Post & Peacock Feathers

I have been stitching I promise, though this seems to be turning into a weekly, if not fortnightly confession. What I have failed to do is post about it or actually finish the projects enough to list them. Although one of the projects is something I mentioned previously and can now show it because the recipient has now got it. As you can see I have stitched a little figure taken from an illustration by Heidi Burton a very talented illustrator and a friend of mine. I have always loved the picture on the postcard and had been itching to stitch it and finally pulled my finger out and did it. That is the result. Not wanting to keep it I sent it on its way to the lovely lady who drew it. Sometimes I don't often know what to do with the embroidery, i,e. the end product. I wonder if they need to be practical as I do like to combine the two, but in this case a tiny picture for a tiny person seemed the logical solution. However, I have combined practical with beautiful embroidery by designing another clock. 

Peacock feather clock that it is nearly completed, just need to get it mounted up in the frame fix the mechanism and add the final finishing details. Hopefully my camera will behave long enough to allow me to photograph it. Fingers crossed. The feather itself is stitched in hand dyed varigated cotton thread, highlighted with gold thread and a Swarovski Crystal.

In other things there is something nice about getting things in the post. This week was quite a good week for that, I received a wonderful package of goodies from Lupin a nice gesture after I managed to send her a metro that featured one of her lovely handmade felt brooches in for their Christmas shopping edition. I also received a lush Japanese hand embroidery book on flowers I ordered as a treat for me the New Year and for getting a pay rise. 

Have you purchased anything nice lately? Or received anything nice in the post?