Cross stitch

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.

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 just entered ‘cross stitch tea cups pattern’ in google and see there are loads of teacup patterns! Might have to have a go!

Love this Whiff. It’s really unusual.

Finally finished my teacups . Now to start on my things for Christmas. Love to see what everyone else is working on ,finished work or planning to do .

Goodness, you’ve had a lot to cope with, and yet you are cheerful and optimistic!
Perhaps it’s as well we’re not likely to meet. We are both such chatterboxes, we’d never get a word in edgeways!
Take care of yourself.

I have it written down and I can't pronounce Hyperekplexia so have to spell it . It's shorten to HPX.

I didn't know I was disabled as I was brought up in large extended family which didn't treat me as different. I have always been in constant pain and fell over all the time ,trying to co ordinate my limbs to learn to swim was a nightmare but did it. My dad always said no such thing as can't .
Because I have the SLC6A5 gene mutation means both my parents had to be carriers and have 50/50 chance of having a child with it . I have it my brother doesn't. Because of the mutation I have means I have it but not a carrier for it. There are 3 GL mutations if one or both parents have it then their children will have it but can have different number after the GL . GL mutations goes down the generations . So people who have it have a choice to have children or not . Most do because they know what to expect.

On my Facebook group one man was 70 before he found out what he was born with . 3 sisters in Germany where all well into their 60's before they where diagnosed.

At least if they know the parents have it babies are tested from birth.. If babies show signs it's the luck of the draw if neurologist will have them genetically tested.

People post videos of their babies and ask is this HPX as they aren't getting help. We all say the same thing you need to have their whole genome genetically tested.

Broken my heart first time I saw what a HPX baby does . I always knew my parents where special but they must have been very frightened. They only told me they took me to GP and children's hospital because of the pain and falling and was told it was growing pains and I was clumsy. My brother is 16 months younger than so they would have seen a big difference between us.

It wasn't until high school I realised I was different and got bullied for 5 years.

Thank you for the kind words but I have never known any other life . I was lucky enough to met my husband when I was 16 he was 18 he saw past my problems and even when I got worse when I was 29 it didn't phase him . Unfortunately he died at 47 from cancer but because of him and the promises he made me keep he was a wiseman and knew what I needed to live without him. . I have kept every promise . I am 67 now . I think it's worse for people who have been fit and healthy and get something . My sister in law has MS diagnosed in her 40's.

I think our husband must have been a lot alike . What I call a man's man . Silver backed gorilla attitude. With a wicked sense of humour.

You only have to read the health forum to see people living with awful things but they carry on. We have one life and must make the best of it. But quality not quantity is the best way to live as without quality no point in quantity.

Yet another ramble . But I am a chatterbox in real life even if I get my words muggled up 🤣

Oh Whiff! What a horrible thing to have. (I am so impressed that you can remember the name, let alone spell it).
It’s amazing what doctors can do these days but in your case, they took a very long time to find out what was wrong. The lab has a lot to answer for too in that respect.
I’m not going to be creepy, but I must tell you how much I admire you for the way you have dealt with this issue. I suppose being born with it may have helped, but even so, many people would have given up, and you didn’t. 💐
I had to laugh when you said your husband called you a mutant, as that’s just what mine would have done!
Onwards and upwards!

Crossstitchfan I was born disabled but didn't get my diagnosis of what it was until April 2022 aged 63 so it's just been my life. But it's nice after thinking I was weird for 63 to have a name for it even my neurologist never had a patient with it nor his colleagues. He's having to learn about it. But my Facebook group has been a great help as I am no longer alone . I am not weird but have hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3. I have a mutant gene in my brain receptors. My husband would call me a mutant and have great fun at my expense . It's only because my neurologist has my whole genome genetically tested that it was diagnosed. He put me on a tablet without even knowing what was wrong but on lowest dose to see if it would help me in January 2020 and within 2 weeks after 32 years of limbs and 4 seizures which lasted 8-10 and took my speech for hours my limbs where still and no seizures. He sent my blood off then as well. But with covid the lab in Cardiff forgot to send the results and he forgot to ask..But better late than never on higher dose of tablet still no limb jerks or seizures. But my hands have always shook before the limb jerks started . So used to it.

Your friend must enjoy the relief when he decorates his eggs. And like me broken that many things and had to replace them with things that won't break .

I could never understand how little crosses can make pictures but hooked on them now . 😊🥵🥵🥵

Sounds as though our lovely husbands were similar. Mine was a real tease too, but not silly with it.
I started cross stitching about 25 years ago when I saw a colleague at work doing it in her break. I haven’t done it all the time since then, there have been breaks, like now.
I am sorry about your condition. That must be very hard to live with. My friend who has Parkinsons decorates eggs. He shakes like mad until he picks up an egg, then it stops! If he picks other things up, not an egg, he still shakes. It must be something to do with the fact he’s going to decorate it. Maybe it’s a concentration thing.

