Like many of you, staying at home because of Covid gave Handsome and I have found inspiration to work on projects around the house. We are avid fans of HGTV. So we have been educated enough to be dangerous.
We’ve worked on the yard. Reworked our garages, adding new openers and electrical outlets for future cars (his idea). For a while, I’ve been replacing fifteen+ years old furniture with newer things.
After my mom passed, my sisters and I went through family things. I received many sets of pillowcases with Grandmother’s handmade lace already sewn on. I have wanted to embroider sets for Christmas gifts. Covid and tv shows with Handsome provided the perfect opportunity to work on this project.
Last week, I finished my ninth set (already gave one away). These cases have been a joy to stitch, except for one (bottom right). One is embellished with the most difficult row of flowers. I set it aside, thinking the perfect time would pop up and I would whip them out. Wrong! I just had to tackle the work like any other.
I feel very fortunate to have a Grandmother who taught me embroidery at age nine. And one who could crochet and tat with no effort. Before Grandmother passed, her hands would make imaginary lace. Tatting had become an integral part of her.
What is inspiring you lately?
Relax with Sommerville days: Fun book!
How lovely! Embroidering, like knitting, can be so therapeutic. My Mum’s hand were ever busy. Lucky enough to have two Grans – both of whom were darlings – one was ‘well-heeled’ and her daughters made exquisite pieces. taught by the nuns. x
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Oh Joy, I would have loved to see their work. I picked up pillowcases at a flea market last December. The satin stitch–well, I’m envious. Mine was never so fine. Thanks you for visiting with me.
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Reblogged this on Vicki Batman – sassy writer of funny fiction.
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Beautiful pillowcases! I remember embroidering a small gift for my grandmother when I was 10 or so. I haven’t embroidered in ages. I also liked to do counted cross-stitch, but the eyes don’t like to do it anymore. I’m happy you have found this outlet during this difficult time.
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Hi, J Q Rose! I’m with you on counted cross stitch. My eyes-yiyiyiyi. And for these cases, I stitched the transfer in one color. Seemed more modern than a color for every flower or leaf. I like it a lot. Since I’ve finished, my hands are idle and itching to dive into a new project. Probably will stitch a new mahjongg bag. Hugs!
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Your embroidered pillowcases are beautiful and will be a treasured gift I suspect. It’s been years since I did any embroidery but I have been doing some flow art lately and enjoying it.
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Thank you, Pat. Stitching brings great joy. I have seen your flow art pictures and am so impressed. Wish I was there so you could teach me. Hugs!
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Still chuckling over your title choice 😀 and your embroidery is beautiful ❤
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Thanks, Kathryn! When I wrote the blog post, Handsome had just had his colonoscopy. I sat at my desk thinking about inspiration and then it hit – a colonoscopy isn’t. I had to write that! LOL
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Your embroidery is beautiful, Vicki. Your grandmother must be looking down and smiling ❤
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Thank you ,Jacquie. I had a wonderful grandmother.
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Your pillowcases are lovely! I still have tea towels that my grandmother monogrammed in the 1930s. I used to use them daily but now I just take them out for special occasions. It’s such a lost art!
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To have something special from your grandmother is priceless. I see so much of the handmade things at flea markets and am sad. I had no boys to teach–lol. But I have girls. Recently, worked with my son’s girlfriend on a needlepoint project. I can’t wait to teach Julia.
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