will certainly help you get through this sad time. Ada sounds like such a special mother-in-law... I know you will always treasure your memories of her.

"Simple Joys" is just perfect for a summer-into-autumn stitch. Yours turned out beautifully and your BBD series--WOW! Just lovely... Enjoy that pretty new chart from Diane!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Your Simple Joys is gorgeous Faye, as is your Anniversaries of the Heart. LOVELY LOVELY!
I understand the pain of trying to put your life back together after a great loss such as yours. Smiling little faces of the innocents does help immeasurably! Thinking of you!

Katrina said...

What a sweet way to remember your MIL!!!

Congrats on the win and love the LHN piece too :-).

Meadows08 said...

So sorry for your loss Faye. I lost my grandmother last week so I can sympathize. Lovely stitching! Take care.

Cathy B said...

You've had rough couple of weeks. So sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. What a nice way to remember her - both Simple Joys and the BBD pieces are lovely.

Myra said...

Welcome back Faye! How sweet that you had those smiling faces to welcome you back and cheer you a bit. I love your finishes and your tribute to dear Ada is lovely.

Jan said...

You are a very very special lady, don't ever change!!

Your finishes and wips are just so lovely, I particularly love that Simple Joys too, and need to find the time to stitch it!

Take care hugs!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

The personalization you added to your Anniversaries of the Heart is very special.

I saw a glimpse of the Family Sampler today. It's a wonderful piece.

Joy said...

Faye, I am soo sorry for you loss. Your lovely stitched pieces for her shows just how special your relationship was. Keeping you in thoughts and prayers.

Your stitching is beautiful, as always. I have not started on BBD's series yet. What is the size of your fabby? I would like to put them all on one piece and make into a wall quilt...at least that is the plan! :-)

Brigitte said...

Your finishes are so very special here. The Anniversaries block is a wonderful tribute to your mother-in-law.
I wish you a very rewarding school year with your first graders.

Hazel said...

Your finishes look lovely and I love your BBD one. What a special memory piece that will be. x

Jane said...

Congrats on your Simple Joys finish and how sweet that your MIL loved the colour purple. When you look at it you'll be reminded of her, especially since you were stitching it at the time of her passing. My mother was stitching when her mother passed away and whenever she looks at what she was working on, dear memories fill her heart.

I love your BBD stitching and well done on your win! You deserve it. What a nice pick-me-up for you.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Hello your houses are simply magnificent!
Bravo to you

angelasweby said...

Faye hi,
I love the way you are weaving your love and memories of Ada into your stitching. She will always be with you in all sorts of little ways and that will be a huge comfort. Anniversaries of the Heart is really very beautiful, I love the colours and the way they all flow into each other.

Simple Joys is absolutely gorgeous too. Congratulations on your win, it's a really pretty sampler. BD and LHN must be my absolute favourite designers :>)

Take care and spoil yourself with some little treats and lots of relaxation. Emotionally you will be drained. Ada would definitely approve :>)
Angela xx

Kathy said...

My condolences and deepest sympathies for your loss. I have been so behind on my blog reading that I missed your sad news.
Using your stitching to remember your MIL in those pieces is a wonderful way to remember her. I have done similar pieces in memory of my Mom and continue to. They help.
Take care and know that you are in the thoughts of many during this time of sorrow.

Gail said...

Faye, I'm just catching up from being away, and find this beautiful memorial to Ada on your blog. Such a beautiful and touching way to commemorate her. Let the stitching bring peace & comfort to your heart as you stitch together the memories. I'm keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Beautiful stitching and your thoughtful way of pulling them all together make them all the more special. Love and hugs!

MyLifesAStitch said...

Wonderful finishes, Faye! And I love how you have personalized them to remind you of your MIL. I've been praying for you and will continue to do so.... I lost my own sweet MIL last year, and like you, I adored her (we are so blessed aren't we?)...

Shelleen said...

Your pieces all look wonderful, as usual.

reneexstitch said...

Hello Sweet Faye,

I have been gone from the cross stitch world since February of this year. I have had so much happen to me. I just started back stitching the past few days. I immediately went to your blog first to motivate me to stitch. I couldn't remember the last time we corresponded. I saw your sorrow posting and I wanted to pass on heartfelt love and prayers to you. I just lost my father-in-law 3 weeks ago tomorrow. We were sooooo close and he was extremely sick the past few months. I spoke at his funeral. I miss him but I know I will see him again on the other side. I gave Mr. McCord a stitched piece of hummingbirds last Christmas. He loved to watch them out his window. The piece is still hanging beside his side of the bed. I feel your pain and understand your loss. Some of us are blessed to have in-laws that are truly awesome :)
All my love to you, Renee McCord-Manning, SC

Siobhán said...

Faye, I am so so sorry to hear about your mother in-law. She sounds like a very special lady, and I am sure her loss will resonate with you for a long time. I hope that the good memories and love she had for all of you will bring you comfort. The block you did in memory of her is beautiful. Love your Simple Joys finish, too. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you deal with your loss.

Carolyn NC said...

I'm so glad you have so many precious memories of your sweet MIL. Now your "Anniversaries" will be that much more treasured. Take care - keeping you in thought and prayer.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

just catching up. I'm so sorry to hear of the death in your family. Prayers are with you and your family.
Your stitching is always beautiful and I agree and love LHN too!

Jennifer

Diane Williams said...

Faye. . . . . I am so glad the "Simple Joys" brought you a bit of happiness during your time of grief. Isn't it wonderful how simple things can be so comforting. . . . . .

Diane
LHN