Totally Usless SAL Update - New Moon 26 October 2011

Hello dear blogging friends!  Here we are again, another New Moon and another ORT Report.

In my little ORT jar this month are lots of pretty colours but the one that stands out the most is the purple thread from the card that I stitched for my Craftbubble 'Crazy for Kitties' birthday exchange.  But more about that later!

This month's photo was taken with some very pretty little boxes that Hubby and I bought yesterday while visiting the "Princely Treasures" Exhibition that is currently on in Perth.  The Princely Treasures Exhibition is a collection of European Masterpieces 1600-1800 from the Victoria and Albert Exhibition that is here til January next year.  After wandering around the exhibition and admiring all the beautiful treasures from a bygone era we went into the gift shop and spent some money - as you do!  There was lots of gorgeous things there that I could have bought and taken home but in the end we settled on three lovely boxes!  Just lately I seem to have a thing about pretty boxes...  I'd better be careful and not start up yet another collection!!

TUSAL Update - New Moon 26 October 2011
Pretty boxes and lovely ORT's

While we were at the Exhibition I did manage to take some photos of some of the beautiful items on display.  Unfortunately they didn't all turn out very well, however I did want to share a couple of photos with you.

Below is a spinning wheel or silk winder from around 1740-1750.  It is made of ebony and ivory, tortiseshell veneer, walnut and mother of pearl and comes from Turin.  It is decorated with images of Diana, cupids and various hunting figures.

Spinning Wheel (circa 1740-1750)
Imagine having this delicate little thing in your home to wind your thread bobbins!

Below is a picture of a teeny weeny prayer book.  Unfortunately there was nothing in the cabinet next to it to show just how small it is... but believe me it is tiny.  It would fit in the palm of your hand without a problem.  It is from France and was made about 1623.  As you can probably guess it is made of gold, enamel and emeralds...  The style of decoration is called cosse-de-pois or pea pod; a style which was frequently used by the goldsmiths and enamellists at Louis XIII's court.

Tiny prayer book (circa 1623)
Used as a private devotion and a fashion accessory

So that's it for this ORT report.  I will be back later with another update to show you what I have been stitching over the last couple of weeks.

For more info on the TUSAL pop over to Daffycat's blog.

Til the next new moon on 25th November 2011, happy stitching and may your collection of ORT's keep growing!

New Moons - 2011

25 November
24 December