Sampler
I’m just finishing a cross-stitch sampler I started months ago to mark the birth of the youngest member of the family, Hailey, who was born in March. I started one, but it looked all wrong, so I abandoned it and began another. It doesn’t look too dreadful, and as I suspect it will be received with thanks and then ‘put away’ I’m not too bothered.
All I had left to stitch was the date. I’d counted all the squares and was just reaching the end when I realised I’d miscalculated and hadn’t centred it correctly. I couldn’t face unpicking it, so decided to improvise and add some flowers in the unplanned spaces.
Then I’ll wash it, mount it, and frame it. It’s the last birth sampler I’ll make. The next clutch of grandchildren doesn’t look ready to have babies yet, and cross-stitch isn’t quite their style anyway.
I enjoy cross-stitch, but I haven’t my mother’s skill with a needle, or her patience. Nobody will be bidding for my work in centuries to come!
What a lovely group of happy people! I'm not much good at needlework of any kind, though I did sew clothes for myself and my children for a while.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know that you can if you need to!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous photo of all of them Janice.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. 😊
DeleteHow many grands do you have in all? The six oldest are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNine in all, and six great-grands. I'm doing my bit for the pensioners of the future.
DeleteI used to cross-stitch years ago but somehow fell out of the habit and haven't done it in quite a while. Maybe I should take it up again...
ReplyDeleteIt's quite relaxing, provided the thread count is not too small.
DeleteBeautiful grandkids...hope I get to see mine grow up.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We are lucky to have seen them grow up.
DeleteLovely family photograph of a lovely family! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteTo have something from great grandmother is special in itself, don't knock your skills - and done with love. Unique and personal.
ReplyDeleteYou have put me in my place . . . 🤣😂
DeleteBeautiful!!
ReplyDeleteImportant family events really deserve quality photos of all the rellies together. In 20 years time, who knows who will be alive? Who will have emigrated? Who will not be talking to the siblings/cousins any more?
Your comment resonates with me. I cannot solve any problems, just listen to all sides and hope everything will resolve.
DeleteI agree with Tigger's Mum. A gift to be treasured.
ReplyDeleteThat would be nice.
DeleteThat’s a lovely photo and one to treasure…and I’m sure that your sampler will be treasured too.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma was the skilled one…sewing, knitting.…and smocking! Who does that nowadays?! But it was beautiful!
Enjoy Sunday! 😁
My mother used to smock. She was a trained tailor.
DeleteWho knows maybe the baby when grown up will see it and want to know about you. I adore cross stitch and have given away loads of finished projects, I still have a few cushions and framed pieces here.
ReplyDeleteI have many samples of my mother's work. She was very creative worked on very fine materials.
DeleteA very nice group photo. I tried cross stitch many years ago. I just didn't have the patience for it.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to have a photograph of all my 'youngsters' together, but it's unlikely to happen as life gets busier for them.
DeleteEach one of your family members knows that you are making them an heirloom to keep. The love that is in it is what they appreciate.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynn.
DeleteA beautiful photo of the young in your family. I want to pass on some things given to me from my MIL to the grandchildren. The youngest vexes me most, totally and utterly untidy. It would be good to see your sampler.
ReplyDeleteOften the ones that vex the most turn out to be the most loving and family-oriented in my experience.
DeleteThat is a lovely photograph you've shared.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Mum was a wonderful knitter, she didn't do cross-stitch.
I am hopeless with any sort of needles, thread or yarn!
Well perhaps not quite hopeless ... I can sew a button on a shirt or blouse!
I'm sure your sampler will be appreciated.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
All the best Jan
I like knitting, but don't like sewing up afterwards, so that's not much help.
DeleteA nice looking family.
ReplyDeleteNot bad, as families go . . . 🤣😂
DeleteLovely photo. Re nomenclature - I love being called Granny! But then I very much loved my own granny - the one who lived near us. I didn't really know the other one, who moved to Cheltenham when I was little. I had lots of Auntie This and Thats who were my parents' friends when I was young, but then that was just what happened then. It didn't bother me, though I don't refer to them (all gone) as that now. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt all comes down to what you're comfortable with. and associations in naming can be so important.
DeleteIt is good to have a hobby that we enjoy doing whether or not our results are first class in the minds of others.
ReplyDeleteIt is. None of my hobbies could be regarded as exemplary! 🤣😂
ReplyDeleteon the wall that i am facing is mother cross stitch of my dad little Baptist Church, she loved to cross stitch, I tried crochet, cross stitch and making a dress. it seems my lack of patience did not work well with a needle. your family is beautiful
ReplyDeleteYour talents lie in other directions, Sandra. 😊
DeleteSeems there are quite a few of us who would love to be really good at an artistic craft but seem destined to be mediocre ( not suggesting your needlework sampler is that dear Janice) But, yes, surely it's the doing and the effort put in that counts most......trying to convince myself here!
ReplyDeleteI'm about to attempt a jumper ' top down , in the round ' I got a free pattern on Ravelry , the yarn has been purchased, no joining up to do😀 We'll see 😉😂
The photo is lovely , family is special.
Alison in Devon x
Your jumper sounds interesting. I hope it's fun to make.
DeleteWhat a sweet hobby that not only benefits making you happy, but puts smiles on your families faces...
ReplyDeleteI hope so. 😊
DeleteIt sounds wonderful, a gift to treasure.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteIf it makes you feel any better, Dave's grandmother made him a sampler when he was born. It spent a lot of his youth in a closet but when I married him I got it reframed and it now hangs in our hallway. It's been rediscovered!
ReplyDeleteThere's hope! 😂🤣
DeleteLovely family. The sampler will be a lovely keepsake.
ReplyDelete😁
DeleteThat's a wonderful photo. It's always so hard to get grandchildren together. May they all live happily and healthily
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. 😊
ReplyDelete