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, April 24, 2010

patchwork

I have been relaxing with a tiny piece of patchwork. Well quite tiny but not as tiny as the pieces in my books. Talking about my books, I am absolutely overwhelmed at how many of you seem to covet them. Gone in 60 seconds would be a good phrase to sum it up. I guess I should continue the theme whilst the great response lasts. When I am sitting stitching I think about all kinds of things, what to eat that evening, when to do the ironing, when to clean the pit that is my home, where can this piece of embroidery take me, what should it be when it's finished, how long have I been sitting here deep in thought when the world is going on around me and I haven't got a clue what's going on. My writing here today is like my brain, rambling and incoherent! sorry about that, the point is what do I do with this patchwork? I know that it's no use to anyone as it is, well to anyone who doesn't have a languish in the cupboard love of cloth. I know that people want useable, useful things so we are back to books. I love to embroider, I love to create little items in cloth, I love it when people love what I do, I love that someone wants to own what I create. You seem to love books, so books it is then. Books are exciting me, the possibilities, what can I do differently with my next book? So I think we shall have a little book of patchwork. How does that sound? It won't have as many pieces in as the little books of colour, it will have the same amount of effort, time, embroidery and love in it though and don't forget the little piece of me you get when you have anything I have created.

I already have hexagons cut up for the next piece of this and a firm idea of what comes after that. I also have an idea for my pages but as I'm a bit of a klutz on the p.c. that may not come off so I won't say anymore until I have tried. If I fail I will tell you though, promise. These are the buttons I made as a gift, can't tell you who they are for, sorry. I just hope she likes them and that they illustrate how truly grateful I am.


Have a lovely weekend. x

10 comments:

lillalotta said...

You must have the patience of a saint, Karen. It is funny, I always sit and watch what you create with my mouth open. Beautiful

deanna7trees said...

A little book with slots to put in photos might appeal to people who have children and grandchildren to show off. I'm sure whatever you decide will appeal. All that you do is exquisite. I'd love to see a bakery with all your designs as edible pastries....

Cerejeira said...

I am so intrigued by the first picture ...loks beautitul!

Jane said...

I am sure the buttons will be loved, they are adorable. Books of patchwork sound good. I find doing embroidery is great for letting the mind wander, much better than actually doing the housework, lol

Anonymous said...

Yes, books of patchwork sound lovely!

Jacky said...

Gorgeous, *Karen* style patchwork. Love this work for your newest little book.
How exciting that your little books are selling so well.
Beautiful buttons you've made for your friend.

Have a great weekend.

Jacky xox

Tammie Lee said...

not only do I love each piece you make but I love your passion for what you do as well as how active your muse is!

Rachel said...

I'm always fascinated to see where you go with each new piece. And the buttons are gorgeous!

Joei Rhode Island said...

Your work is titled contemporary ... but they are lovely heirlooms-to-be. Love the idea of tiny books.

Anonymous said...

Books are exciting, I agree. Full of promise and mystery, and in the case of your embroidered book, I think "hope" also. They are so full of life, colour and beauty that I think they are an embodiment of the future suprises we all hope for in life. That's what I "read" into them in any case.