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







Wednesday, January 21, 2009

And still they keep coming!

I'm cheating a bit today....................I have jumped forward a few years. These samples were made whilst I was doing my teacher training, 2006, as an illustration of different embroidery stitches for a group of adults I was teaching. I had forgotten about them and found them when I was sorting through my stuff the other week. They look much better in the flesh, honest!



Another reason I have been sorting my work out is because I have the builders coming. You won't believe how spoilt and decadent I am being! I am having two bedrooms knocked into one so that I can sleep in my own little palace with so much room I can drape myself anywhere! ( I think my hubby may be relegated to the shed, I can't bear the thought of his socks spoiling the ambience!)
So, basically, the work has to go to a place of safety, no brick dust or plaster near my work thankyou very much. It is all getting lovingly wrapped and packaged and good old mum is coming to take it to her house, thanks mum. Anyway I digress, but I had to share, I am so excited!
More 'artwork' now. These pieces were also done for my plant drawing module (2003). Yes I know they are pins and keys but I think the tutors were delighted that I produced any painting at all so tolerated my artistic licence.



As you know I have plans. This weekend I hope to have some more work finished and would love to change the header on my blog and the shop, make it more current. In a couple of weeks I am aiming to have a big shop update with some things that I think may sell easier, smaller, less expensive things that I get amazing feedback on. The book is coming slowly, a little inconvenience called work is holding that up, and to cap it all I am having horrendous problems with my computer. A virus?? Oh I hope not!! My son bless him, said ''mum, buy a new hard drive £270 that's all'' Well I was thinking ''how much Marimekko fabric could I buy with that for my new boudoir!''
So hard drive, Marimekko fabric, work, book, builders and to prove that despite all this running round in my head I am busy. busy, damp stretching is taking place as we speak!


see you at the weekend if I haven't lost my mind!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

All this drawing you have been showing has inspired me to restart the drawing course i signed up to 2 years ago. I love your drawing and painting and had forgotton how good it was. Thanks for the inspiration and good luck with the boudoir
Jill

Jane said...

What a lovley way to display the different stiches

Victoria said...

Love the keys and pin illustration!
The stitching is fab too, of course.

(How exciting to be getting a nice big bedroom! Enjoy!)

Ulla said...

Your stitch sample is so cute! Congratulations on your building project; a lot of work and mess but a result to be happy about.

Gina said...

Sounds like so much going on! I love those orange stitches on the blacka and white check!

Anonymous said...

I think you like to paint shadows!

Needles said...

I love how you make take an ordianry check fabric and make it special.

I'm enamoured of the paintings of the maple seeds. Gorgeous.

jude said...

fabulous x one million!

Jacky said...

You sound so busy.... thanks for taking the time to post these wonderful pics. Loving those pins and keys (and always love your stitching).

Good luck with the renovations (and the computer).

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Love your painting of the pins.
I bet you can't wait for half term with all your plans!
Looking forward to visiting your new shop.
Michala x