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







Saturday, October 22, 2011

giving away my needle doodling.....





Do you remember this from the other day? Some doodling that I had been doing with my needle, helps me think, gets the grey matter working. Well I don't really want to do anything else to this, so you can have it. Floor cloth? Dish rag? whatever, you decide......just a comment, a simple hi will do. You will only get the rag though, not the buttons. They are only there for reasons of aesthetics and to prove that I haven't been idle. Buttons made for my global embroidery school.... 
The winner of my last clear out is Coach Tina....postal stuff please!!
Helen arrived last night...late...heavy traffic...she was introduced to her cloth and she adores it...she has gone again now, in and out stopping only to collect embroidery!!! No, she will be back this evening, ventured up north they have to the wastelands of Scotland, or at least you would think they were wastelands, she was dressed for the Norwegian Arctic.

88 comments:

Dolores said...

Oh my, look, I'm number one. If for some weird chance I happen to win this doodling cloth I would frame it and admire it.

Emmy said...

I give it a try you never know maybe I am lucky this time

Amy Friend said...

Oh, I would either frame it or turn it into a featured panel on a quilted pillow cover or little zippered bag!

bookwraps by suz.com said...

how beautiful!
I think I would make a journal cover with this piece...ummmm

Anonymous said...

LOVE your needle doodle!!!
Even your doodles are amazing!!!

Anonymous said...

I would love to have to have a closer look at your work. Would you consider sending it across the pond? I'm in Texas.

:Diane

Tatkis said...

That is a wonderful offer! Can't resist to take part :)
Your creations are so beautiful!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Els said...

Love your doodle Karen! And really no one will ever use such a delicate piece as floor cloth or dish rag ! (btw: it's too small for that anyway ;-) !!)

Unknown said...

This is just beautiful!

ronnie laforet said...

it's just lovely as it is!

deanna7trees said...

I did win the buttons earlier this month but wouldn't they look great along with this cloth...

Jane said...

really do love this doodle
Enjoy your weekend

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

I love this so much! Your work is beyond belief and inspires me to learn more.
I'd definitely frame this as inspiration in my sewing room!
Have a wonderful weekend,

Tina

Pattygloria by Gloria V said...

Your work is so beautiful and delicate, I'll add some more cloth to make something to wear. I love the little details. Take care.
Hugs,
Gloria

Joanna said...

Nice work, very clean and fresh. Enjoy the visit from your daughter, I'm sure you will anyway

Jeannie said...

I love your doodle cloth! I am just in awe at the art your create in white on white - amazing! Have a beautiful weekend.

connie said...

Karen this is so beautiful, I love this little doodle! I can think of many things that would be fun to do with this. Thanks for sharing!

I hope Helen stays warm and of course she will be safe with her lovely wrapping cloth! You are such a good Mamma. Got to see my babies for an hour yesterday on our way home. :-)

barbara l. hale said...

I would never use that for a dish rag!

mokkakissa said...

Hoi! I need to be the winner because I need to see that closeer and touch it too! Pliiz

amester said...

I think your Doodles should come to Texas. They are wonderful.

Ferg 'N' Jude said...

Love the doodle cloth, the textures are wonderful.

Hoola Tallulah said...

What a wonderful giveaway, I would love to win, thanks so much! :)

Kris Peters said...

Needle doodling now must officially be a new title for beautiful, inspiring fiber art! So lovely.

Bree at "Bree's Way" said...

I would love to be entered in the giveaway please, I love this doodle, and if I won I would put it in a quilt or cloth of my own :) it is beautiful, and what a wonderful example of some needle work. :)

Bri.

Elizabeth said...

You are always make me smile when I stop by your place out here in blogosphere.

This isn't a rag or a candidate to become a floorcloth. This piece should be framed and given to someone who can appreciate it. Most likely not you since you only want to clean with it!!!!

(LOL)

Jules said...

I would love to see some of your work 'in the flesh' so to speak! I'd hang it in my new tidied sewing space and hope it inspires me!

Julie said...

