Sunday, March 20, 2011

Frames, Frames, Frames

Hi everyone! We had a nice but busy Spring weekend with beautiful weather and the birds were singing their hearts out in celebration of the end (hopefully) of cold days. No real stitching updates to post this time as I took a break from it for a few days.

I needed to get a new frame for Good Things by NNF but kept forgetting. When I finally remembered and went to look for one, I wasn't happy with any that I saw. I guess I'm too picky. After getting home, I saw one peeking out of the stack of frames I have waiting to be used. It's a much older frame but I have always loved it and have been saving it for just the perfect thing. Bingo! Problem solved! Of course I had to clean up but I just love old knotty wood. It has so much character!




I picked up my pieces from the framers and I am love with them! She did such a wonderful job on the framing and I couldn't help but think "did I really do this work?" because of her wonderful touch and they look so much better in the frames than I ever thought my work could be! When she brought them out for my approval, I was jumping up and down and clapping in glee like a small child! Even Harold was impressed. They are special to my heart since they were both stitched in memory of loved ones. I have a list of more designs I would like to work up in memory of other loved ones. Personalizing them like this just makes the pieces much more special and keeps my heart warm.

My father was a gadget nut! He wanted (and usually bought) every new techno play toy that came out. He especially loved making CDs of his favorite music. Once when I called him, he told me that he had just finished a CD of his favorite gospel songs and hymns.He asked me what my favorite hymn was and I promptly replied "Oh, that's easy. His Eye is on the Sparrow." He said "Oh my gosh! I love that one and forgot all about it!" I laughed and told him he would have to make another CD now so he could include it. When he passed away, I chose the songs for the service and this was the first one I picked because of that special conversation and laughter we shared about it. This piece by Tree of Life of Samplings was a must to stitch when I saw it. I wanted a simple yet striking frame to bring out the colors of the design.


A Mind Independent and Free by CHS was stitched in memory of my aunt. She was a very special person in my life. Many times she told me that she wanted to live a good long life but if her mind ever started to go, she hoped the Good Lord would go ahead and take her home so this verse was more than perfect to do in her memory. I think she would be pleased. I picked a simple yet darker frame for this piece and the woman at my LNS was even in awe over the finished outcome.




My aunt had been working on our family history for years before she passed away. This past year we have all have received many CDs and other files with her pictures, a box of the history ready to put into binders and much more. This past week I was surprised with a another huge file with more history that I had not expected. I haven't looked at it yet because of the size and I know I will want a lot of time to look through it. I have been wanting to find more information on my Grandma's side of the family so that I can work on the Mother's Tree by Lavender and Lace. I have enough information right now to do it with 5 women but I have seen it finished off with 8 or 9 and it is beautiful! The more the better so my fingers are crossed! I would especially like to thank my cousins for helping to pull all this history together because they all did a lot of work on it.

Thanks for stopping by again! Your visits and comments always make my day brighter.

14 comments:

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Sherry your framed pieces are just gorgeous...absolutely stunning! You need to send a picture of your Eye of the Sparrow to Jan of Tree of Life Samplings....she'd LOVE to see it, as it is gorgeously done :)

barbara said...

Absolutely perfect, Sherry! Wow, they couldn't look more gorgeous. :D

Catherine said...

They are beautiful! Love the frame for the "A Mind Independent and Free"!!

Jules said...

Gorgeous memories you have created! I agree that the black frame is stunning against the stitched piece!!

Margaret said...

They're all wonderful! Perfect frame choices, and how special that two are stitched for someone special too.

CalamityJr said...

You picked the perfect frames for your perfect stitching. They are absolutely beautiful!

Laurie in Iowa said...

The frames complement your beautiful stitching.

Nancy said...

Your samplers are beautiful and have such special sentimental meaning behind them! Lovely framed too. I am like you - I love old knotty wood!

Anna van Schurman said...

It's delightful to hear the stories behind the pieces. Thanks for sharing!

Blu said...

Gorgeous frames! And what wonderful memories to go with them.

Sharon said...

Oh. My. Goodness.!!!! What a beautiful bunch of treasures you've shared. I love them all but after hearing your story about your Dad and the hymn, I have to say, that one's my favorite! I can't wait to see what you stitch next! :)

Siobhán said...

Beautiful choices on the frames, Sherry!! You must be thrilled with them.

Littlebit said...

Oh my, my, my, Sherry! Your framed pieces are wonderful! LUCKY YOU!

Edgar said...

Such wonderfully framed pieces - congrats!!!!!