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







Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Wednesday already, the weeks go so quickly but then it follows that the weekends do too. Apart from working I have been stitching my fingers to the bone, continuing the work I showed you at the weekend and other stuff too. By the time I get in from work, sort out the meal then the dishes, then settle to my embroidery I figure I am only managing maybe two hours embroidery a night. Poor time management maybe.....I think I need to focus. I definitely want to get the shop updated but that isn't going to happen for at least a week. Then there is the book, still not sure about that, it looks so flat on screen. I am going to have to jump in and get one published for me, take a look, see what I think, make adjustments if I have to and take it from there. All this stuff is still going on even if I don't mention it here, it's all up there in my brain churning around. I've got some more work here from 2003. The dreaded machine embroidery! These samples were from the module for the tie, (I posted about it before do you remember?) Same thing, screen printed fabric heavy machine embroidery, still in the mounts for assessment.





I've also managed to join a few of the hexagons for 'swaddling band three'. Now this really is therapeutic work, a real pleasure. But focus.....this will have to wait now until the book and the shop are sorted out. I am fed up of juggling. It is half term in a little over two weeks and I have the builders coming. ( I think I am begining to regret that now, can't bear the thought of the mess!!!) and I am determined that my week off will not be dominated by building related angst, embroidery has to take place, it has to. So my goal is to get to february 23rd with an updated shop, 1 copy of a book and a new, enormous bedroom. Wish me luck!





and, can I say, if I owe you a comment or a visit or an e-mail I am truly sorry. I don't know where the time goes but I promise I haven't forgotten about you I think about you all the time!

9 comments:

Ulla said...

Lovely new hexagons!

connie said...

I love the hexagons! Keep embroidering through the building it will keep you sane. Good Luck

Jane said...

The hexagons are looking good, love the raised flower centres

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Love the patchwork Karen.x

Maya Sara Matthew said...

How does one use a swaddling band?
your work is very inspiring.

Jacky said...

Lovely to see more of the "ties". I love that freestyle embroidery.

Your new hexagons are wonderful. I love how you use vintage embroideries and fabrics.

Hope life settles down for you a bit soon and that you can relax and enjoy your stitching.

Diane Cransac said...

As always, beautiful work! I hope you make it through this month of hectic building and such. Hopefully those moments that you steal away to embroidery will keep you calm and centered. Remember in the end you have the reward of a grand new space to live in. Good Luck!

Gina said...

Wishing you lots of luck! Love the hexagons Karen.

Victoria said...

Everything you show continuely fascinates and intrigues me.