Sunday, February 3, 2013

It's Been A While..


Hello stitching friends,

It has been such a long time since I've posted.  The year 2012 didn't end very well for me, as a matter of fact, it was the worse year ever for me.  My mom passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly in October and my world pretty much collapsed.  A month after my mom's death, I had to put my sweet dog of 15 years to sleep.  It has been a slow recovery for me, but thanks to God, family and friends, I am making it through, little by little.

Stitching has really helped me keep my sanity and, I have tried to keep doing it.  Below are some pictures of what I've been up to.  I hope you enjoy them....

As part of Nicola's Scarlet Letter Challenge, I am stitching Dona Dorotea.  It is a fun and easy stitch so far, but I am not looking forward to the satin stitches :-)

Hola amigas y amigos,

Ha pasado una buena temporada desde la ultima vez que escribí algo en este blog.  El año 2012 ha sido el peor de toda mi vida.  My mama murió muy inesperadamente en Octubre y mi mundo se derrumbó por completo.  Ni siquiera un més mas tarde de la muerte de mi madre, mi perra de 15 años tuvo que ser sacrificada.  Me voy recuperando muy lentamente gracias al cariño de familiares, amigos y la misericordia de Dios, pero es un periodo de mi vida muy, muy difícil


He seguido haciendo punto de cruz y la verdad es que es lo que más me mantiene distraida y sin pensar mucho en todo lo que ha pasado.  A continuacion podeis ver algunas fotos de lo que he estado haciendo, espero que os gusten: 


On December 10th, 2012, I became a US Citizen.  In a very nice ceremony, I took the Oath of Allegiance in the company of my husband Brent, our dear friend's Jeff and Katrina and about 70 other people from 27 different countries.  It was a true honor and a very special moment for me.  I now have dual citizenship: Spanish and US.  To honor that, I stitched America The Beautiful by BBD.  I personalized it with the date of my swearing in and changed the little US flag for a flag of Spain.  I love it !!!!

El 10 de Diciembre del 2012 obtuve la ciudadanía Americana en una ceremonia preciosa.  En honor de este acontecimiento, he bordado un diseño llamado America The Beautiful, de Blackbird Designs...  Lo he personalizado con la fecha de mi juramento como ciudadana Americana y he cambiado la bandera pequeñita de la Americana a la Española, ya que tengo doble ciudadanía.  

40ct Confederate Gray
Threads called for except for the red of the flag

That's me in the middle with the purple sweater :-)

Cute hand warmers I got as a gift for Christmas to celebrate my citizenship

I also finished The Shephard and The Shephardess, a design by Examplars From The Heart.  I love this design and what attracted me to it the most was the saying on it.  I am looking forward to get it framed and hang it in my home.  Not the best of pictures, but will have to do :-)

También he terminado The Shepard and The Shephardess, un diseño de Examplars From The Heart.  Me encanta !


Below is a SB stocking I finished for a my sweet Isabela who is very special to me.  I stitched it and Deb from Artistic Needle finished it.  She did such a beautiful job. 

Esta es una media de Navidad (come se dice en Español???) que borde para una niñita muy especial en mi vida que se llama Isabela.  


My mom was a truly remarkable and beautiful woman and she is so missed.  She touched so many people throughout her whole life.  She was giving, generous, wise, stoic, brave and loving towards all.  My life now has two parts, the years with her and the years after her death, and it will never be the same, but I find hope in the knowledge that I will see her in heaven again.  

My mamá fue una persona maravillosa y la echamos tanto de menos.  Generosa, sabia, estoica, valiente y cariñosa.  My vida se divide en dos partes: los años con ella y los años después de su muerte, y nunca será lo mismo.  Me comforta pensar que la veré de nuevo en el cielo :-)


My mom
1930 - 2012

My sweet Nala brought so much joy to our lives and she took a little piece of our heart with her as she went to sleep forever.  I cannot say enough about the great dog she was.  It is hard to be around the house without her and she is very much missed too.  I am a bit jealous of her because I know she is now with my mom who loved her and whom she loved :-)

My dulce Nala nos trajo tanta alegria los años que la tuvimos con nosotros.  Al morir se llevo un trozo de nuestro corazón con ella.  Nala fue el perro ideal y la echamos tanto de menos.  De echo, estoy un poco celosa, porque se que ella esta con mi madre ahora.  Mi madre la quería mucho, y ella a mi madre.  

