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







Sunday, March 29, 2009

Cushions and more cushions!

Lots and lots of pictures today, yes we have sunshine! For some reason though I am still not happy with my images. I know why, it's because basically I am not happy today so nothing will please me!! The reason, I have hurt my leg, 5 hours at the hospital and the diagnosis, tendonitis apparently. So it is all strapped up and I am under strict instructions to keep it elevated, not easy when you need to use a sewing machine or measure and cut fabric. I am a terrible invalid, grumpy, irritable, miserable, have sympathy for those around me. So I am typing this with my leg sort of in the air, not a pretty sight!!
Consequently there hasn't been any new embroidery started this week, I am terrified of having nothing new to show you mid week so will be onto that as soon as I have finished here. In the meantime my cushion fronts were hanging there, pinned to the wall crying ''please make me into a proper cushion''!!

So, and don't tell my doctor, the leg came down and I made three of these little pads to go inside.


Then I made this button to finish off the transfer cushion. Now this I could do sitting with the leg in the air!

and Voila!! We have three new cushions, one a gift, two to sell.





Now I have a proper little cushion factory going on at home. They all look so good together that it will actually be very hard to part with any of them.



I will definitely be back midweek. There may not be much to show you but trust me I will do my best. x

23 comments:

Jane said...

What have you been doing to get tendonitis in your leg? The cushions look great. My favourite is the one with the little woven flowers and seed stitching. Hope the leg gets plenty of rest and feels better soon

Jackie said...

I really really love the one with the pale turquoise running stitch grid and the seed stitch around the holes. Absolutely gorgeous work.
Look after your leg..Oh..but it might warrant a bit of time off....!

Joei Rhode Island said...

So sorry to hear about your misery...(I'm not a good invalid either!). Hope it is better soon.
I love all three of the pieces but my favorite is the pale one with tiny flowerettes in circles.
To the couch with you! And keep that leg elevated whilst you embroider

Victoria said...

They are all so pretty Karen, and I adore the one with the blue, green and pink circles, all adorned with seed stitches.

So sorry to hear about your leg. Try to rest a bit, (I know it's hard with so many ideas wanting to be born!) Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Jody Pearl said...

...love!

Anonymous said...

karen this is mum i confirm she will love her cushion and please do keep that leg up!

Guzzisue said...

keep that leg up :-) I know its tiresome, maybe hand embroidery and a glass of something nice?

Diane Cransac said...

I send you many wishes for quick recovery. So sorry to hear this. Your cushions look so crisp and springlike. They go perfectly with that bright sun out there!

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Your cushions look so lovely together.
I like seeing all the different stitches.
Do take it easy with your leg,I advise laying on the sofa and doing some hand stitching.

méri said...

Oh!hope you recover soon, Karen!

If I have to choose...I'll choose all the cushions, of course!

méri said...

And TAKE CARE! Leg UP, please

Karen said...

thanks everyone for the sympathy and the orders to keep my leg up!!! I have been trying, honest!

Threadspider said...

You get back on your feet- literally-as soon as you are better and not before. You could always show us some more of your sketchbooks on Wednesday...

Gina said...

The cushions look great all piled up together. Hope your leg gets better soon. x

Jacky said...

The cushions looks fantastic all displayed together... however will you part with them???

Good luck with the leg!

jennyflowerblue said...

Awwww, poor you! At least you have something beautiful to look at as you mend yourself. Best wishes to your nearest and dearest!

suesue said...

fabulous cushions! take care of your leg. i had tendonitis and didn't take it seriously and have damaged my foot permanently. yes-it does me grumpy sometimes!!

www.potsandpins.com said...

Sorry to read about your leg - hope it's better soon...but you'd better follow the doc's advise! I think you're really onto something with those pillows - I mean cushions - they are fabulous! So beautiful and cheery - I'll bet they sell like hotcakes at a loggers convention! xo, Nan

Art4Sol said...

My favorite is the one with the abundance of seed stitching...Beautiful work.

Francesca said...

all so gorgeous.

Showpony said...

these are great, love the details in your work.

Anonymous said...

Hope your leg is soon healed and you are feeling better in yourself. The work is beautiful as always... Take it easy, be kind to yourself!

Katy Swift said...

Beautiful. Gorgeous. I love them. You're so clever. And naughty! Stay off your feet until your better!