February 13, 2011

Thank You

I want to thank everyone who stopped by with a kind word about the loss of our Yazziebear. We were lucky in that we had some time to prepare--it wasn't sudden--and say our goodbyes. In a lifetime full of wonderful pets, there are a few who truly hold our hearts, and in that, Yazziebear was a standout.

I couldn't decide whether to post today or not. I finally decided that it would make me feel better to be "normal" today, so I made breakfast, did some laundry and even stitched a little.

As I always do with a pet that we lose, Yazziebear will be commemorated on a sampler. This one, I think--Mary Ann Gollins. There are two little black dogs, one on either side of the tree (and two more dogs elsewhere in the design). I will leave one black dog, for my sister's Gracie, and replace the other dog with a little tortie point Siamese. It's working up into a beautiful and satisfying sampler. I'm not convinced I have all the colors right--it's been a tough conversion--but I like them anyway. The colors (at least on my monitor) are very true to the colors IRL, particularly of the fabric. As you can tell, this is a very large sampler.


I re-started Elizabeth Welford (Handwork Samplers). I had started it before, but my blue fabric was too blue, and I didn't care for the off-blue of the fibers that were called for. I am now using a very light blue by Lakeside in 40 count, called Misty Rain, and I tweaked the blue floss from the slightly greenish blues to French blues. I like it better now.


I also worked on Sarah Hatton McPhail this week--there's lots left to do, but I can see a finish this year.


It made me feel a bit better to look through my photos of Yazziebear, so here's a last look. Here she was welcoming Peaches to her new home when Peaches first came to live with us. We didn't worry that Yazziebear would hurt the bunny, although she made it clear who ran the show.





Happy week ahead.

31 comments:

Melody said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I don't know how our cats would do living with bunnies. It's nice yours did well together. What a great idea to commemorate yazzibear in a sampler. I haven't thought of doing that...
Your samplers you're working on are beautiful! I especially love the border on your middle one.

Robin in Virginia said...

Your samplers are gorgeous, Glenna! What a tribute to Yazziebear to be part of your sampler!

gracie said...

Your stitching is coming along nicely. A onderful ides to put your furbaby into the sampler...very nice. sending {{hugs}} your way. I still shed the tear for my Sherlock...and it has been almost 6 years. WE love them always.

Marjo said...

I hope you can be comforted by sharing sweet stories of the lovely Yazzibear. It is hard to lose a pet. All the best for feeling better.
I love your samplers. I can't believe how much progress you have made on the Mcphail and the Gowen sampler is one of the next on my list to purchase. Attic was out of them by the time I noticed it on their newsletter and ordered. I am loving watching your progress.

barbara said...

Yep, there's always one that just doesn't compare to any other, no matter how much we love them all. Your plan to commemorate her in this gorgeous sampler is just wonderful.

Catherine said...

Your stitching is stunning! I love your thoughts for remembering your kitty on Mary Ann Gollins!

I love the colors you have chosen for your restart of Elizabeth Welford. Very pretty.

What sweet photos of your Yazziebear with Peaches!

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Yazzibear with Peaches is so adorable! I love your stitching! I do think the french blues and the blue color of the fabric is very nice!

Kristen said...

I just read about your sweet kitty's passing this morning. I am so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved furry friend. Just know that you gave her a good life.

Cari said...

Your samplers are just beautiful Glenna. I love each and every one of them, plus your choice of fabric and floss. And I still get a lump in my throat reading about your sweet Yazzibear. Hugs....

Margaret said...

Oh I love those pictures of Yazziebear welcoming Peach. How sweet is that. I think it's wonderful that you're going to commemorate Yazzie on a sampler -- and that's a grand one to do it on. It's looking wonderful, as is your Sarah -- gasp! Wonderful! Nice restart too on Elizabeth! I send you extra hugs for you and for Yazzie. I know how heartbroken you must be, even though you had warning.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Glenna, I'm so sorry I missed your previous post. I am sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. What a lovely way to commemorate him in the sampler.

