Off the Grid Needlearts - A Very Merry Flossmas Vlogmas 2024 - Day 16

[@tealelder6475]

Beautiful tablecloth! I loved hearing about John’s family history and the gong. We have a large gong in our backyard. Little kids love it.

[@GlammyBee]

Those cool family stories are just the best! Thank you for sharing!

[@jeannegiebe2718]

What a fascinating family history and the story of the gong! Love these stories! I went back to listen to the video with your father in law. What a treat! Thank you for sharing! Oh the stories to be told!

[@harleyriderstitcher3951]

Swedish weaving!!! Loads of fun, very fast and so very easy. I just learned it! My friend made 8 afghans doing that. They are thick, warm and like blankets!!! I love them!!!

[@LouXstitchAficionado]

Awww, thanks for the link to your Flossmas video introducing us to Herbert. Hard to believe that was 4 years ago 😮. That is an amazing story about the gong; I’m also glad that someone asked about it as, if no one had, I was going to inquire about it today. I find family history precious and important to pass on. Happy stitching 🧵🪡 and peaceful holidays as well🤗 from Montreal 🍁🇨🇦

[@hannamansfield2894]

Thank you Caroline for the flashback video of your father in law.which also featured that lovely scarf. Love it....thank you , thank you

[@lisaproefrock]

Thank you for the go g story. I love hearing family history!

[@stephaniesnape6787]

I am so loving your daily vlogmas. The videos are wonderful. I can’t pinpoint exactly why. A few things I think. It makes me appreciate how hard you work, for example, finishing your vlogs at night. And you clearly care so much about Evertote’s and your partnership with Jacob - you are doing these daily vlogs partly to help point out anything tricky in the advent stitches. Many would not go to such lengths. And I have been moved when you talk about your family ties and friendships - for example with the retired LNS owners - or missing your mother-in-law. You come across as such a kind, caring and warm person. I particularly love the parts recorded in the evening - I was wondering what that thing was behind you! I am going to save my pennies so I can join in the advent journey as a stitcher next year not just peering in from the outside. Warmest Christmas wishes to you from Steph in Northern England p.s. shush…don’t tell Kerri but these vlogmas ones I’m preferring to your ‘double act’ vlogs

[@joanneneufeld8212]

What an interesting family story! I miss seeing Luna too. I still expect to see much friends dog Coco every time I come to their yard and she passed away over 10 years ago. Some animals just leave a beautiful paw print in our hearts.

[@lisadonmez9552]

Back in 1973-76 I was in elementary school we had free Fridays, we could select a special class for the afternoons, i.e. French lessons, embroidery, tennis, ice skating, etc. We did huck (sp.) embroidery on hand towels. I loved doing it. Thanks for the memory.

[@misseygallawan4662]

Clara is SO going to love those socks ❤️

[@lemonverbenalady]

Thanks for the memories! Enjoying very much your family stories. My adopted mother played bridge and when we were in Switzerland she bought two tablecloths and napkins that had cross stitch motifs on them when her bridge club came to play. Wonderful memories. Thanks for the Stitching guidance as always.

[@gr8twitch21]

Thank you for sharing the Gong story. Family history is a wonderful thing to have and keeping those stories alive is a wonderful gift to give a family. Have the happiest of holidays.

[@PamsCraftyCorner]

Beautiful stitching. Love the tablecloth and the family story behind the gong.

[@cathyshannon1704]

I enjoyed seeing the segment with Herb. Thanks for sharing it. Have a wonderful day.

[@NancyDeMere]

Thank you for showing us the gong. I know how precious family pieces are, but aside from that, it is an absolutely jaw dropping gorgeous piece. I think you should move it to a more prominent place. Putting it in the dinning room could be pretty fun. The table cloth is really beautiful. I have some table linens, luncheon cloths, napkins, etc that my grandmother made in cut work. This would have been around 1900-1910. Thank you for sharing your holiday with me.

[@deniseadler9133]

Caroline what a special video. The table cloth is breathtaking. Your love for Bridget is felt. I can tell she was a very special person. And I loved the video of Herb. I also felt the love between you two. You have so many great memories and I appreciate you sharing them with us❤

[@lynnxstitchescreates]

Gilded is an amazing gold. Love it! 💛

[@lanelles242]

Caroline, stitching is beautiful, but I love the family history and do remember Herb well very nice man, you are very fortunate to have wonderful in laws & and such beautiful memories of your MIL♥️ such treasures…happy Monday

[@susanbooth551]

You are so kind to share your wonderful family story and I went back and watched the blessed time with Herb. What a treasure! His demeanor reminded me so much of my dad who was a treasure too. I sure wish we had a video of him talking and sharing like you were able to capture! Such a gift!

