I’m a bit slow updating things this month.. but I thought I might do a little birthday update. I was again showered in so many unexpected gifts this year and I am still in shock. All in all between my own stashing and all the wonderful parcels I received I have quite a few new shinies in my collection.
This is of course resulting in a huge dilemma be cause I have a dozen new projects that need to be started and of course with the end of my Phd funding fast approaching even less time than usual to try and squeeze them in. I was trying to take pictures of everything but I got all overwhelmed and have only uploaded some to bore you all with. lol

I have picked up a wonderful selection of books that I have been reading through slowly. These are The Tudor Tailor (with thanks to Mr B), 18th Century embroidery techniques (thank you Nancy), two more books filled with delightful illustrations from Ian Daniels (thank you Adam) and the Goblins of Labyrinth book filled with beautiful images from Brian Froud. This makes a lovely companion for the Dark Crystal art book I have and regularly drool over, Froud is one of my favourite artists. I also picked up a beginners guide to Goldwork to help me with the gold work techniques that were widely used in the 18th century. I got this at the Crewel Gobelin along with a variety of different goldwork threads (in silver of course hehe) and some silver purl and spangles. My main concern with these is the tarnishing of the silver threads. They are more prone to tarnishing than the gold adn I tarnish needles all the time. I can see me having to wear thin cotton gloves like the ones used in photographic studios when handling these threads and trying to figure a way to work them also wearing the gloves. Should prove quite challenging and amusing to watch I’m sure.

There is all the lovely silks and cottons I picked up at the Crewel Gobelin: Gloriand Seaweed and rosewood, Stef Francis Silk impressions in a lovely greenish tone, colourstreams silk in monet and a bunch of purple shades in Needle Neccessities cottons. There is also a lovely deep blue from Weeks Dye works and the most gloriously intense purple cotton from The Thread Gatherer. Last but not least is the yummy Carries’s creation cottons and Stef Francis silks that Nancy was so lovely to send to me and the Klemscott thread keeper, rings and winder I got at Crewel Gobelin as well. They are much larger than I thought from looking at the photos on stitching bits and bobs. I had been wanting a few of these for so long that I really couldn’t help myself when I could actually just buy them then and there. Thanks to Nancy enabling me I also have about 15 skeins coming to me from Carrie’s creation too, hopefully some time this week.

Wow there really is a lot… but last but not least is the lovely fabrics of gotten lately some from wonderful friends and some just random purchases from silkweaver odds and ends. There is a gorgeous piece of Relic from PtP, Karma Sparkle and then a couple of small cut and one larger cut of some hand dyed 36 and 40ct linens.

With all this I am going crazy working out colour combinations for the lovely AMAP charts I received for my B’day too (which arrived in record speed from France I was blown away)
Phew I promise the next update will have some stitching… and maybe some knitting :p

Thank you all so much , you know who you are for the wonderful treats and all the ways you have made me feel special over the past few weeks. I am surrounded by pieces of gorgeous art, and so much more all because I have been lucky enough to find wonderful people to call my friends.