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, January 7, 2012

winners....at last and another give away....

Finally....the winners. I am sorry I kept you waiting so long. Carol Q and Dolores...you are getting puffs!!! Please get in touch with postal stuff and your decision...you can have gingham...you can have lace...decisions decisions, what do you want in your little windows??? You can even have printed cloth.....just let me know.
To all the readers of these ramblings of mine, as a thankyou once again for your patience and your support I think I will give somebody some buttons. Buttons of your choice...lace, gingham, embroidery....you can choose....just leave a comment, just say hi....
A little story to finish that will make you laugh...or make you weep, I'm in the latter group...my car broke down, they are fixing it. They are so nice they gave me a courtesy car...now that has broken down!! Happy days....
To the class of January 2012....I hope you have done your homework, less than 48 hours to go.....

79 comments:

Jane said...

Oh Karen! Think that must be the perfect excuse for staying in and stitching

arlee said...

i do so love your embroidered button gems :)

Elizabeth said...

Congratulations Carol Q and Dolores, you two are in for a threat.

Karen, the best plan is just to stay indoors and hold your needle because than only wonderful things happen!

have a lovely saturday.

Mosaic Magpie said...

Conratultions to the lucky winners! I believe I am ready for Monday's class. I will be mailing my big shiny apple to you.
Deb

fabriquefantastique said...

Sorry, I have to smile about the car.

Brenda T said...

Two cars out of commission ...two good reasons to stay home and stitch. Some days driving is highly overrated! What is the famous quote "Stay Calm and Carry On" have a great day.

jill said...

what homework, i could really do to start tomorrow im working monday or you could post the class at midnight then i can stay up all night

Unknown said...

:(
I'd weep too! Though reasons to stay home and do creative work are welcome, there is something unsettling about feeling stranded.

Wichcraft said...

Oh my. I agree that your car troubles are a good excuse to stay home and stitch. Can't wait to start class on Monday!

Sandy said...

I really love the pink gingham button at the top. I love the contrast...not sure is that something like a square darn in pink beside it?

anyway, I love the half and half sort of buttons. well cool!
Sandy in Bracknell

Carol Q said...

Thanks Karen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't wait.

Jeannie said...

Congratulations Carol and Dolores! Karen, I think perhaps the universe is sending you a message! LOL! Perhaps to stay home and stitch? I hope the vehicles all get straightened out and you are able to have a pleasant weekend.

Anonymous said...

Ah I so wish I was on your course, must catch the next one!

Hoola Tallulah said...

Lovely giveaways you're having here Miss Karen, I would love love love to have some of your beautiful buttons, and soOoOo wish I was on your course, next time for me when my bank account has recovered from the xmas assault!

Penney said...

Oh, I do love your buttons! Can you trade the mechanic for fixing both cars? lol

Wendy said...

With both cars broke down you can just stay in and stitch! :) I would love to win some buttons as they are just gorgeous! Have a great day!

Peggy Holt said...

I am having class envy....good luck to all of you who will be taking the class. Will there be a flickr page for us to watch?

I've missed something somewhere....haven't heard about the car problems.

Dolores said...

I don't know whether to chuckle or cry over your car situation. I do hope you don't have anywhere important to go.
I feel extremely honoured to have won. I emailed the important stuff to you but I have yet to decide...

Elizabethanne said...

Buttons, yum! I would love to win some of your amazing buttons. Just wouldn't know which ones to pick though i love them all :-) your friend Elizabeth xx

Beacee said...

Oh goody, another giveaway - I do love your buttons.
Hope your car's better soon.

Jane said...

I would love to get some buttons!
Jane from Illinois

Doreen G said...

I know it is greedy to put my name down here Karen but the devil made me do it --truly.

Suztats said...

Your buttons make me smile....and drool!

Linda Carole Bloom said...

