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, September 14, 2011

vintage white








Oh my, I hope you're in the mood for pictures today. Have you trawled through them all, yawning maybe? I had to put them all on, couldn't decide which ones I like best and anyway the lady herself is popping in to check on progress so I must impress! Yes, that's right, my little girl is visiting this little corner of cyber space sometime today to have a look at what will soon be cluttering up her new house....don't worry, if she doesn't like it I will put names in a hat.......
This is almost exclusively made from vintage cloth, sourced from charity shops and gifts that I am often given. The best kind of gifts, piles and piles of old cloth nearly always containing treasure. I am so easy pleased, just give me your rubbish and I will find a use for it. Your rubbish is my gold dust.....
I found some beautiful old cloth online the other week too. It arrived so quickly and has already found its way into the next section of my work. I hope to show you that next time, around two yards of the most beautiful edging for a pittance...couldn't believe my luck.
I am so happy that so many of you popped over to our flickr page the other day too. Thanks so much for all the great comments about what's happening over there and I am still amazed at the supportive nature of 'my' little group, makes me very proud indeed.
And don't forget...I have lots of white here too, the place that is becoming sadly neglected. I must try and remedy that soon...although I have sneaked up to 1044 hearts without even noticing!! Wow.....that means 1044 people love me.......I'm not worthy......




13 comments:

Jane said...

Simply gorgeous, love the hexies creaping into the picture

Mosaic Magpie said...

I am getting an alarm/timer to set everytime I visit you. I lose all track of time looking at all these lovely things. Maybe you could find a stress relief class to hook up with, together with your images, everyone would be in peaceful tranquility.
Deb

deanna7trees said...

oh just love those rouleau loops with the cut lace on each and every one.

Suztats said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Karen! It all has me itching to get back to my white piece #2. Some other things I must finish first........

Tina said...

Just beautiful! I really love the vintage fabrics and the choices you have made are stunning-this is a beautiful piece. And if by some strange reason your beautiful daughter doesn't want this-drop my name in the hat!

Anonymous said...

Of course Helen will love it. How could she not?

Gina said...

You don't seriously think your daughter might reject it, do you? She may try to take it home with her without giving you the chance to finish it!

Carol Q said...

eeeeeeeeee what beauty to look at Karen. love that wrapped daisy

**EYE-SNACKS** said...

Yes,you're absolutely worth it because you make wonderful work and I think it's time consuming so... :)

xxx Ingrid

Helena said...

The more I look at this work, the more I love it!!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous - I'm sure your girl will love it!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Of course you're worthy!! Anyone who does work like this is definitely worthy of hero worship by us mere mortals. You have taken stitching to an art form.

Linda Carole Bloom said...

Oh Karen, this is just blowing me away. I keep coming back to look at it - there is just so much to see! Love, Linda