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, April 19, 2009

Home sweet home

Hi!! I'm back.....after an amazing, relaxing holiday in one of the most gorgeous places I have ever seen. The picture shows my daily view from the breakfast table overlooking Lake Malaren. I missed you though and had so many e-mails and comments to respond to when I got back. I have done some replying already and if you haven't heard from me yet you will very soon! Can I just make a plea...Miriam left me a comment, I tried to comment back but couldn't tell if it actually worked, so if you are Miriam can you please let me know if you got my message, ta!!
Well I went to bed at 1.30 a.m. saturday morning then got up again at 7 a.m. itching to stitch. I also had a mountain of unpacking and sorting out to do but once the washing machine was loaded I made a start on these. I just love how they look here, my brain is ticking now thinking of other ways to use them. Jam pot covers? Mop caps for babies? any suggestions?

And voila! Buttons, my original intention. The floral pair are a gift for a lovely Swedish lady who I spent the evening with on my holiday. She gave me a gift which I was totally unprepared for so hopefully this will make ammends.
Whilst I was putting things on cards I thought it would be a good idea to do the same with some chinese knots, maybe sell them at the ''Makey do'' in July.

As for the white buttons, they are going to be part of my give away. I said I would bring you a gift from my holiday didn't I. Well, I bought fabric, gorgeous Marimekko and some very pretty children's fabric from a designer called Karin Mannerstal who designed this range for Mairo. So there will be white buttons, (made by me) and a piece of each of these lovely fabrics. Not a huge piece, I can't bear to part with it!!!! (another illustration of what a tramp I am!!!)

and there will also be two delightful envelopes and a magnetic bookmark from Swedish Bookbinders Design, bought in the very posh NK store in Stockholm. Just leave me a comment, it's that easy.


Phew!! That seemed like such hard work, hope I have explained it all properly! The best thing about today though, I still have another week off work, yipee, lots of sewing, not much housework! Have a great week x

33 comments:

Gina said...

It sounds like you've had a wonderful holiday Karen. The floral buttons are lovely - I'm sure they will be very much appreciated.

méri said...

Wellcome back, Karen!
Is everything well with your leg? Hope so!
Thanks for the chance to win such beautiful things, I would love to win :))))

connie said...

Welcome Back. Your new things are lovely. Oh, my the children fabric is really fun. I love the little criminal... Enjoy being home.

MargB said...

Pleased you had a great holiday. I did miss you. I would love to be in the draw please - I think the buttons are beautiful (how big are they?) and the fabric....

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Hi Karen,
Glad you had a lovely holiday,hope you rested that leg!
I think the buttons are beautiful.
A christening bonnet would be lovely.
Yipee I have next week off too so I will be joining you with stitching and no housework!

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen
Im glad you had a nice holiday. The buttons are gorgeous. I would love to be included in this draw - the fabrics are lovely/. thanks

Sue Krekorian said...

So glad you've had a wonderfully restful break and have returned with all your batteries well and truly recharged - you seem to have hit the ground running, creatively speaking: and another week in which to enjoy the fruits! Great!

Jacky said...

Welcome home Karen, sounds like you had a lovely holiday (and what a bonus another week off).
Beautiful buttons, they look lovely all carded up. Love those fabrics too.... please put me in your draw for all of these lovely goodies.

Joei Rhode Island said...

Welcome Back! Glad you were able to enjoy your Holiday despite your concerns about your leg. Lovely buttons..
PS I ordered tape from Lillalotta and await it anxiously ... hope it is as nice as yours.

Mathyld / encore petite said...

Oh my ! I'm so glad I was on FLick'r when you announced this giveway !
I'm in love with these buttons and white on white is just perfect !

By the way, I'm sure these wonderful buttons will amend the fact that you weren't prepared to receive a gift ;)
It would amend lots of things, for me :)

Best,
___mathyld___

Diane Cransac said...