When two cars break down, that means for you to stay home, have a cup of tea, put your feet up and stitch! I enjoyed your video on the backs - I never thought of leaving the short tails - it makes sense though, I have sometimes worried about my lazy dasies coming unraveled - will be back later for the class (working night shift tonight) I'm awfully excited (about the class, not night shift)

Joanna said...

Brings back memories of having two cars and little money and both ending up on the garage at the same time. Hope the stitching is compensation for that

Sequana said...

As many car stories I have to tell, I don't think two at a time broken down is one. Almost makes you laugh, huh?

Embroidery buttons would be wonderful.

Tatkis said...

Please count me in your draw, Karen! Your buttons are fantastic!

Happy New Year and best wishes,
Tatyana

Tina said...

I, too am having class envy! Sorry about the cars, but I did have a laugh. Good excuse to relax and play with cloth. Of course I am the biggest enabler of playing with cloth you will ever meet!

Take care

Tammie Lee said...

yea for the lucky winners!

wishing you a car that you can rely on.

Gemma said...

I would seriously love to win some of your buttons.

Gill said...

Congratulations Carol and Dolores! I think you're in for a treat (not a threat Elizabeth!!!!!)
I would love an embroidered button Karen!

B Greene said...

Oh, I hate car trouble more than anything - so sorry for your double trouble! Your work is amazing! Thank you for the chance to win some of your beautiful buttoos.

thehappycrochetchic said...

I love your little lovely buttons!!

Sara Shalom said...

Hello! I admit I was drawn here because of this giveaway, but I'm having lots of fun checking out your site! You do beautiful work.

Lee said...

Your buttons are beautiful! Thanks for a lovely giveaway. I have enjoyed your blog.

marymac said...

I must agree with your other followers if you cann't go any where stay home and play. If I had your talent I would be makink buttons all day long. They are all so beautiful.

Helene said...

I love your buttons, so I'll be delighted with any. I do especially love your embroidered buttons and your gingham buttons. Thanks for sharing your stunning work with us. I'm always left very inspired! xo

Rosa said...

I so envy Carol and Dolores!

On the other hand I'm sure that your car problems will vanish completely and immediately if I win some of the delicious buttons.
I have certain powers, you know.. LOL

Colleen said...

I love white on white. The texture then becomes the main interest. You do fabulous work. Would love to have the buttons.

adjohnston81 said...

Love Buttons <3 Hi and Thanks :)

Mary said...

Of course I'd love to win some buttons!

Betty said...

The buttons are so beautiful! Love the white on white.

Em said...

Wow..very impressed with your work! Beautiful.

Jenni said...

Your blog and your buttons are utterly beautiful. Thank you so much for your sharing.

Paula Lemos said...

Your buttons are all beautiful! I would be very happy with any of them. Thank you for the chance!
ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

Lelia said...

there is something in the air bothering our vehicles! Daughter has a car going into the shop --- mine needs a new head lamp. All the joys.

Love your blog + your buttons are so beautiful. Very creative!!!

Always, L.

Galatina said...

Hi, so sorry about the car - but look at the good things that have come out of it! ;-) Your buttons are stunning. Hope your year gets much better, x

Deb (Two Cheeky Monkeys) said...

Your embroidered buttons are so beautiful!

I am sorry to hear of your car troubles and hope they're sorted out soon!

Marilize said...

Your embroidery buttons are absolutely stunning - magic hands :)

So sorry to hear about your car. And then the courtesy car as well? Jeepers.

Thank you for a great giveaway and the chance to win it.

Marilize
marilize(dot)paulsen(at)gmail(dot)com

liberal sprinkles said...

Hello and happy new year. I would love some buttons please! And better luck with your next car!

Bezencilla said...

Hi! I love your buttons and would love to win them! Thanks and congratulations to the winners!

Debbie said...

Thanks for the nice giveaway! Your buttons are beautiful!

Cindy said...

I'd love to add some of your buttons to my collection. They are lovely.

rosa_malone1 said...

