Scissor Fob Exchange for Marie

I took part in a Scissor Fob exchange from the FGBB which is another lovely BB ran by Becky. This is not primarily an exchange BB but some of us thought it would be fun to do a few little exchanges :) I was given Marie's name so, in my secret detective work ;-) I found out she was very fond of small count linen. I decided to stitch this little French design ' Corbeille' by Alphabets that I had got a good while ago from my friend in a trade.

Close Up

I stitched it on Antique White 40ct linen as these tiny designs call for and used Anchor 45 for the red. I liked this gingham ribbon as the hanger because the colour was a perfect match to this shade thread. As you can see here below, I added a little bit of decoration to the ribbons base with these beads. The black scissors you can see are what I sent with the fob, I got these on a trip out to Whitby as they looked a very antique style and I loved the black contrast to the red :)

Bead Decoration

For the back I just simply stitched both our initials...

The Reverse

I have been busy with lots of lovely things IRL since my last posting and amongst this a visit to Scotland visiting DH's family for part of the the Whitsun Holidays. On our way home we called into The Bowes Museum. You can go to the website to read all about if it interests you :)

The Bowes Museum - County Durham

One of the 'Special' highlights of this museum is this Silver Swan which moves mechanically to collect a silver fish from the water which is actually rotating glass rods. It is lifesize and very beautiful and graceful to see. When our family visited here when I was a child you could put a coin in yourself to make it move. However, now it is so old (unlike me ;-) and delicate they do this only twice a day to help preserve the mechanics.

The Silver Swan

I was hoping we would time it right for the big textile display but sadly this event had moved on. There is a constant display of some textiles in amongst these I saw this beauty. It is even more incredible as it was stitched by a young girl from the very place itself 'Barnard Castle'. I asked permission to take the pictures and was told I could take a few of my favourite things up to a maximun of 6. So I tried to get the ones I thought might interest you as well :)

An Antique Sampler

There is a lace display, I am sorry I have forgotten the exact details and there is only so much I could read with 2 little ones pulling at me to move on ;-) you will just have to take my word for it that it was all very beautiful and very old!

Old Lace

This next one is the only other cross stitched piece I saw this must have been done as a seat cover. Sorry for the flash marks on the pics but as you will imagine they were all behind glass.

Cross Stitched Seat Cover

Lastly I had to show you this bed, it is the owners original as many of the items in the collection but it has the highest bed canopy, ( if that is what you would call it) that I have ever seen. If you click the picture you will see all the beautiful colours and detail in this silk brocade which is quite a marvel for how old it is. Not that I would like to sleep in it ...I much prefer my own and wouldn't sleep for thinking all that would go and fall on my head in the night ;-))

Bedroom

I know this posting is rather big but I want to say my thank-you's...my first one is a great big THANK-YOU again to Deb 'Lavender Rose' for the HUGE total surprise RAK she sent me along with a lovely letter because she enjoys my blog and my stitching choices so much :))))) I am so delighted and touched at your kindness to me, you are one very lovely lady who is extremely generous with a VERY big heart. I will enjoy using my new threads Deb :)

I would like to thank-you all who have been so kind to take the time to comment on my DD Amy's blog, she has read them all and is so encouraged, it is brilliant to see :-)) As always I love the see and hear from you and thank-you for visiting my blog too :-))

Lastly I have done the class tutorial on Focus on Finishing this month, it is for a 'No Sew' Wallhanging. If you are interested... you might like to check it out and bookmark it, or even better have a go ;-))

See you again soon, take care and happy stitching:)