Damask Inspired Cutwork Hankie, Work In Progress

How is that for a nice long title? I am suspecting this to take a while, I am hoping 15 hours tops, but I would not be surprised if it meandered into the 20-25h range. I am looking at the viability of hand cutwork as a saleable craft in this day and age. And the more I look at it the less likely it seems mainly due to the time involved and reasonable recompense for that time. Maybe if I do something simpler and forgo hand turning a rolled hem (break my heart) for the quicker, but less supple and lovely, machined hem.

I wanted to do a more complex design this time just to keep interest levels up, so I sketched something up that had been inspired by damask patterns. There are a lot of pins holding my curved bridges in place untill they are worked, I have never done curved bridges and I don't think I have ever seen them done intentionally on handworked pieces, uncharted territory! I have a plan - I think. I am also terribly excited by the fabric, no 2 yards of which are the same, I have a lot of it, in different colours, and a lot of ideas for it.

Monogram Stamp -Works in Progress

Truthfully I have been a little obsessed with the whole monogram thing lately. I have another project in the works that is H related. I confess that I am a fairly newly wed and the "eeeee!!!" sensation hasn't worn off yet.

This is a stamp that I am cutting out of fun foam, it's roughly 5x12.5cm. If it is not clear, it is supposed to be an H with leaves sprouting from the middle. It's pretty basic but we all have to start somewhere, and the foam doesn't seem to hold details well. It's also a little rough in spots but perhaps that will be a part of its charm. I'm going to glue it onto another piece of fun foam that's the same size, I don't think that I will stiffen it any further than that mainly because I don't have anything to use. My intent is kind of a book plate stamp sort of deal. I have been eying them for a long time but can't afford to have a nice custom stamp carved for me. We all have to work with what he have on hand these days; this was made from some scraps I had left over from making my small crochet blocking board at the beginning of this year using the ever handy craft knife we all have. We'll see how it ends up.