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, August 24, 2011

process....



First things first...the class is filling up so if you are dithering, questioning, agonising or wondering you best get over there quick!! 
I have so many things in progress at the moment. Last night I added more to yesterdays embroidered piece, damp stretching it before I went to bed in order that it would be pristine and perfect for you today. I also cut out and gathered up some tiny circles of cutwork that I had embellished and damp stretched over the weekend. These will eventually be delicate little fabric beads with a very lovely piece of Broderie Anglaise peeking through the little windows. 
My dining room is like a bomb site...I kid you not. I have cloth strewn from one end to the other. The ironing board and iron have not been put away for days, making it quicker for me to press things before I set to work. I have a video camera and tripod in the mix along with a permanently full cup of coffee, loose papers containing lists and ideas that spring up at any time, day or night.  Oh and I mustn't forget the scissors, water spray, ruler and numerous other things that combined make for an absolute hive of disaster!! On a positive note, my son flew to The States yesterday so I have one less mouth to feed.....and (she says dancing round the room!!!) I am being taken out to eat tonight so NO COOKING!!!! Result!!


11 comments:

Jane said...

Oh how lovely to be taken out for dinner, have a great time. I'm now back up to three mouths to feed, though one of those is the equivalent to two!

Joanna said...

No matter how much you love your kids, empty nests are not that bad really :o). Is the meal in celebration? Only kidding, hope you have a lovely time.

Suztats said...

How nice to go out for dinner! Hope it's a lovely one. And speaking of lovely.....how about those gorgeous fabric puffs (beads) reflecting the cloth embroidery circles! Love it!
I know your class will be fab! Wish I could have joined you, and no doubt I'll be kicking myself later, but right now, I've taken on some projects and have a new class beginning next month........ I need more hours in the day!

Beacee said...

Enjoy the meal!

Montreat Designs said...

Nice! Nice! Nice!!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Do you seriously mean you're supposed to put your iron and ironing board away??? Wherever did you hear that? Tell me it isn't so!!

Anonymous said...

Glad it's all going well :-)

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your cooking-less evening tonight! I hope the preparations continue to go well.

Very poor light here at the moment, I don't think I'd be able to see to embroider at all! Isn't it a good thing screens are backlit!

jill said...

Enjoy your meal and peaceful house. Good luck with the class, it will be great

Tammie Lee said...

absolutely gorgeous Karen.

Mary said...

Oh, that first picture.... The left section is just perfect in composition! Love those french knots oozing out around the holes. Just the right distribution! Bravo!