Trevelyon's Gold Cap - grapes!

I know I've been neglecting you for a while and it's because I've been dealing with all the other things life throws at us sometimes. But now things are a bit calmer and I am happy to report that, although I haven't been writing, I have been stitching!Trevelyon's Gold Cap is almost finished! I put the spangles on to create the little bunches of grapes and the piece looks delightful. Those little spangles just sparkle in the sunlight...and in the candle light as well.Attaching spangles to a piece of metal thread embroidery can be done in two ways: using only thread and stitching the spangle or using a tiny piece of purl or check. I decided to use black check.To attach the spangle using check, you must cut the check into a piece that's smaller than the spangle, otherwise it will completely cover the spangle. The spangles I'm using are tiny, measuring about ¼ inch or 1 cm.You bring your thread up through the middle of the hole of the spangle and then through the piece of check and lastly, down back through the hole of the spangle.  In this way the piece of check holds the spangle in place. It also adds texture and dimension to the spangle. The addition of all tthe bunches of grapes not only filled the gaps but added another texture to the piece.The last thing to finish now is the border at the bottom, which you can just see in the photo below.My plan, when it's all finished, is to outline the design with the same gold twist and the black and gold twist used in the stem. I'll frame this piece, although it could be made into another miniature cap...but I'd need to embroider three more sides! Maybe in the future...Today - right now in fact - I'm in the airport flying to France for a short holiday with our best friends from the USA! I'll be visiting the Bayeux Tapestry and, depending on internet connection, you'll be hearing from me!