Cross stitch

Thank Crossstitchfan my brother and sister in law brought it for me . Joy Sunday cross stitch 7063 Elegant coffee cup. But they are the size of tea cups. What I loved about it on the chart it said which DMC number was used . As I did run out of 3 colours but had them in my stash .
When doing it you can't really see the beautiful pattern lot of shading but then it suddenly comes to life . No back stitch as the way the cups are designed back stitch would have spoilt the effect . Well that's how I feel.
Started on a Christmas cake as my craft group are thinking about seeing if we can hang some of our works in a row of shops near by . One of the group slab builds using air dried clay she's making a wreath.

I’m surprised no backstitching was used on this. It looks so crisp. The shading is lovely. I would love to be able to design such beautiful Items.
You’re lucky to have a craft group, there is nothing like that near me. At one time I would have been happy to start one, but at my age and with my health issues, I can’t commit to anything like that.
I hate old age, even though I said I would never be the sort of old lady who says that. I hate it because, due to that and my illness it means I don’t have the energy to do all the crafts I used to do and that frustrates me.
Oh well, onwards and upwards and all that. I’m still breathing and that’s always a bonus! Sleep well.

Crossstitchfan I can alter charts if I want to just part of the finished picture but couldn't design from scratch. I can't draw not artistic plus my hands shake to much. But funny enough they don't when I cross stitch no idea why. My writing is tiny and I have a death grip on a pen to stop my hand shaking . This might make you laugh. In November my neurologists registrar made a video of me to show other what hereditary Hyperekplexia looks like . Did various tasks. Poor chap nearly got a finger in his eye . He asked me to draw an Arc something ( can't remember how to spell the Greek guys name ) spiral. Asked what was that he said just a spiral so asked why Arc....he said that medicine for you. I wobble standing and he didn't want me to concentrate on holding the pen as I would normally have to . I thought easy oh dear 😱looked like a bunch of spiders had stepped into ink pads and walked over the paper. Then said do it with your left hand. Got minute curve then zigzags. In the letter he sent said I failed at doing the Arc.... spiral. Didn't know until then I couldn't do a spiral . But I do think it's hilarious 😂.
My neurologist said the other week he had given a talk about HPX as it's shortened to and showed my video. Fame at last well second time to be honest. Made one for the Brain Charity. 90 second video took hour to make . 😂. But am glad I did it. Never thought I would have the nerve to do 2 videos. But trying to get out the word about hereditary Hyperekplexia and the work of the Brain Charity . If you look up HPX it just says startle reflex but it is more complex than that . Stroke neurologist said it was half a page in an old medical book.

As usual rambled on. 🤦

Love your rambles! Sorry I took so long to reply. It’s been a bit of a funny week, but settling down now, hopefully.

As usual, I am in awe of the way you handle your illness. I did chuckle at the carry-on with the neurologist. How frustrating for you though and I can understand why you were annoyed.
I have spent ages on here reading this whole thread, right from the start! Must get back to trying to Cross Stitch again. I think I told you that, having cross-stitched for ages each day for years, I just simply stopped the day my husband died. That was 5 years ago, and to be honest, even though I sort of want to get back to it, I am scared that my arthritic fingers won’t let me do it any more and I will be reminded of my age and increasing restrictions. It’s a bug*er getting old!
You are very clever being able to adapt patterns.

I hope some more people post their work. I love seeing how talented people are, and I know how much skill and patience go into stitching. Come on, cross-stitchers…..let’s see what you have done!

Crossstitchfan I found cross stitch saved me. I took it up when I was going through a very stressful time with my mom. She lived with me the last 18 months of her life had cancer and dementia. Dementia killed my mom 4 months before her body died. Cross stitch was my escape.

My hands shake all the time plus since January they are worse and do weird movements. But holding my hoop they are still.

I think cross stitch has keep my fingers nimble .

Had a surprise today have a subscription to The World of Cross stitching and they posted my email and pictures that I sent months ago ..Mind you ,you would laugh I saw the pictures and thought someone has done them the same as me . Then saw my name 😁.

If you just try a small design it may help with your hands . I am doing my Christmas stitching now .
I hope you give it a try because it's slow it completely relaxes me. Health not been the same since January but having MRI on my brain and cervical cord on the 9 th I hope it shows what's wrong . Then I can deal with it . I don't like this me . And keep losing my speech and end up stuttering to get the words out. And for a chatterbox like me it's torture 🤣🤣🤣

Take care of yourself 🌹

Hello all! I've been cross stitching for many years and now use it to chill out. People always say they like it but don't want more pictures but I've put it on bed linen, children's clothes and seen it added to large seives and weaving! My current preference is plastic canvas. The possibilities are endless!

Mum1959 cross stitch is more versatile than people think. Did you use waste Aida to put your design on clothes and bed linen ? I started a ginger house last year using plastic Aida but had to stop after 2 panels hurt my hands to much . But am going to have a go and see if I can do a bit more this year. Might get it finished by 2027😂.

