Monday, May 14, 2012

Two Finishes on a Special Day

Wow! Isn't it hard to believe we are almost half-way through the merry, merry month of May? I hope your month is going well and you're managing to fit some stitching time in on top of all the gardening and outside chores that seem to demand so much of our attention this time of year. I only have two small finishes to share with you, both of which will become part of my bowl of May smalls which I've been slowly working on...




First up, is this darling spring scene from Prairie Schooler's Book No. 69: "A Prairie Village I." When I saw this, I knew it was the perfect thing for me because of the pond and the swimming swans. As most of my long time readers know, our backyard pond is a constant attraction for birds--especially herons and ducks (no, we've never had a swan!!). I just loved everything about this one--even that crazy looking creature racing up the tree. Is it a mutant squirrel or a crazy fox? My middle son thought it resembled a tiny horse!


I've always loved small yellow houses, so the only change I made to this chart's suggested DMC colors was to make the house a bit more yellow by substituting DMC 676. It is stitched "over one" on cream Monaco fabric (can't say enough how easy it is to stitch over one on Monaco--I love that stuff!). I had originally thought of a gingham fabric to pair with the toffee colored ric rak, but when I held the yellow and brown polka dot material up to my stitching, I knew I had found the perfect accent. Thanks to my dear friend, Lois, who sent this fun fabric to me last year--I'm so happy I finally found a lovely use for it.

I think the little squirrels that visit my yard are much cuter than the one in my stitching, don't you? They've had the best time all spring sitting under the bird feeder and hungrily chowing down on all the seed spilled by their feathered friends! Sometimes, the ducks even waddle the 50 yards from the pond to the bird feeder and join in on the fun. Partners in crime, I'd say! Just look at that sneaky cardinal (in the photo on the right) tilting the bird feeder so the food drops down to his pals the ducks...Mr. Duck is always so protective and watchful while Mrs. Duck eats first--a perfect gentleman!

May 14, 2012...a very special event happened 85 years ago today. My dear mother came into this world and quickly became the apple of her father's eye! In honor of mom and her birthday month, I stitched this little Lily of the Valley pillow. You see, when I was growing up and learning to bake, one of my favorite things to make was cakes. Mom's birthday cake, since it fell in mid-May, always included Lily of the Valley and tiny purple violets sprinkled over the top. Lily of the Valley will forever remind me of my sweet mom. I'll be thinking of you today, mom, and hoping you have a most ♫♪♫ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♫♪♫ !!



This is a freebie from Les Chroniques de Frimousse which you can find by clicking here. As you can see (if you look at the original chart), I substituted the lady bugs that were charted for some pale pink Algerian Eye stitches with pink beads sewn in the middle. I just wanted a more feminine, spring look...I've always loved gray and pink as a color combination, so I stitched this on 32 ct. gray touchstone linen with the DMC colors white, 225, and 367. I tufted it in the center with a square shell button, turned it on the diagonal, added some handmade cording and a soft pink ribbon and...voilà! A beautiful ornament in honor of my beautiful mom...

Best Laid Plans...Do you ever have days when all your plans go out the window all because of a single event? Well, we had one of those this past Saturday. It all started with what was supposed to be a quick trip to a plant sale that a local garden club was having. After we purchased some geraniums, snapdragons, and petunias, we made our way to Lowe's to buy some ferns to hang on our front porch. Once there, our plans for the entire day suddenly changed when we both fell in love with this wispy Japanese Maple tree. Once we got the tree home, we realized, that in order to showcase it, we would have to dig up our entire patio garden and move and divide, all of the plants and rocks (except the ferns growing against the fence and the hydrangea which remained in their old locations). Whew! What a job... But, we are so pleased with the result! We still have a few "bare spots" to fill in, but it makes us smile every time we look out at it... Below you can see a collage of all of our hard work after it was freshly mulched and watered.. The Japanese Maple tree is now a lovely focal point in our garden and I can even enjoy it from my kitchen window while washing the dishes.


Purples and pink blooms seem to be popping up all over our yard this month...Below are two varieties of Clematis, Korean lilacs, chive blossoms, and a bright fuchsia rhododendron (complete with a buzzing bumble bee). What a glorious time of year!




