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







Tuesday, June 14, 2011

white, blue and buttons....oh and a breakdown on the horizon.




Oh my....what a few days...busted camera, using the blackberry instead. It takes good pictures I suppose but not very good close ups. New camera it is then, bought this lunchtime....faulty...returned....sigh....count to ten....
My recent work is coming together. I am making excellent progress. I have lots of pictures to take. It is sunny today. I need to take them today. It is 4 pm almost and I haven't started yet. I am actually, amongst some, renowned for my patience, all the laborious stitching, the attention to detail, the tiny white stitches, positively sainted I am in the patience stakes. Just as well, I am 'strung out'...akin to a coiled spring but holding it together. I struggled with the blackberry for a large part of yesterday and all morning today, giving in eventually and buying a new camera...the rest as they say is history.
So...after this I am off to take pictures with my returned and replaced equipment before the sun goes home.
This is a continuation of recent work, the colourful stuff. I fancied a little white and then I fancied a little blue.....also, there are buttons, this weeks gift for you..........
last weeks lucky person.....Jane.
for a chance to win the buttons...just leave a tiny little comment, saying hello would suffice!!

30 comments:

Carla Belyea said...

Your buttons are beautiful! I would be delighted to the owner of some of them! Carla of Carla's Inspirations
http://www.etsy.com/shop/carlasinspirations

Joanna said...

I agree with Carla, very pretty buttons indeed. Well done for hanging on in there. :)

Anonymous said...

It sounds like a really hair-raising few days. And although phone cameras are much better than they used to be, close-ups require at least a half-decent digicam.

Hope the traumas are over for a while!

Jane said...

Oh, Karen, I love the top piece, so unexpected
Hope your camera works, it's certainly been a besutiful day today and it would be such a shame to miss it after the weather we've had recently

Anonymous said...

Best of luck with your new camera.
And thank you for yet another beautiful giveaway.

Gemma said...

A day like that would probably have finished me off, so well done you for sticking with it!
Very pretty buttons.
Gem
x

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a bit of a technological challenge... hope tomorrow is less stressful :-)

Jackie said...

Hello.
Happy new camera. At least today was light and bright as a June day should be. Stay calm.

Iceni UK said...

Hi Karen, your work is wonderful adispite all the trauma that you are experiencing at the moment. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I would love to own your gorgeous buttons.
Hugs.

Ferg 'N' Jude said...

As usual, beautiful stitching, love the white on white.

connie said...

Oh, sounds like a difficult day! I hope it has improved!! I am packing and taking a break to check in on my friends. I can hardly wait. Sweden is getting closer. :-)

Elizabeth said...

You know me, I am the one who goes for the piece with blue.

Good luck with your new camera!!!!

Flaming Nora said...

Hello!
how did you do the beautiful blue edge on the drawn thread part of the blue and white piece. Really stunning. Must have been a really fine thread.

deanna7trees said...

i've always had a thing for ruffles. love that first picture.

Beacee said...

Beautiful buttons! Love the lace as well.

Sheeprustler said...

Blue and white very pretty :) So you are also one of those people who buy something and find it is faulty and has to be exchanged! I thought I was unique :)

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Hope you and the new camera get along well, Karen. The last shot with the buttons and the piece behind it is gorgeous! Don't know about you, but we are back to rain and cloud in the south today.
Janice. x

Soozy said...

Ahh Karen, you have the patience of a Saint and it shows through your beautiful work :) Remember it's all about the journey....!

Patchwork Linda said...

Lovely fresh looking work,very pretty.

Dolores said...

Well hello Karen. I have been away visiting my brand new first grandson and so I have a bit of catching up to do. I would dearly love those buttons but just scrolling through your posts is a treat. Glad to hear you now have a working camera.

Els said...

Love the buttons Karen! (Just like the appliqué "bubbles") Your just a stitch magician !!!

Sarah Payne said...

Not bad pics for a phone camera! and the buttons are lovely - I am SURE I could find a use for them!

Suztats said...

I love the lace frame all 'round the motif in the top pic! lacy, lovely, white...oh!

Linda Carole Bloom said...

Hi Karen
Time for me to win buttons????
I made two aprons and 2 pillowcase dresses today and have the finishing handwork in bed with me . . . soooo
back to work! Love, Linda Thanks for visiting!

Miriam Weaver said...

Lovely work as usual! I'd love those buttons, please!

Jules said...

Sweet buttons, love the textured look to them. I'd love them too!

Gill said...

Gorgeous!

Poorvi said...

I am amazed at how you embroider on these tiny buttons. Yes, patience and perfect eyes and hands to handle it!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Technology is wonderful - when it works properly. Hooray for a new camera though - always a nice thing to have (once you figure out all the bells & whistles it has that are different from your old one).

Sherry said...

Beautiful, gorgeous buttons. I love the paper work featured the past few days. Thanks again for the inspiring blog.