A Daughter's Valentine
Aquamarines which were her favorite gemstones and matched her eyes, all the shades of aqua and blue that were her favorite colors,
And plenty of shells. Shells which she admired and loved to collect, placing them in the same categories as precious jewels...
I had a very difficult time starting this piece and a very difficult time finishing it as well. I'm still trying to figure out why but I do plan to make a few more pieces of similar style.
Having said all that, there is one thing of which I am absolutely certain...
My Mother would have absolutely loved this piece.
Today, I completed my August Bead Journal piece. Though, for many BJP participants, completing August is symbolic of completing the entire year of bead journals, I still have three months to go, having skipped forward to August so that I could work on it during the month.
If you've been following my progress here, you will know that I began stitching this piece in memory of my Mother who passed away in March of last year. It was inspired by the Sailors' Valentines that she and I admired so much and had always wanted to make. I have included many elements which are special to my memories of my Mom -- including the Alstroemeria flowers I wrote about in my last post,
Aquamarines which were her favorite gemstones and matched her eyes, all the shades of aqua and blue that were her favorite colors,
I had a very difficult time starting this piece and a very difficult time finishing it as well. I'm still trying to figure out why but I do plan to make a few more pieces of similar style.
Having said all that, there is one thing of which I am absolutely certain...
My Mother would have absolutely loved this piece.
And I absolutely loved making it for her.
38 comments:
And you are an absolute wonder. The things you create and write about are so inspiring, I love it all.
You are right about your Mom's eyes and you captured the color perfectly in this piece. Everything you do amazes me!
Hi Susan~
Your Valentine for your mother is just absolutely and totaly beautiful and wonderful! I hope that this piece, and all the thoughts and feelings you had while creating it, have helped your soul to heal.
Much love to you.
Carol
I guess (since Diane, Vicki and Carol didn't mention that most of the pictures on this post look like little boxes with a red "x" in the center) something's amiss with my computer. I'll try viewing this again tomorrow. The one picture that is open is the one of your Mom... I'm so happy to see her! Also your wonderful slide show is showing. Oh man, I admire that you had the discipline to stop and take each of those photos and work them in photoshop so that the color, size, etc. matches on all of them. You're a whizz.
Then there's the Valentine itself. Somewhere an angel is bringing it to your Mother's attention. She knows and is delighted!
Very beautiful and meaningful. You do all this and figure out all the special blogging features, too! You're a wonder.
Susan, you reached deeply and ascended to the heavens with this one...where your mom has received it with wonder and love.
I am utterly astounded at how beautiful this is...and I love the slideshow format and the music, too.
Your great love for your mother spreads to all of us....
Like Robin. But what I saw in the slideshow is absolutely stunning, and very moving !
Hoo boy, Susan... I think you've outdone yourself with this one. Your Mama would be so proud and touched at this token of your love for her.
A stunning tribute to your mother. When I saw the picture of the two of you together I noticed 2 things - you both have beautiful blue eyes, and Jack! The same shape face, the eyes, the smile!
I will speculate that a reason you had so much difficulty with this piece is because your mother's death is still painful and with every stitch you took thoughts of her surfaced, including missing her so much. Mourning is a much longer process than most people realize. Give yourself time, have a cup of tea, and be kind to yourself.
Hugs, Susan
Oh Susan!
You did it again! :)
Every time I look at your work, I find myself a little bit teary - in a good way, 'tho. I often find I stumbled upon feelings that I thought were deeply buried, but are surprisingly much closer to the surface. After some thought, I think it's because your themes are so universal, the loves in our lives, the deaths we've witnessed, the dreams we dream to achieve for ourselves in our secret hearts, the wishes we wish for ourselves that we may or may not remember how to wish for, the family bonds that keep us so inextricably linked to each other, no matter the distance of space or time.
Your Valentine is lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Another masterpiece - stunning. Dripping with sentiment and beauty.... as always. Your art and your words are inspiring! Hugs, Cathy
I think it would be hard to work on too. It's beautiful, Susan, beautiful!