I hope all of you moms out there had a lovely Mother's Day yesterday.. Only my middle son was able to visit (the oldest was enroute to Canada where he spends half of each month working on a wind energy project for the province of New Brunswick and the youngest was hard at work in Washington, DC.), but one is better than none, right? I received some very sweet gifts (oldest son's gift is a new eggplant colored iPad case which hasn't arrived yet and my middle son gifted me with a 123 Stitch gift certificate-yippee!!) and lovely flowers (the yellow blooms are from my oldest son and the fuchsia and white arrangement came from my youngest). I'm so proud to be your mom, guys--thanks for all the smiles you've brought me through the years.


I thought all of you would really enjoy seeing a close-up of the cute card that my middle son picked out for Mother's Day. Perfect for us stitchers wouldn't you say? I just love it and think it is so thoughtful of him to choose a card that reflected my love of stitching!






I also want to thank a new blogging friend, Barb, who sent me a gift representative of her beautiful state of Washington. Isn't this the prettiest coffee mug ever? I just love the pretty umbrella covered figures, Barb, and plan on taking it to work with me to use in my office. If you haven't visited Barb's "Wicked Stitcher" blog yet, head on over--she has some lovely stitching as well as the prettiest nature pictures of her beautiful state. Thank you again, my friend--your gift is almost too pretty to use (almost!).

Looks like a busy week ahead for me with more work hours than normal, a mandatory In-Service Day, and then a trip up to New York to clean out my childhood home which was recently sold (in less than a week!). I'm sure that will be a very bittersweet time for me and my siblings...I get pretty misty-eyed just thinking about saying goodbye to it and the small town where I spent so many happy years. Wish me luck...

I want to thank each of you for stopping by to visit me today; I wish you a week filled with smiles and time for stitching! Bye for now...

99 comments:

  1. That's one of my favourite PS scenes ever - you've done such a great job on it, well done! Happy Birthday to your mother, the pillow is so pretty.

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  2. Carol, congratulations to your mother for her birthday.
    You have a beautiful garden, that means hours of work, but worth seeing so cute.
    We have been very nice the two cushions, and the yellow house is very nice.
    Hope you do not empty your very painful childhood home.
    Do not get tired a lot with the extra work.
    Kisses.

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  3. Your Japanese Maple is just gorgeous! I can see why you fell in love with it and rearranged your garden to put it in the right spot.

    I'll be thinking of you as you say goodbye to your childhood home...

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  4. Oh my goodness! So many things to comment on that I am overwhelmed ... lol! Your gardens are gorgeous as are your stitchings & finishings & all your photos actually! I loved seeing the birds & squirrels : ) I too have special memories of lilies of the valley. I planted some last year & they look like they are growing well now. I am looking forward to them blooming ... hopefully : ) Happy Birthday to your mom! What lovely gifts you received! Best of luck clearing out your childhood home. I know you will be flooded with memories.

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  5. I love your PS pillow! Just gorgeous! Lovely gift for your mom too -- happy birthday to her! Sweet gifts from your boys too. Love that mug from Barb! I hope cleaning out your childhood home isn't too difficult. Such things are never easy. Best of luck with it.

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  6. Beautiful finishes and lovely photos. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Wow, I LOVE your PS small finish. I never thought of doing them this way. It's so pretty. Well-done! :) Cathryn

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  8. Love your little pillow.
    Love the garden,ours is a work in progress at the moment.Plus i had a mad moment and started a veggie patch.Should have stuck to just doing stitching. ;)

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  9. Your PS finish is pretty! The yellow you chose is very cheerful. What a sweet way to honor your mom's birthday! It's funny how garden projects grow like that, but the Japanese Maple is beautiful!

    I hope cleaning out your childhood home is not too difficult.

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  10. Love the finishes and the tree is beautiful. I have one too. Once they begin to grow, they really take off.

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  11. Your gardens are so pretty! I have a Japanese Maple out my dining room window and enjoy seeing it all day, wish it was 3 times bigger! Your little pillows are so cute, can hardly wait to see your Christmas ornaments for the year, I wonder were they are......

