While Shannon Downey combed through estate sale treasures in early September, she came across a beautiful embroidery project: a map of the United States. It showed the outline of the nation, surrounded by each state’s flower — from Utah’s sego lily to Louisiana’s magnolia.

Downey snatched it up for just $5, but when she walked into another room at this sale, she found a box full of fabric. The embroidery project wasn’t finished.