For centuries women have used cloth as a tool of comfort and as an expression of beauty within their homes. Creating cloth for warmth, cloth for shelter, our female predecessors embellished these linens with hand stitch using laborious and time consuming techniques thereby enhancing the functional beauty of objects which enveloped and protected their families. Inspired by these women I hope my creations pay tribute to and recognise the devotion expressed in cloth by our female ancestors .







''the use of traditional often time consuming process alludes to the devotion of a mother''. c K. A. Ruane 2007







Thursday, August 14, 2008

Forcing the handbag and amazing parcels.

Thanks so much for all the input re the handbag. The general concensus seemed to be, sleep on it, which I did, (not literally!!) Then I had a whole day away from home yesterday to think about it. I have now added vintage buttons as a means of fastening down the pleats, so far so good. I was actually very happy with this when I looked again this morning but the doubts are maybe beginning to creep back. I don't think I can go on indefinitely agonising over an imaginary handbag at the expense of everything else, so, the plan,
leave the imaginary handbag pinned up where I can see it whilst I am waiting for the crucial, creative revelation. In the meantime I am going to continue with the crazy patchwork. That is getting quite exciting now because I have decided on my second panel and hope to get going on that later today.




Now for the most exciting part of today, or maybe the whole year......Look what my postman brought me this morning! A huge package of the most beautiful fabric and embroidery you will ever see. This is a gift from the amazing Jude. What a gift, I was and am totally speechless. Prepare yourself for a visual feast. Like a child in a sweet shop!










12 comments:

Gina said...

What a fabulous parcel ull of wonderful goodies!

méri said...

What a beautiful pieces! Here, some of those fabrics (white ones) are called English Embroidery.
Do you know why? I don't, I have to investigate...

hens teeth said...

Your work is perfection, which goes without saying.....my turn to be a little bit jealous ......such a lovely gift of beautiful textiles. :-)

Anonymous said...

oh wow - what a gift - lucky you. and the buttons on the handbag look good.

Threadspider said...

A glorious gift for you-at some point you will know just what you will do with each piece.

Jane said...

What a treasure trove. A fantastic gift

Gayle said...

Wow! What a lovely package. By the way, I am loving the handbag. :-)Gayle

Victoria said...

Sorry I missed the last post, but I am all caught up now!

I think the handbag will be beautiful, and of course I don't see what was bothering you about the original piece, as it looks amazing to me.

But I do identify very much with that feeling, when applied to some of my own work!

I think as artists, because we work so intimately with our work... and know what we originally envisioned, compared to what we actually create... as well as every little perceived imperfection, (that only we generally see) ... it makes us very critical of our own work at times.

I say go for the handbag!

Rachel Biel said...

Beautiful work! You have the patience of a saint! Would love to have you come on as guest artist on my blog. I also started a social network that might interest you: http://fiberfocus.ning.com/

Consider yourself invited! I'm adding you on to my blog roll. Very nice indeed!

JoWynn Johns said...

Oh-h-h-h-h! To both the bag-in-progress and the gift goodies.

I SO identify with your comments about being dissatisfied with our own work.

jude said...

crucial creative revolution is what we wait for.....
looking at the selections i made posted right on your blog makes it seem to me that some of the choices fit right in. enjoy. as i always do when i come here.

Anonymous said...

Hello Karen, I've recently discovered your blog and I think your work is wonderful, I was so excited when I found you. Your work really strikes a chord with me as someone obsessed with vintage fabrics and neutral tones!Your stitching is really beautiful.
Christine x