A few weeks ago the balloons were released, and in an instant, they rose to the sky and floated to Heaven .
It was my dear sister's birthday. πππI always buy balloons for her sons and nephews to release on this special day. Of course there were lots of tears and many warm memories of our "Flaming Amo". That was her nickname. Bless her sweet heart.
She is always on my mind. She will be forever for we were so close. π€❤❤
Stitching and quilting special pieces for her brings me great comfort.
Of course, I have showed you the butterfly quilts that I have made for her in the past, and yes another one is in the works.
Most of the time my stitched pieces are strawberry pieces in memory of her days on the farm.
Before her birthday, I feverishly stitched away on her newest piece. It is called Berry Bouquet - A Sampler for Amy. I chose some unusual color combinations in respect to the basket ( DMC 503 & 3808) , but I am quite pleased.
Originally , I just stitched the basket of berries, but I soon found the perfect frame and decided to add the alphabet and border. I believe that my sweet sis is smiling down on it with love from Heaven. I think she would like it.
I stitched Berry Bouquet on 14 count coffee/ tea dyed Aida that I dyed myself.
Nine DMC floss colors were used including: 223, 503, 782, 815, 844, 3346, 3371, 3808, Blanc.
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If you are interested in stitching this piece, just grab , the images. For printing tips, refer to the post Tips for Printing which has loads of tips from my sweet friends.
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I have shared 2 Christmas angels. I did stitch her one last year, but have yet to post it.
Prim Winter Angel for 2021
Always With Thee for 2022
Amy Lou the Strawberry Picker was a stitch that I created in 2022.
I want to thank all of you not only for your sweet visit today, but also for bringing me joy , comfort , for being so kind and supportive these last few years. π€ You are the bees knees!
As Amo would say with a grin on her face and in a loud boisterous voice, "Love ya!"
As Always...
Happy Stitching and Quilting, y'all
" She is my first friend, best friend, and forever friend. "- Unknown
Hugs and Stitches!!!!π€π§΅❤
Oh Melisa, what a lovely post. Beautiful quilts and beautiful stitching to remember your sister. And what an idea to send balloons. Great. I am sure, your sister watches over you and her loved ones. Memories are so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Gabi
Aaw thank you so much, Gabi. I still feel as though my sweet sis is by my side. The quilting and stitching has given me great comfort. Have a beautiful day, dear Gabi. Hugs.
DeleteThe balloons were such a wonderful tribute to Amy. Everything you've stitched dedicated to Amy are sweet, beautiful, amazing, etc. Gentle hugs!!! DarleneJ
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Darlene. The boys right little messages on pieces of paper to their mom and aunt and then we release them. It is always a special way to celebrate her. Big hugs.
DeleteWhat a beautiful basket with flowers in honour of your sister Amy ! Memories are very important.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Annelies. It was a joy to stitch this little piece in her memory and in celebration of her birthday. She was and still is a blessing. Hugs.
DeleteA lovely post Melisa! Such beautiful quilts and stitches in memory of your sister. Love the latest and look forward to stitching it soon. The colours you used go so well against the tea dyed fabric.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these memories with us, Melisa.
Hugs, Barbara xx @flashinscissors π♀️☺️ππ₯°xx
Oh thank you so much, Barbara. I hope you enjoy each and every stitch when you are able to stitch it. It was fun to play with different colors. I think my sis would of approve it. . Have a blessed day. Hugs.
DeleteThanks for sharing this fabulous bouquets!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Aah you are so welcome, Isabel and thank you for the sweet Tuesday visit and kind words. Hugs and Blessings.
DeleteWhat beautiful ways to honor Amy's memories ❤️ July 31 will be my sister's second birthday in heaven and I'm flying to Germany to visit her grave for the first time on her birthday. It'll be emotional but I'm glad i can do that for her, I like to think that she'll be glad too. And I get to spend time with her kids π
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Amy loves and appreciates all the beautiful things you create for her! π₯° She lives on through your creations!
