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







Saturday, March 14, 2009

Rambling again

It has taken me so long to write this post. I kept putting it off, browsing the internet, sending e-mails, making coffee, eating grapes, anything to delay this. I don't know why, nothing in particular except I didn't feel I had anything to say. The problem, (at least my perceived problem) with creating something time consuming is that I just repeat myself, bore you with the same thing day in and day out. Now I have just realised that I have massively contradicted myself. Obviously I do know why it has taken me so long to write this!! Now I sound like a rambling lunatic....oh well...if the cap fits!!
Start again Karen!! Ignore the previous incoherent rubbish!!
'My grandmother's tablecloth' has progressed. It has been damp stretched and doesn't it look so much better?
We are still not nearly half way there although I am not certain how far I will take the stitch, I do know I have other things I want to do to 'finish' it off. I have embellished with a little bit of seeding (2 pics down) and definitely want to put more of that on here. This piece will not be for sale when it's finished, I am already 'emotionally' attached to it but I think I may enter it for an exhibition, all publicity is good publicity right??








Next time I will have something different to show you. My 'gift' cushion is underway and will hopefully be damp stretching tomorrow night. On another note, my book is getting nowhere fast, I think that will have to be put to one side until my 6 week holiday. Also, I recently had some new business cards made using a well known online supplier. I am very happy with them but have just discovered that I could have had bigger and a larger quantity done cheaper elsewhere online so I am going to get some of them too.
Finally, (for someone who had nothing to say I'm not doing too bad am I??) I have a hankering to do a selling fair. Problem is I don't know how to find one, well I have had an offer to do one that would cost £400 for a stand but I am thinking cheaper, being a tramp and everything cheaper is always better!! Can anyone help?? I'm not opposed to travelling but it would have to be later than June for time off purposes and also to get stuff made. Any advice gratefully received. Have an amazing weekend, what's left of it!x

10 comments:

Victoria said...

Take comfort, you never ever bore, my dear.
As for becoming emotionally attached to this particular piece, I can see why... then again I could see a good argument for getting emotionally attached to all of your pieces, as you seem to put so much of yourself into each one. All of your work brings joy to my eyes.

Jane said...

I like the colours in this, very restful after the colour of your last few pieces (which I enjoyed too)

connie said...

The name of this piece is so fitting. It is just lovely. Thanks for sharing it with us. I look forward to seeing where you take it.

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Very lovely Karen and I can see why you want to keep it.
Sorry I can't help you re fairs, but I will keep a look out for you.
£400 a stand! eek!
How can any one afford that?!

Diane Cransac said...

Just beautiful Karen!...and you couldn't be boring if you tried :p

jennyflowerblue said...

Love the blue ad white. Obviously I think you should treat yourself to a July weekend in Kent to come to my 'Makey do' but I can see that that might be a bit far! Folksy's forum has a section called UK events which is good. There is a site called Stallhoder UK that might be useful. Also if you have a local sort of arts promotion officer in your council they might be worh contacting? Hope you find something!

Anonymous said...

You are so far from boring!I love this blog of yours and get so much enjoyment following everything you make!I am also so happy to have bought your embroidery,look at them every day!Thank you for sharing!Ingrid

Threadspider said...

I never tire of reading your blog and drooling over the wonderful images. In a perfect world I would produce beautiful cloths like these-but I am happy to live in an imperfect one and love yours from afar.

Cathie said...

This is absolutely some of the prettiest stitching I've ever seen. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Judy Martin said...

Karen, I have just found your blog and want to tell you how much I love your work. This piece especially with its eccentric design combining vintage motifs flung across so carelessly and with grace. Thanks for taking the time to put your work up to inspire others.