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  12. What a wonderful post, Carol! I adore your Lily of the Valley ornament. The gray and pink is so beautiful.

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  13. Hi Carol!
    I love your Japanese maple tree! Wait untill autumn arrives ... they change sooo beautifully in colour!
    I adore your new goodies (especially the house)! It's always fun imagining what you're going to stitch for the next month I suppose :-) I'm curious to see what you're going to come up next with for June (or maybe another May piece)!?
    I think I'm going to check if the PS chart 69 is still available! ;-)
    Have a nice week!
    Ann

    P.S.: Your gifts were lovely ... what thoughtfull sons you have!

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  14. What a great post! Your Japanese Maple Tree is beautiful. We found one last summer at Home Depot, had to have it and it is gorgeous too! The bark is bright red before the leaves come out - stunning! You have a beautiful garden - I always love to enjoy the pictures you share of your yard-what a treat! Gardens are fun, and I can appreciate how much work you put into them. Lovely!!!

    I love your cross-stitch/and finishes - you are so clever and talented! thanks for sharing these photos. Looks like you had a very Happy Mother's Day, too!

    Happy Birthday to your Mom and best wishes for all the hard work of cleaning out your childhood home. I'm sure there will be so many memories that will come flooding back to you.

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  15. Two beautiful finishes! Hope it is more sweet then bitter when you go up to your childhood home. x

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  16. oh thank you for sharing again :D...i love your 'new' tree, have always wanted one...your stitching is wonderful and inspirational as usual! have a great week

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  17. Great post! Love the new tree, it's beautiful and so is the rest of the garden!

    The little yellow house pillow is adorable! Love the fabric you chose to finish it and the finish for your mom is sweet too.

    Have a wonderful week!

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  18. What sweet May finishes! Love the yellow house and of course those lily of the valley! Perfect!

    The new tree looks lovely in it's new home. I'm sure you will enjoy it for years to come.

    Good luck with the clean out. I know it will be a mixed emotion day. Remember the happy times! Hugs.

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  19. Carol, I love the adorable PS pillow. That squirrel makes me giggle. I think I have some of his relatives living in my yard. I like the lily of the valley pillow. My mom was born in May, too, and I think of her when I see them! So nice to hear that you were thought of on Mother's day. What lovely sons you have!

    Have a blessed day!

    Tricia

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  20. Belated Happy Mother's Day Carol!

    Your stitching is just beautiful as it always is! I have a few Lily of the Valley charts to stitch - maybe next year! I love your little yellow house stitch with the lovely pond and swans. Hope you have a good week ahead!

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  21. Lovely stitching,love the yellow and gorgeous flowers from your sons:) and your card is perfect.
    I hope all goes well at your old family home and as well as misty eyes I am sure there will be smiles and happy memories :):) Take care.

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  22. First, happy birthday wishes being sent to your Mom! You have created two more lovely finishes especially the PS one with the pond and critters!

    I love the pictures of your garden and your new tree! It looks fabulous.

    Robin in Virginia

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  23. Another two beautiful finishes!! That yellow house is too cute!!!
    Your garden is gorgeous!! And happy birthday to your mom~

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  24. Happy Birthday to your Mom! Your finishes are beautiful. Love the PS pillow and your garden is just glorious! Have a great week Carol!

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  25. Your PS pillow looks wonderful. Love your Japanese Maple tree... well worth all that effort to rearrange your garden.

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  26. I hope that things go very well for you "back at home". Your sons are the best. What a pretty, pretty garden. I LOVE those ferns. Are they Ostrich Ferns?

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  27. Such cute finishes, love 'em. Thanks for sharing the pictures from around the yard during this beautiful time of year. Wishing you laughter and tears of joy as all the old memories come back while cleaning out your childhood home.

    Judy-heartland stitcher

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  28. What a wonderful garden! For one living surrounding of buildings it is always a pleasure to peek at somebody's garden! Your kids do love their mom, even away they do remember!!! Hope all goes well with he childhood memories (difficult to handle for sure)!
    Hugs

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  29. Carol -- Your PS pillow finish is just darling. LOVE that little yellow house too:)

    Your gardening rearranging came out just beautiful. A lot of work but oh so worth it!

