I hope this finds you well and hearty. Here we are already on the 9th day of the New Year, and I just finished my New Year Start (of course I have lots more blocks to go, but you understand). May I present, Snow Garden, the first in the Anniversaries of the Heart Series by Blackbird Designs:
"Snow Garden"
designed by: Blackbird Designs
copyright 2010
Stitched with GAST/WDW/DMC as charted
Stitched on 32 ct. Toasted Almond Linen
I have...
officially stitched this chart twice, as I stitched it last year on a different piece of linen. Hated the way it looked, got disenchanted with the whole thing and quit working on it for the remainder of the year. Toward the end of 2011, I saw my forlorn Anniversaries of the Heart patterns all thrown in the corner, ignored and decided to take another shot. So January 31, 2011 had me putting my first stitches in. I'm pretty pleased with the way my new start looks and am looking forward to the next chart.
Now about my personalization...
I stitched this block and incorporated my paternal grandparent's names and wedding anniversary year. Here they are standing by their block. May I present my anniversary of my heart, my grandparents, Stanford and Frances Eleanor Epperson. This was on their wedding day - a snowy day and standing in a snow garden - January 11, 1945.
I always think...
my Grandma had the most chic boots, and my dashing Grandpa was handsome and suave. My Grandfather passed 12 years ago when I was in the hospital having my boys. He got to see a picture of them before he passed away though. And my eldest twin, Ian, looks a lot like him. My Grandma is alive still, and not a strand of grey in her hair. She is a tough old bird and she'd be the first to tell you so! :)
So to my paternal grandparents...
the first block on my trip of my anniversaries of the heart...
I've got more stitching left to do today...
so until next time, I'll be keeping my hands to work and my heart to God, just like always!
Hugs and love,
Vonna
SG turned out beautifully and your personalization is very sweet and heartwarming (Love that pic of two of them!)
ReplyDeleteI love how Snow Garden turned out and I love the story behind why its dedicated to your paternal grandparents, it makes it all the more special. I have just finished getting the charts and am now working out how I want to stitch them, are you stitching them all on one piece of fabric ?
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful, Vonna. I love the picture of your grandparents! What a great looking couple.
ReplyDeleteLinda C.
Awww, what a great finish, and what a wonderful way to remember a beautiful couple! I enjoyed reading about them!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful piece that I have never seen before. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm stitching these as well and just love them. I love your photo. What a beautiful couple.
ReplyDeleteVonna - I think the colors used for Snow Garden are so very pretty - and you've chosen such a lovely and intimate way to personalize it - what a sahing couple your grandparents made back in 1945!
ReplyDeleteBrava!!! Just gorgeous and such a great personalization.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a nice piece made all the more so as a tribute to your grandparents. I've seen that stitched on other blogs and the colors always look so different from one to the next. Not always sure I like them, but I'm in love with yours!
ReplyDeleteYour personalization on this block is so so wonderful! The picture of your grandparents in a snow garden is just perfect and so dreamy!!! They look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you went back to this project. You have given me hope. I started this last year also but stopped on this block. I thought the colors looked way too washed out compared to all of the other blocks. I think I was doing it on Sand Dune (?). Your colors look vibrant. Maybe I should do it on the color you chose? I can always you the other fabric for other projects (or for a shawl!!!!).
I wish you lived closer so I could pop over and talk to you about this!!!
Beautiful stitchiing as always!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that photo of your grandparents!!!
Have a great day!!
Marion
Vonna, congrats on a beautiful first finish of 2012. I love the story and to hear you tell us about your family - what a loverly wedding picture. I also lover your grandparents' names, just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like your bad Anniversaries of the Heart beginning turned into a grand one - love the linen color you picked - plus I love that particular sampler.
Vonna - It looks wonderful - Keep it up - I can't wait to see them all !!!
ReplyDeleteYour Snow Garden is just beautiful, but even more special because of your grandparents in their snow garden! Thanks for sharing that heartwarming story!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stitching! I can't wait to see the others in this series. ~ Lorraine
Vonna, Snow Garden is beautiful. Your stitching is absolutely gorgeous and I love the personalization.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of your grandparents is wonderful (and her boots are quite snazzy)! :)
Snow Garden really pretty, Vonna, and I applaud you for pulling them out of the corner and starting over. I started over twice on same fabric using different floss from portabella. Still not good for me. Maybe I should change the fabric. Good idea :)
ReplyDeletehappy new year! babs
Gorgeous finish Vonna! The colors just pop and this is the hardest block to stitch colorwise. Great linen choice. And a lovely tribute to your grandparents. Love that photo...
ReplyDeleteYEAH Vonna! Your Snow Garden looks great and thanks for the story about your grandparents:))
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stitch Vonna and a loving tribute to Grandparents.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a wonderful finish. I love the Snow Garden block and loved the way you chose to memorialize your grandparents.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finish! It was nice to get to "meet" your grandparents.