We have things in common both widows and husbands that loved us and used to take the Micky . My husband could make you believe black was white he was a devil . But my devil.

Very impressed your writing for cross stitcher magazine. I had one of my works on the readers page of the world of cross stitching.

I didn't take up cross stitch until 2016 I needed something to relive my stress looking after my mom. Because of my rare hereditary neurological condition my hands shake all the time but not when I cross stitch .

I did try watercolour painting when my husband was alive he laughed himself silly at a mouse I tried to paint . But it was awful.

Thank you for the compliment about my work! 💐

I always use DMC thread too. I think you get what you pay for.
You asked if I was paid well for the hours I put in when selling a piece. The answer is no. People love the work, but clearly don’t appreciate all the hours that are put in, so don’t want to pay much. I sell them because it does pay for the threads, and I don’t want to keep them all.
You’ll laugh - my first attempt at cross stitch was a cute little Robin. Only he wasn’t cute once I stitched him, he was more like a Robin monster! My late husband, who would have cut off his arm rather than hurt me, couldn’t control his laughter, and nor could I once I got over the shock! I was ready to give up at that point but my husband persuaded me to persevere. The outcome was that, a few months later, my work was featured in several magazines including ‘Cross Stitcher’. The editor asked me to write a ‘how to’ article, and that was followed by others. I only stopped because my ‘proper’ job became more demanding when I was promoted, and I had to stop writing.
You’ll be glad to know that the magazines did pay well, so it was a nice little earner while it lasted.
Sorry, I have rambled on. You’ll be sick of me. As you’ve no doubt gathered, I talk a lot! But now I’m off for some food! Bye for now!

Crossstitchfan I know you where joking . You haven't got a bad bone in your body.

Your work is beautiful. I use DMC threads and always find the black is thinner than other colours. The worst thread I have used is Rolis as it's wool and acrylic and frays .

I hope you are paid well for all the hours it takes to do. My lettering never comes out that neatly .
Christmas I always decide what I want to do for the next year.
My youngest niece has started to cross stitch. She tried crochet but got annoyed with it . She's in her early 20's ..

One of these years I will make myself a Christmas wreath out of cross stitch. But I find things I would rather do.

Whiff, I have posted a couple of photos but I sell most of my work, or work to commission.
The ‘sleep, baby sleep’ one was so lovely to do. It was difficult, as it was worked with three threads instead of the usual two.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202507/medium-5mptn9-08385aaa-a1c3-46c9-8e83-ee09445e4add.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202507/medium-2fwti7-e7c3dd13-e883-4bda-91ea-ee8b110dfa5b.jpeg

I sent photos but they don’t seem to have gone through. I’ll try again!

Whiff

Oh dear didn't mean for that to happen Sar started the thread. I just want people to have a go at cross stitch I am passionate about it . And think it is the perfect craft to slow you down and forget all your worries .

Crossstitchfan would love to see some of your work .

Oh Whiff, it was meant to be tongue in cheek! I love your posts and hope I didn’t upset you. I am so sorry. 💐

Oh dear didn't mean for that to happen Sar started the thread. I just want people to have a go at cross stitch I am passionate about it . And think it is the perfect craft to slow you down and forget all your worries .

Crossstitchfan would love to see some of your work .

This is clearly the ‘Whiff’ thread 😂

LadyGaGa I will start my Christmas cross stitch September. My craft group is going to decorate a street with whatever craft we do . But putting them in shop windows so they don't get wet .

I’ve recently started with sewing too. I find it so relaxing. I did a cross stitch kit first, and now I’ve just finished my first embroidery kit. Three Christmas gonks. I’m on a Christmas scene now and then will start some Christmas decs that I’ve just bought. I find it particularly good for stress and decluttering my racing mind.
I’ve chosen to do Christmas bits as at least they will be ‘used’ and the decs can be given as gifts. I do feel like and old Edwardian lady though, sitting with my hoop!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202507/medium-cub8ah-img-20250704-104305059.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202507/medium-f6ckd7-img-20250704-104223516.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202507/medium-g0u4t7-img-20250704-104217705.jpg

A magnet each side and they aren't heavy. I don't know why I metal they are hard plastic or acrylic no idea which. Got a foggy brain today 🤣.

Pantglas. If you take to it get yourself a needle minder took me years to realise what I had been missing. Plenty on eBay and Etsy . I go for the metal ones. Will take a pic of mine and how to use them. I was forever losing my needle .
You will find it slows you down . Don't worry if you count wrong or use wrong colour as only you know.
Use loop method to start and don't worry if the backs messy no one sees it .
Hope you enjoy doing it .

I’ve taken your advice/inspiration Whiff!

Here’s one I found at TKMaxx and at £3 worth a go! My friend has, like you, made many gifts but it’s not something that appealed until I saw this thread.

Will let you know how I get on…

Glad to see new names here and hopefully you will post pictures of your work

Was shocked to see a deleted post. What could anyone on this thread take offence to . Weird people about .