I hope your holiday time was as pleasing as mine. It is Boxing Day today, and I am down at my sister’s beach house. We are sitting around, some are watching the Boxing Day Test at the MCG (a cricket match for those who don’t know ~ probably most of you!). I am getting organised, writing this Stitch-A-Long post to send off tomorrow.
Last time I showed you the gifts I was making for presents. Now I can show you, and tell you that they were received with delight.
This was to become a bag for Mum.

The backing material of the embroidery was linen, and I didn’t think about how bulky it would be when drawn. However, I am sure Mum will find something special to put into it. In my stash I found some pretty green cotton to make the lining.

The other stitching was to make a set of cards for Judy, my sister. She is one of those wonderful people who always remembers birthdays and sends cards. She said that these were too lovely to send, but I am sure she will find some special people.
I made some extra cards for a couple of friends.
It is so nice to be able to give the gift of hand made.
This Stitch-A-Long post is organised by Avis. We are a group of stitchers who post every three weeks (even over Christmas!) to show what personal stitching we have done. The variety of works is amazing, and the quality is always top notch. Use the links below to see their work.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen
45 replies on “SAL”
I can appreciate your friend keeping those cards for herself! And I bet Mum finds something special indeed to put in that pretty bag. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you on both counts, Sue!
LikeLike
I love it when people show their home made gifts, *especially* when they’re so perfectly targeted to the receiver. Lovely work, Anne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is something special about hand made gifts. Happy New Year, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The bag is lovely, Anne. I am very envious that you got to spend Christmas with family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spending time with them was the best present I could get! Happy New Year, Emma.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet. I am still waiting for the opportunity to do that after a year apart.
LikeLike
After your very long and strict lockdown it must be extra special to spend time with family and a beach house sounds perfect, Those gifts are beautiful and quite a different style from your Art stuff. A lady of many talents!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right…it is always special spending time with my family, but after the lockdown it was extra special! I hope everyone will be able to spend time with loved ones soon. Here’s to a healthy 2021!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful special gifts, Anne! Cards are a lovely idea, I think a batch for my sister would make an excellent gift, wonderful idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A batch of handmade cards is a great present. I am sure you will be able to buy the pre-cut cards that allow you to just slip the image in. You will make lovely ones, Kathy. Happy New Year to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Anne, and Happy New Year to you too!
LikeLike
Such beautiful and thoughtful gifts!! The stitching is so fun!
LikeLike
The bag and cards are so lovely. What special treats! Beautiful job on both 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sharon. I got equal pleasure from making them. Have a happy and healthy New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s a lovely drawstring bag for your Mum, Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Claire. She loves bags, which is probably why I love them too! Have a happy and healthy New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure the gifts were welcomed with joy – homemade is always better. I would find it hard to part with those cards and probably frame them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a good incentive to make some more for her, isn’t it ~ to give away and to keep! Have a happy and healthy 2021.
LikeLike
What gorgeous gifts Anne, it’s always so special to receive something made with love. Hope you enjoyed a relaxing day watching the cricket! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jenny. Instead of watching the cricket some of us went for a 2 hour walk along the beach. Way more relaxing, I think! Have a happy and healthy New Year.
LikeLike
Yes, hand made gifts are the best 🙂 I think I’d frame the cards. They’re so pretty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If Judy does frame them, it will give me a good excuse to make some more that she can end! I hope the new year is a happy and healthy one for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the best to you and yours for 2021 🙂
LikeLike
My gosh, Anne, everything you touch turns in to a work of art. I love the embroidered bag and your lovely cards. I would have a hard time sending those off, too, but at there same time they are too pretty NOT to share with a good friend. I haven’t embroidered in years. I always enjoyed it. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Alys. Maybe 2021 will be the year you take up embroidery again! Whatever you do this year, I hope it is one that is relaxing, healthy and full of joy.
LikeLike
It is nice to give handmade gifts to people who appreciate them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s very true Laura. I knew that Mum and Judy would love these gifts and appreciate that they were made specially for them. Have a happy and healthy New Year.
LikeLike
You had some very lucky gift recipients there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I am the lucky one, to have such special people in my life. And to have the comfort of making myself at home at my sister’s holiday house! I hope 2021 is a healthy and creative one for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope the same for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The bag for your mum is so sweet! And the cards are beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much. They are quite charming, but quite easy to embroider. I hope you have a happy and healthy 2021.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous bag, Anne, and I’m envious of the beach house – but you’ve had such a long lockdown you’ve earned it! Hope you had a great Christmas :>)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel very fortunate that I was able to be with my special people over Christmas, as there are so many who are separated. And even in the best of times, how many people spend Christmas with their 94 year old mother? Extra special this year, after our lockdown. I wish you a happy and healthy New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are lovely, Anne! You’ve inspired me to try some embroidery. I haven’t done it since I was a kid and my mom gave me her project she got tired of working on :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
What great news! I love encouraging people to do things, so I am pleased that these have inspired you! If you wish to do something similar the stitches are very simple ~ chain stitch for the centres, big, open stem stitch for the petals and feather stitch for the leaves. Have a creative and healthy new year, full of many book sales!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought a little pre-made kit…I do better if I start with everything all ready to go. It shows up Tuesday, so hopefully I can get stabby by next weekend.
LikeLike
What lovely gifts, Anne. I’m so glad you had a happy Christmas with family. Let’s hope the soon-to-arrive New Year will continue to improve. We’ve earned this reprieve. -huge hugs-
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Meeks. We did earn it. Now we just have to guard it jealously with lots of tests and jumping on any outbreaks, and keeping up the social distancing and mask wearing. Here’s to a new year that is happy and healthy and full of friendship.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spot-bloody-ON! -huge hugs-
LikeLike
How lucky your friends and family are to receive such lovely handmade gifts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Carole, but really, I am the lucky one to have such people in my life. I hope 2021 is a healthy and happy one for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne, apologies, I did read the post and I did hit the “like” but things didn’t go quite to plan here from Dec 24th until a few days ago and then I’m still not back to whatever my “more normal is” other than the Vertigo has completely gone but that wasn’t the issue over the dates above.
What splendid gifts you did make for your family…. I sent you an email about the other collage.
And now it’s the New Year – although for now, I’m not going to truly accept until February when the “unplanned things could be better sorted”
LikeLike
[…] Last time I showed you the embroideries I had been sewing as Christmas presents. From the comments you seemed to like like them. As many of you enjoy embroidering I thought you might like to know the stitches I used. The inspiration came from the work of Melissa Wastney. […]
LikeLike