A young maiden crowned with pale crystal zinnias, stops to experience the pleasures of nature. Her apron pattern echoes the neatly kept rows of her garden that overflows with pansies, narcissus, violets, and herbs. Beads make the flowers appear as they are in those first moments of the dewy morning — glistening and glowing with tiny droplets.

There is a princess, we are told, of indescribable wealth, who is fascinated by the mixing of garden scents. “A touch of lavender for sleep,” she muses here, in an ornate gown and stole trimmed with “Wisper”. “And rosemary, that’s for remembrance.” Rumor has it that she has captured her favorite scent, that of old English roses, in a rose-amethyst vial to carry with her wherever she goes. While you stitch, consider the effect of fragrances in your life, and resolve to surround yourself with those that bring you happiness, too.

“I’m not a very patient person,” says Nora, “but gardening is teaching me to be. I’ve learned that something tiny and fragile holds the promise of becoming something bold and beautiful, if I only water and wait for it. What I haven’t learned is to not go barefoot outside way too early and freeze my feet! It’s nature’s way of reminding me why shoes were invented, I guess.”

“I suspect that my neighbors laugh at my gardening outfits–I really do wear pretty hats and flowing skirts to dig in the dirt! I just can’t bear to wear ugly old clothes amidst all that beauty. And I don’t know about you, but I like a very orderly garden, full of old-fashioned flowers in cool shades of pink and white. I especially love anything I can cut to enjoy inside. If it doesn’t flower, I don’t grow it!”

This winsome southern belle learned the genteel art of hospitality in finishing school, and she’d be delighted to extend a warm welcome to guests in any finely decorated foyer. She makes a lovely gift for new neighbors, new homeowners or newlyweds–or just hang her where she can make you smile each time you walk in the door.