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, April 11, 2010

little book of white

Thanks to all of you who wished James a happy birthday. I can confirm, (I think!) that he had a great day, despite having a mother who insists on filling the house with ballooons! In the meantime I've been busy, my little things have found their way into a little book, a white book. 5 inches square, (13 cm) I had fun putting this together. There are 6 pages of quality watercolour paper so if anyone feels the need to embellish this with paint it can take it. I also put in extra leaves of graph and lined paper, then you can jot down notes and thoughts. The pricing of this book was quite difficult because they are time consuming to put together but the most crucial thing, I felt was the fact that there are 6 little pieces of embroidery dotted around inside. So without reigniting the whole 'pricing debate' I managed it and it is now in the shop. I've even created an image, (bottom picture) to illustrate how you can add to this yourself, make it more personal.



There is definitely a new addiction forming here. Little coloured pieces are being embroidered as we speak, I have so many ideas now that I'm going to have to start making lists about lists. The sun is shining but I'm not going anywhere, except my embroidery corner that is!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. Look forward to seeing more of these...

Jane said...

Can't wait to see the next one. I can hear the excitement from here

Diane Kelsey said...

Following a talk by Pat Trott at my local EG, I have always been interested in white work. I love your blog, and the small white book has really inspired me. A small white sampler book of different embroidery stitches is going to be made.

Anonymous said...

Is there no end to your creativity? The little book is so beautiful, as is all of your work.

connie said...

Karen these are incredible. Little books are such wonderful things!!! I can hardly wait to see the color!

Threadspider said...

A little book of white delight. You are having fun.

Elizabeth said...

How adorable these booklets are. You are on a roll, just love it when you are having fun with your needle.

JP said...

absoloutly fabulous!

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Beautiful as always and this book would be a lovely keepsake for wedding notes and ideas.x

Jacky said...

I just love little books...especially when they contain such beautiful art work.

Very special.

Jacky xox

Rachel said...

This is a splendid idea for making something charming, beautiful and useful all at once. I'm not sure I could bring myself to write in it if it were mine, but I can easily imagine taking delight in just looking at it!

jennyflowerblue said...

Treasure interleaved with treasure- really nice idea, and I do like how it's the flip side of the wrapping cloths- work to protect=work to be protected. It's all really interesting! xx

Tammie Lee said...

one of the things I repeatedly think when I visit you is: you have endless creativity! I feel amazed at how you breath life into wonderful things on a regular basis! Gorgeous little book!

Clare Wassermann said...

I have really enjoyed your blog...thanks but I hope they were white balloons!

Joei Rhode Island said...

I *love* books...especially tiny ones that seem to hold precious little secrets that can hide in your hand. I look forward to seeing more of these. You are a multifaceted talent Karen.

Amelia said...

I want it, I want it!!!!

Amelia.x

meandering pearl said...

its the very beauty i love!!! loveliest thoughts

Concetta said...

Oh, yum yum.