I'm thinking of you Melisa! π€
Hugs and love from Maine,
Alex
Oh Alex, I know the pain that you feel in your heart . I wish you warmth and comfort as you visit your dear sister. I know there will be lots of tears, but you will be flooded with the good memories as well. And just seeing her sweet children will mean so much to you during this time. I want to wish you "early" safe travels and I send you a warm gentle hug. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
DeleteBerry Basket is so pretty, Amy would be so pleased. What a wonderful way to celebrate her birthday, with a balloon release. Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Gretchen. The whole family gathers to celebrate her birthday. The boys right sweet notes to their mom and the balloons are then released. Last year they lingered over us before floating high and away. This year they shot right up. Unpredictable just like my sis. LOL. Hugs.
DeleteDear Melisa,what a lovely Bouquet sampler for Amy...a big hug from Marianne..
ReplyDeleteAah thank you so much, dear Marianne. It was a joy and comfort to stitch it. It brought back many fond memories. Have a blessed day, sweet friend. Hugs.
DeleteI'm so glad you have your stitching and your butterfly quilts to help ease your heartbreak. I'm sure your sister is so happy to see you thriving and sharing your amazing talents!
ReplyDeleteOh Linda. I cannot tell you how much the stitching and quilting has brought me comfort. It has kept me busy when I needed to be. At times it just does not seem real. But I still feel she is here by my side. Bless her heart. Thank you for the sweet visit and kind words. Hugs.
DeleteBerry basket is another great stitchery. . .what special memories you have of your sister. I love her nickname!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Terry. Papa named her Flaming because she was a spitfire and I always called her Amo. I do miss her so. Have a wonderful day. Hugs.
DeleteWhat a beautiful basket of strawberries you created in Amy's memory, Melisa! I know she is smiling down on your stitches in her name. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Robin. This little basket of berries was joy to work on. It brought back so many memories of her on the farm. I do feel her by my side every day which is a blessing. Warm Hugs.
DeleteI love how you keep your sister's memory alive with your beautiful quilts and cross stitch. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Donna. It brings me great comfort plus I can pass these things down to the family members in her memory as well. Hope you are having a wonderful day. Hugs.
DeleteYou have so many beautiful ways to remember your sister. The berry sampler is very pretty and a bit different, I like how you included the alphabet.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Kate. She stays on my mind constantly so stitching quilting and gardening in her memory is a blessing. Hope you are having a great week. Hugs.
DeleteIt warms my heart each time you post a tribute to Amy. Your affection and closeness shines through. I'm sure she is smiling down on you and appreciates your continued love and remembrance of her. The berry basket is so pretty and fits that frame perfectly.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Jeanna. We were very close and would see each other just about every day. It is hard to believe she is gone. This little stitch brought back lots of great memories of her on the farm. Blessings.
DeleteAll of your Berry pieces are lovely--but this latest piece is simply so stunning, Melisa--what a wonderful way to cherish Amy's memory in your heart. We never do forget our closest loved ones do we...Gentle hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteAaw thank you so much, Julierose. At times I was a little unsure as I stitched it, but it all came together in the end and the frame set it off perfectly. I wish you a wonderful evening. Hugs and Blessings.
DeleteOh Melisa your tributes to your sister are always so lovely. I have come to know how special she was and you are, I know she loved you and still does. I am certain that your memories are wonderful. God Bless you always
ReplyDeleteAah thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear Christina. My sister was a little spitfire that I cherished. I guess I was a little protective over her as well. I am fortunate to have so many warm memories of her . Hugs and Blessings.
DeleteYou design the perfect stitching designs for Amy. I am sure she is watching as you stitch them.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Vicki. I do feel her by my side. Each day I look for a sign and often she sends it to me which always makes me happy. Have a blessed day. Hugs.
DeleteThank you for sharing Amy’s story with us. It is such a generous gesture to your other family members to make sure she is always remembered on her special day. Thank you also for offering this beautiful piece in her memory. I will happily stitch it in honor of my own sister. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteAah I am so touched by your heart warming words and very honored that you will be stitching this piece in honor of your dear sister. I hope it brings as much comfort and joy as it did me. Warm hugs and Blessings.
