The Queen of Everything

Why is Laura famously known as "The Queen of Everything" in our family? When our children were younger, we adopted a Christmas tradition of giving gifts that were made rather than bought. The definition of "made" was generous to include something created out of pieces that were purchased. I'm sure each family member remembers either making or receiving one of these innovative and special gifts.

One year Ben had Laura's name for a Christmas gift. He found an iron on transfer that he put on a sweatshirt (pink, as I recall). The image was "The Queen of Everything" created by Mary Engelbreit.

This was Laura's absolute favorite article of clothing for a long time, not only because she liked the image but because we all were "forced" to do her bidding whenever she wore her special sweatshirt. What fun we had being Laura's semi-willing subjects!

Years later Laura was living away from home and one day while shopping in a local thrift store I was thrilled to find the identical image on a tapestry wall hanging. This also became a Christmas gift for Laura and adorned the wall in her apartment in Provo. While it was a silly gift for a grown woman, the smile it brought to her face was priceless.

I do not know what happened to the sweatshirt (Mom probably has it packed away somewhere). But I have the wall hanging as a wonderful reminder of the royalty in our family, Laura Ann Oviatt -- The Queen of Everything!