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







Thursday, July 16, 2009

Gratuitous self promotion!

I have started a massive shop update. Last night I thought it would all be done, no chance. Connection problems, image problems, by 12.30 a.m. I had only added four brooches! Freshly snoozed I started again this morning, is it me or does it take a lifetime to list on etsy?? Anyway, lots of stuff has gone on today but I will keep adding over the wekend too, light permitting. (for photos) I made this mosaic as a form of light relief to while away the hours whilst I waited for my images to upload. These are all in there now, only another five weeks of uploading to go!! To my shame (and intense frustration) I have not done a tiny bit of embroidery since the weekend. I had to get through three days at work and I have been so tired. Then I thought the shop update was more important. I do have these to show you though, pretty little beads to fill my gorgeous jars. These ones are very tiny and delicate, masses of french knots, highly textured, not for sale because I have already used them on something!
Then more of these, yet in some way very different from the usual ones. I don't know why really they just have a different ''air'' about them. and here they are in one of my jars. I went back to John Lewis whilst I was in London to get more of these and damn it....they had been in the sale that week and were all gone! I felt like saying ''how dare you??I came hundreds of miles for these!!'' So I will have to be content with the four I have.

Work is over for the summer so I am loooking forward to lots of embroidery, lots of catching up with blogs, lots of reading and lots of examining my mental state. For example. bear with me, it's worth it....
Yesterday afternoon I was in a class with 32 year seven children, (age 11) Someone came in from the office and handed me a pile of letters to give out to the children as a matter of high importance, essential they gave them to their parents. The letter said we had confirmed cases of Swine Flu in school but blaa blaa...in accordance with government guidlines blaa blaa we were staying open, no need to panic. Well I swear that within 30 minutes of reading that letter I was ill....I was ill all night, sore throat, headache, nausea, you name it I had it. This morning, bright as a button, fit as a flea. It just goes to show the effect of the power of suggestion when accompanied by an overactive imagination! I hope you are laughing, my family are in hysterics!
Have a great, Swine Flu free week. x

13 comments:

Jackie said...

Thats it then! You probably had it and fought it off and are now immune so you can stop worrying.

Lyn Armstrong said...

It was endoftermitis...

jennyflowerblue said...

Working in a chemist I have now had swine flu twice a week for a month, it's really not that bad!! x

Jane said...

Not allowed to be ill during holiday time, holiday time is for fun.
Enjoy your freedom

Swirlyarts said...

I have hundreds (literally!) of items to list on Etsy and Folksy that I'm sure will take me weeks to upload. It does take rather a long time doesn't it?

Claire said...

A raging case of Hypochondria. I come down with it all the time :-p

connie said...

The power of suggestion is a funny thing. :-) Hope you have a great vacation and those of us in blog land will enjoy it because we get to see what you make. Love the tiny buttons with the french knots.

Take Care!

marie said...

ahh the magic of the "power of suggestion" lol...glad you are well
: ) . Love all your new work, just beautiful! Exciting about Etsy.

Anonymous said...

You just stay out of reach of those swine and you'll be fine-it's the holidays! Darling little buttons. Keep meaning to try those.

Katy Swift said...

Glad you only had the 24 hour version! ;)

Have a fab holiday and enjoy all the lovely, relaxing(?) things you have planned. If you require any medical advice you know where I am.

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean I had a headache, felt tired, sick and dizzy. The Dr said I had Wine flu.
I love the buttons and the collage, glad your off now but I am now working so dont gloat too much.
Jill

gunnelsvensson said...

Hi karen! So nice to hear from you! I have looked at your beautiful blog and so much wonderful things you are doing - always! I hope you have/had a wonderful summer - with no swine flu!

Art4Sol said...

Love your latest creations...enjoy a bit of free time!