Thank you! Many photos!

Hello friends! I know it's been awhile since I last posted. I needed time after Nannies passing.

 Thank you Thank you so very much for your condolences and kind heartfelt words.

I had read them at least 2 to 3 times. Your comments really helped me get through each day after Nannie's passing. I am so sorry I didn't answer each of you back but I was so drained emotionally and physically. I know you understand and Thank you again.

I do want to share a bit about Nannies funeral. Nannie was incredibly honored at her funeral.

The pastor who led her services is a mayor of a local town. Nannie's niece Susan Rhode Morris sang 4 songs. Susan is a professional singer (including opera) and yes she has CD's. Everyone was blown away with her beautiful voice. One of the songs she sang was Ava Maria! Her voice touched my soul.  Right before the services she came over to me, my husband and our son Nicholas and told us she was going to be singing right to us. And she did!!!! One of my all time favorite singers is Celine Dion. Susan's voice is more clear, powerful and hits notes that I've never heard Celine do. The whole room at Nannie's funeral was impressed, blown away and loved Susan's singing.
Then towards the end of services my Uncle John (Nannie's only son) spoke. The end of his speech, this is what was so special,  - He said "It's a monumental achievement for someone to live to be 101 years old. I would like you to join me in honoring my mom and give her a standing ovation".  Everyone stood up and applauded Nannie. The applause lasted for at least 3 minutes and it was loud and strong.
It was amazing. I've never heard of anyone applauding someone at a funeral and or during the services. It was extremely special, appropriate and I felt in my heart that it was right and well earned by Nannie.
Nannie was and still is incredibly special to me and will always be in my heart.

Frances surprised me by sending me a beautiful card and included two charts of hearts that I can stitch in remembrance of Nannie!

Thank you sweet Frances I love them!!!

Now looking back when Nannie was ill and we were going over back and forth to see her I had some projects that were already done but was not able to share due to the recipient had not received my package yet. Also I was stitching before and after. There were a few days when I didn't pick up my needle.

 These are gifts I sent to Deborah who was my exchange partner when I participated in Terri's Harvest Fall 2014 exchange.

I made Deborah a pillow. The chart is called "Old Witch Mary quite contrary" by Teresa Murgida of Italy. I purchased her chart on Etsy.

 I also made for Deborah a zipper pouch and needlebook.

 Here's what I got in the mail from the Terri's Harvest Exchange.

Wonderful gifts I received from Dawn.

 Dawn sent me 2 charts, October by Heart in Hand and A Halloween Year August by Homespun Elegance, beautiful variety of threads, fabrics and a set of needles. oooh and candy too! I love everything Dawn, thank you so much!!!

 Here's what Dawn made for me. I love the pumpkin she stitched and how she finished it. Dawn said she learned to do this type of finishing from our wonderful Vonna's tutorials.

 Can you see the pretty beads for feet on the bottom?

 I did finish my ornament - LHN from JCS Christmas issue magazine.

 I've been keeping up stitching on Saturdays with Linda honoring Deborah!!!

Just hadn't posted my progress lately.

 This is a very old project from 2006. It's needlepoint. I just completed it in September. My son kept after me to finish stitching it for years. Finally I took it out, finished stitching and then completed it.

 I also followed Vonna's tutorial on this type of finish. It was a bit tricky because of the shape of the egg and not a box -lol. But I did it. It was Dawn's darling pumpkin finish that inspired me to do this type of finish. Everything is all pinned - no sewing or gluing.

Feels great to have this all done. By the way my son does not care for the fluffy ribbons on top. I told him too bad. I used some silk wired ribbons from my moms stash. So it has some special touches. Oh and I made the cording around the front myself. I'm super pleased how it turned out.
Thank you for your patience and for hanging in there in this looooong post.
There's more for me to share with you of my projects I've made but I am going to have to do another post. I miss all of you and feel like I'm back.
Much love and always my appreciation - Annette

In Loving Memory - Nannie

Hello friends!
With a heavy heart - my Nannie 101 yrs old passed away Tuesday Sept 30th just a bit afternoon!
I know you've celebrated with me her 100th and 101st Birthday. You know how much I loved her and shared with you through my previous posts. Oh my Nannie was still having every thing her way up till she passed. She was sooooooo strong. Hard right now for me to write this. I know she had an incredible, wonderful long life. BUT you see if I could have had her for another 20 years with her being in good health - I would....

This beautiful photo was taken by my Aunt. The sun was setting in the backyard yesterday at Nannie's house. The chair was right there and if you can see the tiny pine tree right next to it - Nannie planted it as a tiny tiny sprig from the mountains. She had picked it and brought it home with her.
IT's amazing how she got it to grow and she was an AMAZING woman!
With my love and appreciation - Annette