I thought we needed a sweet touch of Spring here in the house. Flowers always cheer me and bring a smile to my face.
Such a pretty soft pink – in my favorite Red Wing vase. I don’t know if you can tell from this photo, but the inside of the vase is a pale shade of green. I found this many years ago when I was living in Boston. It is the perfect vase.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your lovely expressions of sympathy. I am so blessed to have you as friends. We are spending quiet days here; talking about Lee, about loss, about pain, about losing a parent. Both Don’s parents are now gone. My brother is gone. You never get over it, do you?
Yesterday I played catch-up on my squares. Sometimes my vision and the execution are strikingly different – and not in a good way! No matter – I’m having fun.
Square #24 – a bathtub filled with bubble bath and a soft pink rug.
Square #25 – a swing hanging from a tree
Square #26 – pretty flowers with bead centers
The quality of these stitching photos depends, I’ve found, on what time of the day I actually finish the squares. These were finished late in the afternoon on a day that started out sunny but turned cloudy.
Thank you again, my friends.
Bunny Rose Cottage says
Hi Claudia,
The tulips are so pretty! I adore tulips, especially in that color. I love the vase too and I can see the pretty spring green inside.
Love your new squares, especially the swing! There is just something about a tree swing swaying in the breeze.
I hope you and Don are doing okay. You are in my thoughts.
Love,
Amy
Zuzu says
Your tulips and vase are lovely, Claudia.
And I agree. You never do get over the loss of a loved one. My baby grandson passed after a surgery when he was only 10 days old. My sweet sister passed 4 years ago. I feel so very grateful to have had them in my life, and although they are not “here”, they are right here in my heart each day.
I’m working on my squares too – I made a swing in a tree yesterday, not realizing that you had too. How fun! I find embroidery much more difficult than pencil & paper, but like you, I am enjoying it.
Hugs,
Zuzu
Snappy Di says
Red Wing… such wonderful vases they made way back when.
You are so right about the loss of a loved one. The pain eases but never disappears completely. One day at a time my dear.
Di
Marsha (Sassy Mini Dolls) says
What a beautiful vase and tulips, Claudia!!!
And I think your squares are wonderful!!!
Thinking of you both.
xxoo
the gardeners cottage says
Hi Claudia,
Beautiful vase, flowers and squares. Love the bubble bath!
Having lost both my parents I can say that time helps.
~janet
ps – You would be suprised how large a XL is. Plus they have elasticized backs.
Meri Wiley says
Dear Claudia,
My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Tulips are my daughter Caitlin’s favorite flower, yours are stunning. As usual, your squares are looking just dandy and very festive. I lost my father three years ago to lung cancer. Let Don know we’re all thinking of him.
Hugs,
Meri
CARMELINA LOUNSBURY says
Yes Claudia…
flowers do bring us cheer, even when we’re going through stressful times….
thinking of you!
lovin’ your squares darling!
ciao
creative carmelina
Diva Kreszl says
just love the tulips in that very gorgeous vase! the loss of a loved one is never easy and while it does become less acute over time we always miss them. I continue to pray for all of you!
Julia says
The tulips definitely say Spring!!! I love all of your squares. I really should do something like this. You are giving me some ideas.
Donna says
No, sweet Claudia, we never do get over it, do we… It’s been 14 years since my mom is gone and I swear, sometimes it seems like yesterday. What time does do, thank God, is give us the coping skills to deal with our losses, and it allows our intense, all consuming grief to eventually give way to sweet memories and even laughter and stories shared. But no, we never quite get over it.
Your Boston vase is beautiful and your sampler squares are all just so gorgeous.
Wishing you and Don a beautiful spring day today….
Donna
Jill says
That vase of tulips is beautiful– I love the shape of that vase!
Your squares are wonderful! I find that my stitching varies according to time of day, and especially the quality of lighting. I’ve seriously considered investing in an Ott Light!
Hugs,
Jill
Barbara Jean says
Hey girl
thanks for coming by.
I love your flowers.
scrolled down through some posts i had missed, and so sorry to hear about your Father-in-law. I pray for peace and healing for all of you during this time.
hugs form afar.
barbara jean
Cozy Little House says
With Charlie being sick, I’m just getting back to blog reading. I’m so sorry for your and your husband’s loss. The tulips are so pretty and elegant. And your squares are coming right along. Keeping you both in my thoughts.