ReplyDeleteVonna, what a great tribute to your grandparents...I love that photo! Perfect for the Anniversary of the Heart piece you chose.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family. I hope 2012 is a great year for all of us and that we can spend more time with our love of needlework...it provides us relaxation and some down time from the busy world we all live in these days.
pam in iowa
It is looking so sweet xc
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice way to personalize your first block! And to still have your grandmother?? Wow. I lost all mine when I was 3.
ReplyDeleteVonna, I love your block but I especially love the picture and your story of these folks!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, Vonna. And what a snazzy couple they are! Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous finish and lovely personalisation for your Grandparents, such a handsome looking couple.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your Snow Garden finish! I just got back to my AOTH on Saturday night. Hopefully I'll be able to keep going on it. Your block is beautiful. Love her boots too!!
ReplyDeleteLove the boots, love the hats, just love it all!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your first finish, it is beautiful and what a wonderful way to commemorate your grandparents! Love that picture! I have been doing all my family pictures and research and I have pictures like that of my grandparents and great-grandparents, what wonderful treasures to have. Didn't they just dress to the nines back then? Love it! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous stitching and a beautiful story too. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! I love how it came out, and I love how you personalized it too. The pic of your grandparents is precious!
ReplyDeleteA Lovely finish and I much admire your work.
ReplyDeleteGems.
I had the same problem with my Snow Garden last year Vonna - I was working on 30 WDW Parchment I think - I chose 30ct b/c I thought it was WAY bigger count than I usually do and it would be easy to see at work or a good travel project - WRONG - I kept making weird mistakes - pulled out - messed up time and time again - now I am wondering if I would have better luck if I changed fabrics - AoTH is such a gorgeous piece and yours is beautiful and the photo of your g-parents is so neat. Good luck on the other blocks. thanks for your never ending inspiration. Melody
ReplyDeleteOh Vonna, what a loving tribute to your grandparents. I love your stitching. Thank you for sharing this with us today.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous, Vonna, I love the personalization, and the story behind it melted my heart. The picture of your grandparents is awesome, a real treasure!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Ma
'm so glad you gave Snow Garden another chance, Vonna--it sure is pretty! Isn't it amazing how a simple change in fabric can lead to an entirely different feeling about a piece.
ReplyDeleteYour grandparents' photo is lovely--how special that they were married on a snowy day in January...that makes the personalization even more special :)
I was just thinking of you this am hun; :) What a sweet story about your grandparents. I miss mine terribly. Love the picture are you gonna stitch them on one piece of linen?
ReplyDeleteHugs, Shar
Gorgeous, love it!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
What a great sentiment! :)
ReplyDeleteI do love this series. Can't wait to see the rest.
I'm so glad you were able to get this one completed. It's such a pretty piece. It has such a delicate feel to it, like fresh fallen snow.
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing about your grandparents and how you've incorporated them into your piece. The photo is wonderful. Your grandfather was one handsome fella!
Very nice Vonna. I look forward to seeing your progress on it.
ReplyDeleteLooks great Vonna. Makes me wonder about my linen choice. I have not begun yet, have all the charts just like Ruth. I haven't been completely satisfied with my linen choices.
ReplyDeleteSnow Garden is beautiful and such a loving tribute to your grandparents!
ReplyDeleteWonderful finish, that is a wonderful pic of your grands :)
ReplyDeleteI love the way you personlized it. Your Grandparent were a beautiful looking couple :) I love old pictures. I occasionaly pull out mine of my grandparents and think about what it would have been like to live in their time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your beautiful finish Vonna.
Beautiful start and finish for a beautiful and beloved couple...They are a very chic and 'snappy' couple. They took such pride in their appearance in those days. My grandparents would shudder to see all the jeans and shirts I wear!
ReplyDeleteLisa
What a wonderful tribute to your grandparents, the block couldn't have been more perfect with their winter anniversary!
ReplyDeleteYour Snow Garden is beautiful. I am guessing that you made some color changes to get the effect you wanted. How did you get your snowflakes to stand out so nicely?
ReplyDeleteHope to get back to my anniversaries soon.
Bobbi
What a stylin' couple - he with his rakish fedora and she with those BOOTS - awesome!
ReplyDeleteOh, really nice stitching too.
Mary in MN
I just love that picture of your grandparents and what a wonderful tribute you stitched. I love the fabric and as always, your stitching is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNice job Vonna...You are going to love this series of charts...You have a beautiful start~~
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Faye
Your Snow Garden finish is so pretty! And the personalization for your grandparents is very special!!
ReplyDeleteThis is soooo beautiful!!!!! And I love the story behind it~~~ Thanks for sharing~
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! Love the story behind your block. Can't wait to see the others come to life.
ReplyDeletehappy stitching....
Oh Vonna, it is perfect!! I got a bit disenchanted with mine last year too, although there might have been more "I just don't have time to stitch that" then actual disenchantment! But either way, it got put aside...thinking February or March might just be the month I pull it back out and give it a whirl again. Yours is MOST pretty and the dedication to your grandparents is the best!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty and delicate! What a special tribute to your grandparents.
