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, June 2, 2010

Purses....

Five embroidered silk purses standing in a row, I feel like singing something like ''10 green bottles''! Today has been strange, I didn't think I was ever going to get them listed, get round to blogging or achieve anything off my list for today. James has gone to Sweden with his grandma today. It seemed to take an age to make sure he had everything he needed, his case was packed, he had his currency, he had his medical insurance documents, he had his passport. O.K. I know he is 23 but he still lives here and I am in charge of his laundry by default. I am the one he runs through his checklist with by default. I am the one who he asks where his passport is by default, you get the picture. Anyway off they went at 3.30 to catch their plane and I am child, (or young man) free for a whole week! At last though I managed to list them and they are now in the shop although there are only two left I think.








Now I am wondering what to make next. I would like to make more purses, maybe some larger ones, almost handbag size with the same kind of fastening. I want to develop the book idea, maybe do a finished book, drawing or something on every page. I haven't painted any fabric for a while, I want to do more of that. I want to make more crazy patchwork......................
I think that's probably all I have to say today, can't drag anymore conversation out of myself. The reason for that, the tragic events that have taken place in Cumbria today. I am from that area originally, my family still live there. It's the home of the Lake District, some of the most beautiful scenery in this country. What happened today has no place there, or anywhere. It has made this a very sad house.

14 comments:

Jill said...

I am not surprised your purses have sold so quickly, they are exquisite, but surely no one uses them, they might be s(p)oiled! They would be perfect gifts for a bride - pity I don't know anyone who is getting married.

Unknown said...

I love the silver 'hardware'. the all-white one is my favourite. Enjoy the man/child free time!

Jane said...

There was a stunned silence here too. I hope you haven't any family that have got caught up in it.
On a happier note, these are delightful. No wonder they are going so quickly

Tammie Lee said...

Oh my, I went to your shop and only one adorable and so well made purse is left. It appears that they were all swooped up and shipped away! If this is true, congratulations!
It is horrible what happened in Cumbria!

vintagerockchick said...

Karen, I don't know what to say. How can it be that some people can create such beautiful things with such love, and others - mercifully few - can only destroy and create horror and ugliness.
Thoughts are with everyone affected today in this terrible tragic event. x

Marion said...

Lovely work Karen. Always so fresh and crisp.
Congrats on the speedy sales too. Very deserving.

JP said...

the purses are fantastic

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Hi Karen

The purses are gorgeous. I went to take a look in Etsy and they are all gone! Well done you!

xo

A time to dance said...

Your work is so beautiful, we were also so shocked by the terrible news, added to the awful things happening down the road from us in shipley...what is happening in the world? ...H

Jackie said...

I agree about feeling shocked and sad. The Lake District is a place where I always feel so happy and safe.
On a brighter note I love those purses and think their appeal lies in their sweetness and smallness. they remind me of baby birds with their beaks open.

Doreen G said...

Oh Oh Oh to die for drop dead gorgeous bags Karen.
I could only look at the pictures first now I must go back and read the words that you have written.

Rachel said...

The purses are delightful - well done - I am so glad they have sold well!
I think many of us are shocked and bewildered by what has happened in Cumbria. The beauty of created things is one counterbalance to the horror of that event, so perhaps we who create should do more of it.

meandering pearl said...

i heart these purses so!!!

Ijeoma said...

B-b-beautiful purses! I've been following your blog for a while now, and I love your work, but these amazing purses have stolen the show. Well done mate!