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







Wednesday, August 26, 2009

What happened next....

Things seem to be getting back to normal around here now, proper sleeping pattern, last night anyway. Not sure my brain is back to normal yet though. I am feeling really indecisive and confused, more of that later, (if you can stand it!!) This is how the french knot piece evolved, inspired by the earlier sample I found some vintage lace and incorporated it onto the surface. I really like this yet I am not sure it's fit for purpose, it's purpose being the next piece of the 'montage' I want to put together for my bedroom. I decided to play with cutwork following the natural holes in the lace, hence the huge hole in a lower image, a decision that worked despite this. We have had terrible light today, remains of hurricane Bill I think, so I couldn't get a decent picture of the piece stretched out in full which would show this clearer.




This is what I mean about it not being fit for purpose. Here it's laid next to the first part of my bedroom piece. Looks o.k.? not sure.


but here it is as intended, with space between the two, definitely not. I think it could be the blue background which wouldn't be on the finished piece, or could it be that it now needs a tiny bit of colour, a connection? Confusion and indecision part one.....I really don't know.

Normally I would think, ''take a picture with white between, add a bit of colour, see what happens'', confusion and indecision part two! Thing is I have been asked to submit some work for the Weston Arts Festival. Great, yes, but........ I have been lucky enough to get a stand at Sparkle in November, great yes, but..... I don't have time to mess about and prevaricate about an adornment for my bedroom wall!
Confusion and indecision part three....what do I make for Sparkle?? What do I send to Weston???
I think I need to make lists. I think I need to send something from the shop to Weston. I think I need to maybe make a new wrapping cloth, might kick start my brain.
I have been in the shop today to have a look at what to send. While I was there I relisted some samples and re photographed and re listed some bags, they can stay there whilst I empty out the other stuff. At Sparkle I badly want to ''shine'', excuse the pathetic play on words but it's London, you never know who might be looking! Plus it's over two days and an evening, how much stuff??? How do I make sure my stand doesn't look like a car boot sale??? how do I fill 3 panels???
No, the bedroom piece has to wait for calm to descend, organisation to happen.........
lower your head or those flying pigs might get you.

14 comments:

connie said...

So many decisions. Sounds like you have everything under control. I am wondering however what would posses anyone to do a million french knots. I hate making them and my current project is requiring many. AHHHHH...

Jane said...

Despite the problems with Bill, the french knots look great. Love the way the lace just seems to immerge from the knots. I am sure you will be well prepared for both events. Your pieces will just talk for themselves

Gina said...

I love the french knots with the lace and I think it looks great against the other bedroom piece.

Nora said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely art. I've been spending several days looking closely at what you do and it's fascinating. You are an artist, not a crafter, and I am in love with the white on white french knots and intrigued by the process of creating your art. (I don't usually leave comments, so I hope this goes through.) ...Nora

Joei Rhode Island said...

Karen this is beautiful! I love the look of so many knots. I think you ought to recover from jet lag more often if this is what results! lol.
Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. I fixed the link to your blog.

jennyflowerblue said...

Glad yto hear you are re-adjusting to the right bedtime- just in time to enjoy the daylight hours for some stitching!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Good Day, Karen,

Wow, I was on a holiday for two weeks and I have missed heaps of your news. Frist. I really enjoyed your Holiday pics to the Good Olde USA. Especially Yosemite NP. Did you find any great magazines to bring home????

I alway love looking at your creative projects. They are always truly beautiful. Darn I missed your giveaway. very sad face.

I am also celebrating my 3rd year of blogging and I have some pressies to giveaway too. Hugs Judy

Cerejeira said...

Ok... looks very interesting just don't know how anyone could make so many french knots...I am amazed!
Looks very interesting!!!
Is that a piece of crochet ...???

LiLi M. said...

This is so beautiful! I have never seen anything like it, but of course you know I am a total embroidery noob!

qwerty said...

Oh my goodness, this has such lovely texture!!

I'm so glad I found your blog today. I'm getting serious about my fibre art and embroidery and my taste definitely leans towards the modern. I shall be looking through your older posts for inspiration :)

marie said...

I love your sense of humor...flying pigs lol...Anyway, your new work is stunning and beautiful as usual. Whatever you decide will be beautiful for your room.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Hi Karen, I love the way the French knots and the lace work together, as though each is part of the other. Sounds like you have a lot to be thinking about... and yes, I'd probably put it on hold a while until I fely like I was more prepared for the other two events! Besides, you can still think and lots of ideas will probably come about how the two pieces will combine. I know it will look fab whatever you decide!
Janice.

Katy Swift said...

I think the french knots work really well beside the puffy edges - it's a scaled down vesion of it. I undersstand that you may want a bridging strip. How about some herringbone-esque stitching in varigated pink and green connecting the two? Too much? It's just a thought.

More details of Sparkle when you have them - I may have to pop by. x

Emma said...

Love this!