Gillyflower embroidery

Kate, Kate, Kate... hand embroidery??? Get with the program girl, aren't you expecting an embroidery machine sometime soon? ;-)

Heheherhe! Yes, I'm embroidering with crossed fingers! Makes the stitches a bit wonky... ;)

I'm hoping that will still happen.

Given that I haven't done this for over 30 years, I's going pretty fast! Almost done now. Just half that top flower still to go.

I haven't done any hand embroidery for ages, although at one time (younger hands, younger eyes) I loved doing it.

Do be careful what you hope/wish for, it's a time sink. An enjoyable one, but still... :-}

Kind of like the internet and news groups, for me, anyway.

That's how I fell into the embroidery pit in the first place! Schlepping round the interubes...

It looks really good!!!!! I love that design. And I'll waggle my slightly singed finger at you and sternly remind you that no one would notice any faults in it at all if you didn't point them out!!!! (I kinda ironed myself yesterday...that's the danger of pressing that much hem. Got one finger and my forearm. *sigh*)

That will be oh so lovely when you're done. It's really kind of soothing to sit and do some handwork like that sometimes isn't it? I'm doing a crocheted tablecloth right now......and for the next 10 years or so. LOL It's a pattern from my grandmother's stash. It's pineapple doilies all joined together. I think I will need 50 of them to fit my table with both leaves extended. I have 16 done. lol I don't think it will be ready for Christmas dinner this year. ;)

Sharon

Oh, the numper of times I have almost pressed a permanent crease into my left index finger! I feel for you. Not got my forearm yet, but there are still many years ahead oof me on that one!

And thank you. It's the over all impression I'm looking for, rather than the fine scrutiny!

All that happens when I crochet or knit is that I tie my thumbs together in ever more elaborate ways! But I do hand finish an awful lot of things that don't need it, or where it can't be justified on the price, because I prefer the look and hand finishing is fun!

I hate burning myself. Have you tried Judith Neukam's method for turning small edges? Lay a presscloth down on the ironing board, several inches of presscloth hanging over the side, then the item to be hemmed. Place a pressing template over the item to be hemmed (old file folders work well). Pull the press cloth edge over the template, thus turning the edge to be hemmed over the template, and press. The press cloth makes a big "handle" for turning the edge and keeps the iron from biting.

Kay

Maybe for dinner when Anna graduates from college, Sharon? LOL

Emily

It went off as smooth as glass, just as the first one in October. I went into the Outpatient Clinic at 6:30 Thursday morning and was at home by 10:10 a.m. DS served me breakfast, then I was off to "Slumberland" for a few hours.

The big difference between the 2 is, I still could use my old glasses to see how to read, write, etc; now, those tasks are more difficult, until next week when I can get some "off the rack" that will get me through the next month. The doctor suggested waiting a week to get the inexpensive glasses and it will be the first week of January before he prescribes new ones.

I have to say "Thank You" again for all the encouragement I received from so many of you on this site, including you, Beverly, and others, including Olwyn Mary, "May she rest in peace."

Emily

Emily, you are welcome, I'm very happy for you that the second surgery went smoothly. If your doctor could give you an estimate of what you'll need for reading (+125, +150,

+175, etc) your DS could probably pick up some cheapies until you get the good ones.

Oh, that's a good idea! Gotta try that one some time.

U. - got a not so nice burn between my left thumb and forefinger from gripping the hot baking tray with a crocheted potholder (yup, got the holey part...)

Nothing wrong with your hand embroidery, Kate; gives the whole thing a flair of authenticity. Ah, I don't think my embroidery machine will come to me that soon; the precious 'dowery' is dwindling so fast that I'll get just the Bernina after Christmas plus a super cheap-o machine for taking to classes with me and wait for another opportunity to have the embroidery gadget given to me. Maybe I'll go to Steckborn and pick it up from the factory; we've got relatives in that part of the world and I had wanted to visit for ages. But that depends on how things are going with my mom. She has to go to hospital soon for some skin cancer surgery; things don't look to good and this Christmas won't be a very happy or rahter unencumbered one, I fear.

But I love hand finishing things, too. Must be your influence, Kate; I used to love machine hems etc. but now that I know better I think that they look rather crappy the way I used to do them. I used a Hongkong finish on the facing of the jacket which impressed the teacher and fellow students a little. And I will, of course fix the facing and do the hemming by hand with all those good stitches I learned from you (and all the others here). Chances are fait that I'll get the jacket finished for the holidays so that DSIL will receive her gift in time. I hope she'll like it. At least DD will be off to Kindergarten again next week. Did I tell that she was sick for almost five weeks now, with only a few days of health in between. And to top it all off, DH and I got the cold from her, too, and I am on antibiotics and cortisone now, because my sinuses were totally clogged and I had a such a bad cough that I alost puked or suffocated every time I coughed. My throat must have been raw. But now we're all on the mend. I just don't dare to go near my mom for fear of giving the bug to her and she really needs no further delays. (She should have had her surgery in early December but since she receives Macumar, the stuff had to be out of her system first; they wouldn't take any risks.)

Well, if you don't mind, keep your fingers crossed, this time for me & mom. It doesn't hurt the stitches at all. ;-)

U. - Lovely work you're doing again these days.

I'm glad that went well. :) My mum certainly benefits greatly from hers.

The embroidery machine will be on lone while I asses it for the shop. It'll give me a chance to find out if this is a route I want to go down... I'd love to go to Steckborn too...

I still love a machine finished hem in the right place. All this 18th C stuff is being machine made and finished where it won't show or matter, but hand finished where it will, or just because it's easier that way, like on the stays!

Your DSIL will, I'm sure, love her prezzy. You need to post pix for us to admire!

At least DD will be off to Kindergarten again next week.

Give your mum my love aqnd best wishes. She is a lovely lady and I think of her often. My best wishes for the rest of the family too. And I'm glad you and the Demon fairy are getting well again. Winter lurghi's are the pits.

Will do, and thank you.

YAY!!!!! I'm so glad it went well. :) I say find the most fun cheaters you can till you get your new prescription in January. Like hot pink with flowers, or zebra stripes, or..... ;)

Sharon

Emily, YOu're on your way to a whole new world of vision. I'm so happy the surgery is overwith and you are doing well. Juno