Definitely not a floor cloth ! I am about to make a piece on the theme of windows and your beautiful piece would be sure to inspire me.

Jane said...

I hope you have/had a wonderful day with Helen. My kids are off doing pumpkin farm stuff today.
Jane

Jackie said...

Don't put me in the draw I won the last one, but how can you bear to give this doodling away? Its b********

Erica said...

Helen, I have only recently discovered your blog. Your creativity is so feminine. I love it.

Erica said...

Helen, I have only recently discovered your blog. Your creativity is joyous and feminine. I love it!

Unknown said...

Goodness==I am way down on the list but I will take a chance and throw my name in the hat--on the table!!

Jacqueline deRuyter said...

So lovely! Count me in:) I'm sure it's even more beautiful in person!

Rita A. said...

This fascinated me when you showed it the first time. I would love to see it in person.

Helena said...

I can imagine Helen's joy .
have a nice weekend. kisses from Portugal.

Denise said...

Love, love, love your doodle! U just found your blog today and am in awe of your needle skills!

LauraJane:) said...

SIMPLY SPLENDED!!

jill said...

Stunning doodle and making me think about doing my own stitching. Say hello to Helen

Anonymous said...

I would love to win your doodle! I'd like to try incorporating your style with my own.

:) Linda

Unknown said...

Karen, I am such a fan of your beautiful handwork! If I am lucky enough to win this it will be framed and hung on a wall where I can admire it and be inspired with each glance!

Tina said...

Thank you so much-I am so excited about winning the puffs! I have been out all day on a trip to the Windy City and just got home!!! What a great welcome home gift!!!!!

Okay, count me in on the cloth-wow a doodling cloth-how cool is this.

Kaen, thank you again!

shirley said...

Helen, I just think you "rag" is amazing...damn I am way down the bottom of the list...that will teach me to have a break from checking the blogs....Yes i would have it where I could see it all the time.too
I love visiting your blog

Gina said...

Even your doodles are gorgeous! Glad you are enjoying your daughter's visit!

genie marie said...

Oh this is just beautiful!! Fingers crossed :)Congrats in advance to the winner of such a lovely piece of work!!

Suztats said...

Delightful doodles, and I'd love to make a special place for it!

Gayle said...

I would love to stitch this into a very special Christmas stocking.
I love what you did with the red strips yesterday...beautiful.

Mary said...

Karen, this is lovely! Looks like amoebas.... Just great!

Mary said...

Oops, I meant Barnacles, not amoebas!

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

A simple hello. : ) I'm a big girl now. I can look proudly at your work without breaking into tears. lol Haha - that's got to count for something!

Have a great weekend Karen!
Your tardiest student, starting now that class has ended.
: )
~Monika in Canada

Beacee said...

Love your doodle cloth! I'm going to miss Helen's cloth though. x

Shelley: the Dread Pirate Rodgers said...

Your doodle cloth would have a splendid new home in California, USA! :-)

Jane S. said...

I hope you're having a good visit with your Helen! Aren't you happy that she appreciates your cloths so much?

Love little doodle you're giving away, if I win it I'm going to keep it unframed so that I can fondle it.

Carol Q said...

a floor cloth?? a dish rag??? you ARE joking! lol. beautiful Karen. should have pride of place on any wall. (or floor)

Iceni UK said...

Hi Kren, I would love your doodle, I would make it into a Journal cover to celebrate the journey I have has with your online class.
Enjoy your time with Helen.
Isabell

Ramsey said...

I see i'm no.53 hope that's lucky. Love the needle doodle.

silk said...

Oh my. So many entries. I love your doodling. So spontaneous and lovely. I'm sure it would enjoy its trip to Syracuse, New York.

Mommarock said...

How about framed as artwork.. that is beautiful! I just found your site, and am just taken with the beauty here. I have to look at all of the work now.

Brenda T said...

Okay I love doodling ... paper, needlework ... anything by Karen.

Gill said...

I couldn't possibly wash the dishes or the floor with this!
Beautiful!!

