Almost, but not quite

This week I have been conscientiously working on the Sampler Casket and can now report that it is almost, but not quite, finished.   Amish folk would be happy to know that it is not perfect but I am very happy with it!
The front and top (I have blacked out the name)

The back and top (I opted to leave off my initials in the centre back)

And the inside is red silk -  I have yet to fasten in the inside lid.   Any suggestions as to how to?   I don't really want to use glue with all its inherent acids.

Inside I will place the "almost but not quite" finished hardanger jewellery roll. Here is the inside replete with pins and basting guidelines.  It still awaits zip closures for the large pockets.

And the outside -  I need to decide whether it will be a button or a tie fastening.

I have yet to buy a 1st birthday card and a 21st birthday card but hopefully next weekend I can, then complete this project.   My plan is to place a pair of earrings in the jewellery roll and with it a card and a letter to my great niece in which I will write of my hopes and prayers for her.  This is all to be wrapped in acid free tissue then be-ribboned and marked "not to be opened until your 21st".    The casket will be wrapped in gaily coloured birthday paper and the 1st birthday card attached.   But I am thinking that an explanatory letter to the parents may be advisable?   Oh, this has been such fun, creating what I hope will be a memorable present.

Woodland Delight was not very delightful as I chose to use linen from stash and failed to take into account that natural linen is not the same colour as raw linen and definitely not the same as dirty linen.   So I started again on a piece of natural linen and am much happier with the floss colours on this new piece.   Still from stash, but much more satisfying even to my non-artistic eye.
And tonight I am cutting out another top for the HD3QBEM.   If cut out and ready to go I am more likely to find time through the week for the sewing.   Our temperatures are warming up a little and she needs this now!

Missing in Action?

My absence from this blog was planned.   The two of us went north for a few days break at Waitangi. Blessed with wonderful weather and good health for the HD3QBEM we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

One day we went shopping at a small country town which happens to boast an excellent shoe shop and I acquired a new pair of summer sandals.   Long narrow feet are a problem to fit and I find it very difficult to find shoes I like and that like me!  This shop stocks European brands and they fit well.  Success :-)

I went for a walk along the beautiful bay and at the ferry terminal found what has to be the smallest library ever.   An old red telephone box has been repurposed.   There were no instructions but I am assuming that one leaves an offering and takes another book.   Having no offering to leave I reluctantly left behind a book I would rather have liked to snatch.

The next day we travelled around the country lanes to the HD3QBEM's school girl haunts.   The houses are long since gone and the mangroves have invaded the harbour but in her mind's digital camera it was still a place of happy memories.

Hotel light is not good for stitching but I did make a start on Woodland Delight.   In my humble opinion the colours of the thread are too close to the colours of the linen and after considerable cogitating I have decided to keep the same colours and differentiate with stitch.   This will mean rice stitch and smyrna cross but a happier stitcher!

Since coming home I have completed the stitching for the Hardanger Jewellery Roll and am really pleased with it.   This is a terrible photo and the colour doesn't show well but I am recording each stage of this project.   So before I construct -  here are the inner small pockets. Caron thread is not good for this type of work and the colour I chose is far too subtle in its variegations but the finished product will be exactly what I want.   More on this saga to follow.
And on that note, good night all.