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, July 21, 2010

couldn't keep away....

Not quite 2 weeks, a couple of days short but hey! I missed all this blogging stuff. Things haven't really gone exactly to plan either. I managed to paint my kitchen, make a little something for a friend of mine, (''K'' you will get it soon I promise, I know I am a terrible, terrible friend!!xx) make this small piece of crazy patchwork for a give away, start some things none of which are finished but I have been playing super nurse and doing all of the above with no assistance from my other half so not too bad an effort really. We are actually supposed to be in Sweden at the moment, ha! Postponed and re booked for october. Must have been my sixth sense. I changed my plans before friday but I'm thinking it's just as well. On friday my husband had a horrendous accident at work, trips to the hospital and all that involves have been going on. The upshot.... he will be o.k., a bit sore, bruised and cut with a terrible facial injury but still a little incapacitated. So I still need to paint my lounge and finish some new work but if I wait to blog until everything is back to normal I will be waiting an VERY long time. Anyway, this give away.... I only just noticed I am on 411 posts!! Oh my, where does the time go and I missed number 400 so I owe you a give away. I also won a PIF on Angela's blog so this I figure counts for that too! All you have to do is comment, simple as that. I will leave it open for a week or so to give people time to get back from their holidays. If you are lucky (or unlucky!!) enough to win you will get this little piece of crazy patchwork and some bits, could be anything, ribbon, pins, I don't know yet, my brain still isn't working properly. Maybe it never will, I can take a break but the brain function doesn't improve!!

Now for the things ''in progress''. I was going to make little handbags, clutch bags do you remember? The pics on the last post were of the first one. That one is ordered, spoken for. I have embroidered the cloth for a second one, thing is my frames aren't here. Help!! I am hoping they come tomorrow because I want to list before the end of the week along with two new pieces of crazy patchwork. They aren't finished yet either, it's becoming the house of the ''almost'', the unfinished. I can show you this little glimpse here though and hopefully before the end of the weekend I will have morphed into someone who has everything finished, complete and photographed. In the meantime I have listed a couple of things that were originally made for the fair earlier in the year.


right I'm going. Got to cook and sew and tidy up and do some washing and the way the rain is coming down here it might be a good idea to build an Ark!
It's good to be back........

54 comments:

sylviesgarden said...

OOOOh, I love your work and would love to win.
I hope your husband feels better soon.
x

Gilli said...

Congrats on post 411 :0) Hope your husband heals quickly. Don't forget to take care of yourself as well.

Jill said...

Missed your beautiful soothing crisp whiteness. Hope hub is better soon, having just done a hospital stint, my every sympathy to you both.

lindaschiffer said...

Poor husband .. and poor you! Hope things stabilize and improve quickly!

I'd love to win your pretty bit. I have promised a bonnet for the Australian female immigrant project and your pretty bit would be a good beginning!

:) Linda

Diane Kelsey said...

Missed your blog! I would love to own a piece of your wonderful embroidery work. Plus I have really enjoyed the book Whole Cloth that you recommended. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Exquisite work, as always. I do hope that your husband recovers fast. Aloe Vera gel is very good to keep scarring to a minimum.

Peonies & Magnolias said...

You do such gorgeous work, please include me in your give-a-way. I hope your husband is better soon.

Sandy

Jane said...

That wasn't supposed to happen while you were having a break. Hope he is better soon and has a smooth recovery, I'll be thinking of you all. Whoever wins this giveaway will be very lucky, your work is always so beautiful

Ana D. said...

I have a beautiful portuguese sun for you and your husband ^_^ Kiss and hugs * * *

deanna7trees said...

so glad you're back. have looked for your posts every day. must be that time of year for mishaps and doc visits but this too shall pass.
take care of all of you.

Jane said...

I would love to win this little piece of beauty, thank you for the chance.
Jane C

Anonymous said...

Count me in! Who wouldn't want to be in with a chance to own that little beauty? Sorry to hear your time out wasn't all plain sailing - hope hubs is better soon. Lovely to have you back!

Gina said...

So sorry to hear things haven't been going well... best wishes to your husband for a speedy recovery.

Amelia said...

ooooh hello - I would love to be included in the give-away! I do hope your poor hubby is okay too.

Amelia.x

Ferg 'N' Jude said...

Hi Karen, Great to have you back, I missed the eye candy each day.

jennyflowerblue said...

Big gentle kisses for Mr Karen. How horrid for you, good work on trusting your spider sense to postpone your trip. Lovely to 'see' you again. xxxx

Rachel said...

Hope your hubby feels better soon. Your new pieces all look beautiful!

meplusmolly said...

I hope hubby gets better soon!!!! ;) xx

Heartwideopen said...

It's so GOOD to see you back! It doesn't sound like you had any rest at all!! I thought that's what a break is for??!!
Your work is lovely as usual. I've missed you! So sorry to hear about your hubby! :~(

Can't wait to see the purses!
HuGGs!

Kaija said...

Oh no, that's not good news at all! I hope P will be get better soon. Here in Turku things seem to be improving slowly, always some setbacks, but I guess the direction is right. Creative days, at last. It's good to have you back, I missed your posts. And just so you know, I'm not the terrible friend who only comments because of the giveaway :D

Magpie's Mumblings said...

400 (plus) posts is an accomplishment! I really hope your DH will soon be feeling better and that he won't suffer any long term ill effects.

Suztats said...

I missed your posts and beautiful work! Welcome back. So sorry to read of your husband's accident, and hope he is soon well. Take care of each other.

connie said...

