Hello from Vacationland

Plain Jane flower... Pistiled and stamened (I think I made up those words)...
The finished product, unironed, but freshly finished...

We are far, far from home, enjoying a few days in another atmosphere. We arrived after 1 AM, so that threw our whole schedule out the proverbial window right from the get go.

If you're awake, you're probably wondering what the above pictures have to do with vacationing. Very astute of you!

Way back (when I only had 3 children) my sister lived right next door to me. Well, she actually moved in the day my 4th was born....really! On a pre-birth-to-#4 trip to a craft store, I ooo'd and aaahh'd over the above cross stitch kit. I love signs that have "welcome" on them. They're all over my house.

Unbeknownst to moi, my sister bought it that very day, and started cross stitching it. The year was 1993. It's on a very small ecru evenweave fabric (translation for non-cross-stitchers: the most difficult stitching to do!).

YEARS later, when I was visiting her for the birth of her 3rd child, she casually opened a drawer and asked, "Would you like to finish this?" She pulls out the partially finished cross stitch. That was the first I knew that she had been working on it for me. As far as I recall, about 2/3 of the cross stitches were finished (well, she had been working on it for 4 years). That was about 11 years ago!! (My sister just emailed me today, 7/10/08 and told me it was indeed '97!!)

My daughter, Emily (of former piecing fame), finished the cross stitching and all the back stitch, except for the flower stamens and pistils French knots and backstitching. Somewhere along the winding, dusty trail, the stitched picture, threads, and directions had been separated. Then they were found...then lost again!!

Well, I am thrilled to announce that this AM, the picture--she's finished! That was my vacation goal, and I'm happy to say it has been reached.

I will have this matted and framed after we get home (when Hobby Lobby has a 50% off framing coupon, of course!). Even after all these years (my 4th-born child is now 15), I still like this picture! Good thing the name is still correct ;)

~Joan