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Monday, December 7, 2009

A finish and two starts

I do love this holiday season that starts with Thanksgiving and glides into Christmas and then rolls into the promising New Year. So much to be thankful for and all of the little ways holiday season joy is shared with family and friends. No matter how bumpy the year was up to this point, it ends as a reminder of the goodness in life.

So, Sarah Tobias is finished and actually has been for awhile. I just haven't had much time to do the fun stuff on my computer. This was a fun piece to stitch and a forgiving one, too. A minor miscount doesn't ruin the design or require much unstitching. I will probably have her framed next year. Please just overlook the quality of the pictures. I think my aging camera is not long for this world.

Sarah Tobias

I was very excited to start Kind Fond Love by The Sampler Company. I went back and forth deciding whether to use Lakeside's Vintage Maritime White or just Maritime White and finally decided on the nonvintage. Here is my progress so far.
kind fond love

I just started Blackbird Designs' Merry Christmas from their Joyeaux Noel book. It is a joy to stitch. I'm having fun stitching it while I watch Christmas movies. I want to stitch Joyeaux Noel next year. And wouldn't the little Eiffel Tower stocking be cute to use as a gift container for a pair of earrings, necklace or other small gift?

Merry Christmas

I have been thinking a lot about this bowl. I adore this bowl. I cherish it deeply and it gives me so much pleasure to use it, and I've used it a lot during this cooking season. It was my grandmother's bowl. While I love the set of bone china she left me, I think if I had to choose (which I hope I never will!), I would keep this bowl. It's nothing fancy. It's a Homer Laughlin that she probably found a long time ago in a dime store. It never goes in my dishwasher and I store it in a safe place. The chip on its edge is no longer sharp but worn smooth from constant use. I know why she chose this bowl and used it frequently - it's cheerful with its green polka dots, scalloped edge and fading flowers in the center. My grandmother loved her family, flowers, feeding birds and homeless dogs. Her heart always had room for more. Every time I use it I remember the wonderful times spent in her home, the pecan sandies in her cookie jar, the Cokes in little bottles in her pantry, her big front porch with the swing, and the good Southern food she cooked.

favorite bowl

Now I'm off to catch up with blog reading. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone is stitching!

Have a wonderful week!

12 comments:

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your Sarah Tobias sampler is lovely. You're making progress on your two new starts. Your grandmother's bowl is so cheerful... I can see why you enjoy using it so much.

Margaret said...

I love the colors in your Sarah Tobias, Dona! Beautiful! And your WIPs -- love them too! You must be so happy to have such a special memento of your grandmother. It's wonderful to be reminded of her every time you use it.

Siobhán said...

Woohoo! Congratulations on a beautiful finish, Dona! I love the new start, too. I have wanted to stitch KFL for a long time... maybe 2010 will be the year for me. ;) Love the BBD start, too! BBDs are like candy--you can never have just one.

Your grandmother's bowl is so neat--it is priceless because of the memories that it brings to mind when you use it. :) It sounds like she was a wonderful woman.

Love the new blog look! What a beautiful background, but extra special is the pic of The Blessed Mother and her Son. Beautiful, especially today, the 8th of December. :)

Deb said...

I love that bowl. It reminds me of things that my grandmother had.

And I love your Sarah Tobias. What a fantastic finish. And you picked two great projects to work on.

Katrina said...

Sarah is gorgeous, congrats on the finish. I love both your new starts too.

What a pretty bowl, and so much more special because it was your grandmother's.

Michelle said...

Your Sarah is gorgeous!! Love how she turned out...I really need to stitch that one. And love your new start on KFL - I think the non-vintage was a good choice, it's beautiful!

The Scarlett House said...

Sarah is really very pretty, Dona. Love your new starts, too. Can never get enough of The Sampler Co. I need to do that one soon.
Your story of the bowl is very special. I love things that evoke cherished memories

Nicole said...

Sarah Tobias is beautiful Dona! Congrats on a great finish! :) Your wips are beautiful too. I love that bowl - it's so sweet. Definitely something to treasure! :)

Anonymous said...
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Unknown said...

Nice work Dona!

Love, the NICE sister

Jan said...

What a beautiful and cherished bowl, Dona...and I love your stitching all of it is magnificent!!

Dona said...

I have a nice sister???!!! Have I met her yet? (jk, little sister!)