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, November 15, 2009

Sparkle cloth finished....and a little peek,

Strange day today, early blogging, expecting visitors, still serene and fragrant, (that being the strangest thing of all) an acceptance has occured again, Que Sera, what will be will be. Work in the morning for three days, off to London on thursday, plans to make more things in the evenings after work and a massive ''pack up'' the car on thursday morning. Yesterday was a good day. I made an early start on the Sparkle cloth and after approximately 2 hours of pressing prairie points and tacking them to the edge I was nearly there. We had very poor light yesterday so I apologise for the images but thought you may be intersted in the process.

then.......ta da!!! Finished. I have concentrated on the edge here because you have all seen the main body of the cloth before, if you want a reminder just look here. It is unbelievably difficult to get a good image of the whole thing but hopefully I will be able to take some pictures when it is displayed at the weekend.



Next is something I have been promising you forever!! A few pictures of my new ''space'' after all the upheaval. These are close ups because all around is dissaray! There hasn't been much housework going on here for quite some time! I now have an area to work in allthough I haven't used it yet it is still good to have a ''corner'' for my things and in theory it should be easier to locate what I need. A confession, it isnt!! I am SOOOOO disorganised, there are so many things I need for next weekend that I can't find it's really appalling!


This cabinet is my absolute favourite thing. I just love folding and unfolding my special cloth and looking at it in here. (am I sad?? Oh well I don't care)

and I can finally hang this piece, made during my degree course. You won't be suprised to hear that this references my children but I won't go into that it would take forever. It really is good though to have it hanging where I can see it and remember the making of it.

There are other things made to show you but I am going to save them for a midweek post before I go away. I have also been trying really hard to reply to everyone and I think I am mostly there. I hope to get round to the others soon but please believe me I am grateful for all input on this waffling outlet of mine. Have a great week and like Arnie said, ''I will be back''.

15 comments:

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Karen, Your fiber art is glorious and always amazing to look at. You are a very talented lady and I hope you have a sucessful wonderful time in London. Congratulation your son and his band. What is the name of the show you go to??? Take care Hugs Judy

Joei Rhode Island said...

I have been gone but just a week and look at what you have accomplished! Your work is stunning as usual. Don't forget to have some fun at Sparkle even when you are serene and pleasantly fragrant.
My congrats to your son.
xo Joei

Jane said...

The points are fabulous, I love that edging. My favourite bit in the cabinet are those knots!

Walden said...

The triangle border is lovely!

hens teeth said...

Stunning work ... I wish you every success for the weekend. Have a wonderful time. x

hens teeth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Those prairie points are amazing! What a stunning piece of work - just looking at it feels like a carnival.

Gina said...

The cloth is beautiful Karen... just the thought of making all those prairie points makes me want to go and lie down! Hope you have a wonderful and successful weekend!

Elizabeth said...

Just love you waffling.

Good luck with your very busy week.

jennyflowerblue said...

No wonder you are feeling serene- the cloth is fabulous and will make a brilliant display for your stand- I love the colours! Thanks for sharing a peek at your lovely vintage treasure. xx

Jackie said...

I am amazed at just how much you manage to get done by hand. All those prairie points..Beautiful. You should make a 'big thing' of the fact that its all hand sewn on your stand.
And such a lovely space too.

Anonymous said...

everything is beautiful karen, good luck at the weekend

Gayle said...

I've been catching up on your posts and I'm so amazed by what you have been creating...absolutely amazed!

Victoria said...

Spectacular... all of the thought, work and beauty just shine. Also, looks like a lovely space to work in... enjoy!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.