Since I sent her the Happy Mail last month, I've been putting a few bits and pieces together in another parcel, so I said he could drop that off while he was there.
Most of this parcel contained food and edible treats but there was one hand made item, the secret cross stitch project that I was working on a little while ago, which I can now show you.
You Are So Loved is a beautiful design by Maja who writes The Snowflower Diaries blog, the same designer of the Joyful World Stitch Along which I'm currently working on. I'd originally intended to stitch this up for Eleanor for her 18th birthday but I just never got chance, better late than never.
Maja writes "It is dedicated to the strongest and deepest love between human beings: the love between mother and child." Perfect then as a gift for Eleanor.
The fabric I used is so different from the 28 count DMC linen I'm using for the Joyful World Stitch Along, this is 28 count evenweave which I bought from Hobbycraft and I find it a much nicer fabric to work with. It's softer for a start which makes it more pliable and I find it much easier to work with. It was white but I tea dyed it to give it an aged look.
I bought an antique looking frame, which I think sets it off well. It's free standing as Eleanor isn't allowed to hammer nails in her walls, but it's only a small piece so that's fine.
I'm so pleased with how it's turned out and Eleanor was thrilled with it. Not everyone appreciates hand made gifts but it gives me such a warm, fuzzy feeling to make gifts for those who do, Eleanor's one of them.
What a lovely gift, and finished off beautifully too.
ReplyDeleteEvenweave is my preferred choice of fabric too and 28 count seems to work for just about everything.
I'm glad Eleanor is enjoying her time at uni, sounds like she is having fun.
I'm nervous about giving hand made stuff too, like you say non crafters don't always appreciate them. I mentioned I'd knit a hat for Mark the other week at work and the other receptionist laughed, i must admit i was a bit put out by that and a little hurt too actually. Oh well, can't please everyone i suppose,
I wish I'd known about evenweave fabric before I started Joyful World, it's got such a nicer feel to it than the linen I'm using. Eleanor's loving university, she's settled so well and is having a great time. I think knitting is seen as an old-fashioned hobby to some people, something done by their grannies, so it's something to laugh about when they hear of people knitting garments. Little do they know that we're nice and snug in our hand knitted clothes whilst they're freezing in the cold weather.
DeleteSuch a beautiful and thoughtful gift, made with love what could be better. Always nice to have some food treats too, my girls were always thankful for that.
ReplyDeleteEleanor really liked it so I'm pleased about that. She was very pleased with her food treats too, I know exactly what she likes so there was plenty of goodies for her to enjoy.
DeleteIt's such a special present, I'm sure it's something Eleanor can keep forever. So lovely that she appreciates the things that are made for her xx
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to think that hand made gifts will be treasured for years to come. She's always been thankful for anything I've made for her, it's nice that my hard work is appreciated.
DeleteThis is really lovely. I'd never thought of dying fabric with tea, I have an idea for some small stitched hoops, and, if I ever get around to making them, I'll use this idea!
ReplyDeleteI came across tea dying on other blogs I've read, I pick up so many hints, tips and ideas from this wonderful community.
DeletePerfect was the first word that popped into my head when I read and saw this.
ReplyDeleteIt is simply perfect, and I suspect a gift that Eleanor will treasure for many years to come.
So pleased she has settled into Uni life well.
All the best Jan
I thought the sentiment was perfect, very appropriate for a gift for Eleanor. I'm sure she will keep it for many years to come and I hope it's treasured.
DeleteThat is so lovely - it actually made me a bit teary as you described its meaning. My daughter is a huge fan of both giving and receiving homemade gifts...she knows that those are truly gifts from the heart.
ReplyDeleteI think the meaning behind it just adds to how special it is. I think it's lovely when children are brought up to appreciate hand made gifts, it's all too easy to buy things in this day and age, they don't own any special things which are made with love and don't give them either.
DeleteWhat a lovely gift :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased that Eleanor liked it.
DeleteNice post and good pictures. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI always find it hard to photograph anything in a frame, I get so much glare or reflections so I have to take the photo on an angle.
DeleteWhat a thoughtful, lovely gift for your daughter. It's beautiful. I'm sure she will cherish it forever.
ReplyDeletexxx
I hope so. It would be lovely to think she'd keep some of the things I make for her.
DeleteWhat a lovely present - I am sure she will treasure it!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed stitching it, it was a lovely project to work on.
DeleteJo it's beautiful. It bought a tear to my eye when I read the post.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I love the sentiment behind the design. I knew it was something I wanted to stitch for Eleanor as soon as I saw it.
DeleteA lovely gift, well received. What more can we ask for? :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm always pleased when something I've made is well received.
DeleteWhat a lovely mum you are. I'm sewing my daughters some Christmas gifts. It does make it special when you've taken time to create something unique for them. Hopefully they will treasure them. I've got a jumper my mum made when she was 15. It's so pretty. I'll always treasure it. All the best. Karen
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your daughters will love their gifts, as you say, hand made gifts are extra special. How lovely to have that jumper that your mum made, that's something that's totally irreplaceable and I'm sure is amongst your treasured possessions.
DeleteThat is so beautiful, I'm sure Eleanor will treasure it.
ReplyDeleteI hope she will, she was really pleased with it.
DeleteIt is a very beautiful present. Eleanor will treasure this forever.
ReplyDeleteI've only used aida fabric for cross stitch before. I find linen a bit intimidating but I might try using evenweave next time. I can clearly see the little squares so it must be similar to aida but just softer. x
Eleanor loved it so I'm sure it will be a treasured gift. As well as evenweave being softer, I find it easier to see the holes than in linen fabric. I wished I'd known before I embarked on the Joyful World Stitch Along which is a large project, it would have made it much easier.
DeleteThank you for sharing the beautiful stitched picture in the lovely frame you made for Eleanor. From mother to daughter it's very special. She must have been pleased to see her Dad when he called by. So glad Eleanor is enjoying uni.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's something she'll keep. Though Eleanor's appreciative of anything I make for her, I think you appreciate these things even more as you get older. She was really pleased to see her dad and I think he was just as pleased to see her.
DeleteOh, Jo, this is just beautiful. What a thoughtful thing to do for Eleanor. She knows she is much loved, I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI don't think she's in much doubt now. I just love this design and the whole sentiment behind it.
DeleteA beautiful gift for Eleanor, my daughter loves a homemade gift and handknitted socks too. My little granddaughter thinks its very strange that her friends don't have knitted cardigans and hats etc as she has always had them and is quick to put I a reqes for a toy now and again too!
ReplyDeleteI think it's lovely to make things for those who appreciate it, not everyone does. I remember my grandma knitting me cardigans for school when I was little, not so rare then as it is these days.
DeleteAhhhh, what a beautiful gift, it's beautifully stitched too. Lovely.xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased with it. It's such a beautiful design, I knew I wanted to stitch it for Eleanor as soon as I saw it.
DeleteBeautiful cross stitch with a lovely sentiment.
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure to work on this and Eleanor loved it.
DeleteHandmade gifts are the best!
ReplyDeleteI hope you can stop by and consider joining in the 2017 PenPal sign-up:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/11/tea-time-penpals-and-snow-112516.html
Colletta
I agree, I love receiving handmade gifts as well as giving them. I shall definitely drop by and find out what the PenPal sign up is all about.
DeleteHandmade gifts are great :)
ReplyDeleteI think so too.
Delete