For all their wonderful range of bright colours, Dewhurt's also put out an interesting array of shades too, reflecting some of the more dour colours worn before the Second World War. However dour the colours might be, they are often given the most wonderful names, like this one, which has the most delightful and appropriate name, "Chocolate".

When it was my birthday three years ago, a very dear friend who enjoys photography as much as I do, and knows that I collect beautiful and vintage pieces, gave me a wonderful selection of antique ribbons, buttons, buckles, lace and other fine notions. She also gave me three follow up tins of similar delightful gifts for Christmas.

Those wonderful gifts are what has inspired me to create this series of "Embroider my World" images featuring examples from my vintage bobbin collection. In this case I am using two of my Dewhurst's Sylko Chocolate reels of cotton which date from between 1938 and 1954. The spools sits on some wonderful Victorian era floral embroidered trim in cream and copper brown coloured silk. They are accessorised by some Art Deco 1930s two-in-one reversible buttons made of Bakelite and two chocolate brown silk roses.

The theme for for "Looking Close… on Friday" for Friday 7th of November is "shades of brown". Now, if you know me well, you will know that I am no great fan of the colour brown, however with the most delightful name of "Chocolate", these bobbins' shade is far more palatable. I'm sure you agree. I hope you like my choice for this week's theme, and that it makes you smile!

Belle Vue Mill, commonly known as Dewhurst’s, was built by Thomas Dewhurst in 1828. It opened in 1829 as John Dewhurst & Sons and was one of Skipton’s largest spinning and weaving mills. The mill’s position next to the Leeds Liverpool Canal meant that raw cotton could be shipped in by boats from Liverpool. Finished goods would then be sent back the same way ready for distribution. Coal to power the machine’s steam engines was also delivered by barge. In 1897 Dewhurst’s was bought by the English Sewing Cotton Co. It continued to produce Sylko, one of the mill’s most famous products. It was produced in over 500 colours and sold throughout the world. Sylko cottons are still available at haberdashers today.

Wig for Zéphyr, my LR Sarang ^___^

A brave sparrow grabbing lunch while I'm taking pictures about 15 feet away......it's usually only the chickadees that come this close, but I have a few females that are getting used to me.

Now that the snow has melted on my deck, you can see how much seed had been buried through the winter. Notice the wall of snow still several feet high behind it......we just can't seem to shake winter yet! Even had a bit of snow again last night.

I found this one trying to hide on the trunk of a walnut tree in my yard. Nothing too special, but I have a few photos that I've been meaning to upload for a while but haven't because I haven't identified them yet. I am now pretty certain this is what this is, after using buidguid.net in combination with a moth photographers website. The majority of the fun with insects for me is correctly IDing them. Parke County, IN

The floodlights at my office attract moths from the surounding wood. Our heat wave brought out the first of the moths. The window is tinted brown which probably kept the moth in place and made for a nice background.

The catepillar of this species is a brown "inch worm". It is very stick-like and difficult to see.

Brown shaded, Gray, Iridopsis defectaria (midsized 35mm). Photographed 15January, 2007, Owensville, Maryland.

Fungus supported on a tree.

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

Beautiful deep smoked European oak engineered wood flooring. These planks are gently brushed and hand-finished with highest quality eco-friendly hardwax oil. Perfect option for any commercial or residential project.

Supply and fitting within the United Kingdom.

Product Name: Burnt Ground

www.ubwood.co.uk/store/p10/BURNT_GROUND.html

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Model:Lauren

Photo by Erwin Caluya

Nature can be such a wonderful artist....especially in abstracts

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

#FASHION-designer #ABHIJITSAIPREM at #LAKMEFASHIONWEEK #GRANDHYATTHOTEL #SANTACRUZ #MUMBAI wearing #ARABIAN long #TUNIC and #RETRO glasses.

#JALEBIA #CORAL-branches #SAFFRON #RETRO #SPLASH-Dubai #EMERALD #CHOKER #BROWN #MIDDLE-east #FUSION #ECLECTIC #ACCESSORIZE #HARE #GOA #PEACOCK #FEATHERS

#KUNDAN #COLORFUL #TRADITIONAL #EMBROIDERY #LACE #GOLD #JADED #PAISLEY #PRINT #HIPPY #RAY-ban #TAJMAHAL #COLABA

#LAKMEFASHIONWEEKAFTERPARTY at #ESCOBAR #BANDRA #ROOFTOP #ROOFTOP-party #RED-wine.

driving, as usual

All though a migratory bird in our area and declared an endangered species, this little ornament is dedicated to the peace Dove.

This tiny needle felted ornament hangs from an original olive branch taken from our very own olive tree. The Peace Dove itself measures appr. 2' and something in length is made of 100% merino wool. It hangs from a silvery wire with above it a tiny needlefelted bead against the evil eye and has for weight a nice lampwork bead in brownshades. All other parts are needle felted on.

Visiting my mothing blacklight set-up in the backyard, on the night of August 4, 2012.

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

All though a migratory bird in our area and declared an endangered species, this little ornament is dedicated to the peace Dove.

This tiny needle felted ornament hangs from an original olive branch taken from our very own olive tree. The Peace Dove itself measures appr. 2' and something in length is made of 100% merino wool. It hangs from a silvery wire with above it a tiny needlefelted bead against the evil eye and has for weight a nice lampwork bead in brownshades. All other parts are needle felted on.

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

Tranquillity PsJ, Ferry Point Road, Port St Johns, Eastern Cape, SOUTH AFRICA

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

Moth at Lum's Pond Park, Newark, Del.

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

All though a migratory bird in our area and declared an endangered species, this little ornament is dedicated to the peace Dove.

This tiny needle felted ornament hangs from an original olive branch taken from our very own olive tree. The Peace Dove itself measures appr. 2' and something in length is made of 100% merino wool. It hangs from a silvery wire with above it a tiny needlefelted bead against the evil eye and has for weight a nice lampwork bead in brownshades. All other parts are needle felted on.

Visting my Mercury Vapor light set-up in the front yard, on the night of July 21, 2012.

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

Lower Sabie Camp, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

Brown-shaded Gray Moth at Cattus Island

Visiting my mothing light set-up in the backyard on the night of August11, 2012.

Visiting one of my mothing light set-ups at my Aunt and Uncles home in Toms River, New Jersey. This mothing night took place on September 1, 2012.

Visiting my mothing light set-up in the backyard on the night of August11, 2012.

Taken by my old Smena 8M camera thru my brownshaded sunglasses