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, January 6, 2010

different.....

Well you may be wondering why I am here, lurking around in cyber space when I should be at work. Thanks to this school is shut, devastated I am, truly. Nevertheless, instead of wallowing in despair at my inability to fulfill commitments on the employment front I have forced myself to embroider, It was hard but I managed.
What do you think of this? Essentially it's the same techniques, same starting point, same inspiration yet very different. This is worked on 100% cotton cloth. These colours have been dictated by the fabric behind the cutwork circles. It's a very modern, contemporary fabric which I am using not to change the way I work or the things that drive my work but to give it something different, maybe appeal to a different market. My drawing (ha! if that's what you can call it) didn't lead to the colour change, the choice of printed fabric for the cutwork did that. The final form of this piece will be decided from drawing I have done and I do have an idea of how it will look. All I can say at the moment is ''pocket'', not going to reveal anything else yet, well maybe one more clue, ''patches''. There,., that's it, no more.I have put this to one side for another day to make progress with my white piece and that is what I will show you next time, how the white piece is evolving.
I am a little snowbound at the moment, difficult to get out and about. Fantastically good in several ways, more sewing, super clean house, save on petrol, can't spend money.... downside.....erm....none. Having said that I shouldn't make light of it all because I know there are people out there who need to get out, who need to see people, who need doctors, hospital appointments etc and I would just like to say that I hope there is no one suffering too much out there. It took my husband 4 hours to make the 16 mile journey home from work yesterday so it isn't ideal, I am just trying to make the best of it. Please stay warm and safe.

14 comments:

tangoandcha said...

Good to know there is an upside to the snow! Our village looks delicious (really - ice cream and sorbet!) but having to walk on anything but untrodden snow is a hair-raising experience.
Happy stitching!

Anonymous said...

When I listened the snowfall news in Great Britain I thought of you (and few other virtual friends there) Hope things ceme to normal soon!

and - in a personal sight - blessed snow which caused such beautiful work!

Karen said...

Marie, I promise I will try and take some pics next time I damp stretch.

Elizabeth said...

Think I like the one with the colours best. Well maybe I am a colour-girl after all.

As for the snow. I got a report this morning from a Danish friend, more snow. I said please don't do that to me. Now I hear you having a ball all by yourself, I can smile about it.
Everything has it up-and downside.

Enjoy your extra free-time.

Jane said...

ooh, that sounds really interesting, look forward to seeing how it all progresses. Enjoy whatever time off the snow gives you, we are trying to again tomorrow to get the boys home

vintagerockchick said...

Oh I'm with you! Even though I did spend yesterday clearing my sewing room for the decorator, and then he wasn't able to get here today. I think it'd be a long time before I'd get bored at home - and therefore I see the snow as a bonus, for all the reasons you've mentioned.
I've said it before, but I love your work. It is unique - an overused word, but in your case true - it's unlike anything else I've seen. So pretty and delicate.

lindaschiffer said...

The white work you do is lovely and very classic. I'm a color girl, too, though and this new piece REALLY appeals.

:) Linda

Joei Rhode Island said...

Do stay in and warm...unless you do a walking adventure like Jackie. But mostly...enjoy your extra stitching time and stay safe...hope there are no power outages for you.

hens teeth said...

Hey there happy bunny!
I'm lovin' what you are doing Hun!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

jude said...

sweet. looks like peppermint candies.

KORONKA said...

I love your all beautiful work!
koronka

Cerejeira said...

Stunning!!!!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

I love your whitework but love these funky colours too. As for the snow and the cold, all our schools are shut too - every single school on the Island - and people are being advised not to go out, not because of snow but because of ice. We have more snow forecast for the weekend so keep warm - especially keep those fingers warm if you intend stitching the hours away!
Janice.

Marie said...

I have not visited in a while and I have missed so much...sorry! I am
l-o-v-i-n-g the red and white thread combo and I have decided if there is stitching in heaven then it must look like yours...just beautiful!
: )