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, November 26, 2009

rain, rain go away...

I don't normally care about the weather. Don't like summer, too hot. Love winter, cold doesn't bother me but rain, oh my, will it ever stop! My day has been spent taking photos that are bad, really bad. I can lighten them with editing software but it takes such a long time. Consequently the shop update is taking an age. I have managed to list some fragments and new puffs along with relisting everything that was removed when I closed the shop but there is a mountain still to climb, I really didn't realise how many things I had made. So slowly proceeding is the theme at the moment, keep checking it I am sure I will get there eventually! In the meantime I have been to work, done a bit, (a very little bit) of housework and started more embroidery. These pics don't look too bad I know but that's after hours of editing I promise it really is raining. The first pictures are of something I started but now I'm not quite sure. Kind of Karens work in reverse. Instead of doing cutwork on silk and revealing a tiny bit of vintage cloth I wondered how it would work if I applied the cutwork to the vintage cloth and revealed new silk. As I say I'm not quite sure if it's working but I may play with it a bit more and see how it evolves.


I have also reverted to the 'old faithful'. I get so much pleasure from white on white so why not indulge myself? This piece is far from finished and I want it to have an edge, a proper constructed edge, so the brain is working on that one.


Then there are these, more new puffs going in the shop before the day is out at least that's the plan. In fact these are so lovely I may make some for myself.



Can I just say thanks again for all the e-mails and comments I've had recently. I am trying to get back to everyone and have replied to a few people. I will get round to thanking you all over the next couple of days and I am dying to do some blog visiting too but I have two constantly supportive and encouraging commenters who I can't no matter how hard I try get a link back to, Leilani and JP. Please allow a link back, I would love to e-mail you. Oh and I nearly forgot, I won a give away!! The first time ever, I was so excited when my package arrived because as I have been so bad at visiting recently I didn't even know I had won. So thankyou Jenny, I love my book and the other lovely things you sent!x
And a happy thanksgiving to all my American Friends!!

9 comments:

méri said...

The new stuff is wonderful - I think the result will be great.

I've said before: your photos are great - if I were living near you I'm sure I'll ask you some lessons :) (here is raining too, as usual in cold/winter time)

Joei Rhode Island said...

The perfect dessert after so much turkey!! Soooooo Yummy with NO calories.
Pictures are gorgeous.

Jane said...

You should have come here for the day, it has been glorious for a change. Even got washing dry outside.
I do like the white on white, can't wait to see what edging you come up with.

leilani said...

Oh Happy Day! I will soon be the very happy caretaker of two of your lovely fragments. Trust me, these are going to be mounted and framed. I want to be able to enjoy them every single day!

The new technique works!

BTW, hate to rub it in but it is a lovely day here--mid 60's (farenheit), bright and sunny but crisp. The ground is littered with colorful fallen leaves which crunch underfoot. We desperately need rain in Northern California but it's hard to wish away this perfect fall weather.

Jacky said...

I love the new technique...the beautiful colours are just what you need on a cool, rainy day!!! Very clever.
We've had heaps of rain here too. Last Saturday we had 8" in the city of Melbourne (thus flooding) and yesterday a huge shopping complex was flooded after an huge downfall. What's with this weather???
Gorgeous photos, as usual, and I can never get enough of your white on white work either. Love the purity of it.
Enjoy a creative weekend.

Jacky xox

Nicole Claudia said...

Beautiful technique.... it's gorgeous!!! I love the purity of de white fabric and silk thread!!

Uour pictures are beautiful!!
Nice weekend.

Groetjes, Collie

Amelia said...

Hi Karen,

I absolutely love white on white and muted tones of off white and tea too! This work is gorgeous!!!

I feel really inspired by your stitching and want to do loads more and learn more too!

Cheque is in the post and I wait excitedly for my silk beads. I might even end up having to buy one of your other pieces that were on the canvas! Thrilled also to see me in your favourites - thank you!

Amelia.x

Jackie said...

I have been trying to do the same thing..it took me all day yesterday to do the photos and upload about 15 things.Doesn't it get you down? I am still very unhapy with some of my etsy photos..but when the sun comes out the shadows get deeper so what do you do?

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so glad you won a giveaway after having given away your lovely work!

I really like the cutwork on top of the embroidery. It makes it look like an organic being that growing. I don't mean to make it sound creepy....it's just facinating!