KMK said...

Your work is lovely. You inspire me daily.

JP said...

honestly Karen you are the end!!!!!!!!!!!! some dishrag!! ha ha!

Anonymous said...

How exciting would that be, to win one of your giveaways. I would find it very inspiring and might even add my own buttons. I absolutely love your work and always look forward to your posts.

raggedyangels@hotmail.co.uk

Heather Woollove said...

Enjoy your visit with your daughter!

Montreat Designs said...

How beautiful! I would frame this!

Yvonne Moxon said...

Very pretty doodles indeed!

Phillipa said...

Its lovely lovely and needs a trip down under to New Zealand.Christchurch needs all the Doodling it can get. ;)..

Regards Phillipa
Christchurch NZ

Mosaic Magpie said...

Glad your girlie arrived safe and sound. Of course she loved the cloth! Your giveaway is beautiful and how dare you say "floor cloth". Remember I did not know what a toe wrap was when I started following you? I then figured it out. The lovely better not come anywhere near a floor. Think I could make a crown out of it? Then send it back to you and it could be your "Queen of Titivation"
crown......this makes me think....
Deb

Calypso Flowers said...

If I were to win it, I would fondle it gently before framing it and hanging in a space where I could look at it when I needed to think calming thoughts. I myself am not really a white on white person, but whenever I look at your work, I find it very focussing and very pure, and I love that. Denise/Calyflo

Doreen G said...

Yikes Karen I didn't look at my google reader yesterday and I missed this post but what the heck.
I know I have won a prize already and I would love to win this one but if I miss out well I won't be too dissappointed.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, maybe a "dish rag" for a Queen! But for anyone who would win this, it would be a treasure to frame! I'd love to win it! It's exquisite!

Diane

Denise :) said...

Oh, please do count me in. I found your blog through your profile interview at *we love french knots* and I fell in love with your work immediately! :)

Chris said...

Hi Karen,
Just found your blog and oh my goodness! It would be a pleasure to have your doodles :-)

Supergoof said...

It is so beautifull! I hope I will win it,... I would give it a special place in the dancing dollies quilt i'm making.
Groetjes from The Netherlands!

Peggy Holt said...

Oh my goodness. I am building a new house, and this will make a beautiful addition, framed and hanging in my studio.

I have no idea what it means to have an address enabled in my profile, nor do I even know if I have a profile. so...quiltrelated@q.com

I'll await the notification.

Carrie P. said...

Your white work is just stunning. Coming over from the We love french knots blog.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Giving away needle noodles? Count me in on this one!!

Wendy said...

I would love to own this! Such beautiful work....thank you for being so generous!

valerie b said...

I would love to frame your "rag". I have the perfect little spot for it next to a custom white hardanger heart!

Anonymous said...

It's delightful, Karen, certainly not a dishcloth!

Stancioli said...

Gorgeous!

liniecat said...

Drop my name in the hat too please.........what a rag to own!!!
hers hoping lol

Rosa said...

I would LOOOOVE to win this!!
And I would hurry to frame it, so it wouldn't be ruined by me drooling over it;-)
Besides I just had a birthday so I deserve to win this.
I do. Honestly. People my age need ART and not art(hritis).
I'm whining - I know *LOL*
Karen - I just love your work!

Karen said...

I'm hoping to be lucky this time too! Thankyou.

Isisjem said...

This is gorgeous and so pure. I'd add it to my stash of stuff I'm putting to one side to make a fabric book.

jan b. said...

I see that I must allow myself a few more minutes of computer time to absorb all the delicious goodness I've been missing here. I WILL be back to check out your posts on your sketch book. It looks so very interesting. As for your "rag", I'm certain that whoever wins it will hold it in the high regards that it deserves. It's Beautiful!

Tsering said...

What a lovely blog and such beautiful work ,I am getting so much from you're button course please do more courses love tsering

Iceni UK said...

To win your embroidery would be wonderful, please add my name to your list.
Isabell
:)

Unknown said...

OOOh! Me! Me! Please...