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, August 26, 2011

contrast...




At the moment my days are white, my evenings a riot of colour. Daytime consists of piecing white, embellishing with white, typing about white, creating white titivations.....evenings....colourful and bright, additions and work onto my second toe wrap. The day job is in preparation for my class, which is rapidly filling up and will be closed for registration this coming Sunday. If you have been in a cupboard and it has passed you by there is more information HERE. I have to say that for it to have passed you by you would need to have been in a cupboard...I haven't stopped banging on about it for a week!! Sorry about that...
I am way behind on my blog reading and comment responses. I am once again prostrate at your feet begging forgiveness and promising that you will see me over the weekend so get the kettle on and make some cakes.
Home is quiet, my son flew to the U.S. on Tuesday so it's just me and the other half who is never here because I send him to work every day and when he is here he takes me out to eat, so I have no excuse other than I am doing teacher like stuff...
Yesterday I made some more Rouleau Loops for this piece and am hoping to show you those next time. I have also been stitching little 'bumps', tiny padded circles which you can see on the picture above edged with French Knots...they are sooooo cute! So I'm busy but in the best possible way and believe it or not I even managed to do a bit of housework....I will take a pat on the back for that and count my blessings that I am able to do what I love and occasionally clean up too.

11 comments:

Jane said...

Very pretty. I'm looking forward to seeing this one in the whole

deanna7trees said...

my quilting friend signed up for you class and we are both anxious to start. love the french knots edging the padded circles and maybe i will get to make some.

Suztats said...

Love the candy cane rouleaus and white icing flowers! Did someone say cake? Love the fabric bumps surrounded by tiny icing balls.....

Lois Evensen said...

Hi Karen,

The color is lovely as is the white always lovely.

I've photographed the beautiful beads you sent that I won in your give-away. They'll be coming in a few days to my blog. ;)

I'm finishing up home topics now in preparation for our journey back to the ship in two weeks. We'll be aboard for another ten weeks. This would be a perfect life for someone with at least two personalities. ;)

Huge hugs for huge success for your classes!

Lois

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Lovely bright red with the white, Karen. I know your course will go well. Hope all is going to plan. Now, about your visit over the weekend ... I take it if I bake cakes in preparation, you will want to take them home with you and maybe even use one of them to shock your mother...?!
Have a lovely weekend, xxx

Gayle said...

Love, love, love the red and white loops!

Carol Q said...

ooh Karen those cotton candy cane colours are such a zingy contrast against the white. also love the contrast between the little "porthole" on the second piece next to the little "mound" (sorry that makes it sound so basic!)

Tammie Lee said...

gorgeous Karen, gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

The rouleaux area lovely, and the little sprigged spots are delightful.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I feel all Christmas-y now because I'm thinking of candy canes and all sorts of treats that come in stockings. Have to admit I like your loops and spots MUCH better than candy!!

Mosaic Magpie said...

Love the fresh colors surrounded by all the white and that lovely stitching! Good for you to go out to eat. Teachers don't have time to cook!
Deb