I can't have been as naughty as I thought over the last year! Santa put a very special gift under the tree - a map embroidered on linen in tiny tiny cross-stitch. The map is of England and Wales, showing all the counties and some towns. The name of the lady/girl who stitched this piece is embroidered in the upper right cartouche, with the date - 1789 and the place 'Brook Green House'.
I have since done a little research and found that Brook Green is an area of west London, not too far from where I grew up. After the Reformation (King Henry VIII), the open expression of Catholic faith was forbidden, but slowly Catholic life returned to London and almshouses, as well as a school for young ladies were established by the Catholics in Brook Green. I feel sure that my embroidered map was probably stitched by a pupil of this school.
Thank you Santa - you did a good job, I love it!
This bracelet reminds of a sea anemone - the beads move as I move my wrist - the beads swaying as if under water. I made a bead base, to which long bugle beads were added. A 'loop' of seed beads connects each pair of bugles, which gives a lacy effect. A few crystals were placed along the center of the bracelet. The bugles are black and very shiny and the seed beads are clear glass with a sliver lining. 
