If you treat it well and rejuvenate it every so often (check out the FAQ on how to do that), it can probably live for a loong time. Apparently the oldest AV on record, "superman", was some 54 years old - passed from one owner to the next, but finally didn't survive the last move. I am told though, that, as some AV's age, they will not bloom as frequently or bountifully anymore. My oldest is currently about 4-5 years, I think, hard to tell unless you keep proper records.... I never grew them before that. Karin

I see no one has answered you yet. I made my mom a needlepoint pillow couple of yrs back-only 1 I've ever done but it had piping around edge. I made sure piping was pinned through so it didn't disappear when I started could run stitch or 2 through it so it won't move back into casing & started on a side as easier to work after you go around & come up to meet where you started, I just measured it & cut it about 1/4 in. longer than I thought I needed by pulling the fabric back do the cut & put the ends of fabric over the starting fabric & edges of fabric ruffle tucked inside itself & finish by hand. It came out beautifully. Trying to sew over it will twist it I think, but I rarely do things like other people so I do what I have to do to get results, maybe has something to do with being a leftie?? Hope someone else has a better explanation. Jan

I think your beautiful room could really benefit from some softness provided by curtain panels, but I have to tell you, not lovin' the brown curtains with the brown furniture. I think a lighter colored burlap or linen curtain would keep your light and also offer some texture. If budget is a concern, it's really easy to make panels, particularly solid color panels. Even if you have to buy a basic sewing machine, you'll still be ahead, and then you can also make your own pillows! Below is a link to a source for some reasonable panels. Good luck! Dee Here is a link that might be useful: Burlap panels

In World War II, "'V'is/was for 'Victory'!!". And we held up index and middle finger to symbolize it. What we call "Remembrance Day" ... and you call "Veterans' Day" (don't you?) ... is coming up this Thursday. Let us be thankful for the measure of freedom and democracy which we enjoy, due largely to the sacrifices not only of the many who died, but of the many others who went through at least the outskirts of hell during those years, many of them coming home partly broken, whether in body, mind or spirit. ole joyful