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







Friday, March 30, 2012

surfaces



This is my piece so far for extending embellishment. Teacher is way behind everyone else. Isn't that always the way? It is at this school anyway........I can't be rushed though...the girls however are doing great, brilliant images here if you want to look
My piece....well I love the mix of surfaces that are evolving on this piece...silk backing. vintage cloth inserts, scrim lace, stitched paper and a ton of Bullion knots.....I have plans for a little cutwork and an open area of sorts. I haven't got that one figured out yet though...it needs work and possibly another sample, we shall see.
Registration is still ongoing for the next wrapping cloth class....you could learn about this, this and all of this. Just pop here to read more....OK can't hang around, housework calling!

13 comments:

connie said...

This is lovely Karen. Love the color peaking through!

Peggy Holt said...

I stay away for a couple of days only to come back and find almost more than my mind can comprehend. I simply must learn how you are creating that embroidered air.....I can see another class is my future...perhaps this late summer or most certainly this fall...Just too much to do right now to concentrate on this beautiful work.

I am dumbfounded with this stunning beauty.

Dolores said...

Love, love, love those hidden colourful bits and those raised holes.

Rachel said...

You have a lovely variety of textures here, Karen!

barbara l. hale said...

I love looking at what's going on in your classes. So many creative people out there.

deanna7trees said...

love those sheer windows. been out in the garden all morning. need to get on with the stitching.

Iceni UK said...

Karen, love your work, so special, always beautiful pure and pristine embroidery it is awesome...

Carol Q said...

ooh, love your trapped colours and stitches Karen!

Jeannie said...

Like Peggy said, miss a couple of days and the mind struggles to wrap itself around all the ethereal beauty. I love the knots and the bits of color. Your portfolio work is fabulous as well. I am going to clear the decks for a class in the near future. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Suztats said...

Bullion wrapped edges of wispy lace over half-hidden flowers in gorgeous colours......wonderful! I love it!

stitchinglife said...

I'm loving the way this new work is evolving, Karen.

Anonymous said...

The needleweaving is fab - it allows such tantalising glimpses through at the colours underneath!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

oooooh - the colours peeping through the weaving are so pretty!! Being surrounded with bullion stitches just shows the colours off to perfection.