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, December 20, 2011

pins and progress on silk...







It's awful quiet around here....anyone would think it was nearly Christmas...I suppose I did get ready extra early but now that I've done that I don't have anyone to play out with...sad face. Makes me wonder if it's worth coming back before next week.....I understand I really do and maybe taking some time away will do me good. We aren't forecast sunshine again  for ages, (probably July 2012) so that would make picture taking difficult anyway! You wouldn't believe the struggle I had to get these to look half decent.
This is progress on the button and shell 'thingys' I showed you the other day...one of them attached to a piece of silk, specially embroidered for the occasion. I know why I am making this obviously but yet I still don't really know where I am taking it...does that make sense? Probably not but I'm sure I will get there! My fingers will keep stitching and my brain, hopefully, will take me where it needs to go.
I am going to London on Saturday to spend Christmas with my little girl. I told Father Christmas so he knows where to deliver my wagon full of presents, sorted then. I WILL be back on here before then you know I will, can't keep away....

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

We've had lousy light too, so I can easily believe you might have been struggling to get decent photos! In fact you've done far better than I would have - they look lovely!

Elizabeth said...

Your work is so amazing. The other day I saw a display in a book and thought of you. Made a picture and than forgot to sent it. Why do I mention this? It might be a way to make a display of a number of pieces of you.

Jane said...

Beautiful. Just enjoy the journey, and we'll enjoy the results

Miriam Weaver said...

As always your work is beautiful, thanks for sharing it with us. So your leaving the frozen north and coming to London for the festive season, sadly the light down here isn't that great either! Have a great Christmas and a happy and creative new year.

Suztats said...

Smart you to get ready so early! I shall enjoy where your brain takes you while your fingers are stitching. Love the silky white!

Anonymous said...

Dark here too - but the light will return after Thursday, little by little :-) You did a great job with your photos.

Tina said...

It has been raining here for days-I honestly wish it would just snow so we would have a lighter sky. Good thing you told Father Christmas where you will be. I would just hate it if he could not find you!

Tina said...

It has been raining here for days-I honestly wish it would just snow so we would have a lighter sky. Good thing you told Father Christmas where you will be. I would just hate it if he could not find you!

Doreen G said...

Father Christmas will always find you Karen--he just has to follow your star.

Mosaic Magpie said...

How lovely to spend Christmas with your girlie! The silk work is beautiful and it is exciting to see where your stitching will take you.
Deb

barbara l. hale said...

What gorgeous fabric and needle work. Have fun in London. I'm sure Mr. Claus will find you.

Anonymous said...

I love the snowy, slubby dupion you're using and with the pearl headed pins it's a delight!

Jeannie said...

We have sun today. The first sun in over 3 weeks. I want to sit upon a rock like a lizard and bask in its glow. It is only 26 degrees, so I may rethink that! Speaking of glow, the light reflecting off of the silk is why I love to work with silk. Your art is so beautiful. Have a happy day!