They look lovely Amanda . Please let us know how you get on with them, as I may sub them for some of the silks in my Chat. Where did you get them from?

They are from here Jo and Sarah has conversions for Chatelaines on her blog here.

Thanks Amanda, those were the exact same sites I've been looking at!!

Wow Amanda, that's a really good bargain! No trouble with import duties or anything? I'm a bit cautious abut ordering from America since I got inadvertently landed with import duties plus a Royal Mail handling fee, which actually doubled the cost of the threads -- but I'd really like to get some more of her silks.
Have you tried the premium silk? It's slightly thicker, and I found it lovely to work with.

No probs at all Mabel! VAT duty is only incurred if the value of the goods exceeds £15, I bought the "you pick 10" solid silks which has now gone up to $17 (it's $20.25 for mixed/variegated), at the time I bought them they were $14.85 (I knew Vikki was putting up her prices). Postage for 10 silks was $4, so is now under £15 (£13.50 ish) in total for the solids and just over £15 (£15.50 ish) for variegateds........

ETA: I intend on trying the premiums for one particular project, but also as a sub for Gloriana PPP - how would you say the thickness compares?

It's like a thicker stranded floss, the strands are about 1-1/2 times the thickness of the regular strands. But it's still stranded, not perle, so the texture is quite different from Gloriana PPP (which I and am using fro Fruits at the moment, together with PP). For a slightly cheaper alternative to PPP you could try a hand-dyed #12, Dinky Dyes for example (the regular perle, not the silk perle).

Shame the variegated Pick 10 just pushes it over the £15 mark

Thanks for the info Mabel - I think I will use Glo PPP for special projects ( that Sew and So can get the colour in for me as it is not on the website) but for other projects I may sub for Dinky Dyes or just common or garden DMC! I need a sub for Glo PPP 151 Cinnamon, so DDP Pilbra may do .

Re the charges for HDFs variegated - the "official" blurb says:"The import VAT percentage rate is applied to the total value of the goods. In the case of goods brought in this is the sterling equivalent of the price paid abroad, as shown on the receipt. In the case of goods posted from outside the EU, it is the amount on the Customs Declaration, which includes the price paid for the goods, the cost of transport, postage and packing, insurance and any duty that may be payable."

On the customs declaration Vikki stated the cost of just the goods not the p&p so if that is what is used to charge VAT duty, $20.25 will be under £15.......

Good to know Amanda, thanks!

Sew & So can order in any shade of PPP -- they ordered in the shades for Fruit for me -- but it can take a while for them to arrive, so plan well ahead

OOOh gorgeous. I love her silks

My dear parcel courier brought my birthday present from my parents today I have a new lap/table frame

Never beaded before, this is gonna be fun

I have to compliment 123stitch. The bead storage thingy was backordered so the lot shipped 5 days after I ordered, but it only took 5 days to come to Ireland all the way from the US. I wish all snail mail was that fast, the last envelope I sent to America took 5 weeks to get there!!!

Oooh, lovely!

That sounds like great service!!! I love the bead box.. I think I should invest in one..
Faith

Beautiful stash Maud - have fun with it! I just got 5 very lonely looking DMCs (took great self control!) for a little SAL that I discovered via Maud's blog (thank you Maud!). I thought as it only required 16 DMCs I was bound to have them but isn't it funny how that almost never happens (unless you already have a full set of course!). Anyway, I only ordered them yesterday and they came today - great service from Louise at Across Town Stitching !

fMaud - I may have missed it - what project are the beads for?

Well let's see, some are for Chatelaine Tiny Rose mandala, some for Mirabilia Lily of the Valley, some for How does your garden grow, a couple for Abi Gurden's Spring Basket (which I haven't started yet), and a couple more with no real purpose in mind but the fact that i'm a sucker for anything blue

That is lovely stash Maud,all those colours!

Got these lovely delicas and crystals for my mini Chatelaine freebies and the Chatelaine raffle prize 2012:

Have to say that these are from a company that I have not used before, but one that was recommended on here - Spellbound Beads. I placed my order on Sunday night and received them this morning - amazing service! Although it is still alot cheaper to buy the bead packs for full size Chatelaines from ECC, I will definitely be using this company again for keeping my favourite coloured delicas "in stock"!

Oooh, lovely beads, and I'm going to have a nice browse through that website . Remind me, how are delica beads different from seed beads?

Delicas are cylindrical, like MH Magnifica beads and are 11/0. I think where a project calls for MH seed beads I will definitely convert them to delicas where possible. There is no logical explanation, just my personal preference. Beading with them on my Chatelaine was a real joy unlike my experience with MH seed beads where I found myself having to throw away some as they were so uneven! Delicas also come in an awesome array of colours and finishes too........

I love all those beads!!

I found several packets in 'cheapie Chinese shops' in Spain when i was there tis winter. I'm going top experiment with then soon!


Today!!! My Dinky-dyes Ooops Bags arrived !

Have posted a piccie on the 'Ooop Bags thread!