I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

My Grandmoher's porch greeted everyone with two large Lantana bushes

overflowing with pink and yellow blossoms, and buzzing bees.

I cannot pass a pink and yellow Lantana without thinking about my grandmother and the old, white farmhouse that she and my grandfather lived in...............way out in the mesquite covered woods.
The  Lantana in my garden is covered in pink and yellow blossoms, entertaining a host of buzzing bees.............it is a cutting stock that came from my grandmother's Lantana and is now almost 30 years old. I planted it when my husband and I bought our first home in town. I watched our 3 children play around it.......just the way I did, when I was young at my grandparent's home. When we moved out to our country home, I dug up the Lantana and planted it..........it has thrived ever since.

This past week, the Lantana is in heavy bloom...............inspiring and inviting............... I decided that I would design and embroider this flower..........

along with the seed pods that it gets, in-between bloom spurts.........

I thought about using blue and black beads............however wound up stitching them instead.......
(I haven't washed away the markings yet)

and I think I will  title this design............
My Grandmother's Flowers..............
How about you?
Do you have a favorite flower that your grandmother or mother grew?
Old fashioned Hollyhocks..........or roses perhaps??
I would love to hear!

15 comments:

Betty Lou said...

What a lovely tribute to your grndmother; artist use paint, you use thread. Beautiful.

twinpeakprimitives said...

Incredible! You are beyond to be gifted....

Brenda said...

Your Grandmother's Flowers is such a treasure! Your embroidery is so beautiful. Such a talent you have to design such a treasure that can be passed down for generations. My grandfather use to be able to grow anything. He had some very awesome looking dogwoods in his yard that I just couldn't wait to see each year. My grandmother use to say that he could throw a stick out in the yard and it would grow into a beautiful tree.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.
Brenda

Anonymous said...

Kathleen, what a beautiful embroidered tribute to all of your memories from grandmother's garden to your children playing...I love the colors of your Lantana; they are certainly hearty plants, which are always willing to bloom. We used to have some in our yard at out other house.

My grandmother's back yard was surrounding by large hydrangea 'hedges'..They are huge bushes and bloomed the most lovely white blooms. I used to call them 'snowball' flowers. I remember them to this day.

Thank you for visiting, and blessings for a delightful day,

Marianne

Flora said...

Your embroidery "My Grandmother's Flowers" is lovely and lively and as fresh as the Lantana flowers. Good way of using the buttonhole stitch.

What a talented lady you are! You turn all the pretty things you see into embroidery and they are a treat to the eyes.

I was so touched when I read your post today. It shows your love and respect for your grandmother. I think your embroidery is a fitting tribute to her.

Speaking of my favorite flowers, we had cosmos sonata flowers in almost all colors--pink, yellow, orange, and white--which my mother grew in the garden of our old house, and I loved to watch them sway in the wind. I miss them a lot now. Some pretty things and some sweet moments attached to them never fade away from our mind.

Bev said...

Oh how lovely!! and how you can create your own flowers! such beautiful work!!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful flower and a beautiful creation!
I remember the pansies in my grandmother's garden. Makes me smile when I think of them.

Cindy said...

Once again I am amazed at your designing and stitching skills! That looks just like the real thing.

I also have that yellow and pink lantana and I love it. How wonderful that you have that connection to your grandmother. I have some poppies that are divisions from my grandparents garden via my parents. I've giving some to my niece to carry on the tradition.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I just love this piece. I have never heard of this bush or seen even a picture of one. The flowers are beautiful.

Funny how certain things will bring back the memory of those that have past or haven't seen for a long time.

My mother grew climbing roses..and Lily of the Valley.
xx, Carol

janice15 said...

Very sweet post. . you know I was very young when my Grandma died so I don't know if she had a favorite flower...and my other Grandma I never heard her speak of flowers...I love it when you draw and embroider it.. I have recently found a tile and love the leaves and acorns on it and right away I thought of you and wanted to see if I can draw it and do the same and embroider it....Lovely lovely post..thank you for sharing it with love Janice

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

So beautiful! The Lantana and your stitching! How wonderful that you were able to transplant and keep the memories of your grandmother alive. Wishing you a wonderful day. Tammy

Zova couture said...

ur grandmother flowers are beautiful!ur wordings bring back me my childhood days..I can see how attatched u with ur grandmother and ofcource the nature ..god bless u dear kathlene..

Hill Top Post said...

Beautiful flowers and beautiful embroidery...amazing how you can capture this beauty with needle, thread, and cloth!

A Colorful World said...

How wonderful that you have the cuttings from your Grandmother's plants! And I love the embroidery design you created from them! Beautiful!

Diana said...

I love this one it's really beautiful