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







Monday, April 11, 2011

white.....

Another piece of white from the house of white. This fragment is finished, damp stretched and waiting in the pile, well more of a gathering than a pile of stuff to go in my re stock when I get round to it. It's all about timing I think. Hopefully it will be the weekend. At the moment, in terms of finished, I have two fragments, two pincushions and twenty puffs, (that's two lots of ten). In progress I have two more white pieces and another ten puffs. I would like more..that will depend on how fast my fingers can go...
My mind has been elsewhere this weekend. First I had James birthday and thanks for your birthday wishes too. I think he had a good day. We had cake, gifts and balloons. Ballons and birthdays go hand in hand in this house, I love balloons! We will have balloons when we are in our dotage, it's compulsory!! Then of course there is my new stuff, not yet started but my head is positively whirling with ideas. I ordered some supplies this morning, vintage trims and some beautiful vintage white work to use as applique and to reveal behind cutwork. It will probably find its way into a little piecing too. Now I need to source some binding, I want soft binding yet natural binding, cotton or linen and white. I am not going to make my own, disgraceful I know but I am trying to scrimp on time without scrimping on embroidery. I have a vague idea of where I may find it but any suggestions are welcome too.
Now do we have any hotmail experts out there? My inbox used to update automatically whenever I got a new message...for some reason it doesn't any more I have to refresh. Have I clicked something?? Can I click something to revert back to automatic updating?? Help!!

18 comments:

DIAN said...

First I have no idea about the hotmail issue. I hope someone does.

I love all these fragments. When will they be in the etsy shop?

It will be good to see your new items too. Hopefully someone will be able to suggest something for the binding.

sylviesgarden said...

Beautiful!
As for the hotmail, mine is doing the same thing. I thought it was just me.
x

Jane said...

Mine does that from time to time, and then it corrects itself and works properly again. I think it's just temperamental!
Love these fragments too

JuicyFig said...

Just LOVE your work - I have always had a soft spot for white work - just wish I could do it!

No idea with the hotmail or the binding, but will keep my eyes pealed for some!
Kath
x

Lois Evensen said...

Can't help with the hotmail. Sorry about that.

Love the white again, of course. I never get tired of it. :)

I understand the ideas whirling around in your head when you have a new project. I'm having the same keeping up with my store. I am so delighted with it and am so glad it is keeping me busy. It beats the alternative!!!!

Big hugs,
Lois

Gina said...

hmmm...looks like a bit different phase of embroidery! I noticed some in the last post and here I see embroidered puffs of pure thread! (I think) Laid flat, it nearly looks like angel wings and rolled up, it makes a lovely cone.

We had a birthday cookout this weekend too. Good to see everyone, but I'm still very tired.

Anonymous said...

Would lampshade maker's cotton tape be suitable? It's white cotton twill ribbon, available in a variety of widths..

deanna7trees said...

you might find something here:
http://www.vintagevogue.com/onlinestore/catalog.htm that will work. look under dyeable fabric and ribbon.

Elizabeth said...

Your mind and hands are working on full speed!!!!

Carol said...

Their stunning and all this new stuff certainly has you fired up :) Just know it is going to be brill as your so excited!

Carol Q said...

lovely organic pieces Karen. for some reason I'm reminded of mushrooms. dunno why. lol

Tammie Lee said...

such loveliness~

Anonymous said...

The best soft white cotton fabric I've found is quilters calico from the cotton patch. Very soft. I like it a lot.

Johoanna Robson said...

That fragment is beautiful.

Try looking on Etsy for your supplies. I have found lots of stuff I have put into my favs so I can go back at a later time and purchase them (if they are still available that is). There is lots of fun vintage lace, fabric and trims. I've even seen vintage seam binding.
Blessings
Johoanna

Anonymous said...

PS sorry, I misread. I thought it said you WERE going to make your own. Still nice soft cotton though :-)

Amelia said...

can't help you with hotmail - I never know why mine does what it does!!! As for the work - aaggghhhh it's mine!! I love it! So glad you had a good party. I used to love balloons until I blew one up and it burst in my eye!!

Amelia.x

Hoola Tallulah said...

ahh your stitching makes me weep with envy, every time, you are so talented!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Afraid I can be of no help regarding your hotmail issue - I'm a complete dweeb when it comes to computer things and spend every day just hoping for the best.