A little stitching and a promise partially-fulfilled

Hello again dear blog friends. 
I've got one stitching update and a handful of museum pics to share today:)
So let's jump on it right away with Make Do and Mend:

 

 There's an inner "do" on that word, afterwhich I'll probably "do" the border (still in dark blue). Wondering why I didn't cover much this past week? Well, I have, I stitched on the Santas too and there's just so little left of white stitching that I want to post it as a finish, woohoo!

Now let's make a promise-fulfiller out of me. 

The Smithsonian Castle 

 I thought it would be nice to start off with where it all began. Otherwise known as Smithsonian Visitors' Center or the headquarters, the Castle was completed in 1855. It's designed in medieval revival motif by James Renwick Jr., the same architect of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.

Here you'll see a miniature layout of the National Mall:

 

 

 You'll also find English scientist James Smithson's (the benefactor) final resting place. Yes, his crypt is at the north entrance but I didn't want to show it here.

Early pictures (c.1863) compared to more recent ones:

 

 

 Within the gates is the African Art Museum (didn't get a picture of the building though). It was dark inside that most of the pics came out so blurry. Here are some decent ones:

 

Elephant tusk (1850), a symbol of wealth and power

 

 

 

Yes, that is a helmet mask. There were lots of masks.

Finally, some colors:

 

 That's it for now. Will try to squeeze two museums next time (saving the best for last).
Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!