LinsArt: Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge catch up

I joined in the TAST challenge, [click here for details] but so far have only put one photo on Flickr and week 9 starts tomorrow! I have been doing them [not always in the same week], but I wanted to do something with them, my original idea was to make up a picture with the stitches as I did them...but I couldn't think of what to do. A friend gave me a book about the Victorians, and it sparked something. As I like doing altered books too, I thought I would combine both the samples with extra bits of lace and ... and alter the book too. I didn't want to alter it too much as I still wanted to be able to read it, so mainly just paint effects, the sample and a label.

Of the eight so far, I have had most trouble with the first stitch, diamond stitch. Some of the problem was that I didn't read the instructions properly, but I've done it a few times now and I've not taken to it. I was quite embarrased that I had so much bother with it as I have done City & Guilds Embroidery, although this is the first time I've done this stitch. I tried lots of different stitches on the course, but not all and most so far on the challenge have been new to me, it is good getting back to basics. I find I tend to stick to the same old stitches so I'm enjoying taking part in the challenge.