Toledo Needle Arts Guild Meeting

I just have to take a little break from the Quilt Market news to share what I saw tonight at the TNAG Meeting. I am a new member of this Guild. I love the needle arts and boy did I see some beautiful work tonight.

The first Biscornu* was stitched and assembled by Christine Hampshire. The pattern is (edited 5/21/09 8:03 AM) “Floral Fifteen: A 15-Sided Biscornu by Just Nan". It is a 15 sided Biscornu pin cushion. When she showed it I was speechless (that is difficult to achieve for me). It was so beautiful I could never imagine putting pins in it. I think I would buy a special glass dome to put it under. Christine said she changed threads quite a few times and that if she knew how much it involved from the beginning she may not have attempted making this one. I'm sooooo glad she did not know and did indeed finish it. I took several pictures to show the many sides and just how beautiful the stitching is. I figured you would all enjoy looking too.

Last but certainly not least, was another beautiful Biscornu that Ann Rorarius had finished and shared with me tonight. The design is by Lilian Kok. Ann also made a smaller one as seen in the picture. I really like the color and the pattern of these Biscornu.

I am so thrilled that Ann let me take a picture to share with everyone. I don't know about you but I always am inspired when I see beautiful pieces like this one. I think it helps further the needle arts and pass on traditions to younger generations.

Biscornu this is a new word for me so I will keep saying/typing it over and over just for fun. It sounds so cool....pronounced "Bis Cor New" if you are inexperienced with this word like me.

*The word biscornu (sometimes written biscournu) is derived from a French adjective, meaning skewed, quirky, or irregular. My husband, ever the linguist, tells me that it literally means "two horned." Many English speakers, especially those from the Southern United States, think that biscornu is a cognate of the word biscuit. Well, it is similar in shape and size to a hand-pressed biscuit! Regardless, biscornu are basically made from two embroidered squares sewn together on point; the corner of one square meets the middle of the other as the two pieces are whip-stitched together and stuffed, creating the a quirky, skewed pillow. Additionally, many are finished off with a button in the center of the design top and bottom. (copied from http://prettyimpressivestuff.com/biscornu.htm)

Smiles,

Kelly

(I think I'll tell my children they are acting like a Biscornu and see what they say. Or instead of saying hello to someone tomorrow I'll greet them with, "Biscornu" and see how they respond. Ok so I'm goofy....who is goofier....me for saying it....or you for reading it?)