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, May 8, 2012

playing and preparation





Yes it's colour, don't pass out. It's just a little something I am sampling and if I ever get my fingers working fast enough you will hear about this in my May newsletter which will be with you before May is out....honest. It's kind of strange working in this sugary palette when I am working in white for the embroidery class.  This however was an evening, my white for class will continue for weeks......
Today I have circles of  white cotton lawn waiting for a little attention, to be applied to my cloth and adorned. I'm sure French knots will feature there too...white ones.


23 comments:

Jane said...

So pretty

Suztats said...

Perfectly proportioned french knot circles! Love the ice cream parlour colours....soft, yet inviting.
Why don't my french knots look like yours?

Tina said...

Karen-

This was such a pleasant site this morning-you have raised my curiosity. I hope you have a fabulous day!

deanna7trees said...

yummy.

Unknown said...

Easter candy!

Rachel said...

It's certainly a change, but light and airy, just like the white!

Lois Evensen said...

Oooh, pretty colors!

jan b. said...

Is that base fabric silk? It looks very much like a vintage piece that I've been hoarding ... although mine is a warm creamy ecru tone.

Karen said...

OK I just deleted three comments by mistake!!! Peggy, Carol and Annet...I am sorry!!!

Bree at "Bree's Way" said...

I love these colors, so pretty, delicate and pastel, very nice :)

Bluebell said...

Hi Karen, I have just found your site and love it, will you be doing the button workshop again, I had a look but it is sold out.

Jill

stitchinglife said...

oh, nice!

Karen said...

Annet has left a new comment on your post "playing and preparation":

Such yummie knots! I stitched a lot of white ones today, but my first block is still not finished.

Moderate comments for this blog.

Posted by Annet to karen ruane at May 8, 2012 4:24 PM

Karen said...

Peggy Holt has left a new comment on your post "playing and preparation":

Yummm...little dots of fondant

Moderate comments for this blog.

Posted by Peggy Holt to karen ruane at May 8, 2012 5:04 PM

Karen said...

Carol Q has left a new comment on your post "playing and preparation":

ooh, don't they look gorgeous on that white fabric?

Moderate comments for this blog.

Posted by Carol Q to karen ruane at May 8, 2012 5:21 PM

Lynda said...

These look edible almost. I can't wait to see what you do with these!

The Sewing Basket said...

Very, very pretty Karen. The soft colours may not be white but the perfection of the stitch reads "you" just as easily.
It's just lovely!

Jillayne said...

Karen - I just left a comment using my work ID - the Sewing basket - should have been my own profile - Jillayne
Sorry!

Ingrid said...

Love your french knots in any colour:)

Dee / Cloth Company said...

still subtle...

Barbara said...

Wonderful.... :)
x

Yvonne Moxon said...

Where would we be without your beautiful pictures to drool over, tempting us to get out threads and needles out :)

Magpie's Mumblings said...

These look like delicious little candies!