After making a vilene template for most of the missing veneer on the top and sides of the lid, I chose my colours. I’d enjoyed working in the green/gold and orange palette for my canvaswork knot garden so for my holiday stitching I gathered up lots of threads in that colour way and began what I knew would be the very slow process of encrusting my big chunk of vilene in french knots and eyelets.
While selecting my threads I found a small packet of green sea glass and a strip of brown chiffon which I’d had left over from an Embroiderers’ Guild workshop the other month. I used the chiffon to hold down the glass by putting a line of back stitch around each nugget.
Then off to North Cornwall – Boscastle for a week of great food, great company, walking, beaches, and just being on holiday. I stitched quite a lot in the evenings and by the time we returned home I’d got this far:
Not very much compared with the vast expanse of white vilene, but a start.
Under A Topaz Sky 
Looks great, Alex. Love your idea of holding the glass down with the chiffon.
Such pretty colours… Love the inclusion of seaglass.
What a clever way of holding down the glass, I love the encrustations, looking forward to seeing the finished piece
I like the look of this, mossy and jewel-like by turns!
Gorgeous palette, and love how you’ve included the sea glass – so clever!
It’s going to be stunning Alex. Great idea for trapping the glass, I may have to use that.
Wow! Its beautiful. Love the colours
tried to post yesterday but couldn’t….trying again.
that’s a lot of french knots but so beautifully done.
Wow! Love it!
Chiffon to hold down seaglass, great idea … I have lots&lots of seaglass and quite a lot of chiffon so this could be a project that goes on&on. Your french knots look so yummy!