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







Thursday, February 24, 2011

blue and white...

Blue and white pieces for my ''in progress'' embroidery sketchbooks. I love blue and white, it's simple yet so effective and very reminiscent of grandmas work if you know what I mean. Your grandma too, everyones grandma had blue transfers didn't they?? No transfers here though, just blue and white thread on some old cloth that I have cut up and a little on some new broderie anglaise.
There are 16 pieces made now, 14 still to go. I keep putting them aside to make favours and they too are coming along. I don't think I will show those until they are completely finished though, how many times can I foist cutwork hearts on you??? I think I am probably pushing my luck already in that department...
This afternoon I will be tapping away on here for a while, all to do with my exciting thingy that I haven't told you about yet and before you all start shouting ''is it a book??''...no it's not, sorry, or perhaps you are thinking phew! thank goodness for that...then there are pictures to sort for the guest post...more book printing...it's all computers and keyboards and very little embroidery at the moment...

17 comments:

Elizabeth said...

This 'blue' girl has a big smile on her face saying: Yes I like this, very, very much.

Enjoy your afternoon in the office.

Jane said...

Just keep thinking of it as a means to an end
The blue was a lovely surprise

StitchinByTheLake said...

I've just found your blog and will be following along. I love embroidery and this blue on white is just so striking and beautiful. I enjoyed the visit. blessings, marlene

Lois Evensen said...

I, too, love blue and white together. In fact, the outside and much of the inside of my home are blue and white. Your BMW embroidery is gorgeous!

Hugs,
Lois

fabriquefantastique said...

lovely to see simple running stitch, it can be so effective

Patchwork Linda said...

I'm liking the blue,so crisp and fresh looking.

Carol said...

gorgeousness :) shame it's not a book :)

deanna7trees said...

don't think i've seen you use this color before. beautiful blue. one of my favorite colors.

Dolores said...

So pretty. My favourite - blue in any shade or variation. Thank you.

PepperPi Pals said...

Beautiful! As always! :)

Suztats said...

I like the shade of blue you used. Classic, I think, the white and blue, but timeless, and crisp. Of course I'd probably love any colour as long as it had your beautiful embroidery on it!!

Heartwideopen said...

OHhhhh, I LOVE this blue and white! It's like a breath of fresh spring air. I've always loved blue and white.

BiG HuGGs!
;~) Debi

Helena said...

I love these colors and the effect you create. Excellent!

jill said...

I love the blue and white, you may need to take this further. Have you seen my aunties tablecloth, it is blue and white

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Well, the 'big thing' not being a book has burst my bubble - however, I'm not giving up hope. As for blue and white - has to be the bestest of combinations.

Jacky said...

Gorgeous...I 'love' the blue and white thread work. You're so clever, you keep coming up with these lovely little surprises.

I found some of the blue transfers recently in a charity shop...snapped them up. I love how you have used them in some of your other work.

Take care and happy stitching.

Jacky xox

Anonymous said...

It's fascinating to see how using the blue thread completely changes the "feel" of the embroidery!