What An Exciting Week This Is Turning Out To Be

I have ordered loads of needlework goodies over the past few weeks but they all seem to be turning up at once. Now I know I don't need to add to the stash but as every needlework addict knows....I just have to have it! I will stitch it in this lifetime!

 

First I received more goodies for the 'Essamplaire Casket Course'. There is the pattern for the next side along with some funky beads and cool Silk Purl in six different shades. I haven't seen this type of Purl before, it's kinda matt and rather springy. I wonder what the core is made of! It's quite different to the Silk Pearl Purl. Looking forward to using it and I am assuming it will be couched down. Fun! I guess Margriet will be posting that lesson soon once everyone has their kits.

Kit #2 Essamplaire Casket Course

 

I have also been continuing work on the first section of the casket. I have added the raised needlace body for the moth (left) and the caterpillar (right). I have also couched the gimp down for the stem on the right flower. We were supposed to make our own gimp in the colour match of the original but I snapped the thread a few times and got fed up so I used some of the Silk Gimp I had from Access Commodities and figured that not being an exact match bothered me less than the homemade gimp failure. I have also placed a couple of raised leaves on the right flower. I have a couple more leaves to go and then six petals. The raised petals will sit over the satin stitch petals. Then I will move onto the left flower before starting the frieze panel. Looking forward to that butterfly, the birds and the raised fruit.

 

Essamplaire -  Casket Course

 

In the evenings I have been continuing on with the Needleworker's Pocketbook as it is relaxing over two cross stitch and the chart is not too heinous. Don't really want to do teeny tiny raised work in the evening. Bigger chance of stuffing it up when you are tired or watching TV and it's not daylight.

 

Needleworker's Pocketbook - Amy Mitten

 

The next thing to land in my mailbox this week was a kit I ordered when the Inspirations Magazine Issue #79 came out a few weeks ago. Took ages to arrive this one. It is a sweet little Gilly (Carnation) Flower box designed by Betsy Morgan. There are some beautifully coloured Gloriana Silk Threads in the kit. I haven't used these before.

 

 

Inspirations Magazine - Gilly Flower

 

The next day I received the sampler chart I ordered from The Crewel Gobelin. This came super duper fast from Austraila. I saw this sampler on the internet when I was ferreting around and hunted a supplier down. It's really cool but quite long and look forward to stitching it one day.

GiGiR - Sampler from Saxony

 

 

Then today........the arrival of the long anticipated and much raved about Kit #1 for the Thistle Threads - Cabinet of Curiosities. I can see now why all the women folk in the first course were delerious with joy. What a haul of fabulous silk threads, materials, trinket box form and even a themed 'Cup of Contemplation'. Outstanding and to think that this is only the first kit in the course. There will be another one next year...oh the joy! The packaging of the kit was also amazing.

 

The Black Box

Inside the Black Box

 

The Haul - Kit #1 Cabinet of Curiosities

 

Tricia also squeezed a couple of other things into the carton ......

 

Kit for the Floral Glove Needlecase starting Sept 1st - Thistle Threads

 

Kit for the Beaded Basket. This can either be a small to go into the casket or there is a competition on for entrants to design and make their own  dimensional embellished basket with beadwork. I am thinking just to do the basic basket as I am a complete novice at this point but will be really looking forward to seeing what the experienced bead enthusiasts do out there.

Pic of basic basket - Thistle Threads

 

 

 

So as you can see I have had rather a fun week!!!!