    Glad you had a nice Mother's Day and Happy Birthday to your Mom.

    Good luck with cleaning out your childhood home. It is very hard to do but you will enjoy remembering all the good times you had there:)

    HUGS to you.

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  30. Hi Carol,
    Congratulatio for your MOm!!!
    A big kiss!!

    You have so pretty garden, I love the pictures, with the flowers and th tree!!!
    The two finishes are beautiful,
    perfect for may.
    Thanks

    Have a wonderful week with your family! ;-)

    kisses from Spain,

    eljardindemiduende ^^

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  31. Very pretty ornaments, Carol. And your garden is always lovely with all the flowers and critters...I love it!
    Beautiful gifts from your boys, and hope all goes well saying goodbye to your old home.
    Have a wonderful day!
    Ana Paula.

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  32. Beautiful finishes. I think the pillow is so pretty :)
    Have a great week dear Carol :)
    Happy Birthday to your mom :)
    ((hugs))

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  33. Such cute stitching! Your Mom is so lucky to have you making such pretty things for her (not to mention being such a big helper!)

    Maybe your sons weren't there, but they sure sent loving sentiments and that counts for a lot.

    Love that pretty mug. It's raining here today so that would be very appropriate!

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  34. Such neat finishes, as always! The gray and pink is adorable. Japanese maples were my dad's favorite. By the yard you can tell that they were often gifts when we couldn't think of anything else. Happy to hear your Mother's Day was celebrated with such beauty and great gifts! Wow - what a quick sale. My thoughts are with you!

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  35. Beautiful finishes and great photos. Thanks for showing!
    Your garden is wonderful!
    Hugs

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  36. I love your finishes, and the pictures of your garden. It's really beautiful.

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  37. Looks like you had a great Mother's Day! I just love your little PS pillow finish. The fabric and trim are just perfect for the yellow house.

    happy stitching....

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  38. Belated Happy Mother's Day Carol! It looks like you had a lovely one. Happy Birthday to your Mom!
    I love your PS finish. I love using elements of the designs like you have for this pillow.
    The yard looks lovely. I love your Japanese Maple.
    Have a wonderful week!

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  39. Carol - Your PS finish is wonderful - I love your fabric accent colors - and I must vote for mutant squirrel in the tree! I love your acer - worth spending an afternoon to showcase that beauty!

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  40. Carol you stitch and finish the sweetest things! What a beautiful garden! Mine is still very drab!

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  41. Carol another wonderful post, love all your stitching, you have a great flair for colours and the way you always pick just the right materials.
    You make me laugh about the tree and changing all your garden we do this all the time.
    Your plants and garden look beautiful, also love the photos of the wildlife.
    Have a wonderful week my friend.

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  42. Carol!

    Your new maple tree is so pretty and I love what you did with your garden!!! Lots of lovely blooms happening in your garden!! Such sweet little designs you stitched up. I'm loving the ducks in the PS and that strange fox/squirrel? running up the tree! What a lovely lily of the valley pillow you made for your mom! Happy Birthday to her!!! You have very sweet and loving sons! Happy Mother's Day!!

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  43. lovely garden! and your cross stitch projects look so wonderful! You're right about the squirrel: he's way to big compared to the rest of the design:-)

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  44. ohhh that little pillow is gorgeous with the yellow fabbie :)well done on the mothers day goodies and the wee ornament you did for your mum is lovely too ...
    and ooooooo with the garden ...looks lovely :)
    good luck with the sorting of your childhood home .... love mouse xxxxx

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  45. LOVE the pillow! The pattern with the fabric is perfect! Love when stash items work out perfectly.

    The maple looks great but I completely understand what you mean when you say you end up giving a day - ugh! At least it was worth it.

    I got a kick out of the card your son picked out. Too perfect!

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  46. Your finishes are adorable! I especially like the PS one.

