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, April 16, 2012

joined



The lacy edge I created is now joined to the lower edge of another piece of work. It compliments the larger piece so well, finishes it, completes it. I backed it last night and will show you that tomorrow. I feel a real sense of accomplishment with this....mirrors, buttons, French knots, lace, they all blend so beautifully....It also has that weight thing going on. You know.....when you have something in your hands and it's not heavy but you can feel the substance of it. It isn't fragile yet it doesn't weigh you down.....you remain aware of its preciousness...I may put it in the shop...I can't decide....

11 comments:

Jane said...

I really love that heavily emellished edge at the moment, contrasts beautifully with the lightnest of the lace

deanna7trees said...

all those hours of work sure do make for a beautiful, precious piece. i love it.

Suztats said...

I love that band of french knotted bliss interspersed with mirrors and buttons ......I want to run my fingers over it and feel the texture

Rachel said...

The textures shift beautifully from the French knots to the scrim.

Gayle said...

I love the use of the buttons in the top photo...and the mirrors are a wonderful addition. I enjoy reading through your posts when I get the chance. :)

Carol Q said...

i just love the delicacy of this Karen.

sharon young said...

There are only so many superlatives in the English language and I think I've used them all describing your work, so I'll have to repeat myself.
Stunning! And I know just what you mean about the weight, there's something luxurious about a cloth that weighs right in your hand. I love,the use of buttons and shisha mirrors together, inspired :-)

Jillayne said...

Weight...yes, I know just what you mean. Holding something and knowing it is just right - this is such a beautiful piece and as you say, all blend together perfectly. It truly is lovely!

jill said...

Simply beautiful

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Oh my word! Karen, this is stunningly beautiful.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I simply can't imagine the number of hours that have gone into the creation of this piece. However would you be able to set a price on it?