Dear All
I haven't yet found a really good smiley for an embarrassed grin, but take it I'd use one. Yes - as it happens, I've dabbled with embroidery in my teens. My last project was a set of 4 panels based on Beatrix Potter's pictures. Not big, but very complex. And I've done crochet - but I could never get the hang of knitting.
And, er, yes, roo, we did try my sister's retractable dog lead last summer whilst at a local park. It worked brilliantly. But I am trying for some decorum. Baby reins used to be common enough, and you'd be amazed at how many people stop me to say how clever I am to use them - especially after the Jamie Bulger incident in Liverpool.
Her brother had to stay on reins until he was nearly 4. After running into the path of traffic 3 times, we felt it justified. Even now he has a tendency to vanish on his own errands, and I end up alerting the supermarket security.
Deckhandia, once I'd sat down and worked out your root word, I knew exactly what you meant: a sew-er, or seamstress
and yes, I've done that too.
I did notice one mistake in my original post: I said the D-rings appeared to hold the other strap's standing end. But when I finally got it to look about right again, I realised of course that that was my mistake, they clearly hold their own. Sorry.
Thanks for the image, Willeke. Another one useful to know.
One chain stitch/drummer's boy plait or a rose by any other name coming up...........