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, June 7, 2011

buttons? what buttons...

No buttons this week. Thought I would get rid of some embroidery instead...a reward for you putting up with my ''moaning moments''. This picture is taken at an angle, it isn't really sideways, just photographs better that way. Call it a mini design sheet, a sketch book insert. A tiny mounted embroidery and a thread wrapped card, (attached, not randomly chucked in the envelope). As always, original to the last, just leave a comment.
Last weeks button recipient is Sue....postal details please.
See you soon, happier disposition guaranteed. 

35 comments:

Heather Woollove said...

So glad you're enjoying your 'little girl' at least! A bunch of mine are home from college...and, boy, is it loud and busy around here!! XXO-

Anonymous said...

It's lovely, Karen, spare but textural. Well done!

Kira said...

I feel like I'm looking through something into a mystery world! What can we glimpse through the shell-like holes?

dandelion said...

Were you at last night's Take That/Spinal Tap performance in Manchester?? Oh rats I meant to be nice about Take that so I could win your lovely embroidery! How is your blind hunt coming along?

Jane said...

Love the effect of the mount

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen!
I've missed the last giveaways but can't miss this!My very favourite colours! Beautiful!

Jane said...

So pretty! Please put me on the list!
Jane

cateriksson said...

Love everything that you do!

fabriquefantastique said...

somewhat 1940s colours.....a peek into the past

Flaming Nora said...

Ooh love the colours. Are they coloured french knots or beads. Eyesight failing me!

Doreen G said...

A beautiful piece Karen and I love the inclusion of the wrapped threads.

Poppy said...

Very nice. Love the colors!

Stancioli said...

This is lovely!

connie said...

Ok, I am going to throw my hat in the ring. I hope you are having a great day Karen. Ten days until I see my baby boy. :-) If you have any suggestions of clothing items that are a must for Sweden in the summer please let me know. Have a great day.

Brenda T said...

I love your samples! Is it hard to part with them? How lucky are we to enjoy them.

Karen said...

Hi Brenda, I trust that anyone who comes into possession of one of my pieces will cherish it just as much as I do....I do have some things though that I will never part with.......

Beacee said...

How beautiful! Love the colours and the way the emphasise the white.

Carol Q said...

oh yum - I want to climb inside those buttonholes and see what's there. (OMG - that sounds bonkers!) lol

Joanna said...

Always up for a freebie :), actually it would work well into a panel I am about to start making

Ferg 'N' Jude said...

Beautiful Karen, this little framed piece offset with the threads is exquisite. You have a great eye for detail.

jan b. said...

There's something about small, tiny pieces that I find very appealing. This one is oh, so precious. I also like that tiny pocket on the piece in the previous post.

Sea Angels said...

Beautiful inspiring work Karen..and it just keeps getting more and more beautiful xxx
Lynn xx

Iceni UK said...

Karen, please add me to your list, I love, love all your work.
Hugs.

Yvonne Moxon said...

I love it! and I know I won the buttons last week and there will be tutting behind screens but I just wanted to comment and say how lovely it is :o)...and win it of course!
Yvonne

Anonymous said...

Your work is lovely, as always! :)

That thread-wrapped card is interesting to me - I watched a (very good) video about color in fiberarts last week and the presenter was making up wrapped cards like that. Was the first time I had every encountered the idea.

Did you learn that in school? I assume the purpose is to let you test out color combo ideas before committing to them on the piece?

:) Linda

Sheeprustler said...

I learnt how to do that thread winding colour sampler thing at college, it is a good idea. And Ilove how youh ave turned it into part of the design!

Suztats said...

Such a lovely composition! I'd love to win it. Thanks for the opportunity.

EH said...

Wonderful, I am greatly inspired by this! I would love to have it!

Sherry said...

Beautiful work!!!

Gill said...

The circles remind me of limpet shells!
Congratulations to Sue!

Anonymous said...

Would love to be included in your give away please. I love all your work - but often wonder how you have time to do it all!
Dianne F

Tammie Lee said...

gorgeous colors and stitchery!

Stitcher said...

That is so cute!!!

Anonymous said...

Am I too late? Fingers crossed I'm not as your giveaways have to be the prettiest I've ever seen.

Best of luck with the ironing.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Getting RID of??? Yikes!! That's just wrong on so many levels, but lucky is the winner of some of your work...