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, October 12, 2011

inspiration?





I'm feeling a little strange today. I finished Helen's cloth last night, the one I made along with my class on 'embroider, embellish, create' and it signals the end of that little chapter. Now I'm a little lost, not sure really, floundering maybe. I think that does tend to happen when a major project is finished and you are faced with a huge expanse of time to fill. What to do? What to make? Nothing isn't the answer, not an option. I can in no way imagine myself without anything to embroider....no way. Never mind withdrawals, it would be a nightmare.
So in order to gain a little inspiration the sketchbooks are out...just looking for now and pondering, yes quietly pondering. I do have this to finish and of course I am making buttons for my new class but finishing the white cloth for Helen has left a massive hole that needs to be filled.
I think the rest of my day will be spent in quiet contemplation, gazing at sketchbooks....

18 comments:

Tatkis said...

All those photos looks so nice!
Wish you to get back your inspiration :)

Hugs,
Tatyana

Jane said...

Sometimes we just need a little time to get a piece out of our system so we're mentally and emotionally free for another project. With such beautiful things to look at, I am sure inspiration will soon strike.

deanna7trees said...

I have so many unfinished projects that there is always something to pick up and continue. love the sketchbooks.

Elizabeth said...

Thank you for let us gaze with you in your very beautiful journals.

(video, please!!!!)

(yes, I'm a video-addicted, lol)

dandelion said...

Oh I generally love people's sketchbooks and I love your sketchbooks in particular, I'm sure you'll soon be on your way again. Every time I read your blog now I hear your voice reading it out in my head. I just thought you would like to know :o) (I should say that being from the North myself I'm quite happy to hear a Lancashire accent)

Kate x

Joanna said...

I know the feeling and quite looking forward to it when I wind down for winter :o)

MarieE said...

It's creative postpartum depression- I get it every time I finish a big project. Usually for me it means time to look at art to get the juices flowing again, or I'll do a studio tidy-up, something routine. Just being in your space with your materials around can help. Sketchbooks, of course, are an excellent choice!

Tammie Lee said...

thread and cloth
sketches and paper
you make magic with these things

i am guessing you have already begun something....

Mosaic Magpie said...

What great sketchbooks! I love how you have all that inspiration at the tips of your fingers. I know what you mean about having something to work on....but with all my ufo's there is an abundance to keep me busy!
Deb

Carrie said...

Those sketchbooks look gorgeous, I love rifling through other people's books! I reckon you'll be onto your next project by the end of the week.

Sheeprustler said...

Whenever I feel like that I while away some time looking through books - craft books, art books, anything that tickles my fancy at the time. sometimes I knit a sock, because that is contemplative. Your sketchbooks are wonderful! We were taught to do that when I did my Diploma but I fear I lost the habit - I should start it up again!!

Jeannie said...

Your sketchbooks are amazing! I want to sit down and look at every page! I have never found the discipline to create and keep up a sketchbook, but yours have inspired me. I always feel let down after a big project. Kind of like the Christmas blues. But I am confident you will find a new project to immerse yourself. (Loved the video.)

Suztats said...

Lovely sketches, Karen.
Finishing a big project is like having company leave.....the house is suddenly quiet, and feels a little empty......and I am missing the other voices, the sounds of other footsteps.............I am at odds with myself although there is still a need....

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

A few hours spent gazing at these sketchbooks and ideas seems a very pleasant way to pass an afternoon! I hope you found the inspiration to get you started on the next project.

Anonymous said...

So you're just looking too :-) Your sketchbooks are just delightful, I love seeing the pages.

DIAN said...

enjoy the quiet contemplation. You have put a lot of yourself into these special cloths and now you should just let them gently settle into the fabric of your life

Anonymous said...

Your sketchbooks certainly look full of ideas!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I expect I'm not the first one to say this, but if you're REALLY wanting to do another cloth I must remind you that I have volunteered to be your adopted relative. Will send my address under separate cover...