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, June 13, 2010

fabric painting AND embroidery

I adressed the urge I had to paint fabric....did it on friday and to be honest wasn't that impressed with this, I even considered consigning it to the rubbish. Yesterday I put a picture of it on flickr and apparently some people like it, shows you what I know. So it has been saved from the nearest landfill (don't mean that, all you ''greens'' out there, I am not a complete savage I would have recycled it) it WILL find its way onto crazy patchwork. The floral piece I painted first, remember, ages ago? is stuck in my brain and I think I wanted to create something very similar but I didn't want my complete lack of imagination to be that obvious. In future though I will stick to what I like. Don't get me wrong, this piece is growing on me and I am sure it will look just fine in a piece of crazy patchwork with embroidery added but just prepare yourselves to be bored with a lot more pink flowers any time soon. (and probably for the next fourty years!!)
I have also been sewing....oh my! I just realised...does this qualify as multi tasking? Pat on back to yourself Karen! The afformentioned pink floral fabric has been cut up and appliqued for this piece which, I promise, will morph into a purse sometime soon.


and......I'm spoiling you today, something completely different! Again for a purse, more traditionally ''Karen'' work. See how I seamlessley moved from bright insane creations to subtle and subdued? I think I need a lie down!

Now for the google reader debate. I think I must have upset you all....yikes. Even my regular two readers have deserted me! My stats are unmentionable and yes I am stat obsessed, it's an affliction I have to bear so please be tolerant. I have decided to save up my pennies, buy google and abolish google reader. May take some time I know but it's a plan!
also.....right on cue.....blogger has apparently introduced three column templates. I do intend to change but don't hold your breath. I want to have new, different lists for my new column and I just know that even with the best intentions in the world I will get distracted by fabric. For example, I will plan to do it wednesday but then on wednesday you can bet your life my new gingham will arrive and hey, what wins?? Gingham every time. You see how it is? I am flighty and fickle, sorry about that.
Finally....promise I will stop babbling in a minute.....
my little girl is running the ''Race For Life'' for Cancer Research today, I am very proud, she has raised nearly £300
Go Helen!!

14 comments:

Heather Woollove said...

You are justifiably proud of your 'little girl'! What a wonderful cause and selfless gesture. Congratulations!!

Jane said...

I thought of you as soon as I saw the new layout. Hope your little girl does well, at least she won't be running in sweltering heat.

deanna7trees said...

It's all beautiful, but I LOVE the subtle and subdued.

Gina said...

I got my little purse a few days ago and ADORE it! I couldn't ever bring myself to actually use it but getting to touch it and feel it and look at it is enough pleasure for now. I'll blog about it soon.

In the meantime, you are inspiring, as always. Good for your duaghter too! I have neices and many friends who walk/run in various cancer fundraisers for research. I can't keep up with them. :-)

Heartwideopen said...

Good Morning!!!!
I think once you start embellishing your new painted fabric that you'll like it a bit more! The lavender flowers are yummy, but I'm partial to that motif!
Yea! For your daughter. That's fabulous!
HuGGs!
Debi

JP said...

I just like it all so stop being so self critical!!!!!!!!!!

lillalotta said...

How wonderful your little girl is running for Cancer Research!

And I so love all you do. I am definitely a regular reader... funny as I rarely check stats. They give me a headache :) Way too much information...

Elizabeth said...

Oh your classic 'Karen' with the blue and purple is fantastic. You did a great job again.

Have a lovely sunday evening.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Lovely work Karen, you even managed to make the brights look like your on work! Not sure what you mean about Google/Google Reader ... am I missing something I should know about?

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

I love it all, Karen. Your painting is so 'perfect' it almost looks like you have stamped it. And in any case as you'll be using it in crazy patchwork or cutwork or some such, the end result looks completely different.

I don't think painting and embroidery count as multi tasking unless you are actually doing both at the same time. Whilst also cooking a meal.

Congrats to your daughter. Hope it went well yesterday.

xx

Marie said...

I looove the painting and new stitched fabric circles! You can not
throw it away. You are much to "harsh" with your artistic self.
Love your new direction :)

Rachel said...

it poured with rain over the moors yesterday - hope your girl was running somewhere a bit drier!

Lovely as usual. Even though I'm very much a "colour" person, I really love your delicate and subtle "Classic Karen" styles - but then I like the brighter designs too!

Diane Cransac said...

I am so sorry I havent been by for awhile. Looks like you have been up to some interesting stuff! As always your work has a feel to it I find no where else. Love your smooth cool crisp touch. You are a wonder! I miss talking to you, I hope you are well?

A time to dance said...

Looking forward to the new blog look it was great timing wasn't it. Love your fabrics. Hugs H