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, June 14, 2009

I Love London.....

Hi, I'm back. Been back about an hour and I had a wonderful time. London draws me, it probably would draw me even if my daughter didn't live there it's such a fantastic place. The best haberdashery, (Liberty! Be still my beating heart!) the best galleries, the best mix of humanity. We had a great day yesterday on the hop on hop off Thames Clipper. Travelled up the river to Greenwich and stopped off at Tower Bridge on the way back where I sat for an age, transfixed by the Tower of London wondering behind which window Mary Queen of Scots had been incarcerated. It definitely made up for the horrendous FIVE hour drive we had getting down there, traffic was a nightmare! Now I am back in making mode as opposed to tourist mode. More buttons for the Makey do...... I have been a terrible blog visitor lately and I truly am sorry. It will be put right this week, promise!
I have something totally different for you next time, can't say much but all will become clear. Makey do is on hold for a few days. I have urgent, pressing business! Goldwork anyone?

17 comments:

Jane said...

Sounds intriguing, always fancied a go at goldwork. Glad you had a great weekend

Ulla said...

Good to hear you had an enjoyable time in London. I like the little splashes of colour here, good for the summer outfits.

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Hi Karen,
I love your buttons!
Great for adding to bags as decoration or giving clothes that addeded wow factor.
My Mum is visiting my sis in London this weekend and they were going to a vintage textile and fashion fair!!

Gina said...

Think I'm overdue a London trip. Love those buttons... so pretty.

Cathie said...

Amazing how such a delicious little piece of art can be found on a button. Wonderful!

connie said...

I love your buttons. I especially love the buttons with the text, but I am a sucker for text. I am anxious to see your new work...

MargB said...

Lovely buttons! I agree about London - a marvellous place to visit - haven't managed it for years, sadly.

Marie said...

That was a quick trip! love the french knot flowers on the buttons.
fabulous!

Art4Sol said...

Beautiful buttons. London sounds wonderful...without the traffic.

Victoria said...

Good to hear you had fun in London. My daughter will be headed their to study in the fall, I am really going to miss her, but what a wonderful experience for her! The buttons are super pretty, especially like the flash of orange and type on some! (Vintage calendar tea towel?)

meplusmolly said...

Glad you had a fabulous weekend!
Your buttons look beautiful as always, can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!
I miss London *sigh* am definitely way overdue for a visit ;0

Joei Rhode Island said...

Never been to London...sigh...but not much of a town person. Love the buttons though!! Can't wait for the goldwork.

Anonymous said...

O gosh, those buttons are divine... I love the greyed lavender/green ones, just beautiful.
Glad you had a lovely time with your daughter.

Elizabeth said...

Your makey do products are drop gorgeous. I know I don't tell something new to you but what can I say....
What do you mean with goldwork? Maybe another doll but that doesn't fit with pressing business. HMMM??

Gayle said...

These are amazing buttons...oh to visit London...I've never been...someday.:-)

Tammie Lee said...

these are each charmingly wonderful!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Karen, I LOVE your buttons and I love hearing about your lovely visit to London. OH, how I wish I could visit London and your creative room too. Hugs Judy