    Your flowers are beautiful. My Mom has a Japanese Maple, too. Can I dig up my ferns and replant them at this time of year?

    Happy Belated Mother's Day. Your boys did great even if they all couldn't be there. I took my Mom out for sushi.

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  47. My dear Carol, I howled with laughter when I read about your gardening "adventure" this past weekend! It might seem abnormal reaction to some, but I've done the same thing in the past though on a lesser scale because our garden is much smaller in comparison to yours! That's why now my DH has me on a leash, figuratively speaking of course!

    You have a lovely garden and the photos speak of such a wonderful place to escape to!

    The stitching - I love the PS yellow house and how you finished it. You made a sweet piece for your mom too!

    I think you also did pretty well with gifts from 3 very thoughtful "boys"!

    Good luck with your busy week and the clean-out!

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  48. Happy Birthday to your mom Carol! I hope that she has a fantastic day and I am sure she will love it!

    And I love that sweet PS finish! You're a pro at this finishing stuff now. Love it!

    I hope that things go well with the cleanout. I am sure it will be bittersweet. *hugs*

    Love the new japanese maple! Aren't they so pretty? We have one in my apt building and it's lovely with it's tiny little flowers.

    Glad you had a Happy Mothers' Day filled with pretty flowers and lovely gifts!

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  49. Lol :)
    I first didn't see the 'squirrel' on your stitching...shame on me =)
    you've been blessed for Mother's day, here it will be on June the 3rd only, it's late this year ! fortunately it gives me more time to finish my chickadees whihch will ,I hope, turn into a such beautiful cushion as the one you did again =D
    I love both, and the one you did in honor of your Mum is wonderful
    Happy birthday to her, hope she is well and that you'll meet soon
    big hugs from France
    and I loooove your card :)

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  50. Hi Carol, I love that yellow house and as usual your finishing is so lovely! I think all that yard work was worth while, it looks wonderful. It looks like a great place to read a good book or stitch!The Lilly -of-the-valley brought back some happy memories. I too, have a May birthday. (Tell Your Mom happy birthday from another May B-Day person.) My MIL used to pick me a lovely bouquet of them each year on my birthday. I will be thinking of you doing your difficult house clearing. Those kinds of jobs are never easy! Finally, thanks so much for the nice things you said about my blog!

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  51. Hi Carol - Clearly I've been away from blogging too long, but nothing has changed - I still love reading your posts!! Loving your May stitching, especially the Lily of the Valley. Your gardening project is fantastic, I love your little maple, the leaves are almost all off the little maple at my front door :-( Winter is here and it is getting cold! So lovely to 'visit' you again, take care...Nicky xx

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  52. It's hard to believe that we are almost half-way through the year!!! :p

    hahahah I bet on a mutant squirrel!!! LOL
    I always love to see your pillows =) Another lovely finish, again :D Such a special gift for your mom =) So cute, beautiful color combination :)

    Ohhh even away, your sons know well how to make you smile!!! :D Good boys ;)
    I can see you had a lovely Mother's Day, I'm happy for you my sweet friend!!
    Hugs&smiles

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  53. Love your PS pillow n the Lily of the Valley ornament, they are gorgeous!

    Your garden is so beautiful, love that Maple Tree and all those flowers!

    Wonderful gifts from your sons!

    Hugs,

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  54. Happy belated birthday to your mom!

    I love all of your finishes - they are all beautiful; I think that is definitely a mutant squirrel in the first one - get a look at the size of the head on that one!

    Your Japanese maple tree is lovely!

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  55. I love your little yellow house! I've never stitched on Monaco..I must try it! That's a great mug! It's very pretty.
    All the work in the garden paid off though it looks so serene.

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  56. Your garden is beautiful. Love the Japaneses Maple tree. The PS pillow is so cute and the fabric is perfect.

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  57. Two gorgeous finishes. Your garden and plants look beautiful. I have a japanese maple in a pot and love it. I have some lily of the valley in my garden that came from my Nan's garden so they are very special to me.

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  58. Beautiful finishes lovely home, and wow what a lot of blogs you are having incredible !!!

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  59. Hi Carol

    Beautiful stitching as always. Love the PS yellow house - so bright and cheery.

