Treasures from the Past

Most of my readers in Christchurch will know that earthquake repairs are continuing on houses here, more than two years after the major earthquake. I have been very lucky as my house was fixed before we moved into it, but others have to move out for weeks or months at a time whilst repairs are being undertaken.

My Dad had to clear out his house in preparation for repairs being done, and so it was a good time to do some spring cleaning! Out came the dusty boxes and bags to be sorted through. He gave me a few things from my teenage years that were still in my family home, as well as some bags that he thought I might be interested in.

Here is one of the bags...



At first glance, I thought it was just some old cross stitch books.



But then I started going through the contents.



This bag holds many memories. My mother's cross stitch patterns, completed items, half stitched kits, aida and other goodies. All at least 17 years old, forgotten in the back of a wardrobe until now.

These items hold a lot of significance for me. When I was eleven I had hip surgery, and my mother was in the Canterbury Embroiderers Guild. To pass the time while I was in bed recovering, she taught me cross stitch. I started off with little things, and quickly progressed to bags, pincushions and cross stitch designs. We would both stay up late at night, stitching and talking. It really did help me through my surgeries as I had something to focus on and I ended up with some completed projects that are on display in my house today.

Look at this beautiful work- finished and then forgotten. My mum had some amazing designs and was a beautiful needle worker.

This sampler was started by me at age twelve. What an amazing thing to find it again, and now I can finish it!



I love chickens, so I was pretty excited to find this pattern in the bag.



There were even kits started by my mother, such as this one of a cat on a front porch.



I now have a beautiful collection of items to finish, as well as some new patterns to stitch and even some more threads and linen to use. I cannot wait to show my mother these forgotten items- she does not cross stitch as much as she used to but I am sure she will love going down memory lane with me. This discovery has inspired me to rediscover the art of cross stitch this winter, and I might even get to finally finish my sons' birth samplers!

Linking up with Show and Tell and Real Family Fun.