ReplyDeleteI love the piece done on the new fabric. The story behind the block is wonderful and what a great looking couple they were.
ReplyDeleteGlad you started working on AOTH again. The fabric you chose is perfect! I'll enjoy watching the progress on this one. Very special.
ReplyDeleteOh, your Snow Garden turned out beautifully Vonna! Love it and especially love the photo you pictured, of your grandparents. I love her boots, and yes, your GP was quite handsome. How special that your son resembles him. My son is the spitting image of my husbands father, it's almost uncanny! But lucky for him, his GP was very handsome too ;-)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Beautiful finish. Great story about your grandparents and picture.
ReplyDeleteGreat finish on Snow Garden, the personalisation is lovely. Your grandparents made a very handsome couple
ReplyDeleteThis turned out very beautiful! Love it!
ReplyDeleteCathi
ohhhhh it looks gorgeous :) are you doing them all individual ??? and its lovely you have dedicated itto your grandparent who do look such a lovely couple in that photo :) love mouse xxxx
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful design!
ReplyDeleteAnd your grandparents are a lovely and elegant couple!
Hugs,
Tatyana
Great finish. It turned out fantastic and what a great way to remember your grandparents.
ReplyDeleteDear Vonna!
ReplyDeleteI love how this design turned out on this wonderful linen! It looks like a winter from ancient times!
I intend stitching the charts tooo! If I only knew to whom I should dedicate all this wonderful designs ...
Hugs
Hilda
merveilleuses broderies
ReplyDeletebisous bisous
Beautiful Snow Garden finish Vonna! Don't you love this series? I stitched two of them last year (I'm stitching mine on separate pieces of linen), and I plan to stitch more of them this year. I look forward to seeing how yours turn out - I know they will be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSnow Garden is lovely, Vonna...can't wait to see the rest of the blocks and your personalizations! Very handsome couple too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, lovely stitch. I love that snowy border. What a wonderful tribute to your grandparents. Love that photo
ReplyDeleteLove your snow garden and the wonderful story about your grandparents.
ReplyDeleteTeresa's Heartfelt Stitches
gorgeous! and what a wonderful story to go along with it. What a sweet couple and yes, those boots are just way too adorable. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful first block, I'm glad you chose to start over on a piece of fabric you like. Its a wonderful tribute to your paternal grandparents. I noticed her boots right away, love them!
ReplyDeleteI just love it! Vonna...you have a sweet heart. I can tell that in all you post and in your encouragement to others. God bless you big.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! I love the story and picture to go along with the block. This is going to be such a great piece to stitch. I can't wait to see each block.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing you are to your family - I so love this, the design and your story - what a beautiful treasure. Judith
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your finish! This is the toughest block of the group IMO. Keep going - it gets better and better!
ReplyDeleteYour grandparents are such an elegant couple!
Your story brought a tear to my eye. (actually more than one tear) My Grandparents Wedding Anniversary is also the 11th January. My Grandfather passed away 3 years ago and I miss him every day. I am very blessed to still have my Grandmother in my life though. Thank you Vonna for reminding me how lucky I am. Blessings, Joanne.
ReplyDeleteVonna, gorgeous and I love it on the toasted almond linen :-). Sweet picture of your grandparents too.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty block, looking forward to watching your progress. The photograph of your grandparents is lovely what a nicee way of peersonalising your block.
ReplyDeleteSnow Garden is wonderful and what a perfect tribute. I love the pic of your grandparents - your grandpa reminds me a bit of Frank Sinatra!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Glad you decided to give it another go. :) What a lovely couple your grandparents made.
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely finish. I enjoyed the story and picture of your grandparents too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Stitching !!
I love how Snow Garden turned out - those colours on that fabric - absolutely stunning! Also a beautiful picture of your grandparents :)
ReplyDeleteVonna, love your finish and I loved seeing a pic of your grandparents and reading about them. I agree, those are some cool boots! :D
ReplyDeleteVonna, Your Snow Garden is beautiful! I completely understand why you quit stitching on it last yr. I did the same thing, and need to pull mine out and finish it. I like your choice of fabric! What a wonderful tribute to your grandparents!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!!! I love the piece and especially love the personalization for your grandparents! I enjoyed seeing their wedding picture too! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVonna, your grandparents would so honored by your tribute! You are right, your grandfather looks very dashing and your grandmother very stylish in chic boots.
ReplyDeleteSnow Garden really glows on the beautiful Toasted Almond. I love the colors!
Love the story. I agree, cool boots!
ReplyDeleteHow very sweet this is, Vonna. I cannot think of a lovelier tribute to your grandparents.
ReplyDeleteLove your first block and the wonderful personalisation.
ReplyDeleteSnow Garden is gorgeous, congratulations
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you're so awesome -- you come from awesome stock --- :) Here's to your granparents.... and your stitching.
ReplyDeleteIt was so thoughtful of you to make your grandparents as your inspiration on your works.
ReplyDelete