Ready to Top Stitch the Blue Flower

I finished the stem with whipped Brussels stitch. The leaf started with whipped Brussels and changed to double Brussels. I could have done better with the leaf, I guess, but I'm ready to move forward!

My DH took my Christmas wish list to heart, and bought 3 Nenia Lovesey titles - Technique of, Creative Design in and Introduction to Needlepoint Lace. All from the 80s, very much out of print, and none of them priced for more than $15.

I saw them on Amazon in November, and emailed him with a note - Please, please, please buy me one or two of these for Christmas.

Since J is the best husband in the world - no, best in the Universe - he bought all 3 books. I raced through them yesterday before we left for Diametrag's house. Now I'm itching to start a new project. Haven't decided which one yet, but I am ready to trace a pattern and lay the cordonnet. I'll consider all my options while I topstitch the flower.

I am glad to have Christmas knitting done - I am assured that my loved ones are warmer than before. Next I'll be working in the evenings on baby hats for the hospital, but I'll save some daylight hours for needlelace.

I remembered my reality check. I really like this little flower, and maybe I can find a way to display it.