Our last Embroiderers’ Guild meeting was an all day workshop with Brenda Scarman on goldwork. Our aim was to transfer into fabric and then stitch an ornate letter using different goldwork techniques. For me this was an ideal opportunity to use up some of the goldwork threads I’ve accumulated through eBay over the last few years! Just as very small selection…!
I chose the letter O not because it was an easy shape, but  because I hope to stitch this for a birthday card for my mum, whose name is Olwen. And as it was an easy shape I lazily copied it free hand onto this gorgeous hand dyed silk.
Couching some sort of thread I had round the outside of the outline.
And the inside.
Then the silver leather. There is a single layer of felt underneath to give it a slightly raised feel but I wanted it to stay inside the outline.
The next technique we were shown was chip work. That was fun! I started with dense chip work leading away from the leather, and then started to gradually add silvery clear beads and the odd french knot in turquoise.
Gradually I lessened the silver and increased the turquoise, introducing more french knots and bugle beads.
It was my first attempt at goldwork (I don’t count the pearl purl work I did on some of my hand made jewellery a couple of years ago) and I really enjoyed it. Now all I have to do is to get it finished for my mum’s birthday.
Under A Topaz Sky 
This is beautiful already and I’m excited to see how you finish it. Your Mum is going to love it!
is that the same Brenda scarman whos doing my opus class in oxford?
I like the use of leather, I like a bit of gilded leather
From the Lincoln area? Very likely.
That background fabric is lovely. It’s such a wonderful technique, isn’t it!
What fabulous effects you’ve gotten. Your Mum is going to love, love, love it!
A lovely collection of threads, Alex! It’s nice to see the techniques you are using.
Lucky Mum, I’m sure she will love her card. Hope you will show us when it’s finished!
Barbara xx