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, June 27, 2011

process....

The process and progression of paperwork four. I am adding ruched muslin to one edge with a French knot and pricked paper seam. Tonight I hope to add some hardware and show you tomorrow before I go off on my little jaunt to the big smoke, (London....) I don't think I will get this finished completely before I go and I am conscious of the time it has taken me to create this piece so far making me think it may be cost prohibitive as a ''for sale'' work. We shall see...

As if I don't have enough to do I am also now enrolled on this amazing Art Course with Amelia...it started today but who knew...I am behind already.......and may get a detention before the six weeks is up! Doodles are called for in the first week so maybe I could doodle in London........perhaps I could doodle whilst my little girl waits on me hand and foot!?? that'll be the day! Doodling implements will be taken though just in case....honestly teacher they will.
and finally....I was asked about buttons the other day and lo and behold I had a bag of buttons and brooches hiding upstairs. Yesterday I had a marathon listing session so these are all now in the shop for your perusal............
Time to dig out the hardware for number four...see you tomorrow!!

12 comments:

deanna7trees said...

the ruching looks great. the art course looks interesting. i love doing online classes.

Anonymous said...

How do you manage to attach the muslin without creating a perforated "tear-off" line?

Lost in admiration...

Montreat Designs said...

Have a super trip!!!

Elizabeth said...

Looks just so intriging. When I think of all that is on your to do list I wonder from time to time if you have time to sleep!!!!

Well my busy bee have fun in London and I'll talk to you soon.

Jane said...

Love the detail on the left of the second picture
Have a great time with your little girl and come home refreshed

Joanna said...

Ruching definitely adds some panache to that piece. Like it!

Iceni UK said...

Hi Karen, enjoy London!!!

I love your button colletion and the paperwork embroidery is so fabulous.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. Even more so with the muslin.

mamanova said...

Love this ruching, adds such great texture.

Don't worry about class, I'll cover for you, you know, like when you sign your friends name on a lecture sheet when they're actually bunking off to drink beer :) Hope you get some beer drinking time in London!!

tracey williams said...

Hi Karen,
Just checked out your site again, I have been a long standing admirer of your work. I was going to leave a comment on your recent blog. Wow take that, how lucky and New Designers I'm going there too this week. Just looked at your sketchbooks, all are so beautiful, do you have any messy ones? Looking forward to seeing your experiments on the art course. Enjoy your trip with your daughter and TAKE THAT what fun. And of course happy doodling, I'm sure you'll find lots of inspiration around you.
Tracey

Karen said...

Tracey....I have lots of messy sketchbooks but I bin them!!

Suztats said...

Love the ruching, Karen! Have a lovely trip!