I miss my mom. We all miss my mom, every single day, every single minute. I miss her so much that all of this just takes my breath away and then I remember that she's there, looking after all of us and guiding our steps as we try to get through our days without her next to us.

March 5th, 2009 was the very worst day of my entire life. I know that there are a lot pf people who feel exactly the same way for the same reason, because they have told me so. Kris Stott, was not only an incredible wife, mother, and Nana but also a tremendous friend and mentor to so many in this industry; the heart and soul of Norden Crafts who started Kris' Stitches in 1977 painting needlepoint canvases and went so far beyond that. Kris truly loved the needlework industry and worked tirelessly in its support. She even had an ornament of her design and execution hanging on the White House Christmas tree and she was so very proud.

My mom and dad, Dave and Kris Stott bought Norden Crafts in 1994 continuing and embracing the support of local shops, designers, teachers and vendors in this industry. I think that we have lost an extraordinary woman - not only our family has suffered the loss - but the industry as a whole.

Trying to find the perfect way to honor my mother has been difficult. Trying to find a way to include so many of the people that she loved and respected has been a very hard task. With the help and guidance of some people who knew her very well, we have found a way. We invited our designers to be a part of a memorial sampler done in counted thread. My mom had a huge love of samplers because of the stories that each told. We wanted to have designs that commemorated some of the many things that Kris took such joy in: flowers, gardening, hearts, quilts, grandkids, cooking, the U.S. flag, all sorts of animals (cats, dogs, birds, squirrels), pumpkins, snowmen and santas. They represent just a few of the things Kris held dear and these motifs tell part of the story of my mother's life.

Once we had a plan we asked the designers to be a part of it by submitting a 3"x3" motif design themed around any of the above ideas. We also wanted to make sure that they stayed true to their own design style and "special signature". The designs started flowing in and I was blown away. In all we received 69 designs from our designers. All of the designs are stitched on 30ct Weeks Dye Works Straw Linen, and using all Weeks Dye Works floss colors.

With an overwhelming turnout of designs, we decided to group them together by theme, and make 7 leaflets out of them that will be released starting at Nashville 2010 through Columbus 2011. They are all a 9" x 9" design size. Starting with the 2nd leaflet there will be an additional 3"x3" motif that is finished as a "small" (ornament/pinkeep/scissor fob etc.) We also asked the designers to use the same color palette from Weeks Dye Works as follows: Linen (1094), Sweet Potato (2238), Onyx (1304), Kudzu (2200), Lancaster Red (1333), Deep Sea (2104), Mulberry (1316), Whiskey (2219), Red Pear (1332), Molasses (1268), Chestnut (1269), Sand (3500) and Kris's Bon Bon (1267). The color palette is the same for all samplers and smalls. A lot of the designers shared a memory about my mom, or a message to her.

The best part is that all the proceeds from the sale of these charts will be donated to several different Animal Protection Organizations around the country in Kris's name. Norden Crafts will not profit from the sale of these charts. We are providing much needed assistance for animals in mom's name.

A special thank you to the designers; without you all it never would've happened. Your designs and memories make my mother's story come to life.