🌹    So today I am trying to remember how to do Bullion Stitch !  🌹 

I can do it , but it is a little bit more fiddly when you do it with crewel wool .

It is far easier with cotton or silk threads and also using a bullion knot or milliner's needle helps .

I am using a chenille needle which has a large eye through which to thread crewel wool .

With patience , concentration and a little more care .....  

The fiddley bit is where you gently pinch those loops and slide them down and off the needle and down into the hole you first came up through . 

But this is no way meant to be a tutorial . It is best to have someone sit beside you and show you .

And then practice makes perfect ...or in my case a few tangles first !  

The technique soon came back to me . 

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                She was to go on the Christmas tree , but I didn't have time to finish her .

                      I'm just thinking , angels are not just for Christmas anyway !

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                              Wishing everyone a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas .

               I have almost finished this sweet little chap .

I am just working on the grapes . Colonial knots again . 

I find Colonial Knots quite therapeutic .  This piece which I embroidered , is from the 12th century manuscript illuminations and art of St Hildegarde von Bingen  .

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Sitting in the car doing a bit of embroidery while husband has his hospital appointment .

               I made a very slow start on this leaf . I couldn't remember how best to do it !

It was cold and I forgot to bring my hot water bottle and warm blanket this time .

So this little illumination design comes from a manuscript known as the Sacramentaire de Gellone - 8th century - 780 - 800 .  So very old !  

Took me a very long time to do all those lines ! It really makes a difference though .

I folded it over and hand stitched it into a little purse .

 I hemmed the top , in readiness for inserting a simple drawstring  . 

I have to put it aside for a while as I need to buy some drawstring cord or tape . Also I may add some tassels along the bottom of the purse ....but , I  haven't decided yet  .

So then , on to the next little project .......

I decided to fill in all the lines in between the fish , representing the waves , as on the manuscript illumination .  

I have mentioned before that this is from an 11th century lectionary manuscript illumination from the Abbey de Silos . In the National Library France .

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                                          I think it is just about done . 

I have been working on this for ages , never quite happy with it , but at last I think he is finished .