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, October 1, 2010

hectic.....

Before I set off on my international jet setting I thought I would show you how my throw is coming along. First is the latest section, a simple 6 patch using gingham, ticking and some of my own hand painted fabric that I am sure you will have seen before. It's nowhere near finished yet and I have deliberatley left the selvedge visible on the pink gingham because I think it's lovely. I love the colours in there, the frayed threads. It's a really beautiful edge. Then a quick laying together of the 3 pieces I have so far to get an impression of how it's going to work. What do you think?


I still have quite a bit of stuff to do before I get going tomorrow but I wanted to post these images, say goodbye in a better frame of mind and clear a couple of things up. I will continue to blog without a doubt it's just that I have had the chance for a while to do a diffrent kind of work, still embroidery, but for someone else who wouldn't want it showing online. So if I do that I won't have as much to blog about, hence less blogging but not a total disappearing act. I don't know how that will work out, how I will feel about it once I am doing it, I may hate it but I really think I have to try. If it doesn't work out at least I won't be always wondering ''what if''. Secondly, I am closing the shop indefinitely at around 5 p.m. today. Thing is I have felt really sad since I made that decision although for now I am sticking with it. I may open again when I am more inclined to handle the downs as well as the ups but close it will, at least for a while. That doesn't mean that you can't ask me for something though, my e-mail is on here, you can comment. I will still take on specific things wherever I can. So that's about it I think, I am going on my holidays tomorrow, lots of thinking, relaxing and maybe a little retail therapy. See you soon, miss you already!! x

20 comments:

meri said...

Enjoy your holidays, Karen!xx

sylviesgarden said...

Oh Karen, it's lovely.
I hope you have a great holiday.
x

Sally said...

This is just beautiful work as always! Have a safe journey -

deanna7trees said...

the piece is scrumptious. wishing you a great holiday full of rest and lots of fun...will miss you...

lindaschiffer said...

Karen, do enjoy your holiday! I think your lap piece is lovely!

Change is hard, I know. Good luck with the thinking part ... and do enjoy your time away - recharge those creative batteries. :)

Linda

Lois Evensen said...

Have a wonderful holiday. Your throw is just beautiful, as is all of your work.

Anonymous said...

Exquisite, as usual. Enjoy your holiday, relax and come back refreshed.

Suztats said...

This piece is so crisp and fresh...like a touch of spring. May you have a wonderful holiday! Feed your soul and 'fill your well'. Wishing you All the Best with your new choices, hoping it brings you pleasure and success.

connie said...

XOXOXO Have a wonderful holiday!!!

Miriam Weaver said...

Have a great holiday! Good luck with your new venture, maybe I should have said adventure.

Jane said...

The throw is going to be stunning, I love this latest addition.
Have a great holiday
xx

Gina said...

Have a lovely time away and I'm looking forward to seeing the throw in its final form eventually!

Elizabeth said...

After so much color, probably due to all the things happening, I wish you a colorful, adventures and most of all a holiday to relax.

Have a great time.

xoxo e.

jill said...

Phew Im so glad I got an order in before your holiday. Have a great holiday and come back well rested and raring to go. Love the work.

Rachel said...

Enjoy your holiday and come back refreshed and re-energised! We are looking forward to hearing more about your projects when you return.

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful time. The throw is looking fabulous :-)

Unknown said...

Have a lovely time and recharge your batteries. I just love reading your blog and seeing your exquisite work. Coincidentally I am going to Stockholm on Saturday - just for the day - with a group of my textile friends. Anyway, have fun.

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Have a wonderful time ... enjoy ...

Anonymous said...

I'll be so sad not to be able to read your blog each few days! I often find it motivates me to do some more embroidery and to try new ideas. The hexagons have taken me back in time to my childhood in
Wales when we used to make them in school for quilts for the soldiers- and that was in the 1940's!!
Have a good holiday and come back refeshed.
Dianne in Oz

Amelia said...

happy hols and look forward to you coming back :)

Amelia.x