    Your Mum and my Great Uncle are birthday twins. He was also born on 14 May 1927. :-) He is already planning his 90th party (he was telling me this on Facebook! lol). I hope your Mum had a very lovely day.

    My parent's neighbours have a Japanese maple - it is a stunning red colour at the moment (since it is autumn down here).

    I love the card your son gave you for Mother's day. It is perfect!

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  60. Hi Carol

    Beautiful stitching as always. Love the PS yellow house - so bright and cheery.

    Your Mum and my Great Uncle are birthday twins. He was also born on 14 May 1927. :-) He is already planning his 90th party (he was telling me this on Facebook! lol). I hope your Mum had a very lovely day.

    My parent's neighbours have a Japanese maple - it is a stunning red colour at the moment (since it is autumn down here).

    I love the card your son gave you for Mother's day. It is perfect!

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  61. I love your PS finish Carol, so glad you were able to use the fabric for it and have to say it looks perfect! I'm glad you had a nice Mother's Day and happy birthday to your mum! I hope all goes well on your trip to clear out your childhood home. I know what an emotional journey that will be for you. I love your Japanese maple. I know you had to do alot of work to find the perfect spot but it looks wonderful!

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  62. Your garden looks beautiful. I hope you're managing to get out there and enjoy it, we've been having rotten weather lately.
    I look forward to seeing what you purchase with your 123 certificate. That truly is a very thoughtful card.
    I love your PS pillow! We don't get many yellow houses here in the UK.
    Best wishes.

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  63. Of course I love your pillow, but all your other things are just as pretty! You'll love the Japanese Maple. We planted one by our front door 17 years ago and although it's not taller, it's so wide and pretty! Your backyard, garden area looks so peaceful. I bet you enjoy every minute of it. I can't wait to have our waterfall, pond area redone. They are supposed to start this week! What thoughtful sons! Makes parenting worthwhile, huh?? LOL Don't work too hard on the packing up. Enjoy the memories along the way.

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  64. Happy Birthday wishes to your mom Carol, I hope she had a lovely Birthday. lily of the valley reminds me of my late mother in law, she always had scented things that smelt of that, such a powerful smell.
    The spotty dotty fabric is perfect for the cute ornament, another fabulous addition to your collection.
    Beautiful gifts from your boys, they obviously love you very much.
    Your garden is beautiful, the maple is a lovely tree.
    Best wishes xxx

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  65. Happy Mother's Day Carol and Happy Birthday to your Mom! Your finishes are great and your flowers are just so beautiful. Good luck cleaning the house. my parents also still live in my childhood home and that is something I do not look forward too when it happens. Where are your parents moving too? Still in Canandaiqua?
    Take Care

    Maureen

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  66. When my son grows up, I want him to be just like your boys! What wonderful kids (okay, young grownups) you have raised. Your yard looks lovely - I really enjoy seeing glimpses of your home. Maybe you should think about adding a swan to that pond of yours, though for now your stitched swan makes a nice stand-in. My mom's birthday is in May too (next week). I send birthday wishes to yours. I'll be thinking of you next week and sending you strength and fond memories.

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  67. Beautiful finishes Carol. That yellow house is just so cute. I agree that May seems to be flying by. Lovely garden pictures that remind me I need to be out working on mine. :o)

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  68. Carol, your post was so inspiring to read! First of all, I love, love, love your little Prairie Schooler finish!! I am a big fan of PS designs and own many of them, but sad to say not this one... :( You finished it up beautifully too.

    Your new tree and landscaping is beautiful. I can appreciate all the hard work you put into your outdoor project.

    Glad you had a wonderful Mother's Day.

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  69. Beautiful finishing and you always choose such sweet things to stitch! Your garden looks like a lovely, relaxing place to spend time. Wonderful gifts from your sons and lucky you, a gift certificate! :)

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  70. Oh yes, the yellow polka dot fabric is just perfect for the design. I think the squirrel looks more like a fox than a squirrel. LOL! What a lovely way to honor your mum. Beautiful lily-of-the-vally ornie :)

    I can see why you brought the Japanese Maple tree home. It's beautiful. Your garden is so pretty.

