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, July 6, 2012

printing....



I have been printing pictures of my own work, work that I no longer own. It's a good way to remember and even be inspired. It also looks vastly different in print, sections, stitches are sharpened, tone and colour changes, darkens in this instance. I may never use these for anything but I will just be able to look at them if I need a reminder and proof that I actually made them. My hexagon has been applied too. It was damp stretched overnight. This piece is for a new cloth I have started and a new cloth for which I ordered new 'vintage' white cloth yesterday. Now I am waiting patiently although it's still a little bit early to start stalking the post man.

10 comments:

Rachel said...

Looking at photographs of your own work can be a very odd experience, can't it. Sometimes they emphasize things you didn't notice at the time; sometimes they conceal things you thought you remembered. Very odd!

Elizabeth said...

They look gorgeous. Maybe you can put them in the shop for those who are scared of the white becoming dirty. Just an idea from your long lost little pa.

Jane said...

Our poor postman has just been, with disintegrating parcels in his hand. It hasn't stopped raining all morning. I still have your little booklet of embroidery, I love looking at the photos in there

debbie eaves said...

You are very good at being able to arrange your work to emphasize elements. I can't seem to get lighting right to where the pictures show the actual work like that.

Carol Q said...

I dunno Karen - you even make rolled up photos look artistic lol. I think looking at photos of your work allows you to be much more objective too.

deanna7trees said...

some inspiration here for ledger pages.

Tammie Lee said...

they are wonderful to see
people might enjoy purchasing them to frame and have on their walls?!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

You KNOW what I'm going to say, don't you? Book, hint, book, hint, book....hint, hint, hint.

Jacky said...

Karen these look wonderful in print...so much depth when you see with shadows, some wonderful definition.
I think you should make a book!!! It would be wonderful poring over a book or your contemporary stitching.
Am trying to load your little video for a peek...4 minutes is 'do-able' on our slow system. Looking forward to it.

Jacky xox

eva a(r)t work said...

Hi Karen,
I am so excited about your new class in August. I've been studying the supply-list.Some things seem to be easier to get than others. We'll see...You buy "vintage cotton"? I remember those days when you could get old tablecloth etc cheap and easy at the local "flea-market"...but nowadays?
Have a great weekend,
eva