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, September 1, 2010

white....(and do you want some pins?)

Have you noticed something? I have now posted four days in a row! Normally I am a woman of few words, more the withering look kind of girl so this is a bit of a shock for me never mind you. It must mean that I'm having fun and the reason is probably this........white. The first piece is finished, no zippered pouch for this creation. Instead I went down the ''back it with silk and add a lovely edge'' route and I am so pleased I did. I decided to list it too because probably at the end of the day nobody will want it anyway. I often think I should keep things for myself but then I have them in the house because there aren't many takers so it's kind of a win, win situation.

The second white piece that I showed you pinned together yesterday now has some embroidery on it. I'm not sure how far I will get with that one today because I have a child returned from the good old U.S.A. this morning with enough dirty clothes to sink a ship so you can guess what I will be doing later. Talking of yesterday though....my pins went down well didn't they? So I have decided to spread the love a bit. I am going to give you some pins, if you want some. I will give 3 people one packet of pins. My generosity knows no end!! Now don't get over excited because you literally will get ONE PACKET OF WHITE PINS. Now I have had so many comments this week, more than my fair share me thinks but I don't know any other way of doing this, so leave a comment and I will randomly pick 3 people to get a measly, scrawny, sad, penny pinching pack of white pins sometime at the weekend. I know, you're underwhelmed, what can I say, I do try.

22 comments:

Sue Krekorian said...

I think your holiday into colour has rejuvenated your white mojo most successfully, and I'm enjoying your outpouring of creativity xxx

Anonymous said...

Pins and needles are actually some of my favourite things, though not in any part of the body, obviously. I was lucky enough to win a brass tudor pin on eBay recently (one pin!) and you can guess how exciting that was. I also have some of my late auntie's vintage pins, lovely and long with very large heads and still sharp. OK, now I'm starting to sound like some sort of strange pin-obsessed person. The embroidery is very beautiful, as always. Glad you're having a good day :-)

fabriquefantastique said...

I've always loved whitework. Karen T, why don't you do a little blog on your pins.

Wendy said...

Hello,
I wanted to tell you that I stumbled on your blog and think your work is incredible, I've subscribed so I can drool over it regularly!

Things Hand Made said...

I am always loosing pins so a packet of pins would be just peachy!

Elizabeth said...

Ofcourse I have to write another comment about these beautiful pins of yours since I only wrote a comment and an email about it earlier.

Love the corner that you made in picture one, really stunning. This piece reminds me of a blouse I had when I was a little girl. Now the fact that I remember a blouse that I had about 35 years ago tells you that I was in love with my white blouse.

Hope your pile of dirty clothes is already diminishing.

Tammie Lee said...

quite beautiful~

Peonies & Magnolias said...

I love your work, it is all so gorgeous.

Sandy

Rachel said...

Another beautiful piece from you!

Gina said...

Much as I love your colourful pieces, the white on white is somehow so beautiful.

sylviesgarden said...

It's another stunner!
Please will you stop putting yourself down? Your work will sell, it's too lovely not to.
x

Anonymous said...

fabrique, I will! (Sorry, Karen, for using your special little corner of blogland to arrange my future blog posts!)

Dolores said...

I would dearly love some of those pins. I am always on the lookout for good pins. They are hard to find around here - believe me. Or maybe I just don't know where to look. Actually, I think that all those really good fabric stores with notions have closed down. - A pity.

I do love the white embroidery. Good luck with the laundry.

Sheeprustler said...

Don't you love it when the kids come home and after the first hug, you are tied to the washing machine. I always figure they create less washing if they stay at home! I love your work, whether it's plain white or in colour (I really loved the pink gingham you were using earlier on).

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I do love your colourful pieces Karen, but my heart truly lies with your talent for white. I don't know of anybody else that has such a great instinct for it.

Rosa said...

Your work is just so d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s !

Your blog has been so inspirationel to me, that I recently picked up a small unfinished kit at a charityshop... and finished it. I'm by no means even close to your skills, experience and sense for details but I had so much fun - Thanks for the inspiration!
Your work is truly exquisite.

Jacky said...

The white on white is just sooooo beautiful. Love the lace and the detail.

Please put me down for the pins...

Jacky xox

Jane said...

I love that edging

The French Bear said...

Well, I love pins! Of course that goes along with my scissor collection, and the pin cushion collection....he he, you get the picture.
Your work is stunning and I love the creative process you put into each piece!!
Love the white, love it!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Ingrid said...

That white piece is stunning!!

Ferg 'N' Jude said...

Hi Karen, I'm loving your white on white creations, the stitching is so delicate. You are an inspiration!

meandering pearl said...

so stunning!!!