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, August 4, 2010

books....

Well the books plan went to plan, it's great when it all comes together! The only hiccup was the possibility of no sun between the bouts of deluge but hey presto, the clouds broke long enough to take a few pictures so here we are. As I said I was asked to make one as a gift for someone so made that making of one book task into the making of two books. One of these is now listed so pop over and take a look if you can be bothered, or don't whichever!In other news,......I have been hexagoning with pink gingham. I swear if I didn't have more self control that these hexagons would go on and on and on until the finished piece covered the whole of England. I managed to stop and play with joined pieces next to my raspberry silk and I'm sorry to report that it just doesn't look right. Not with a ''block'' of raspberry anyway so I am thinking, the brain is whirring and it may result in a little bit of raspberry silk applique and a few additions of other colours to the piece, some textures maybe. That's going to be explored a bit more this evening and tomorrow and I can hopefully show you before the end of the week.
I have a busy weekend coming up, my mum is going to be 21 again on saturday so there is a big party to go to. I am responsible for the cake, bet you're glad you're not invited now!! But best of all my little girl is coming home for the party and even more exciting.......she is bringing me metres and metres of this that she has bought me, a gift, to make curtains for my newly titivated lounge!! Be still my beating heart!!

13 comments:

helena said...

Oh lovely! I love the little flowers!
Congratulations to your mum amd I'm glad you'll have your girl at home. Mine is already 21 years old and when she is away I am so sad!!!

sylviesgarden said...

My word! I just had a look at the fabric, it will make the most delightful curtains.
x

Jan said...

Oh this is beyond words ,cant keep saying lovely ,its more than that ,the curtain material looks great too ,show when your done ..love Jan xx

Elizabeth said...

That is going to be one beautiful lounge, you lucky devil.

Rachel said...

Books are looking good - I'm glad you had a break in the clouds to photograph them for us. The clouds here seem permanently in place at the moment - sometimes it's even too dark to embroider!

Jane said...

Once those curtains are up, it will be permanently sunny in your lounge. Have a great time over the weekend

Tammie Lee said...

you make me chuckle with England covered in hexagons~

Heather Woollove said...

Huge Marimekko fan, here.
How great is this fabric?!?!?!
Query: Do you use a machine to sew large projects like this, or will you be handsewing your curtains?
XXO-

Anonymous said...

Wow - what fabric... what glorious curtains that will make. Fabulous!

meri said...

Enjoy your family weekend, Karen!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Good heavens! I wonder what will happen if your curtains start to influence your embroidery! Your little books are a delight as always, Karen. I hope the husband is well on the mend, and that you'll all have a lovely party at the weekend.
Janice. x

JP said...

the books are fantastic - just so beautiful

jennyflowerblue said...

Have a brilliant party with your gorgeous girls. (I like the patchwork covered England plan, we could put it up like a canopy on hot days?)