    Hugs,
    Veronica.

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  71. Very pretty finishes Carol ! Love the little yellow house! Glad you had a nice Mothers day ! Your yard looks fabulous !

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  72. Love your little yellow house! Hope you had a nice mother's day, and your flower beds look great!

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  73. Very pretty finishes!!!! I'd keep an eye on that squirrel in the tree though - he seems a bit cheeky to me. lol

    What a perfect card for a stitcher!! You can really tell how much thought he put into it. :)

    Kudos to you for all the garden work. I really loathe that sort of thing. The bugs. *shudder* Can't deal with the bugs. :(

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  74. So adorable! You are the Queen of pillow finishing!

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  75. Hi Carol,
    I don't know how I always manage to miss your newest posts, but somehow I do~lol.
    Love your darling finish of the yellow house, etc. and yes, that is a strange looking animal in the tree! ha

    My MIL just celebrated her 74th b'day on May 14th too! I also know 2 other people born on the 14th and my Dad's was on the 10th-he's 91!! Oldest son on the 2nd!

    Anyway, I always get inspired when I see your latest stitching~beautiful as usual!!!

    Tanya

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  76. Beautiful finishes Carol and I love the rick rack as I like to use them also.
    Your backyard look so welcoming and all your planting and flowers and the gifts are all beautiful.
    TFS.
    Hugs,
    Jackie

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  77. Carol, what beautiful finishes! Love the PS and how special that the other will always remind you of your mom. A very Happy Birthday to her as well!
    Your gardens look beautiful! My husband and I are fond of Jpanese Maples as well. There are so many different varieties!
    Love your flowers and card from your sons ~ so very pretty. And that coffee mug is awesome! Great colors and design.

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  78. I LOVE your new finishes, especially the Lily of the Valley! Your garden is gorgeous!! I love Japanese Maples! Glad you had a great Mother's day!

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  79. Hi Carol
    I discovered today your blog and I did loved it!!!
    Your pilows are so perfect and your pictures are so great!!!
    Congratulations!!!!!!
    hugs
    Lia

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  80. Oh, how I love these Prairie Village scenes by TPS, both charts are just beautiful. No wonder that you fell in love with this little yellow house. And the finishing is so perfect for it. I plan to stitch all the little village houses and scenes when I have more time for stitching - meaning when I'll be retired.
    What a wonderful garden make-over. It was definitely worth all the trouble.
    Enjoy your gifts that you received for Mother's Day.

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  81. You always show such beautiful pieces. Well done!

    Oh, wanted to tell you I've opened my old blog. I'd love to have you there.

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  82. both pieces are so pretty. the yellow house is adorable. your yard is looking good and the pictures of the animals are so cute. How nice all of your boys remembered you.

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  83. Another amazing post Carol - I want to comment on so many things I feel I ought to write a list for myself! lol.
    We recently bought a Japanese Acer. In fact the children bought it for my DH for his birthday. We have put it in a large pot for now until we decide what to do with it! Your garden is looking beautiful. The changes you have made are stunning. You put such thought into the placing of each plant/tree/shrub. We kind of just 'throw them in' and hope for the best! We have recently had some bad weather (this is the UK after all!) and overnight frosts have seen off all of our geraniums. On a more positive note, the clematises that we have are thriving in the wet weather!
    When my parents sold my nanna's house I was left heartbroken. I realised we couldn't keep it as a shrine to my grandparents, but we had so many amazing memories of the house I couldn't bare to think of another family living there. I often pass it now, some 8 years later, and the family have made many - positive - changes. I'm so pleased that they seem to be happy there.
    Your stitching is, as usual, so beautifully finished. You have a real 'eye' for colours that complement each other. I'm not a huge fan of yellow, but your PS house is really lovely.

