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, August 20, 2009

Untitled

Quite simply I can't think of a title to sum up the last 10 days so here are one of my highlights......San Francisco cup cakes, they were just as delicious as they look! I had such an amazing time, loved it, loved it, loved it! I have lots of pics of scenery such as Yosemite National Park, the Bay, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Skyscrapers, the gorgeous homes on Pacific Heights, the Painted Ladies, (a row of famous painted Victorian homes) but none of them are downloaded yet. Also, as this is an embroidery blog and what with me having OCD I don't really want to put them on here so I will post them somewhere, not sure where exactly, but post them I will, soon, and will let you have a link to them. How's that? Will that do? I don't think it will be flickr, OCD again, flickr is for embroidery and related stuff! How do cupcakes fit in.....well consuming them feeds the creative soul!
Now for the gorgeous window display of Swankety Swank, a shop in Lower Haight.
This place is the only stockist of covetable works of art like these, have a close look and you will get a sense of what a treasure this space is.

I know you won't be shocked to hear that I treated myself to some rather nice textiles, lace and brooches. The lace was SO expensive, I only bought a miniscule amount. In ''real'' life it is even more lovely, 100% cotton, a finish to die for!
Right bear with me now please. These are my knees, sitting on a step in Union Square. Am I right in thinking they look like the knees of a young, vibrant, get up and go kind of female? Stay with me ........there is a reason for this insanity. The week before I went away I was interviewed for a magazine. Apparently it was non negotiable, essential that they had a photo of me to go with the article. Now I have a question, as important I think as ''what is the meaning of life?'' If someone is interested in your work, yes your work, the things you create.......why the hell does it matter what you look like???????? So I am to be splashed all over a magazine, which will remain nameless until I get over the shock of my photo, looking like I have been dead for three years, dug up, warmed up, resembling a haggard old witch aged around 210.
I have now been up for going on 30 hours but this is so important I can't leave it. This is my 300th post, 300th, wow! Therefore it is give away time again, trust me, I am not trying to defraud you but I don't know what I am going to give away yet so that will be the theme, ''what would you like me to give away?'' within reason of course, no expensive cars, penthouses, holidays etc, or wrapping cloths for that matter! Leave a comment, give me a clue and I will be back soon with more embroidery. It's good to be home!x

38 comments:

Lyn Armstrong said...

Please give away two of your tiny buttons, no more.

Dolores said...

I was going to say buttons too. I have no idea as to what you could possibly give away. I would be honoured to have anything you made.

Jackie said...

Its good to have you back.
I'm dying to know what the magazine is. Congratulations.

méri said...

:)
Looks like you have enjoyed these days!
I hope we can read that interview...

Any little thing made by you shoulg sooooooo good, but if you ask I'm fond of those knots in your template! I do love have one, only one!
Welcome back!

Joei Rhode Island said...

So glad you had a Great Time of it. The City is such a wonderful place to shop...I will go to see your pictures where ever you direct me...

Carlie said...

I would be soooooo excited to win any of your gorgeous embroidered items!! Your work is fantastic and I really like the dolls...one of them would be nice...

connie said...

I love everything you make. I would love one of your panels, pin cushions, buttons or a doll. Really anything would be wonderful. I am glad you had a great time in San Francisco. It is a beautiful City. I hope the weather was nice for you.

Jane said...

Wow, that lace!
Glad to have you back and congratulations on 300 posts.

Ulla said...

Glad to have you back. Congratulations on the 300th post! I would swap my knees to those any time!

Gina said...

Welcome back Karen. Look forward to hearing about the magazine... if your knees are anything to go by I'm sure the rest of you is lovely. (My knees are the last thing I'd show!)

meplusmolly said...

Hello!
Glad you had such a fabulous time in San Fran, hope you've come back enthused and full of new creative ideas!!
Big Congrats on the magazine, and yes I agree with you - why on earth do they need a pic of you when its your work they're featuring!!
have you heard back about the fair yet?? ;0 X

hens teeth said...

Hey Karen
Really pleased to read you had such a brilliant time.
Like everyone else I congratulate you too on the mag article.... although a non photograph 'sewing' article has got to be better than no article at all!
My suggestion for a 'give away' is a pretty little handmade pouch of snippets of fabrics, papers and other such little bits and pieces ?????

Greedy Nan said...

I'm always grateful for whatever I can get! Just so long as I don't have to have your knees .... or the word veryfication which is EAVALIED - which I am not.

Threadspider said...

Glad you're back and had a wonderful time. I'm looking forward to the photos and the interview. Go on, tell us who it was with..... And the knees are just splendid.
Oh yes, congrats on the 300th.

Cherie in St Louis said...

I would love, love a heart Valentines embroidered "card" or square of linen or silk.....wow! anything at all, truth be told. Your work is simply amazing and lovely to behold.

suesueb said...

All your work is superb! I'd love a couple of buttons too, to put on a sampler. So glad you had fun and had cupcakes!! They look so yummy! Can't wait to see the interview-I'm sure it'll be as lovely as your blog!

Victoria said...

Welcome back, Karen! So happy that you had a wonderful time, and your knees... why they are the bee's knees of knees!

Camilla said...

