I’m going to share something with you today that’s special to me – something that people who like to sew will probably like.

It’s one of the few possessions I have that I would consider an heirloom, or…maybe I’d just call it a little treasure. I’ve been thinking about it because Mother’s Day is on Sunday.

My mom handstitched all of our names (I am the youngest of 5), birth dates and the cities where we were born, along with some embellishments, onto this blue chambray fabric which she intended as a quilt border. She never actually attached it to a quilt (she says the quilt she made disappeared and she never knew what happened to it), so the rolled up border sat in her sewing bucket forever. I remember always wanting to unroll it and look at it,  much the same way Elena and Rosa always want to take out their baby books and pore over the pages.

I also remember what a pain in the neck it was to roll it back up (and was reminded again when I took it out for these photos!).

Want to see it? You’re going to learn something about me today that I am pretty sure most of you don’t know. Keep reading:

Christopher Shaw Wheeler, born August 13, 1962 in New York, NY

How hilarious is it that she forgot the “h”? And added it in?

My brother Chris is the oldest.

My brother Landy (Landrum – it’s a family name) is the second oldest:

Landrum (“Landy”) Wheeler – no middle name – born October 21, 1966 in Milwaukee, WI

My sister Gillian (Gilly) is the middle child and oldest girl:

Gillian Graves (“Gilly”) Wheeler, born November 19, 1967 in New Rochelle, NY. Graves is also a family name.

I’m suspicious of the “genius” stitched next to her name. I kinda maybe think Gilly sewed that on there herself.

My sister Liza (formal name “Elise” after my maternal grandmother) is the fourth child:

Elise Scott (“Liza”) Wheeler, born March 1, 1969 in New Rochelle, NY

And now me. Here’s the part you didn’t know:

My real name is Mary (named after my mom). Lawrence was my paternal grandfather, who died about 3 hours before I was born. Everyone has always called me Molly, except the teacher on the first day of school and the cashier at department store who says, “Thank you for shopping here, Mary” as she hands me back my credit card.

I was destined to love rick rack.

Mary Lawrence (“Molly”) Wheeler, born August 9, 1972 in Shelbyville, IN.

I trust you have now noted my birthday on all of your calendars. Also, I think I should have a huge birthday bash this year because my birthday (August 9, 2010)  is 8/9/10. You are all invited.

Here are a few of the decorative touches around the rest of the border and some close-ups:

(the butterfly is not an applique)

Five kids in ten years from New York City to Milwaukee, back to New York, and then to Indiana. Whew!

Today,  by the way, happens to be my mom’s birthday, so happy birthday to her.

And Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there – much love to you all.

xoxo,
Mary Lawrence
Molly