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  84. Oh very nice pictures !!
    bisous de FRANCE

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  85. Hola, acabo de encontrarme con tu blog, y me ha encantado, por lo que me hago seguidora tuya.
    El diseño es muy sencillo; pero elegante, ahora bien, lo que más me ha gustado, es la terminación en almohadoncito. Me encantannnnnnn estos tipos de terminaciones. Un saludo, y si lo deseas te invito a que veas mis blogs, que son de punto de cruz, fieltro y Tildas

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  86. I love so much your little Prairie Schooler pincushion.

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  87. That PS is adorable!! I love the change you made to make the house more yellow. Nice pincushion in honor of your mom, too. :) Happy belated birthday to her! I'm glad that you had such a good Mother's Day!

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  88. I love your perfect finishing on 'A Prairie Village'. The colours are just wonderful with the coordinating fabric and Rik Rak.

    Your yard and gardens are so lovely, and the birds,ducks and squirrels must live very happily there:)
    Wishing your dear Mother a very Happy Birthday. She must have been so delighted with the lovely 'Lily of the Valley' ornament you stitched for her too. Thinking of you as you and your siblings go to sort out your childhood home.

    Blessings!

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  89. What a(nother) wonderful post, Carol!! I love catching up with you blog - even if it is nearly a week since your post, LOL!

    I love your PS piece, and the one you stitching for your mother's birthday. :)

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  90. I love your PS pillow and thanks for the tip on the Monaco fabric. I have never tried it but have made a mental note to look for it online.
    The Lily of the Valley design is just perfect and so beautifully stitched and finished.
    LOVE the card your son so thoughtfully picked out for you :)
    Your garden is gorgeous and your new Japanese Maple was certainly worth all the work.
    Margaret

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  91. Dear Carol,
    my last weeks have been that busy, that I had to check first, whether I already left my comment here on your latest post or not.

    I love your TPS-pillow. It is so cute. I am really sad, that I knew TPS too short for having this wonderful older designs.
    The fabric correspond really wonderfully with the little cottage.
    Did you have a nice celebration on your mother's birthday? I hope so. All the best for your mom - expecially health and few sorrows!

    A very nice last week of May to you
    Hugs
    Hilda

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  92. So beautiful finishes Carol, and the PS house is such a lovely design. Like the fabric very much you used to finish it off.

    Oh, and your garden is so beautiful! Here the warm weather arrived and the grass that was green not long ago starts to turn into yellow, clear sign of summer arriving soon.

    And the mug you received is absolutely beautiful, I love mugs very much and this one is such a special one :)

    Have a great weekend,
    Edit

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  93. The pillow is so beautiful...
    Is very perfect !
    ciao Pat

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  94. I just found your blog...

    Congratulations on your finishes they are lovely! I really like how you finished them.

    Your mug is great, I love having such special mugs around to use, they always make me smile.!

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  95. You're right, Carol! This Yellow house piece is the perfect design which reflected your yard after I see the photos of your yard. Ducks, squirrels (and yes, your squirrels are cuter.) pond, birds.. what a beautiful yard!

    I love both little pillows finished! Very beautiful and love the colors as well.

    Your middle son is so thoughtful, I love the card too. :) Enjoyed shopping in 123 stitch and happy stitching! I know how you feel when cleaning up and say goodbye to childhood home. Best wishes for all the cleaning work on your childhood home and I hope it will bring back lots of sweet memories. Have a safe trip to New York! :)

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  96. That yellow house is one of the cutest smalls I've even seen. The polka dot is perfect!

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  97. What a cute finish your made of that house, cute fabric, with that dots.

    hihi Mr. and Mrs Duck... hihih , beautifull pic's

    belated happy B-day to your mother
    Ow I love lily of the Valley, what a great memorie of your mother that will be, thanks for the freebie

    Wow what a wonderfull big garden do you have.. I want that too...hihihi... Wonderfull flowers, beautifull.. you can pic a lot from your garden
    Enjoy it every day!!

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  98. Happy very belated birthday to your mom, looks like a wonderful mothers day you had as well. As always your stitching is beautiful! Thanks for sharing all of the lovely photos.

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Hello! So glad you dropped in and thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I truly appreciate each and every one...I'm happy to try to answer any questions you may have, but please make sure to include your email address so I can get back to you...

Hope you have a wonderful day!
Carol