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







Saturday, March 27, 2010

finished

I'm already thinking about my next piece. This was so lovely to make and fantastic to hold as I was working on it that I'm almost sad that it's finished. I added another little section to the bottom that I embroidered some cross stitch hearts onto and a few more flowers. I decided to hem the edge in a really simple way so as not to detract from the embroidery and I placed my tag partly visible from the front, I just like how it looked that way. When I was working on the hem I noticed that I had also unintentionally created a pocket on the back where I had added extra cloth, you can see that right at the bottom of these pictures. It probably won't turn out to be a useful pocket but I'm glad that it happened and happy that it's there.




This piece is now available on etsy. I chose etsy because Big Cartel only allows 5 items for the cheapskate option (in other words it doesn't cost me anything if I only have 5 listings!) Talking of Big Cartel, I have changed it a little. I listed things on there with 'added extra' packs. Someone then mentioned that they may be off putting, people want to buy my stuff without being expected to embroider too, so I have taken that on board and taken those packs out, adjusting my prices accordingly, (downwards!)
And now for something completely different! I can take no credit for the glorious work you see below. Credit for this piece lays with my mum. She rang and asked me to damp stretch something for her and I was completely blown away when the postman brought this. Isn't it just beautiful? The best bit........It's now mine, I can keep it! Thanks mum and I promise I won't cut it up!!


For the rest of the weekend I will be juggling!! (metaphorically!) I am going to start another piece following on from the one on here and I will also (hopefully) try and paint or something similar. My housework is done, yes, it is sparkly clean chez moi, windows and everything!! Oh my, how good am I?? and a big thankyou to Kerrie who has given me the 'beautiful blogger' award. I am working on the assumption that it refers to me not the blog! please don't burst my bubble!! Have a great weekend x

18 comments:

meri said...

Beautiful work!
And I do love your Mum's embroidery I love those colours!!! Just beautiful.

deanna7trees said...

It's all outstanding work. Your mom's work is just beautiful. A very talented family.

Gina said...

That's a stunning piece of contemporary art embroidery! I've been peeking in off and on since it first caught my eye. The piece from your mum is beautiful too. Wow...I would love to poke around at your place! LOL!

I'll enjoy your next venture too. Everything completed is the jumping off place for something new that may well seem totally unrelated, but it all is.

Gina said...

Beautiful work from you and your mum!

connie said...

I love your new piece. The colors are beautiful.

All I can say is embroidery must be in the genes and your mom gave you some wonderful ones.

Lovely post today.

Rachel said...

Love the use of colour in this - and, like you, I'm impressed with your mother's work.

Have a great weekend!

marie-louise said...

I'm so very impressed!

Tammie Lee said...

seeing your embroidery is such an joy for me, it overflows with beauty. The one your mom sent or made(?) is gorgeous too!

Jane said...

What a gorgeous piece of embroidery, I can see where you get your love of embroidery from.
Love your piece too, each section perfectly compliments the other. Looking forward to the next one. Fancy coming and doing my housework now?

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Karen, Your now colorful stitching is truly beautiful. Lovely indeed. Also your Mum embroidery stitching is also very beautiful too. Lucky you to receive such a lovely gift. Hugs Judy

jennyflowerblue said...

I love the colour!!! Your Mums gift is very lovely, what a lucky girl you are! xxx

Walden said...

Beautiful work!

Jackie said...

Look at all these comments..you don't need mne but here it is. No wonder you are such an obsessive embroiderer..its in the genes. Thats gorgeous work of your Mums.

Jacky said...

Always a feeling of accomplishment when we finish something...and this is so beautiful! Such a beautiful piece to welcome Spring.

Now I know where you get your love of embroidery from. What an exquisite piece from your mother. Pair of talented ladies you two!

Jacky xox

Victoria said...

Now I see where you get your amazing talent from. Both your work, and the work of your mother's, is just breathtaking! I think it is so wonderful how you have carried this tradition, and made it so uniquely your own. Your Mum must be very proud of you and you must likewise be very proud of her!

jude said...

like mother like daughter!

Angela said...

Your finished piece is just beautiful. The colours are fantastic.

Threadspider said...

You (and mum) have embroidered Spring!