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







Sunday, November 23, 2008

It is so dark and wet here today, we have rain and sleet. I wish we had proper snow or nothing at all. I keep seeing these beautiful images on blogs from Scandinavia with amazing winter wonderland scenery and what do we have.....grey, damp and miserable. I have had a busy few days, this is nearly finished, only needs a few more 'tweeks'. I am working on my lining for the swaddling band, told you it would take a long time, but it's getting there. (sorry, no images yet!)


Yesterday I went to the Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate. I don't know if it's just me but every year I am less impressed and almost disappointed. I would be interested to know what other people think. It also depends on the gallery section and who is showing I suppose but it seems to me that exhibiting work is becoming less of a priority for them and it's more about the selling, supplies etc. Also, there used to be a stand from the hospice shop where I bought all my old cloths, they weren't there this year so I feel cheated as I couldn't stock up on my essentials. I did do some buying, but look how restrained I was, 1 skein of silk, some gorgeous tiny buttons and a metre of silk muslin. Wasn't I a good girl!!








And here it is....the new love of my life! My lovely hubby bought me this gorgeous doll from Nicola. She is so pretty and her clothes are hand painted in the most amazing detail. I wanted to show you close up's but she wasn't playing! Check out Nicola's blog and you will be able to see what I mean about the detail in her work, stunning.


I hope you like her as much as I do, she makes me very happy!





8 comments:

Gina said...

I know what you mean about K & S show. I went to Birmingham this year and was hugely disappointed. London was better. Love your doll.

Ulla said...

I love the little buttons. What a sweet hubby to get you that beautiful doll!

gunnelsvensson said...

Beautiful doll! thanks for sharing, and of course you wonderful stitching, beutiful as usual !!

Jane said...

I do like the buttons. The doll is amazing, what a lovely present

Victoria said...

Great doll! What a sweet hubby!

Anonymous said...

I like your new doll.
I stopped going to the K&S show - because I stopped being thrilled - but as it has been a few years - I think I will make the effort next year. Perhaps a break for a year or two is the answer?
K

Robin said...

Lovely doll!

ps: you have an award over here:
http://siddalspassingfancies.blogspot.com/2008/11/kreativ-blogger-award.html

:-D

Gayle said...

I love the embroidery peeking through.