I’m back from Mom’s house. Her eye is doing very, very well. She nursed me through the worst of my cold. Then caught it. Poor Mom. At least the early part of her eye’s healing was done with before she came down with it.

I took some pictures while I was there, pictures of stuff I made for mom a long time ago. I did this needlepoint pillow when I was in high school, probably finished it about 1977 or there about. I started with a blank canvas and an instruction book. I’d never done any of those stitches before, but just followed the instructions, and ta da! Done. Mom wanted the colors to get darker as they went out, so that’s what I did. The darkest color almost matches the carpeting she had in the living room back then. Mom made me sew it into a pillow, so the pillow part is basic. No fancy welts, no zippers, no nothing. I swore I’d never sew a needlepoint design I’d made again. It was nervous business.

Next up is the lotus blossom pillow. I did this one a couple years later when I was in college. Again I started with a blank canvas, and did counted needlepoint. This one’s done in continental stitch, so it skewed badly. Because of the finished shape of this one, Mom agreed to get a professional to block and finish it. Thank goodness. I don’t think I would have done well blocking that octagon. You can’t really see it, but they also boxed the pillow, put a nice welt around it, and installed a zipper on the back. Very nice. I never would have done that. I wish I’d moved it off the floral couch before I took that picture. Oh well.

I did this piece for Mom about the time I met Dave. Because of the nature of the job I had back then, I actually stitched a lot of this at work. I know. I had the best boss. Yes, it’s stitched on lowly Aida. I didn’t know any better back then. I still managed to execute fractional stitches, and neatly outlined everything, so it’s not all bad. I know that I was seeing Dave when I finished this for two reasons: the date, and the fact that the date is actually on the work. He insisted that I sign everything. If it wasn’t for that, I’d probably never remember that I finished this piece in 1993. Thank you, Dear.

Next up, the one I’ve been waiting to see finished for years. Literally. Mom had this finished Teresa Wentzler Fruit and Floral Wreath II for years before she had it made into a pillow. You know, I think it was worth the wait. She ended up letting the folks in the shop have their way with it, as she just couldn’t make a single decision about it. I love how they framed the stitching within the pillow fabric, and how the pillow fabric color blends in with the stitching fabric color. The texture of the pillow fabric is wonderful. It just works. I love it.

For once I didn’t change a thing with the pattern, stitched it exactly as designed. The colors are perfect for Mom’s house. Besides, changing colors on this would have been fraught with peril because of all the blends. Real disaster. I dated this one, too. It seems I finished it in 2003.

I had a furry little helper when I was taking the pictures of the pillows in the living room. We don’t know her name, as she isn’t actually Mom’s cat. She belongs to a neighbor, but she comes over to visit almost every day. She’s a tiny little kitty, and very sweet. She loves to be held, and purrs like nobody’s business.

I hope to have a chance to post here tomorrow. If not, know that I am fine. I’ll be gone for a bit. Again. This time without much in the way of access, as I’ll be down in Mexico. The minute I get back from Mexico, I’m heading for San Diego to attend the final days of TNNA. Why on earth did I do this to myself? I’ll be home again some time on January 19.

Oh. Oh oh oh oh! Before I forget. Elann now has my blocking wires up for sale on their site. Sold nine sets in the first three and a half hours. Score. Of course, you can still purchase them directly from me, too.