Your WIPs are just beautiful, as always!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Yazziebear was such a sweet lady... so gentle with Peaches.
Your Mary Ann G. looks wonderful Glenna and I think the addition of the tortie will be a perfect memorial for Yazziebear.
Your Sarah leaves me speechless... that is one gorgeous sampler.
Glad you're happy with your restart on Elizabeth.

Jan said...

The samplers are so pretty! It is a wonderful tribute to Jazziebear to remember her life on a sampler.

Jan said...

What a wonderful way to remember your Yazziebear. A loss of a furbaby is never easy, but eventually you can reminisce about them and laugh about the silly things they did. {{{{HUGS}}}}

Chris said...

Hi Glenna,
Thanks for your kind words. I am working on moving on but remembering what a personality Lex had.
Your stitching is beautiful. You are very close to finishing Sarah Hatton McPhail. I really need to pick her up and work on her.

Happy Valentine's Day

Sue said...

Beautiful sampler and beautiful tribute to your Yazziebear.

RG said...

A fine way to remember. Love that Peaches and Yazzie!!! Just like Kitty Boy and the Princess!

Stitch By Stitch said...

Glenna, I'm so sorry about the loss of Yazzibear. Our pets truly become our family don't they. Hugs to you and I think it's a great idea to commemorate your friend on a sampler. Take care.

KarenV said...

That's a nice idea, to commemmorate Yazzibear in a sampler - great choice of design. I love the colours you've chosen for your EW restart - Misty Rain is a great LL colour!

Siobhán said...

Awww... I know it's hard to find how to take the next step after you lose a furry family member... it's like casting about in the dark, trying to find a foot hold, trying to find a new normal. I'm glad to see you posting again, and know it will bring you solace to see Yazziebear remembered in your sampler. Lovely progress on all of them!

Nancy said...

I'm so sorry you lost Yazzibear. Oh how those little furry creatures can capture our hearts. They are truly part of the family, but how lucky this kitty was to have you for an owner. I think it's such a nice idea that you remember pets on your samplers.

Your stitching is as gorgeous as it always is!

Valerie said...

Mary Ann is looking lovely and your personalization will be a perfect way to keep Yazzi close to your heart!

I love the blues of Elizabeth Welford...such a pretty piece!

Oh, and Sarah Hatton McPhail is really moving along! I too feel a finish this year! She is such a beautiful piece! I look forward to starting her sometime this year.

Love the pics of Yazzibear...{{{HUGS}}}

Valerie in VA

Unknown said...

Your samplers are amazing! I really like the new color scheme you chose. Sorry about your Yazziebear, we can't have pets because of allergies, and I often wish that I could. But, I would not want to go through the loss either.

Katrina said...

What a sweet photo of Yazzibear and Peaches, love it. And I put my puppies in all my stitching too :-).

Gorgeous projects, and I love your restart!!!

Michelle said...

Isn't it funny what a comfort those photos are. When I brought Othello home on Saturday, one of the first things I did was take his picture. And I love the way you commemorate your little ones in samplers - it's good to do.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Adorable pics of Yazziebear and Peaches! All our furries are loved, but yes, some have an extra-strong hold on our hearts.

Lots of love to all our absent furry friends on this day of love.

Melissa said...

Awww, those are lovely photos of Yazzibear welcoming your bunny. What a little sweetheart. It's nice that you are commemorating her in a sampler!

You've started Mary Ann Gollins! Gosh, I have this on order and I think this will be a fun one to do. I will look forward to seeing your progress.

And of course all your stitching looks gorgeous!

The Scarlett House said...

Oh my, Glenna. I am so behind in reading blogs and I had no idea that you lost Yazziebear. Big hugs to you, I am so sorry. I love your idea of the tribute on the sampler. I know that all of our pets are stitched onto our hearts, aren't they?

Giovanna said...

Your stitching is wonderful as usual. I'm so sorry about the loss of your beautiful cat.

Alice said...

I love those French blues! How sweet is that picture of Peaches and Yazziebear! More hugs for you.

Deb said...

Glenna - I must have missed your last post about Yazziebear. I'm so sorry. I know how much you loved and will miss him.

Your samplers, as always, looks amazing!! I always get so much inspiration from you (and a flaming credit card!)