Creating and stitching in black and gold

I know it's been a long time since I've written anything on the blog. I've been so busy creating things and stitching that I just haven't had a minute to sit down and write anything. Additionally, it's the end of the term and grades were due which is a huge job this year because I'm teaching English for the first time and an Abitur level course. (College entrance level course). I know you're all a lot more interested in embroidery than the German educational system (see too, for that matter!) but my new responsibilities have eaten up enormous amounts of time and energy this school year. I hope now that I will be better able to balance my time between my administrative responsibilities at school (less time spent here I hope!) and the joyful occupation of embroidery!As you know from the last post (remember that post?) I am working on two new cap designs. I've decided not to stick the patterns as three dimensional caps but to do them as panels instead. I'm currently embroidering a panel of my first Trevelyon's Cap for teaching purposes and am really looking forward to being able to mount and frame it creatively when it's finished. It will be fun to have two others to hang beside the first in about a year's time (if I stitch quickly!) Below is a drawing with my initial ideas sketched out.The first one I've begun is the gold (metal thread) and black silk cap. Like many of you, my favourite photo from the post on January 8, 2016 was the black and gold coif at the bottom of the page. I just love the combination of black and gold. Some of you right remember the blackwork piece I did years ago to which I added gold accents. I gave it to my father and it hangs in their home in Iowa. Every time I return I am reminded of how much I like that combination of colours, threads and techniques so I thought I'd do it again on this next cap project!I can tell you that working with metal thread on such small pointed shapes take a lot of patience and a good, strong pair of tweezers! However, I find the process of couching down the pearl purl and pinching the tips of the leafs into sharp points completely satisfying. Once the gold thread is on the fabric, it's there to stay. The fact that they leaves aren't completely symmetrical nor are they the exactly the same is charming and I love that the original design is hand drawn so, therefor, not computer perfect. We got so used to perfect designs and airbrushed or enhanced photos that I find the human element in the wonkiness delightful!The leaves in the centre of the design are outlined with pearl purl and will be filled with chip work (one of my favourite if not my very favourite metal thread techniques!). The leaves on the sides of the design will be different. The first on eI've begun to outline using passing thread but I'm not sure yet what I will use to fill the shape - most likely blackwork of some kind in silk or cotton.I'm home all week this coming week as we are on winter holiday.  I'm ready for next term (at least I think I'm ready,  but one never knows!) so I can relax and get lots of fun stitching done.