Friends Are The Flowersa Cross Stitch Pattern by Mill On The Floss Samplers

Cross stitch pattern from Mill On The Floss Samplers featuring the sentiment "Friends are the flowers in the garden of life, they fill the world with beauty."

Designer's note: The Pandemic of 2020, which for many is continuing into 2021 has made us appreciate family and friends even more. "Friends are the Flowers" is an adaptation from a sampler in my collection and has been adapted to commemorate Friendship Day, which in the US and many other countries falls on 2nd August 2021.

Sweet Martha was not the most careful stitcher and her sampler reflects, perhaps, the impatience that she felt with her work. The border, the two little girls and the flowers are hers; the house, I swapped for one prettier, and the butterflies are my own addition. I like the thought that they could be departed loved ones watching over us.

The verse is a combination of two, that together sum up what my friends mean to me, and in this case, is particularly apt for the friend to whom I have gifted the model.? She has already claimed the red girl for her own. I chose to link the two girls with a garland of flowers to symbolise a lasting friendship.

Two alphabets have been included so that you may personalise your own sampler.

Finally, I was so lucky that the honeysuckle was so lovely this year to provide the perfect backdrop. In the language of flowers, honeysuckle means affection and devotion.