*tear in the eye*
I'm sure she loves it too
WOW this is absolutely stunning in both presence and thought. My goodness you are so very talented! I love your piece and your photography too. Amazing. I see a lot of your Mother in you. I am sure she could only love this page and all the thought and work you put into it in her memory.
This is stunningly beautiful......
What a lovely tribute :)
Yay! I returned today to find all your beautiful pictures up and running fine!!! Whoooohooooo! Love the shells, love the pearls, love the flowers, love the border, love the warm fuzzy in the center, love the aquamarine heart, love the whole thing!!!!! I'd slightly change one sentence in your post (because of what I believe)... Your Mother absolutely loves this piece!
All of your bead journals are just breathtaking and this one is even more special knowing the story behind it. Bravo!
Like Robin, I had to come back tonight to view your lovely post. So beautifully done with exquisite details.
Somewhere, your mother is grinning from ear-to-ear at your thoughtfulness . . .
Kathy V in NM
There is no doubt in my mind that your beloved Mother is viewing your page with pride; pride in both your beautiful work and pride in her beautiful daughter. The others are right. Your artwork touches many of us deeply.
Arline
Dear Susan,
Your mother will be so proud of you...she must have been watching your progress over your shoulder. Your piece is breathtakingly wonderfull (as are the eyes of your mother!). She must have been a remarkable person and I am sure you miss her dearly. After your post on Mini Me (one of my favorites) you posted on her love for a simple cup of hot tea. The love that spoke out of that post warmed my heart.
I can understand it was hard for you to start this piece. Losing a loved one is always hard and though time does take the sting out of the pain, it does not heal. I lost my sister over 12 years ago and am still not used to it.
I hope your piece will give you some piece of heart as you think of your mother while sipping a cup of hot tea and commemorating all the wonderfull times and loves you shared together.
bless you.
Dees
Incredible (in an absolutely great way)...
It goes with out saying that this BJP is beautiful. You cannot pour so much love into something you create and its beauty not shine through.
Could it have been fear of failure that prevented you from starting? You had nothing to fear. You have made the most wonderful valentine gift for you Mother with the love you obviously have for her, how could you have failed.
Exquisite!
Lovely Mother, Lovely Daughter!
Wow! what more is there to say?
xxx
I hate to repeat everything everyone else has said, but...
The piece is exquisite, inspirational, masterful, stunning, amazing and perfect. Your photography makes it so easy to appreciate your work. You are so gifted. Sometimes I just can't wait to see what you're doing next!
It's a beautiful piece and your mom had such beautiful eyes. My mom passed away 6 years ago and I miss her every single day.
fantastic...
What can I say? This is a work of art and a moving tribute to your mother! Stunning!
You have honored your mother's life and expressed your feelings so well.
Susan, I've haven't checked in recently or you would have heard from me before now. This valentine is wonderful and the sentiments surrounding it so beautiful!! Thank you for sharing it.
Absolutely stunning and all the better for the wonderful background story. I'm glad you share these things with us!
It is soooo beautiful!!! Your stitching is so inspiring, thank you for sharing the beauty with us~
Jackie
Yeah for Mom! Susan once again you have created the most spectacular piece. I am just speechless.
An icredibly beautiful piece of needlework that Your mom would swon over!!! your attention to detail with the flowers is pure love- your retelling of how you created them has brought tears to my eyes ansd a smile to my soul!!! your finished piece is wonderful and I think that several more along this line would make a stunning display!!!!
you are an amazing artist and a treasure of a person!!
Big Hgus!
Elizabeth
i am definately joining the BJP for this year- I WILL NOT miss it again!!!!
What a beautiful valentine in celebration of a beautiful soul. Susan your work is exquisite.
This is absolutely amazing! What a beautiful piece!
OMG, I am in awe !
I just love this piece. It takes me back to your beach picture...my question is, how do you do those shells with the pearls in then; it almost looks like some kind of fabric with starch? to make it look like a shell....fascinating!!!
BJ you can email me an answer....thanks...
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