My claim to fame 😂 😂 😂 😂

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202510/medium-9umx6f-img-20251024-1629510822.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202510/medium-670hlm-img-20251024-162902352.jpg

Some things I have made to display in a shop window in road that is going to display some of craft group have made I go to . Still making 2 more things .

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202510/medium-73xdq7-img-20251027-1710407682.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202510/medium-57zknp-img-20251027-1710317642.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202510/medium-d9xrya-img-20251027-171053193.jpg

My Gelli printing table mats ..Not brilliant but had to remember how to do it .

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202511/medium-6inyxz-img-20251107-122111495-hdr2.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202511/medium-85wkno-img-20251107-1212395552.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202511/medium-dpnjv9-img-20251107-1207212272.jpg

Not cross stitch but had fun painting them. From the Works a packets of baubles think they where £2 . Painted them on the inside . And my Christmas decks hanging up. Going to the charity shop as they said we can have a window and show them what I have made.
There is a quiz for children and my mouse and candy cane is going to be part of it . It won't be for sale but on display from 1st December until 6th Jan. Rest of my things the charity can sell to raise funds. Hope people have weird tastes like me 🤣🤣🤣

Had to finally admit defeat on a cross stitch a friend brought me . The finished size would have been 23" x23". I use a wooden hoop which I hold . Even pinning back the excess fabric was hard to hold and gave me a sprained wrist. Brought a wooden hoop holder worked perfectly unfortunately because if the excess fabric still hard to use . So will be taken the started project ,threads and chart to charity shop. Only other time I have given up was making a gingerbread house out of plastic Aida but it hurts my hands to much after doing 2 sides .

I stitch with my feet up a cushion on my lap . Threads ,etc in boxes on a table by me . I have tried square frames and hoops but can't use them . So stick to my 6" hoop.

Has anyone else given up on a project ? Love to see what everyone is working on.

What beautiful work has been produced by Gransnetters over the years. I’ve recently started doing Bargello embroidery again after a break of several years. I might even finish the cushions I’ve made over the past forty years.

Susie42 would love to see your progress. Never seen any Bargello work.
This is my latest piece .

I dipped into bargello years ago and decided to have another go at it. Just bought 2 bargello kits to make cushions which will probably take ages to do. Loving everyone work and envying your skill. I can't get over how quickly you finish your projects Whiff.

ClicketyClick

I dipped into bargello years ago and decided to have another go at it. Just bought 2 bargello kits to make cushions which will probably take ages to do. Loving everyone work and envying your skill. I can't get over how quickly you finish your projects Whiff.

Clicketyclick
Look at buying a second hand book with the patterns in.
That way you decide what colours you want. And it’s cheaper than kits.

www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/search?q=bargello

These are lovely, you should be very proud of yourself!

I've just had a look at the link Petra. There's a good selection to choose from and I will definitely be buying from that site. Many thanks for your tip.

ClicketyClick thank you some of my work can take 3-4 months to finish . Even a little piece can take couple of days . The owl took a month. Cross stitch is a slow craft which is why I love it . My hands shake all the time the only time they don't is when I cross stitch no idea why.

Charity shops are good sources of craft books . And sometimes you can find different craft kits that people don't want to do . Plus craft magazines which have lot of charts for stitching, knitting , crochet or patchwork etc.

I am a member of a craft group and I have taken books or free kits I have had with The world of Cross stitching magazine which I have a subscription with and others take wool or other things they won't use. But they have always been snapped up . My craft group is monthly and love seeing other people's work. Last month the organiser had an artist come and give us a watercolour painting lesson for 2 hours . Some product beautiful paintings but watercolour isn't for me . What was great was the teacher explained if anyone what to take it up what to buy and not waste money on expensive paints and brushes but said which where the paints ,brushes and paper to buy and places like The works had good selection at cheap prices and some home bargains had good painting selections.

petra I have brought novels from that site and when they describe the condition of the books they give true information. Always been happy with them plus they are quick to deliver.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202603/medium-dc5a8f-img-20260308-153146534.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202603/medium-bchp6x-img-20260308-153032441.jpg

Hope some cross stitcher come on here and show their work. Took me 3 hours to frame these 2 I work at🐌pace.

Absolutely lovely Whiff.

These are lovely, Whiff. Do you keep your work, or give it away as gifts?

Stunning!

Thank you all.
Chocolatelovinggran I mainly keep. But I do make Christmas decorations,coasters and cushions from cross stitch and have given them to family and friends. Last Christmas made decorations from cross stitch. I also do Gelli printing so made some table mats and gave them to Roy Castle charity shop and went back week later and was delighted they had sold them all.. I start my Christmas cross stitch in September so will make some and the Gelli printing mats again .

I made some Christmas decorations from cross stitch for my grandsons for there tree and banners for there bedrooms. But they have enough that's why I made them for charity.

I love doing things that take 3-4 months to complete but enjoy the smaller things as well be even a small piece can take me couple of days . Funny enough holding my hoop is the only time my hands don't shake.

CocoPops, Chocolatelovinggran and ClicketyClick do you cross stitch if so would love to see your work .

Framed my dragons . Had to move things on my walls to hang but I like where it is .