Brenda
Mereknits says
Beautiful flowers and beautiful thoughts. I just got caught up on the blog, I have had my hands full. Sending love to you and Don as always,
Mere
She'sSewPretty says
I am so sorry to hear about your father-in-law Claudia. I lost my dad when I was only 30 and I still miss him 20 years later. I hope sweet memories will bring your husband and you comfort. Hugs to you and your hubby.
vintagesue says
so sorry to hear about don’s father. i am sure he had many, many wonderful tales to tell and i know you have memories galore to carry on!! your tulips are so pretty and very uplifting. i can hardly make dinner these days…much less add some pretty touches to the house like that. thanks for the inspiration.
loving those squares….such a great narrative in each. it’s history happening one day at a time.
take care claudia! wishes to you and don.
sue
Frog Hollow Farm Girl says
Sweet greetings from Frog Hollow Farm! The tulips are lovely and the color green inside that vase is so pretty – just perfect. Glad that you are spending time remembering. Take care. Ciao, bella!
GWENDOLYN says
The vase is lovely and so are the tulips. Last time I checked you were still on square 12 .. I guess it is taking me longer to catch up with everyone than I thought it would. Take care and no that my thoughts are prayers are with you.
Blessings…
Gwen
sissie says
Hi Claudia,
There is nothing like pink tulips to make you feel like smiling.
Your are lovely as is your Redwing vase.
Your squares are so pretty. I love them.
hugs
Sissie
Dogwood says
Oh, I am so sorry for the loss of your father-in-law. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. It is so hard to loose someone you love. Please give your hubby my sweet thoughts for him. The tulips are so pretty. I love them.
Sweets to you and Don.
Atelier de Charo says
So sorry abuot Don’s father.
Your tulips have a great color and the vase match perfect.
Hugs
Charo
Lynn says
I am sad to hear that you have had to grieve. I have been away from my blogging for a few weeks.
Now I am going to go back and discover what you are doing with your embroidery there! It looks intriguing.
AshTreeCottage says
Your tulips are beautiful! Your vase is the perfect compliment. The embroidery squares are so charming. I look forward to seeing your progress. I wrote a post yesterday about my Grandmother. She has passed as well. Time is a great healer. Although the loss never diminishes, the pain does seem to ease. Don’s father will always be alive in your hearts.
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Elyse says
hi claudia,
i’m actually attending a party tomorrow my friend’s family is throwing to honor their father who just passed away. i’m happy to also hear about a neighbor’s sister having a baby. life is not always simple or easy, is it.
your squares are just amazing. i love the tub, the swing! i have to get back to mine. i haven’t been keeping track of the sequence and it looks like i have a rose motif happening. not sure if i should do something different in the alternating squares.
longest comment ever?
thinking of you, my friend
xo
elyse
Mermaids of the Lake says
Oh, I am so sorry for your loss Claudia. I just lost my sweet Grandma on Jan. 18. and will think of her every day until I see her again.
Mermaid Debbie
NicNacManiac says
Claudia,
Your squares are so filled with joy and I think they are just perfect!!
My thoughts are with you and Don at this….peace :)
Debra@Common Ground says
Hi Claudia, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your fil. He sounds like he was a vibrant and energetic man. It’s so hard to lose a parent. The pink tulips and gorgeous vase are good medicine for the soul.
hugs and blessings,
Debra
Jillian says
The tulips are perfectly PINK! The vase is very nice, too!
The Wrought Iron Gate says
Oh Claudia, I’ve been away, so I just read of your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. You’re right, you never really get over losing your parents. It somehow redefines you….over night you’ve gone to the top of the “generational pecking order” list. For years, after my Mothers’ death, I’d find myself poised to dial her number, to share some little tidbit, only to realize “Oh yeah, I can’t do that anymore.” I know it sounds trite but, time does heal.
Love to you and Don,
Kay
PS: Your squares are wonderfully cheerful and imaginative.
Sweet Cottage Dreams says
Claudia, your squares could not be any more perfect! I love the swing in the tree and the bubble bath!
Your post is lovely. And yes, we never get over the loss of our loved ones. Our hearts carry them forever and ever and ever.
love to you,
Becky
PS: Your vase is beautiful.