Crazy January Challenge: day 5

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

Bird of Colour sewing clamp by The Heart’s Content
Hand-dyed linen (40 count)
Stitched with DMC

Here’s a tiny but unusual project:  a replica of an antique sewing clamp.  The top is a pincushion.  Not much stitching involved, but it is 40 count linen stitched over one (what was I thinking?), and we’ll see how complicated it is to finish.

After two not-so-great stitching days, yesterday was much better and I was able to make great progress on the biscornu:

This was a lot of fun; a pretty design and it stitched up very quickly.  The first side is about half done, and then the second side of the biscornu will be stitched identically.

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Crazy January Challenge: day 4

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

D7 Vario biscornu by GPA
Cream linen (28 count)
Stitched with Gentle Art Sampler Threads

These majolica-inspired biscornus with matching beads are one of my favorite splurges at the Silver Needle New Year’s Eve sale.

Looking back at day 3′s progress, I debated whether to include the Rodeo pillow in my challenge list, because I knew it would take a long time, and I was worried that I might lose interest in it before finishing.  Yesterday I found stitching on the tapestry canvas slow going; hopefully it will move along more quickly as I get used to it.

I still think it’s a fun design and I’m pleased with the little I was able to do.  The nice thing about this challenge is being able to put aside a project like this after one day without feeling required to work on it constantly until it’s done.  I think the short work periods combined with guilt-free breaks will keep the project interesting enough to see it through.

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D2 biscornu

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

D2 biscornu by Giulia Punti Antichi
Clay Belfast linen (32ct) and silk dupioni
Stitched with GAST

I just love biscornus:  they’re cute and quirky, easy to make, and are full of design possibilities.  The Gimlet is significantly less enthusiastic about each new arrival, referring to them as “Tribbles“.  This biscornu is especially neat; part of a series by Giulia Punti Antichi, each design is inspired by antique Deruta designs and paired with a matching majolica button and bead.

After being forced to admire it, The Gimlet suggested that it could be worn as a hat, then quickly added, “but please don’t!”

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