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







Monday, January 23, 2012

pocket, pouch, silk, embroidery




I have only been away for a day and it feels like a week. That's probably because I have been busy, busy....and the biggest positive, I have achieved a huge amount. Mostly on the domestic front but also on the give away front too. The puffs from my last give away were made to order in so far as I allowed the winners to pick which fabric they wanted as the focal point. I am pleased to announce that they are now embroidered, damp stretched, created and in the mail...I did that half an hour ago, took a little ramble up to the Post Office.. So fear not, I didn't forget you, I was actually creating especially for you. I will draw the button winners tomorrow and have something else to give away then too...not quite sure what yet but leave that one with me.....
Above, the images, the white silk and embroidery painstakingly created over six hours yesterday, (yes, six hours to create three tiny embroidered areas on a piece of silk which measures 12 x 12 inches, so only a tiny section of that filled)) are samples or sampling for my next online class. It is very much in it's infancy in my mind, taking shape slowly with copious notes, a fiddly sampler and more ideas. ''Extending Embellishment'' will be, I like to think, an advanced process. One step up from Embroider Embellish Create, taking things that little bit further with new ideas, new techniques and improved video hosting for clearer demonstration video. There will be further updates as the process moves forward with additional information on techniques that will be included....
As for the embroidery above...tiny embroidered pockets over cutwork....delightful in the flesh, truly lovely and very delicate.......

22 comments:

Dolores said...

Beautiful little pockets. Will any of them have little things poking out of them? Perhaps a sprig of flowers?
You seem to be in your element teaching.

Jane said...

What delightful pockets, and yippee for another class

Iceni UK said...

Oh wow, the sampler is beautiful, love the tiny pocket, another class... I'm saving up right now. :)

deanna7trees said...

your pockets look like beautiful little baskets to me. love it.

Tina said...

Very cool little pockets! I love the work even if it takes 6 hours to create! It is not a race but a journey!

Gina said...

I love these - look like baskets with flowers spilling out!

Suztats said...

Love the little pockets!
Beautiful things take time to create. When will you new class be? I've been saving my allowance.......

barbara l. hale said...

You are so clever! Beautiful work!!

Elizabeth said...

All comments agree today that your little weaved pockets are just gorgeous, adorable and just perfect. And therefore I just say the same!!!!

Beth said...

Oh, so lovely and delicate. How beautiful!!

My Creative House said...

Love your little pockets Karen they are so beautifully done.
Anni

Stitching Lady said...

A real joy to look at your creations. I am still buttoning about - and you will love to hear: I am damp stretching whenever I have something which needs it. It IS the only way...

Anonymous said...

Your work seems to be becoming ever more delicate and intricate..

Carol Q said...

coo, look at that fabulous detail Karen. is that some form of needle weaving on the bottom one? I am sitting by the post box! lol

FredaB said...

Karen I was just thinking how lost I am going to be when this class finishes and thinking maybe Karen will do an advanced class one day and then I read the above. wonderful news. I am making some new squares today and embroider tonight.

Hugs

FredaB

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Tiny little pockets - to hold tiny little fairy treasures. How sweet is that!!

Peggy Holt said...

Oh, oh, oh, it's like little baskets. I love it. Today I bought some gorgeous slubbed rayon, and over the weekend I found my little stash of other special white fabrics. Now all I have to do is find some time....a very rare commodity these days (sigh). Thanks, Karen, for another wonderful treat for the eyes.

sharon young said...

Absolutely inspired, i love the idea of the curved shapes over the cutwork, really inspirationally unique.

Wichcraft said...

These baskets are amazing Karen. Worth every minute you spent on them.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Your work is beautiful Karen - gorgeous little pockets. Is that needlelace? I've also been looking at the video and the post below with the applique and outline flowers. the combination of the two is so lovely.

Mosaic Magpie said...

Did I read the words another class!!!!!
Deb

Beacee said...

Love the little pockets!