[@susanacevedo3552]

Hi Carolyn, I just have to come at first of all. I love the story about the gong and about your family or John’s family. It’s terrific to hear such interesting stories and you brought back so many memories with the Huck embroidery. I started doing that when I was a young girl -- way more years than I want to admit.😂 happy stitching. Cheers.

[@carolynnicholls7551]

Thank you for sharing your family with us. Great story. Awww Luna🐾…This time of year I miss my fur babies. Over the past 4 years we lost 7 dogs, I miss them every day.🐾❤️‍🩹 Chloe, Sally Rose, Max, Dixie, Lexie, Jethro, Cooper…

[@kima9181]

Beautiful table cloth. I'd be using the gong as a dinner bell. Or, for any teenagers who are sleeping in too late ;)

[@fancypants6697]

The tablecloth you made is fabulous! What a beautiful keepsake for you.❤ 🎄

[@loripierce8410]

You are so enjoyable to listen to …❤

[@KathysQuiltsandStitching]

I enjoyed the story about the tablecloth - the stitching is gorgeous! I miss my MIL too 😪 You are the only person I've heard of to have a gong in their house! It's a "gong show"! LOL Off to stitch day 16!

[@junewilliams9257]

The tablecloth is stunning. I did a cloth year's ago with the lazy daisy stitch I love it.

[@connieenevold1745]

Gorgeous tablecloth! The technique looks fascinating. You’re going to have us all chasing Google for kits!

[@cherylmiedema2628]

Thanks for sharing the gong story. I love those unique family history stories. I also want to start “Put a bird on it” but I’m a little extra busy this season. My daughter got engaged and wants a spring destination wedding 2025!!! Your videos are the one thing that are keeping me calm.

[@susanwestfall5519]

I was also blessed with great in-laws, who also raised a good son.

[@catherinecummings5715]

The gong is very cool.

[@FibersandFlossCanada]

❤❤❤

[@Raven61362]

What a Wonderful video and awesome memories to share. It’s nice to be able to pass down information about your family to your children. I’m finding more children/grandchildren don’t want to know about past family members. It’s a beautiful gift 🎁 to be able to give your child a little knowledge on their history. I hope you have a productive day on your sock project, I know you will complete it! It’s a beautiful pattern and a beautiful gift to be able to share with someone you love 💕…

[@fionamacartney7012]

Loving the videos. Put a bird on it - all kitted up here but it’s an ‘after Christmas start’ for me! Too much to finish before 🤣

[@kaylowry4188]

Oh my when I saw the picture of the little girl it looks like it is Hannah as a child. Lol too funny

[@Nishagayani-n15]

❤👍

[@heleneckard4119]

What a sweet video. I wondered what that ornate wood behind you was but didn’t want to ask. Beautiful tablecloth❤️ Sock - You are getting close and can do it! Happy knitting❤️

[@alisoncaronflyingfree]

I love how Jacob keeps us in anticipation of the heads. 👸 But what was the Gong used for?

[@christinecurrie7553]

But why did they have a gong? Thanks for sharing some family history.

[@judithstrenio9552]

Add another voice in favor of family stories. I'm also curious as to where the gong came from originally (doesn't look Namibian?) and whether it was used on the farm as either a dinner bell or an alarm. PS Go sock!!!!!

[@KBC6409]

Love all your family stories. I know you have already said this but I can’t find it. What is your sock pattern please?

[@OfftheGridNeedlearts]

Thank you! Mahogany Run by the Crazy Sock Lady 😊

[@nicolec2523]

Hi Caroline - I just wanted to clarify a point in your video. Hardanger is one form of embroidery and Huck weaving is another. They come from the same source and are sometimes thought of as being the same thing. So do you ever use the gong? That was interesting. I am a history buff (maybe nerd?) and anything about history, even family history, is of interest.

[@reluctantacademic]

Just to add, huck is a weave structure (creates the floats on the fabric) and huck embroidery uses those floats to secure the embroidery threads in patterns such as that glorious tablecloth. Hardanger embroidery is a pulled-thread technique. Both are lovely additions to any maker’s repertoire. I have a tea towel from my mother that has huck embroidery that I cherish.

[@michaeljones4380]

Caroline!!! Holiday greetings from Dallas!! Enjoyed hearing more about John’s family and the vlogmass with Herb! So interesting!! John’s family is so international! So the question begs, how did a Chinese gong come into John’s family? Did they just buy it or is there some connection to China? So interesting!!! BTW, I sent you an email on 12/5 and I wanted to make sure you got it and it didn’t go into your spam. Merry Christmas!! ❤️