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







Sunday, December 5, 2010

the white obsession continues....

Saturdays playing led to sundays viewing. I put this piece together yesterday and embroidered last night. It's around 7 x 9 inches and will fit snuggly into a corner of my throw. This piece is constructed from purely vintage cloth. I actually had a great time yesterday scrabbling around looking at what I had, finding pieces and scraps that I had forgotten about. I keep thinking that I really must get more organised but in the absence of a huge shelving system it seems unlikely. What I want are rows and rows of boxes, not just any old boxes but pretty boxes with clear windows in the front so I can sort into textures and colours. I can't claim any credit for this large beautiful flower either. That was already on one of the vintage pieces but don't you just love it. My brain is ticking wondering where I got that one and I can't remember but that's my last little piece sadly.

There is another colourful piece in progress to be added and then I am going to lay it all out and see how much further I want to take it. I could go on forever really and I have embellishment plans too. Funky puffs, maybe even chinese knots in gingham, the possibilities are endless.
There is also another hankering going on in my tiny little brain.......I have a need to start a design sheet. Don't ask me why, don't ask me when and most importantly don't ask me how! It's been a long time but the nagging little voice is there, tapping away at my consciousness and I fear I may have to at least try.

10 comments:

sylviesgarden said...

Beautiful.
x

Suztats said...

I just adore the white: can't seem to get enough of it. I'm so inspired by the beauty of your work, I am going to start a white on white CQ square in the New Year. Thanks for the inspiration, and all the luscious eye candy.

jill said...

stunning

Lois Evensen said...

Yes, it is very pretty as is all of your work. Just playing with the pieces and working out the design is surely lots of fun. I did the same when making my free from crochet afghans. Very satisfying to work out a great pattern.

fabriquefantastique said...

Do not think that because I don't comment I do not read....always enjoy your blog

Jane said...

Chinese knots would be fantastic. The throw is going to make the winter evenings a real joy

Ingrid said...

i can se you had a lot of fun!
wish i could se your throw in person,
just gorgeous!!

Anonymous said...

You know, with all the skills and knowledge you have, you could probably produce something that looked a lot like that gorgeous flower, if you wanted to. Then you could change the scale to suit what you wanted it for...!

Tammie Lee said...

I love hand made, old things... so I think it wonderful that you are including vintage fabric in this. And yes, that big flower is wonderful. It is all so dreamy!

Angela said...

Hi Karen,
Your work is as always so beautiful and that flower... well what can l say that has not already been said. Hope the snow is easing in your area!