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







Tuesday, December 21, 2010

this year....

This year I have,
made these and more,
deleted too many files so I can't find all my pictures,
painted on fabric,
worked on paper,
created artist books,
messed up my html codes...hence the rubbish at the top of this page,
waited patiently to no avail for someone to sort it out for me,
spouted a lot of rubbish on this blog,
visited Sweden,
spent too much money,
missed my daughter every day,
loved my family to distraction,
been proud of James,
been proud of Helen,
visited hospitals too many times,
made wedding favours, 50 to be precise,
been over producing hormones,
made new friends,
lost?? (I think) another friend and I don't know why,
attented a beautiful wedding,
spent 2 hours in the car on a journey of 4 miles, (yesterday!!)
welcomed baby Lydia into the world,
done very little housework,
given up the day job, hence becoming poorer but enormously happier,
and finally,
have done zero, zilch, nothing for christmas, so I am now signing off for a ''rest'', to get sorted and put on my santa hat.
wishing each and every one of you a magical festive season.
this is a little gift from me to you.
xxxxxxxxx

25 comments:

Diane Kelsey said...

I have loved reading your blog and seeing all your wonderful work. I hope to do some work all in white next year. Merry Christmas!

Jill said...

Merry Christmas Karen - enjoy your break and your family.
Jill x

meplusmolly said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours Karen! All the best for 2011 :) xx

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for this stunning gift, love it.

Merry christmas to you and your loved ones and have a great start of 2011.

See you together with your needle next year.

xoxo e.

jill said...

What a busy year you have had.

jennyflowerblue said...

What a year! Have a peaceful Yule my lovely. Hugs xxx

Anonymous said...

You've had a busy year! I'm glad I've been able to follow along with some it it, and I've loved watching you develop your work.

A Happy and Peaceful Christmas to you and yours...

Gina said...

it sounds like you desrve a rest. Have a happy Christmas Karen.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

The merriest of merry Christmases is wished for you and those you hold dear Karen. Enjoy every moment of it!

vintagerockchick said...

Have a very Happy Christmas, see you here after the break xx

Needles said...

Each time I come over here to visit a load is lifted from my spirit and I just melt to see all the lovely things you have done.

Have a wonderful Christmas and the very best New Year.

Sheeprustler said...

I love the sound of your year! Have a lovely Christmas, which really does not need to be over-prepared, and I look forward to reading more of your blog in the New Year!

sylviesgarden said...

This year you have created so many beautiful things!
I hope you have the most wonderful Christmas.
Much love to you and your family.
x

sylviesgarden said...

PS. Thanks for the dose of Chris. He is so lovely!
x

Things Hand Made said...

Have a great christmas and see you when we get to the other side!

John'aLee said...

Loved your 'recap'! You have been an inspiration to us all!

Gayle said...

Wonderful post...thank you for brightening our lives all year long.

Lois Evensen said...

You have been so very busy this year and I have enjoyed watching and reading from afar while getting to know you.

Merry Christmas, lovely lady, and a very Happy New Year.

Hugs,
Lois

Jackie said...

You have had a great creative year. You haven't lost me anyway (although I have lost myself) . I'll ask my 'technical advisors' for a solution to your html prob if you like when they come home for christmas.May need the password though...

Jackie said...

Oh..meant to say thansk you for the Coldplay Video. I love it. Merry Christmas.

Joanna said...

Thoroughly enjoying reading your blog and if it is any consolation I have only just bought my daughter's Christmas present on the way back from the hols and we are 8 hours ahead and shops shut early in Oz. Other's will have to wait until after Christmas.

Hope you have a great Christmas too.

Tatkis said...

Your blog and your creations are so wonderful! Thank you very much for sharing them!

Merry Christmas!
Tatyana

meandering pearl said...

oh a dear & merry Christmas to you too!!! so much loveliness

Helena said...

Merry Christmas, dear Karen. All the best for you and your family!!!

Inspiration i vitt said...

Merry Christmas to you. Your creations are so wonderful.
Many varm hugs to you/Ingela.