Frankincense #10  - A$13.95 +p&h
Gifts of the Magi #1

Christmas is a time many of us give gifts from the heart. This tradition has its roots in the legend of the Three Wise Men who came to pay homage to the Christ child. Exchanging gifts was, and still is, a very important ritual in the Middle East. Each of the three gifts given by the Magi, were thought to be precious and highly valued. This sampler symbolizes the gift of Frankincense. According to the legend, Frankincense was given by Balthasar, the dark skinned King of Ethiopia, the land of spices. It is made from the sweet smelling gum from an Arabian desert tree, was usually burnt during religious ceremonies, and is therefore associated with holiness and prayer. The contours of this sampler are chalice shaped, giving an impression of the type of container such a fine gift would be carried in. The royal colours of purple, magenta, crimson, blue and green give depth and body to the piece, while the opulent gold stitching, couching and beadwork shimmer with rich beautiful lights! I hope you stitch this with thoughts of love, joy and true generosity of spirit.

  
SAMPLER
Design Area: 124h X 63w
Model: 28ct. Platinum Cashel Linen 8.85" x 4.5"
(cut 15" x 12")
  

• Caron Wildflowers "Nefertiti"
• Mill Hill Beads #00557 gold
• Mill Hill Bugle Small #72045 green
• Mill Hill Antique #03021 pearl
• YLI Silk Ribbon #021

• TRA 132 ecru or #5 Perle Cotton DMC #712  
• TRA 111 black or #5 Perle Cotton DMC black
• TRA 510 Amethyst or #5 Perle Cotton DMC #550
• Kreinik 031 - #16 Braid crimson
• Kreinik 042 - #8 Braid multi
• Kreinik 002J - Japan gold thread
• Kreinik 002HL - #8 Braid gold
• DMC floss #500, #3033, #498, black
• Anchor floss #887 – gold

• Cross Stitch
• Backstitch
• Satin Stitch
• Beadwork
• Queen Stitch
• Vertical Satin Stitch
• Outline Stitch

• Smyrna Cross Stitch
• Bargello
• Silk Ribbon Straight Stitch
• Lazy Daisy Stitch
• Whipped Spider Rose
• Waffle Stitch