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







Friday, August 8, 2008

This weeks achievements

This week has flown by so fast that I wonder where the time has gone. Day to day I don't feel like I get very far creatively. By the time I shower, put the washing in the machine, tidy round, sort the food out, the day has gone with nothing much to show for it. Then I forget about the night, the hours I spend with my work until bedtime (usually long past midnight) and hey presto, the progress is there I just have to look closely for it.
I made some knots yesterday. They have generated so much interest that I thought it would be good to have a small supply, no particular project in mind, just incase, you never know.


It is quite a while since I made any of these and for a moment I forgot the knotting process, I got there eventually though and there are three of them here to show you.










This morning I decided to gather up this weeks work. It hasn't been a waste of time after all. I have more cutwork, more applique, more text, my little edge thingy's and knots. Quite productive after all.
















10 comments:

jude said...

those knots are s great. and i love the text that creeps in everywhere. how big is this now? will it be lined?

Victoria said...

Those knots are so cool! And in my opinion, you seem to be incredibly productive!

Jane said...

I love the knots. It soon mounts up when you stitch whenever you have a spare moment. Must be lovely to get to the end of the week and be able to feast your eyes on these

shula said...

I still can't work out how to turn those strips of sewn bias the right way in. I've seen it done, but the very idea gives me nightmares.

I'd actually call that Lots of Work.

Anonymous said...

The knots are a great detail - and so interesting! If I got half as much done this week as you did I'd be doing a happy dance...my nieces were in town (ages 10 and 12) and I played tourist with them every day...they flew home yesterday and now I have a wreck of a house and a pile of laundry to deal with! Today is the big Northwest quilt show so one more day of play before I have to get back to my routine! As usual, I love your work! xo, Nan

Threadspider said...

Progress looks very impressive to me. I am beginning to see that your way of working is immensely productive-I'm trying to sort out a "best working practise" here too, with varying degrees of success.
I spent a joyous time yesterday reading back posts of yours and feeling so inspired by them. Have a great weekend.

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

The knots are lovely.

Jacky said...

It sure adds up.... love the knots and all of the other wonderful needlework this week...you are very productive (in the wee hours).

Gayle said...

Thank You! I'm so glad you shared this technique. I have purchased these before but never thought of making them. These are lovely.

Gina said...

Those knots are gorgeous karen. I'm going to have to give them a try! Think practise with some purchased cord before I make my own though!