Welcome back! You survived the earthquakes then?! I'd like to take this chance to say- i've seen you in real life and you look to be at least 500 years old, if not a thousand, apart from your knees which appear to be much younger looking than mine ever were. (I do hope when you read this you aren't feeling horribly jet lagged and tearful and think that i'm mean) I'm so glad you had a good time- I knew you would!

jennyflowerblue said...

Hot knees baby!! I too hate having my picture taken but thankfully my lack of talent keeps me safe!!! Loving the holiday pics, your treasure is most excellent, and the cakes???? They are so beautiful they do belong here!

jude said...

congrats on the magazine. i have luckily escaped being photographed so far.

Jacky said...

Welcome home...Sanfrancisco sunds fabulous and may I say your have lovely knees Karen!
Congratulations on being published (which mag?) cant wait to see your article.
Whatever you give away will be amazing...love ALL of your wonderful creations.

Jacky xox

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a great time,and that you are back, missed reading your blog!
Congrat to 300 posts!
I love your work so anything you would want to give away i would love!
Have a great weekend!
Ingrid

Ruth O'Leary said...

I agree with the others - anything you choose would be great.

I know *exactly* how you feel about the photo for the magazine, as the same thing happened to me. I was thrilled to be interviewed for CrossStitcher magazine, and could provide plenty of pics of my work, but they also wanted a photo of me! I decided to get some taken specially, and I was glad I did, as they turned out really well and I've used them quite a bit since. I could give one to my mum, for a start!

Katy Swift said...

Glad to have you back.

Those are very hot knees hun. I'm sure based on those perfect pins, the rest of you'll be fine. Dying to know what the publication is. Details? Purrrr-leaes? xx

Lajoni said...

So pleased you had a wonderful time and big congrats on the magazine...onwards and upwards hey!
and as for the giveaway any small sample of your work would be amazing..xx

Marty52 said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Frisco! Congrats on your 300th post... and the giveaway? Personally, I would love a piece of your flowers with the printed fabric peeping through the petals... I love those!

Claire said...

Ohhh congratulations on the magazine article. I like piccies of people, but I must admit that the pic on my blog is a couple of years old because I can't work out how to change it LOL.

And a give away. 300 posts is worth celebrating! If I didn't already have one I'd say one of your pincushions would be ace.... I LOVE mine. But since I already have one, and I want to win ;-) I'll suggest that a set of 3 buttons would be fab.

potsandpins said...

Have I missed the big give?? I would love anything you made - because you are the most creative and talented person I've ever "known!" I'm just catching up and reading about your trip - I'm SO glad you had a great time! Next trip to the US you must come to Seattle! Love the bedroom piece you're working on - and all those French knots?!?!? Crazy is what that is...Crazy like a fox! xo, Nan

Beata said...

Some time ago I've found you blog.Since then waiting for new post. I would love to have anything from you. Good luck for everyone.

janet said...

I feel guily delurking just when there is a giveaway... but I just wanted to say that I've enjoyed all your posts (once I found you, I had to go back and see earlier bits), so congratulations on 300 posts - I think all your work is stunning.
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Shari said...
Congrats Karen on the magazine feature and 300 posts! I'm glad you had fun on your trip.
It's very difficult selecting just one item for the giveaway! Every thing you make is fabulous. Your unique pincushions are a sample of a few of your techniques. Your dolls...what can I say. Nope,can't select just one.

Philippa said...

Well done on the magazine feature - your exquiste work will be spread far and wide. I'b be thrilled with anything you have made as I am awed by it all. But since you are asking a small cloth with some vintage embroidery incorporated....we can all dream! Keep up the great work.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Karen, so sorry not to have visited before now. I didn't realise you were back. But it's great that you loved SF so much. I so want to go there and see all those lovely places you've mentioned.
As far as a giveaway goes, anything would be wonderful! If I were really being greedy I would say one of your wonderful plantation dolls would be the best giveaway imaginable!!
Congrats on 300 posts!

Sue Krekorian said...

Congratulations on 300 posts, magazine fame and very shapely, colour-co-ordinated knees :-). And anyone would be very lucky to receive anything you've made - it's all exquisite and unique.

RaeA said...

Your work is truly AMAZING...a delight!!!
I'd have to agree with Hen's teeth -"My suggestion for a 'give away' is a pretty little handmade pouch of snippets of fabrics, papers and other such little bits and pieces ?????"

I absolutely LOVE all the White French Knots on White....STUNNING!!!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Karen, Your French Knots are sooooooooooo lovely all cluster together. A wonderful effect.

Congratulation on your 300th post. Please enter me in your giveaway. I am sure the pressie will be lovely. Hugs Judy

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Hello!
I hope i'm in time as I would like anything at all!
Your pictures look great even your knees and I can't wait to see your magazine picture,congratulations!! xx

Anonymous said...

Yay! I found the giveaway entry post! Thanks for directing me to it. I think some of your puffs would be gorgeous as a giveaway. Not that the plantation dolls aren't gorgeous - but I think that would be quite a bit too generous. But the puffs would be great...or actually anything incorporating some of your cutwork...because I think that's really representative of your style.... I would love anything you make, and I see I echo many others here in writing that.

Someone else suggested some scraps of the material you work with...and I think that's a pretty cool idea too...whoever won that could create something and show you what they've done with your gift...or any offcuts you have...