Nala celebrating her 15th birthday
1997 - 2012

Well friends this is all for now.  Sorry if this post made you a bit sad, it is a very sad time in my life, but with God's grace, I know I will push through.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.  I so enjoy seeing the work you all are doing.

Pues esto es todo de momento.  Espero no haberos entristecido mucho, pero este es un tiempo muy triste y dificil para mi.  Muchas gracias por pasaros por mi blog.  Un beso !!

Natalia 


30 comments:

http://thankfullga447 said...

Losing a Mom is difficult, I speak to my Mother everyday and she listens in heaven. Welcome back.

Margaret said...

Natalia, many hugs to you. I know how hard it is to lose your mom suddenly -- I lost mine very suddenly when I was 18. So I know what you are going through. Losing Nala soon after makes even more heartbreak. I hope things are getting better for you. Life will never be the same, I know.

I love your stitching. All so beautiful. I'm glad stitching has been good therapy for you. Love the mits you got to celebrate your citizenship.

P.J. said...

May your memories bring you peace. Congratulations on your Citizenship, that is awesome! Your work is beautiful.keep on stitching.
P.J.

Glenna said...

I'm so sorry, Natalia. I lost my dear mom in November of 2011. I think about her every single day, as I know you must think of your mom. And right after my mom died, my very favorite giant kitty died as well. I cannot say that I am the same person that I was, but amongst the tears--so many tears--there have been simple quiet joys as well. Each and every one of your stitched pieces is beautiful and so meaningful. And I'm so happy you got your citizenship.

Karen said...

Hoping you have a good year. It is always hard losing a parent but the memories you have will be with you forever.

Your finishes are beautiful and what a wonderful was to remember a special day in your life.

happy stitching...

Nicola said...

Oh Natalia, words can never say enough at such times, my heart goes out to you. Stitching can help and when the time is right for you you can stitch a special sampler dedicated to your Mother and one for Nala too.

Congratulations on your citizenship, it must have been a very proud occasion for you.

Catherine said...

Sending thought and prayer to you and your family. Loss of loved ones is never easy ~ may you find peace in your memories.
Your stitched pieces are wonderful. Congratulations on your citizenship!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Many hugs to you Natalia. It's been a such a sad time for you but no one can take away the wonderful memories you have of your loving mother and sweet Nala.
Your stitching is beautiful.
Congratulations on becoming a citizen of the USA.

Melissa said...

Natalia, I am so sorry the loss of your mom. She looks like a very sweet lady. You've been having a tough time of also losing your beloved dog too. Needless to say you've had a lot to handle! I hope you are finding some peace in your stitching.

On the bright side, congratulations on your citizenship! I love the BBD design that you stitched to celebrate it!

Take care!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Welcome back you have been missed. I am very sad to hear about your Mom passing and Nala, You have been on a hard journey.

May stitching bring you comfort.

Anonymous said...

So sorry for your losses. May God's grace and your stitching comfort you.

Peggy Lee said...

May you receive a bit of comfort knowing that your blogging friends are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers. Your mom was a beautiful woman.

Congratulations on becoming a US citizen!

Your stitching is absolutely lovely. I really enjoy your blog. So glad you are back.
{{{HUGS}}}

Melanie said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother and sweet doggie. I hope this next year brings you joy and some happiness.
Congratulations on becoming a US citizen, you must be very proud. Beautiful stitching as always.

Laura said...

Sending you lots of hugs and good wishes that you will feel stronger every day. I know your Mom and your sweet doggie are with you in spirit and wishing you happiness at all times. I send you my deepest sympathies.

So glad you have friends and stitching to get you through this tough time. All of your projects are totally amazing and stunning.

sending lots of love!

Vickie said...

I am so very sorry for your losses. I am very glad that you know you will see your mother again in heaven.
Congratulations! And what a wonderful stitched piece to remember it by!

Katrina said...

