Finally a Trinket Box

 Way back in 2012, I received my first Cabinet of Curiosities course kit and blogged about it. I have since purchased a flat top casket and done the Stumpwork course, and collected all sort of other supplies along the way.

After 9 years, I've finally got a Trinket Box! And I had so much fun making it.

The top has the enamel from a Halcyon Days box celebrating Jane Austen in Bath. The box broke and somebody was selling just the top, so my husband picked it up on eBay for me. (I have an enamel box collection) As I was thinking about what to do, and figuring out how to mount the enamel, I realized the purl purl would be able to hold the it. So I adjusted the suggested box top to fit.

The front is the grotto from the instructions (which I've had practice with while doing the mermaid).

The other long side has the theme of the top. I designed Chawton Cottage.

The ends used motifs from the CoC motif files.

It took me a day to do the finishing - although I was working on 2 boxes for part of it, so I could test different ideas. I need edging ribbon for the other before I can share it. It was fairly straight forward once I got going. And I can see how the techniques can be used for other projects, especially gluing the wove paper to the back of the embroidery before cutting it out and working with it. I'm glad I've made up the box before starting the casket designs and stitching, because it gives me a much better idea of how things will change size and how much extra space there really is to fill on a panel.

Moving Right Along with UFOs

My EGA chapter UFO challenge has been great. There are still times when I pick an easier to see project, or a more portable sized project, but for the most part, devoting myself to a project for a month has been good. So far, I've been finishing things, which is very gratifying, but the next round of projects won't be so easy, since there is a lot left, or I'll be staring something new.

In any case, I'm very happy with the Lorna Bateman Acorns and Berries pincushion I finished.

And the Trish Burr field mouse

One of my longer term, low light or watching TV projects is this needlepoint pillow. I've been working on it at my desk while watching webinars or during meetings. The canvas is very well coloured, so it is generally easy to work, and there is a chart for any place where I'm not sure, or I've forgotten what I'm doing because I've stopped to take notes.

It is a kit from Elizabeth Bradley, part of a series of Chelsea Flower Show kits.

I do have another finish of sorts. I finished the final panel on a stretcher that has 6 other sides for Thistle Threads trinket boxes. So I'm ready to actually cover 2 trinket boxes. I shall start tomorrow!