A Big Finish (for me anyway!)

Yes, I have a finish--and it's something just a bit larger than the ornament-sized pieces I typically share with you... May I present "Nature's Alphabet" by Elizabeth's Designs all stitched up and ready to be framed. I began this piece in late December of 2011 and should have had it finished by late January of this year, but those little creations that I'm so fond of making just kept getting in the way! I truly enjoyed stitching each little letter and the specialty stitches (Rhodes, Smyrna, and lots of Satin stitches) really make each tiny square special. Don't you just want to sit and pet those cute ewes with their white satin-stitched wooly coats?

Below are some more of my favorite squares (I also showed you close-ups of others back in this January post). We have "Z" for Zinnias, "X" for Xmas Tree, "V" for Violets, "K" for King's Cup,and "B" for bees.

Nature's Garden is stitched on my perennial favorite fabric: 32 ct. flax Belfast Linen--I just love that stuff and tend to turn to it for any larger design. I used the suggested DMC with one exception: I changed the border color around each square to DMC 3828--I just found the DMC 3829 too "brassy" looking for my taste. The only part that "dragged" a bit was all of that green backstitching between each of the squares. I swear I could have stitched that design in my sleep by the time I was finished!! But, it adds so much to the look of the finished piece, don't you think?

The only other change I made was to add some pretty beads to the nest for the eggs. After all, what is a nest without those delicate, robin's egg blue eggs? The white beads on the Christmas tree, the black "bee" beads, and the little Mill Hill Treasure beads (garnet colored tulip in my initials square and frosted white hare in the "H" square) all add nice dimension to this finish, as well.

Nature's Alphabet
32 ct. flax Belfast linen
DMC threads
Mill Hill Beads & Treasures

So, how was everyone's Easter? I had a wonderful surprise which truly made my day. Only one of my sons was able to be here for the day, but guess who came to visit and is staying for the entire week? My dear mother--the first time she's been able to visit my home in nearly five years! The last time she was here was June of 2007 when my youngest son graduated from high school... Caring for my dad, moving north from Florida, and cleaning out and preparing two houses for sale have left her with a huge need for a break and what better place to get some much-needed rest and a bit of pampering than at her oldest daughter's house? I am loving having her here to shop with, play Scrabble with, and just plain relax with.

You see, I never had the luxury of living near my mom. In my nearly 35 years of marriage, we've seen each other only a handful of times each year. During some of those crazy-busy years when my husband and I had three growing boys to raise, I only saw her and my dad a couple times a year. I always envied mothers and daughters I saw lunching together or strolling down the street pushing babies in strollers. Are you are lucky enough to have your mom living nearby? If so, count your blessings... I know I'm going to enjoy every second of my mom's unexpected visit this week!

There is still time to enter my giveaway on my April 1st post only. I'm so pleased with the number of you who have shown interest in it already! Sure wish I had something for everyone, but, hopefully five of you will be happy. The drawing is open until midnight EST on Saturday, April 14th... I'll announce the winners sometime next week. Best of luck to all!

This has to be the shortest post you've had from me in ages!! I may actually get a few more readers who make it through the whole post this time! Wishing my newest followers a warm welcome--so glad you're here! Thank you again for your meaningful comments, emails, and support...I truly appreciate each and every one. I'll be back next week with the winners of my giveaways and a couple of small finishes I think you'll enjoy! Bye for now...