Deletegood morning Melisa. i hope everything is going well and you are able to get some relief from the heat.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for your berry bouquet-a sampler for Amy. i know Amy is loving it and wishes she were here to stitch it with you. she is very pleased from above and Amy is also watching you to make sure you are staying strong. Amy sounds like an amazing sister and i am so happy you had her for as long as you did. God bless you.
my tomatoes are not doing well at all. my cherokee purple had a few worms on it and then i found a giant grasshopper. i have never seen a grasshopper around here and the minute i plant some veggies to eat - one pops on my plant. what the heck!!! i did get about 9 tomatoes from the plant and they were delicious. i have two left and am waiting for a good time to eat them. i had a tomato last night from my cherokee purple on my BLT and it was soooooo delicious. i do have a few flowers on the plant, but i don't think it is going to survive. i was at a mini quilt retreat this weekend and the quiltie ladies suggested i put a basil plant in with the tomato plants because insects don't like the scent of the basil. so what did i do on sunday - i purchased a basil plant and will add it to my tomato plants today. i'll try anything at this point.
your zucchini veggies look amazing. so yummy for the tummy. i used to get the really large zucchinis, cut them in half, remove the inners, and make a meatloaf in the zucchini and bake it. it was so good. if you haven't tried it you may want to give it a go.
i best let you get back to your gardening, stitching and quilting (you're a busy lady!!!). thank you for all the wonderful freebies and blog posts you provide to us. i enjoy them all so much. i am so grateful i have found you. you're going to keep me busy for years.
i hope you have a fantastic, blessed day Melisa. you're the best!!!
blessings and love are on the way to you. a great big squeezy hug, too.
Debra Broyles
quiltingprettyquilts@cox.net
Happy Tuesday, dear Debra. I hope your day was a fabulous one and not too awful hot. It got up to 100 today . I was in and out between the flower and veggie gardens then back to quilting. Oh bummer on your tomatoes. Now that grasshopper has got to go. LOL. I think basil is a great idea , plus you can add that to your salads or cooking. My Better Boy tomatoes are looking poorly , but my Beefsteak and Tommy Toes are flourishing. What a fabulous idea on making a meatloaf in the zucchini. I am going to give it a whirl. My Nanny used to always make meatloaf for me ; she knew it was my favorite. She would put slices of green peppers on top. I will have to put that on the menu for next week. Yum , Yum. How lucky are you to be able to attend a quilting retreat. I bet you and the ladies had a ball and you came back with loads of inspiration. Thank you for the sweetest words on my sis. She was a blessing to have in my life. I wish you a wonderful day. Lots of love and warm hugs.
DeleteHugs. Memory eternal.
ReplyDeleteAaaw thank you from the bottom of my heart , dear Kathy. You are so sweet. Blessings to you. Hugs.
Deletewhat a special way to honor and remember your sister.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Alycia. The whole family gathers to celebrate my sweet sis and it is good for her young sons as well. They write sweet messages and we send them to Heaven. Hugs.
DeleteMelisa, my heart just breaks for you to have lost your sister who you were so close to, and at so young of an age, too. Your butterfly quilts and the special cross-stitch designs you create in her memory are all so lovely. This year's Berry Basket sampler and last year's Srrawberry Basket are both on my list to stitch. Thank you for sharing them!
ReplyDeleteIt is still unimaginable to me, Diann. And to be truthful it has not got any easier, but the stitching, quilting and staying busy brings me lots of comfort and brings back loads of sweet memories which I cherish. I am so honored that they are on your future stitch list. That means the world to me. Thank you for the words of comfort. Hugs.
DeletePrayers for you and your family as you remember Amy. I love how you release the balloons for her and thanks for the new memory stitch as well. <> B
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Brenda for the sweet words . The balloon release is very special especially for the boys. We stay there until the last balloon floats out of sight. Hugs and Blessings
DeleteHugs to you as you remember all the wonderful memories of your time together!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much , Shelly . Your kind words mean so much to me. I do cherish all of the memories I had with my sis. Hugs and Blessings.
DeleteBeautiful Sampler, beautiful memories, beautiful sweet sister! Love all that you have posted. Stay cool and stitch what you love. Warm hugs and sweet wishes from sunny Arizona.
ReplyDeleteAaah thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear Mary. Stitching this little sampler brought back loads of memories of her and I on the farm picking berries and such. I wish you a lovely day. Now you stay cool to. Hugs.
DeleteIt just warms my heart all the special makes in memory of your sister. She will always be a blessing for you :)
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Sharon. She is a blessing. I still feel her by my side each and every day. It is still hard to believe though. Have a wonderful afternoon. Warm hugs.
DeleteThe balloon release is such a special thing to keep Amy remembered by her boys. Your stitch for Amy's B'Day is just lovely. Every stitch a message of love.
ReplyDelete