Blackwork Biscofleur

Design: Blackwork Biscofleur by Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel Krosses
Materials: White 14-count aida; DMC 310 floss; black tassel; black ribbon; soft toy stuffing

A Biscornu for April

Design: Lilac Time by Elizabeth Almond of Blackwork Journey (freebie design)
Materials: 25-count evenweave from Polstitches grab bag (possibly Rhubarb and Custard); DMC threads, deep red buttons; deep red ribbon; soft toy stuffing

I had planned on stitching this biscornu design in the original purples, but when I chose my fabric, which had shades of pink and yellow through it, the raspberry tones looked better and I changed my plans. The design is stitched two over one.

I had spotted an unusual 6-faced biscornu at the Stitch Creations blog and resolved to try one myself. It turned out to be very simple to do – as long as you have an even number of stitches for your back-stitch border you can do this easily as the four smaller pieces have to be exactly half the height and width of the larger ones. You then stitch each of the small faces onto a large face with the point of the small face at the centre of the large one. Then you attach the second large face and you’re done.

The design for the small faces is one I stitched off the top of my head in keeping with the design of the larger faces and one of them has “Kell, April 2010″ stitched on it instead of the pattern.

Kell's March 2010 Biscornu

Design: From 2010 Pattern-a-Day Cross Stitch Calendar (Monday 1st March)
Materials: Unknown 28-count evenweave from Polstitches grab bag; Madeira silks 0514 10 and 1407 12; gold glass seed beads from a broken necklace; gold filigree buttons; white ribbon; soft toy stuffing

I only used the central part of the design and then stitched a border of beads on the front. The reverse is just a circle in the centre and a repeat of the circle motif with beads at the corners, then my name and the date.

Starburst Blackwork Biscornu

Design: Starburst Blackwork Biscornu by Kell Smurthwaite, Kincavel Krosses
Materials: 18-count ecru Aida; Red Heart 187 floss; white ribbon with turquoise stars; ssilver Celtic beads; Minicraft supersoft toy filling

My second biscornu of the year is a pattern which I designed myself. Because the design on the front is very intricate, I left the reverse almost completely blank with only a star motif in the centre and at each corner, and the details of my name, the month and the year. The silver beads were taken from a necklace I had which broke. They were so pretty I had to save them and I thought the silver went well with the turquoise of the stitching.

The border on both the front and reverse are stitched in two strands, but the rest of the design and the text is all stitched in a single strand.

Wedding Favours

Project: Micro-biscornu Wedding Favours
Materials: 16-count Antique White Aida; Anchor 101 (purple) floss; purple ribbon from John Lewis
Design: Original design by Kell Smurthwaite ©

These tiny biscornu-style favours are for my best friend's wedding in September. Each face measures 1" square, so they were really fiddly to put together and I could only do a maximum of three or four each night before my fingers seized up! As I had 25 of them to make, it was time for stiff fingers all week long! Still, I think the end result is worth it.

I designed the logos of a motif of hearts and included the initials of the bride and groom, and the date of the wedding. The purple colour of the stitching matches the bridesmaid dresses and the fabric is antique white to compliment the bride's gown.