Your buttons are beautiful! This ts a great giveaway Thanks

QuilterLaura said...

ugh! Car troubles are such a pain! Just went through that with my son. Traded cars with him (who lives 3 hrs away, so not that easy) while his car was under repair and while he had mine, he was all packed up and ready to come home and MY car wouldn't start....what are you gonna do:? lol! Might as well laugh. Thx for the giveaway!

rosa_malone1 said...

Your buttons are beautiful! Thanks for such a lovely giveaway

Becky said...

Hi! Found you via Craft Gossip. Lovely buttons. I can really relate to the car issues, I had a total lemon when I was in my 20's and it was constantly breaking down. A loaner that breaks down would send me over the deep end, lol.

Pam @ Frippery said...

I am here via craft gossip. What beautiful work. I am a fledgling embroiderer and you are so inspiring! Thanks.

Clairecomp said...

Your buttons are so beautiful. I really like buttons, when I was little my Grandmother use to keep buttons in a tin and when I stayed with her I would play with them, I divided them up and they all had names, I don't remember anymore, but they say children have great imaginations don't they! So when I see buttons it reminds me of her, my Grandmother. I hope I can win some of yours, thanks.

Els said...

I often wonder how you do it .... making all this wonderful "stuff" (that's NOT a very nice word for your little gems, Karen!)

Jane S. said...

Cars! Necessary evils, I say! Hope yours gets fixed up quicly.

Thank you so much for the giveaway, I do love your buttons. :)

ReaderWoman said...

Delightful site, and wondrous buttons. Would love to win some!

Kim Reid said...

Love your beautiful buttons and would love to win!
Thank you :)
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear of your car troubles. At least your embroidery never shows any sign of trouble!

Crystal Arcand said...

I hope you get your car back very soon!

Unknown said...

The buttons are fabulous!! Sorry to hear about your car troubles...they are such a pain sometimes. Stitching helps me "zen out" in these stressful situations.

Anonymous said...

Your buttons are beautiful! I would be honored to win these

The Lavendar Tree said...

I'm in love with your work! Would love to win some buttons! :-)

Ann
The Lavendar Tree
www.thelavendartree.blogspot.com

liniecat said...

Hi Karen....you even manage to make pins look pristine lol

hazelg said...

Hi Karen from sunny Melbourne, Australia. Your work is exquisite and truly inspiring to a new textile artist-in-the-making. I love your white on white work and enjoyed your sketchbook video- my blank journal for 2012 is by my side and I'm now keen to begin! Thank you for such a beautiful, informative and generous site. I'd happily pay the postage for a button to Aus!!

hazelg said...

HI Karen from sunny Melbourne, Australia. I love your beautiful work especially your white on white embroidery. I watched your sketchbook video and enjoyed the process which leads to your stunning creations- my 2012 journal sits blank beside me and I am now inspired to get started! Thank you for your generous, informative site, from a textile artist-in-the-making! ps I'd happily pay the postage for a button to Aus.

MelissaD said...

Car troubles are never fun - but hopefully it means you have more time for stitching.
Your buttons are lovely and I'd love to win some :)

heartsease54 said...

I just found you & have become a new follower. I am so glad to see embroidery start to make a comeback here in the US. I used to design & teach needlework but now I quilt and am getting into some of the embroidery designs coming out of Australia. Nothing makes me happier than to see beautiful embroidery, whatever shape it takes.

Julie Morrow said...

Love, love, love your buttons!!!
fordjoann@yahoo.com

Evelyn Mayfield said...

So sorry about the double-whammy car troubles. Thank heaven for crafting - it's there to soothe us when we need soothing.

As for the buttons, how on earth can anyone choose from your beautiful buttons? Well, if I win, it will be a happy problem to work out.

JaneT said...

Hi, I love your buttons.

demmi said...

love the buttons
Sorry but that is so funny about your car.

con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

lag123 said...

So happy to have found your blog. The buttons are beautiful!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Lee said...

Sorry for the car troubles!! Hope its worked out soon for you. Thank you for the lovely giveaway - I adore buttons - yours are fabulous!