Here is my almost done “violets” needlework. I have to finish the ribbon and backstitch all the flowers, etc. and last but not least put in the lovely saying in the center. Hopefully it will be done soon.
For a couple of weeks now I’ll be in Colorado assisting in the care of my recuperating son. I am so very anxious to be there with him…I can’t wait to go. His recovery is VERY slow, but normal I guess for this type of surgery. Keep on praying. Thank you to everyone for your comments and emails. I’ll try to get back to each of you soon.
Here again is a photo of my slow, but steady, progress on my “violets” needlework. It has been relaxing to sit in the morning and evening, before and after work, doing a bit of stitching. The sparkle of the Kreinik blending filament is lovely and the Kreinik braid (which I had never used) is quite delightful as well. I wish I had more hours to work on it. Alas the office beckons.
Tomorrow morning early (7:30 AM mountain time), my son, Michael, will undergo serious back surgery. He was injured in an auto accident two years ago and has suffered great pain all this time. I am asking all of you out there in cyberspace to pray for him and his recovery. To be honest, I am panic stricken and terrified. A very good friend of mine died one year ago from complications of this same surgery. It would mean a great deal to me if I knew that many internet friends were praying for him. Thank you in advance. Averyclaire.
I know that Christmas is done and so is the new year holiday…but before I put away the Christmas decorations this week, I wanted to share with you a couple of my favorites this year.
Another of my favorite ornaments is one my friend, Maggy (who lives in France), sent me last year…a wooden ornament from Strausborg. She sent me a couple of them. Her daughter lives there and she got them when they visited during the Christmas market time. The ornaments are so delicate and lovely and looked beautiful on my tree. 
Here is another update of the latest needlework I began over the holidays. [For some reason the beautiful rose colored fabric never looks quite nice in the photos.] Not much progress…but a little each day. I am having trouble doing such close work. I guess I need new glasses, or some kind of magnifying thing. I have one, but it seems cumbersome to use. I will have to look for a new one. Anyhow, I am enjoying the cross-stich and I know my SIL will love it.
In the needlearts department . . . over the holidays I began working on a surprise for my sister-in-law. My DH’s mother, Violet, died last spring after a brief bout with uterine/cervical cancer. She lived a long, full life and passed away at the age of 87. Last month my friend, Marjorie, gave me some old magazines. In one of them I found a cross-stitch pattern of Violets done on a lovely English Rose Jobelan. My SIL is having a hard time with the passing of her MOM (as we all are), but I thought this saying would be a nice remembrance for her. The stitching will say “The Violet, a lady with a charm, grace, and beauty all her own. I will show my progress as I complete it. Here’s the first photo.
Averyclaire 