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, March 9, 2011

overwhelmed....

We'll talk about embroidery in a minute but first I want to say that I am truly overwhelmed. I cannot believe how many of you want a piece of my tat. Fact is I have received more comments then I ever imagined so must apologise and simply say that I really don't think I will be able to respond to them all. It doesn't really sit well with me though, good manners and all that but I would like to ask those of you who commented for the first time please do so again at some point, when it's a bit quieter because I really would like to see all your blogs without the pressure of having around 100 to get through. The give aways will remain open until saturday and then EVERYONE will be in the hat.
Just a word too on keeping stuff in drawers. It is a very nice drawer, a special drawer. There are all kinds of precious things in there. It's not the cutlery drawer or the carrier bag drawer, it's my dresser drawer, in my boudoir. The best place for anything around here, trust me, it's safer!!
Now back to embroidery. I have added to the section of toe wrap two that has the lace on the cotton lawn, remember? There is pleated fabric behind cutwork circles and a border of cross stitch hearts. This afternoon I am hoping to make some prairie points with white broderie anglaise as an edge that will join another two sections. I also hope to get the backs cut out for my hook and eye pieces and make a start on adding the fastenings. There is a little reluctance to show you the hook and eye piece again, how many times can you look at metal fastenings without yawning?? So I am aiming to keep toe wrap two ticking over at the same time. We shall see how that goes. I promise I will show you the hook and eye pieces when they are finished though.

20 comments:

Amanda Sheridan said...

Now do you believe me!!! Please add my name to the hat too xx

Ingrid said...

im not surprised!:-)

iHanna said...

Isn't it cool to have such a huge fan club that follows you and read your updates too? You are so productive and all of your photos yummy, always!

Dolores said...

You always surprise me with what you do. Now pleats in the circles. Gorgeous and I love the white on white.

deanna7trees said...

beautiful eye candy. when you have a giveaway, you can see how many people really follow you. most do not comment. i will be having a giveaway very soon--my first.

Lois Evensen said...

I'm not surprised, either. Your work is gorgeous!

My give-away is coming in a couple of days. We are just home and I am getting my act together. ;)

Hugs,
Lois

Suztats said...

Oh! Pleats in embroidered circles! Love that!

Patchwork Linda said...

Each time I see your work it just seems more beautiful than the last lot.I don't know how you manage to fit so much sewing and blogging into your day.

Jane said...

I'm not surprised either, everything is so beautiful. The fabric in the first three folds of the first picture really sets off the stiching

connie said...

I NEVER get tired of seeing your hook and eye pieces!

I can understand your frustration with the giveaway, where is everyone when we ask for assistance and confirmation on what we are doing.

Off the subject of blogging, I have tickets to go to Sweden to see my son in June, I can hardly wait!!!

Have a great day Karen

StitchinByTheLake said...

I could sit and look at your work for hours - truly. blessings, marlene

Elizabeth said...

You clicked your heels and ....
there you go!!!!

Have fun.

Jan said...

Hi Karen its me again telling you just how beautiful your sewing is ,do you know, I find it most theraputic just sitting looking at a peice of your work ...love Jan xx

Helena said...

Lovely as usually! What can I say?

Threadspider said...

What a complete star you are! I'm glad so many people recognise your talent.:-)

Anonymous said...

I can't really add to what the others have said...I found you from Madame Samm's and I so enjoy seeing your lovely work and beautiful photography. We won't think you're rude if you don't answer - we all are busy, and have lives to live! So we understand! :) We'll just come back again and again to "see" you.
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Even over the past year, what you do has been changing and developing. Clearly working on something for yourself is inspiring you!

Marcia W. said...

Wow! I dropped by to check out your embroidery and work on the toe wrap again -- and you are having a giveaway. Your work is lovely and would enjoy having a piece to include in a stitchery (or more) or pillowcase.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Your hook and eye piece is certainly well worth another viewing (or three). Must say that your toes are indeed blessed to have such pretty wrappings!!

Sara lechner said...

I'd like to participate too! your work is so inspiring for me!