We have missed you Karen! I am sorry to hear about your husband, I hope he is back to normal soon.

I would love to own a piece of your wonderful patchwork so please put my name in the pot.

Have a great week and take care!

Sarah Payne said...

bets wishes for your hubby - but nice to see you back and congrats on 400 posts!

Heather Woollove said...

...so glad you're back, Karen!
...and SO sorry to hear about your hubby!! (Honestly, it seems like anytime one plans 'down time', someone gets sick!! It keeps us working, I guess!!)
Of course, I would love to be entered in your giveaway.
(Insert lustful sigh here!) Giggle.

Elmo said...

So glad you weren't away for too long! Thanks for your kind and inspiring emails too! I love your embroidery and I have dug out my threads too!

Anonymous said...

Two weeks are nothing Karen - I'm notching up about a six week absence from my blog. But hey, sometimes life just takes over. Good to have you back!

Mimos com Arte said...

Oh my :)))) so many coments.
So, here goes my modest coment, simple as you asked ;):
"Embroidery gorgeously Contemporary!!!"
Love all your work. You must have fairy hands.
All the best.
Mimos com Arte (Flickr)

Pia said...

Welcome back! Missed you but understand why...
Would like to win. Welcome to Sweden, we would like to meet you so much in the embroideryarea!

Sue Krekorian said...

Welcome home! So sorry your husband has been injured but a facial scar can be very sexy ;). Hope he feels much better soon and that the parking karma is with you for hospital trips. And, for heaven's sakes, get some time to put up your feet with a drink and a good book sometimes, or relax in a cinema... Some rest and recreation sounds essential for you right now. Love and xxxxx

Threads of Inspiration said...

Karen,
I'm sorry to hear about your husband, hopefully he will be all mended soon. Your work, as always is gorgeous. Thanks for stopping by my blog and I'm keeping my fingers crossed to win your giveaway!!! Congratulations on your 400th post!
Susan

leilani said...

I never win anything but as Mehitabel would say, "Wot the hell!" Or was it Archie?

Good to have you back and hope all continues to get better.

JP said...

so glad to see you back - I'm glad you missed blogging! - sorry to hear about the accident - hope you are being suitably sympathetic!

Helena said...

Look what the word giveaway makes! The last artiche has 18 coms and this one already 33!
Anyway, I'm glad you are back with your lovely work!

diana smith said...

Love the beautiful things that you make!
Hope your hubby is recovering nicely and thanks for the chance to win.

sjmcdowell said...

It would be an honor to own something that you have created!
Praying that your hubby feels better very soon!!!

Thank you for the chance.

Smiles and Hugs,

Susan

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Oh Karen, I'm so sorry about your busband. I do hope he heals fully and starts to feel better soon. Under the circumstances, what a lot you've achieved. Your work is beautiful as usual. Hope you can report he's feeling much better in a not too distant post. Congrats on your 411th post!

Diana said...

Your work is sublime, Karen, would love to enter your giveaway draw please!

Rachel said...

Karen, good to have you back!
I hope your husband continues to heal well and is better soon!

Martha in Kansas said...

Your white/pale on white work is SOOOO lovely!

I hope by now the husband is substantially better. And that he appreciates the good care!

Sarah Payne said...

nice to see you back - chin up!!!

Gina said...

I wondered how I missed this & then I remembered you were taking a break and I was away on a farm inspection & got behind my on my blog surfing. But better late than never! Welcome back & here's hoping for the rest to settle down. Love the idea of winning a giveaway!

Starry Diadem said...

I've been watching your blog for a few weeks now and love the delicacy and precision of your stitching. Welcome back - and thank you for your generosity about the giveaway.

Unknown said...

I love your work!!! May I ask what is the edging stitch that you have started using? Thank you for the give away opportunity.

Cerejeira said...

I really like the blue interesting shaped piece.

Cerejeira said...

I really like the blue interesting shaped piece.

Tammie Lee said...

I am so sorry to hear about your husband, may he heal swiftly and completely!

wow, a give away. It is so amazing how all our posts pile up, that is quite one feat 411 and now you are past that. I have been away to Italy. So glad I found your give away before it is over, such a wonderful thing for whomever wins!!!!

Ingrid said...

Happy you are back:-)Would love a chance to win:-)
Hope your husband is feeling better,have a relaxing sunday

meri said...

I'm not sure if my comment enters in time...
I've read this in google reader ... then I forgot to comment!
You know how I always love your work anyway

meandering pearl said...

you're right!!! im so excited!!! if i can organize a post i'll put up a link...good luck with the redecorating!!! i can imagine your house is filled with beautiful things!!! sending loveliness

Jacky said...

I'm probably to late for your gorgeous give away, but what the heck, I'll put my name in the hat just in case! As always such wonderful, wonderful stitching.
Hope your hubby is much better after his accident. Have you got to Sweden yet? I am off to Switzerland mid August, if you put it off long enough maybe we can meet somewhere over there for a catch up and cuppa?

Jacky xox

Silver Sisters said...

I hope your husband is well! Sounds like quite the accident.

Oh, I would so love to win - I am so enamoured by your work.

Kim said...

Hi Karen

Have missed your blogs and glad you're back(love to see your work).Hope you're husband is on the mend. Please include me in the giveaway.

Kim

Elizabeth said...

Hej Karen,

Just got back from Norway. Had to see what you were up to. So many just fantastic embroidery pieces again. Still wonder how you do come up with all this, you must work very hard.

Hope your husband is slowy but steady feeling better.

Thanks for the invitation and I will see you soon.

Elizabeth