OOh I just LOVE the colorful buttons...well you know me and color *grin* I will have to mull over what else you could make with them. They are such delightful little creations though..seems you could do all kinds of things with them. I'm so glad you had a good trip. Hope it gave your mind a good refresh. I myself am looking forward to this coming weekend and another trip to lovely moirax!

Ulla said...

Welcome back, enjoy your week off!
Your holiday view looks very inviting.

Jane said...

Glad you had a lovely holiday. Looks like it has done wonders! The buttons are delightful and I am sure the lady will be very happy to receive them.

Katy Swift said...

Karen it's so loveley to have you back! Glad you had a nice holiday - you deserve it hun. How did the leg hold up?

Just to let you know I had a book turn up the other day - Erica Wilson's Embroidery book! I was so excitied. Will be a while before I get a chance to try anything - I'm in the middle of my Final Major Project - but when I do I'll let you know. x

Threadspider said...

Lovely to have you back and stitching again. Looks like you are rested and raring to go and (looking on the bright side) it's nearly the summer hols. : )

Marty52 said...

Oh, I do love those white on white buttons... super sweet. So glad you had a relaxing holiday!

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Welcome back and that's a fantastic give away you have put together.I'm curous to see the backs of those round fabric buttons,essentially I'm trying to figure out how you finish them.
Please include me in the draw.

Needles said...

Sounds like you have returned very well rested. Enjoy this next week off.

tired of smiling said...

I just love the fabric with the jail guy on it! they have such a great expression on their faces.
g.

Greedy Nan said...

Glad to hear you had a holiday!
Please enter me into your giveaway - I'd love to win.

Kel said...

Oh WOW
These are very cool

jill said...

Glad to see your back and had a lovely time. I had a thought and it huty but you could make bras for the gnomes or they could be appliqued onto fabric or I could go and lie down cos my head hurts now nd they seem like poor ideas unles your a gnome of course, or a borrower

Elizabeth said...

I'm glad your back. Hope your leg is healed nicely and your of medication. It sounds you had a lovely vacation. Love the buttons they are so beautiful, so you. Well enjoy your week of freedom.

See you.

Camilla said...

I'm jealous of your holiday, but glad to see you back. I'm heading to Finland in August so maybe I can bring back my own Scandinavian treasures then if I don't win anything from you now!

jude said...

welcome back. i love how those stitched elements look on the cards.

jennyflowerblue said...

Oh it sounds like you are all re-charged and ready to go! Must start saving up for July!

suesueb said...

i hope your leg is healed permanently! these buttons are fabulous! how lucky are we all to get a chance to win some and the fabric too!! thanks so much!

Miriam said...

Aaw, nice to hear!:D

Yeah, the answer was sent off and everything worked like a charm :) Lovely buttons! Hmm..you could make a pouch-necklace out of one of them pieces :)

Like this: http://www.onepaw.net/Medicine%20Bags%20&%20Pouches/ELk%20Pouch%201.JPG
(I didn't make that one, I just thoght that a picture would explain what a pouch-necklase is better than I can.;))

lindaschiffer said...

Welcome home! :)

I recently found your blog and am enjoying it a great deal. I like to do many of the same things you do with embroidery. I am primarily a quilter but have come back to surface stitchery as my first love. :)

Linda

Ingrid said...

welcome back!im glad you had a great holiday,I would love to be in your draw,they are lovely!
Ingrid

meplusmolly said...

So lovely to get away and have a break. Glad you had an enjoyable time.
Your work is truly beautiful, such time and care is taken and the finish to you work looks amazing. V inspirational.
Going to see if I can make it to the 'makey do' in July ;0 x

Elizabeth said...

Just another comment from Denmark, I know it is the second one.
But I really would love hold these buttons in my hands. Let my eyes I cherish the details you put in your work. The way you handle a needle is just awesome.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Elizabeth

lindas said...

HI, looks like you had a great rest and recuperation! :)

How about using your pretty circles for pincushion tops of baby food sized jars -- jars can hold thread, buttons, sewing tools for a little portable sewing kit, etc.

:) Linda