Happy Birthday To Me

The beginning...

I was born 48 years ago today in Richmond, VA. I was the record breaker. There were 17 boys in the nursery and finally here I was, the only girl. The nursing staff told Mom everyone was coming around to see the baby girl. My mom's room at the hospital was a converted sun room and her roommate for her stay was the dietitian's daughter. She said they had plenty of good food while she was there. My dad brought my Mom yellow mums, it was the only time he would give her flowers during their entire marriage. I always have a special feeling when I see yellow mums. The nurse brought me to Mom and didn't come back to get me, so she checked me out, wrapped me up and snuggled with me all night. My sister said she wanted to name me "Teresa" because she knew a girl with that name and thought it was pretty. I was actually going to be named Cynthia or Melvin, if a boy. I truly like the name I was given. My middle name, Naomi, was my great-grandmother's name and I am the only one in our family with any part of her name. Now, do you have a special story surrounding your birth?

My birthday gift from Mom is a lawn mower and weed trimmer!! LOL It was actually something I have wanted for months and the timing of the purchase happened to come around my birthday. That is why I haven't been posting, I am trying to clean up our yard. I decided to take over the yard again because it was looking shabby and I don't mean shabby chic!! After I was seen in the yard working, some of the neighbors asked what happened to our yard man. He had in the past or still was working for them. I inquired how much they paid and when they told me, my heart was broken and my mom was so disappointed. We were paying him twice what others were paying for the same size yard and he wasn't doing anything extra. I have trees and briers growing in all my shrubs. I had to take pictures of the yard ( Mom can't get outside) to show Mom what was not being done. She is heartbroken because she thought this man was her friend and now she feels he took advantage of her.

I know this was meant to be a stitching blog, but I might show pictures of the yard, before and after. Would you even be interested in seeing our yard? It feels good to be cutting grass again. I have made some changes that Mom is really pleased with. It is a good way to get rid of stress!! LOL

I apologize to Tina ( http://stitchingintexas.blogspot.com/ ) for not blogging about the lovely blogiversary gift I won from her. I want to share it with you (I need to take pictures)because she sent things I needed and wanted, plus something from one of my favorite artist. (How did she know?!) Thank you Tina, your blog is a delight! Go and visit her, I am sure you will be glad you did. Maybe I can pick up some gardening tips from her. LOL

Have a wonderful day and celebrate my birthday, go eat cake!! LOL

Another Birthday, Another Wall Hanging

Sometime in the past year, there was a movie about Santa's brother Fred Claus. I LOL when they started advertising this movie, because my Uncle Santa has a brother named Fred, FOR REAL. His 80th birthday was yesterday, but he is giving himself a party today!

I made Uncle Fred a wall hanging like his brother's.

I made a few changes so they are not exactly alike.

I put a solid navy border on this one,

instead of having plaid squares

in the corners and I did a bit of mixing of fabrics.

This one is Santa's. He really enjoyed receiving it.

I also gave him a bag of double stuff Oreo cookies, his favorite!

Now, that is a gift you can sink your teeth into!

Have a lovely weekend and try to stay cool.

The temperature here is suppose to reach 100 today.

Take care

Uncle Santa's Birthday Present

Uncle Santa (Darrell) had his 70th birthday yesterday. His daughter gave him a surprise birthday party today. I wasn't sure I could attend, but things worked out and I decided to go. Now, what to do for a present!?
I had recently been going through some old cross stitch magazines and came across a wall hanging the guests could sign. I first stitched "Birthday Memories" on a piece of 14 count aida. I cut it to the size I wanted. I then took a piece of fabric that was printed to look like quilt squares and cut it apart. The solid borders I used as borders around the cross stitch and the piece of muslin cloth that is used as the signature cloth. I also used pieces of muslin in the border so guests could sign those also.

This picture shows the cross stitch piece with borders.

Here, I have added the quilted patchwork border.

The piece is completed with backing, loops and a few signatures.

We have the same "country" doctor. He was invited to the party, but could not attend. I went to his office Friday and he signed a block to wish "Santa" Happy Birthday. I thought that was so sweet of him to take the time to sign the wall hanging. My mom signed a block too. She did not feel like traveling so, she stayed home.

We have a local quilting shop where I bought an additional piece of fabric. I explained to the woman what I was making and told her if I could, I would stop by with the finished piece if I had time. I went by this morning. She was so excited to see what I made, she took a picture of me holding the finished wall hanging so she could share the idea with others.

While at the party my Uncle Fred invited me to his birthday party on June 7. I am going to make another wall hanging for him. This gift really does make for good "Birthday Memories" and it is a joy to make.

Just a reminder, I am having a giveaway. If you would like to enter, please go to the previous post and leave a comment.

I hope everyone has a good weekend!

Take care

Teresa