Love you girl!!!!! I know how difficult the last several months have been losing your mom and then Nala.

On a happier note, love the BBD piece commemorating your citizenship. What a good day!!! Glad we could be there :-).

pj said...

Congrats on your citizenship! A very touching thing to experience.

I am sending hugs to you regarding losing your precious mother and dog who was your friend. I lost my mother and brother within 3 months of each other and the stress was unbearable. Memories will bring you such a warmth of peace....be glad you have your stitching to help you through the rough days!!! Your work is beautiful. pj in iowa

Patti-Rocky Mtn Stitcher said...

Love seeing your WIP and finishes. Its true as they say-stitching soothes the soul.

Mayté Bermúdez-García said...

Natalia, lamento mucho la muerte de tu madre y luego de tu perrita. A veces la vida es dura, pero luego todo vuelve a florecer y sonreír. Ahora tienes 2 ángeles en el cielo que velan por ti.

Se llaman "Botas navideñas" y la que has realizado para Isabela está bellísima.

Te felicito por tu ciudadanía americana :)

Charlene ♥ NC said...

I'm so sorry for your losses. It is so sad to lose two so near. It is great that you have your beautiful stitching to help ease the sad times. Congratulations on your new citizenship! Sending hugs and peaceful thoughts.

Carol said...

Such a touching post with such sadness mixed with joy... I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of your mom, Natalia--I just dread that day myself. My mom is truly my very best friend. I'm so very sorry and I know you think of her many times each day. I hope your stitching has helped you deal with the pain of her loss and that of your sweet dog.

Congratulations on becoming a U.S. citizen--truly something to celebrate :) Your stitching and handwarmers are so pretty...

Deb said...

I'm so sorry about your mother and Nala - I hope that the memories of them always make you smile. Congratulations on your Citizenship!! And your stitching is wonderful!!! Happy to see you post again.

Lanie said...

Natalia, my deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your mom. Such a pretty picture of her you shared. And from your sweet words about her, she must have been just as lovely on the inside. At times like these there are never the right words. May you feel her presence surround you always. And sympathy also on the loss of your Nala. Our beloved pets take such a big part of our hearts.
Congratulations on becoming a US cititzen! What a proud moment. I love the momento you stitched.

Siobhán said...

Okay, I'm sitting here bawling, you should have put an alert on your post!! Oh my gosh. It's so true, about the before and after losing a parent. But it's also so true that Nala and your mom are in heaven together and that they will rejoice when you join them, though hopefully not too soon! ;) Big, big hugs. I know there are no words, but know that I think of and pray for you often.

Your stitching is, as always, so pretty! Congratulations on the finishes. Most especially, congratulations on your dual citizenship! I think having US & EU citizenship is the best of both worlds.

Terri said...

So sorry for your losses! But congratulations on your swearing in!

Hugs and prayers!

Jane in Wisconsin said...

Oh Natalia my sincere sympathies on the loss of your beautiful mother and your west dog. Such a sad time for you. Something that helped me was to think of the great things my mom did for me and the things she would want me to do. Hang in there.

Congratulations on becoming an American citizen! We are lucky to have you!

Love all your stitchy projects.........they are truly beautiful.

Estrella said...

Hola Natalia, siento mucho todo lo que te ha ocurrido, pero gracias a Dios el tiempo pasa y cura nuestras heridas. Muchos besos

Debby said...

Natalia,
I'm glad to know you had your mom for those years and, yes, it will hurt a little less as time goes on. Plus, the wisdom and great qualities she had have been passed on to you and you can be proud of that. My mom was born in 1930 as well and we lost her in 2001. I still miss her terribly, but my memories are precious!

It's good to see you healing a bit more each day.

Marsha said...

So sorry to hear about your double loss.

Congratulations on becoming a US citizen. I'm sure you know more about our country than most of us and it is an honor. I admire you for it.

Beautiful stitching.

Lynn said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. I haven't lost my mom but I was very close to my father and he died quite suddenly. It's such a difficult thing but in time things do become less painful. I'm sorry about Nala too. Quite often our pets help us with our stress and it must be devastating to have lost both within a short time. I will keep you in my prayers.
Congrats on becoming a US citizen!