Happy Wednesday everyone!
My desk is full of pretty stuff today. I have had a busy few days dress making and wanted to do something different. I have sorted out some of my vintage bits and bobs and thought I would show and tell.
On the left are my two latest car boot purchases - a table runner with poppies, corn and flowers and a tray cloth with really pretty, beautifully embroidered flowers on one corner.
At the top of the photo is a lovely table cloth which my mum embroidered. Unlike Wipso and I, she was no needlewoman. However, after Dad died, my brilliant little sister spent hours with her and encouraged her to embroider as a way of passing the time and getting her interested in life again. She was soon popping off to town to pick up threads and tray cloths and eventually made pictures and table cloths. I think she was thrilled at being able to produce such pretty things and we were all thrilled to receive one of her pieces as a gift. Sadly, as she aged, her ability and eyesight waned and that too is embroidered into her later ones, but it didn't matter because she was happy with it!!
Now the funny little sampler at the front must be about 44 years old!!!
I know because I made it as part of my "O" Level needlework exam when I was about 14.
Yes, in those days we were actually taught embroidery. We had a brilliant teacher so I guess we were very lucky and I am sure, along with our genes inherited from our paternal Grandma, that the seeds of our love for crafts were sown then.
So there you are - a few pretties to enjoy on this fab Wednesday.
Now before you settle down to enjoy this afternoon's wonderful football spectacle (lol) do pop over to Julia's blog and enjoy visiting the rest of the WOYWers!!!
Thanks for calling and thanks lots to Bleubeard and Elizabeth for making me her blogger of the day - how nice is that!!!!
Happy happy memories. Thanks for that Sis. I well remember you making that sampler and the hours of fun and laughter encouraging mum to do her sewing :-)
ReplyDeleteA x
What a sweet and wonderful post Twiglet...when we are left with wonderful memories it helps us. Lovely embroidery x
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ReplyDeleteaww gorgeous work, i used to do a lot of table mats & cloths, luv doing it, still have one i did for my mum when i was about 14! many many moons ago, yep we had to do sewing at school! have good day, sue,x
oh such a sweet post hun,such beautiful work too hugs cheryl xxxxx
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, love all the stuff you've shown us. How lovely that Annie managed to get mum sewing as it must have been a great help after your dad passed away. Your sampler is wonderful, so colourful :-)
ReplyDeleteAnne x
Hiya Twiglet
ReplyDeletefabulous post :O) I love the idea of these
Joey.x
Lovely post and fab blanket too.
ReplyDeletexx
My sis also did O level needlework and she is only in her 40s.She is brill and works as a textiles technician at a secondary school-yep all the machines etc etc and she does the cooking side-that's food technology these days- too. She loves it-a kind of personal heaven. Hugs BettyXXX
ReplyDeleteThey tried to teach me needlework too, once upon a time. It was totally unsuccessful (my late sister got the sewing genes, she even made my wedding dress!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us these pretty things today.
Lovely post, i adore those tray cloths and embroidered mats etc, i found a load in a house clearance sale all dusty and dirty in the botton of an old suitcase, i often wonder about the stories behind them like were they made by someone for their wedding, did the wedding go ahead etc, and whether they were cared for when that person was no longer around. The people who buy them here love them so it's good enough that they go to good homes. Enjoy your wednesday xx
ReplyDeleteWhat pretty things and lovely memories - I can remember my mum having an embroidered table cloth will have to ask her what happened to it... x
ReplyDeleteWell aren't you just the sweetest! Thank YOU! Your post today touched my heart. Memories of your mom made this WOYWW post even more special, and I'm so glad you chose today. It's those special memories that make this blog hopping all so worthwhile. I would say these were some very happy memories. Happy WOYWW.
ReplyDeleteLovely post Twiglet. I remember as a child being taught to embroider and doing the vestments for the popes visit to the UK. I did do my O Grade (scottish) in sewing and actually got a B in it best result I got. My mum mainly knitted we always had a homemade cardie or jumper. HUgs Pam x
ReplyDeleteHow lovely. I love your O evel piece with all the stitch samples to display your skills, but mostly I love the story behind your sweet Mum's handwork. As good as any scrapbook, huh.
ReplyDeleteLovely post - thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, what lovely memories. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction for the African flowers - haven't stopped making them yet and blanket number 1 is well under way. Another addiction I feel.
ReplyDeletexxx
Thank goodness you rescued this beautiful work from the carboot - all the hours someone must have spent doing that wonderful work. Your Mum's is lovely too and such a fab keepsake and heirloom. Now the one at the front, can't believe it's age because the design looks so modern and fresh, I think you must have been ahead of your time!
ReplyDeleteLovely post today, Twiglet - and congrats on being blogger of the day :-)
ReplyDeleteaw, those are really lovely memories. I made a TV (cross stitch ) Telly cover (???) between the age of 5 to 7 (yes it took me that long!) maybe why I was never any good at it! My mum did embroidery, all sorts of weird things from pictures to fire screens and chair covers but she never showed me, weird how I've only just suddenly realised that. I know she did once try to teach me to knit..hmm but looking at someone while they knit, and being a person who really could never make up my mind what hand to use The knitting got knitted backwards! But I did teach myself in the end and both my girls had their ballet cardies made my me! (as well as a few baby things)Hubby's much better thank you!
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Thye are gorgeous reminds me of my nannies and going round there for tea when i was little.The table clothes just like heres,She used to embroider and knit,got knitting from her but just havent patience for embroidery would wnat it finsihed in an hour tops.Congrats for being blog of the day!
ReplyDeletehugs judex
Crikey, a traycloth brought back memories! You don't hear of those these days do you! Too much effort required in laundering them I guess. Lovely, nostalgic things Twiglet!
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Chrissie
Lovely embroidery, & wonderful to have that beautiful tablecloth made by your mum! x
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories - thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post Jo, full of love. I remember doing a bit of sewing at school too, but not to exam level though. We used a couple of old fashioned Singer machines, no electric stuff for us!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Brenda
Ah happy memories. WOW I remember doing sewing at the school and knitting which seems to have jumped my generation for being good at!!! I would have very holey jumpers!!! Mum and Gran are brill at it though. THanks for sharing the memories with us. HAzelxox
ReplyDeleteThese are so beautiful hun :0)
ReplyDelete*hugs* Heather x
Hi there blogger of today (well Wednesday) I'm a bit late visiting this week. Hope story about your Mum and the embroidery lessons sounded very familiar! Have a good week. ikki x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous post. I still have some jumpers Mum made me - they are too big forme now and wearing a bit thin but I doubt I'll ever part with them :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteAnd the little sampler is so cute
I really think you have to frame it!
Suzanne x
It's such a treat to see your Mum's beautiful work and hear the story behind it. Making is the best therapy sometimes isn't it? Those are such precious pieces.
ReplyDeletewow - the memories and the evidence... what more could you ask for? Lovely samplers - a great reminder of pieces my own grandma had around her house - I doubt that she had done her tho as she nursed my grandad since before I was born - but the style is a great reminder.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing... deserve the blogger of the day award.
Paula x x x
My Mum was a great needleperson but sadly I haven't inherited her style and panache, but its lovely to admire yours!
ReplyDeleteMy Mum was a great needleperson but sadly I haven't inherited her style and panache, but its lovely to admire yours!
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