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







Saturday, October 29, 2011

paper and thread....





Something a little different for you today. Well it is paper and I do put a lot of that on here too but I didn't want anyone to get bored looking at embroidery and cloth so I am trying to keep you awake as it where. These have been on here before in an earlier stage. Since then I have added hand stitch and pricking. I originally made these as stand alone sketchbook pages and wasn't sure what to do with them after that. They are comprised of machine stitched paper, collage and wrapped threads. I have a little stash of machine stitched paper, some from ages ago and I tend to make a little more when the machine is up for something else. I wasn't certain they were finished and coming across them again recently I decided I wanted to hand sew onto them so that is what I have done. 
I'm not guaranteeing they are going to be finished before I go away but I had the urge to work on them last night and so far have added some French knots, some running stitch and some pricking along an edge. I know for sure that I won't be working on these tonight. Tonight I want to finish the bumpy section of cloth I showed you yesterday....hopefully you will see that tomorrow.

19 comments:

Unknown said...

I love this stitch on paper. How about a class on that?

Jane said...

stunning, reminds me of lichen

deanna7trees said...

I love how you have created that frilly looking edge.

Mosaic Magpie said...

How cool are these! Now, I must ask what kind of paper stands up to all those stitches?
Deb

connie said...

Good Morning Karen, These pages are lovely as usual. I love the feel of stitching on paper with the sewing machine! I hope everything is coming together for your trip!!! When do you get to go?

Anonymous said...

I'm just loving all of the textures you've created on this paper. Gorgeous.

XO Diane

Elizabeth said...

It looks just fabulous!!!!

Enjoy your bumpy section tonight.

twining1 said...

I am so drawn to this type of work. You know how much I love it! I totally agree... how about a class showing these techniques? Have a good trip!

Hoola Tallulah said...

Ah so so pretty and delicate, totally dreamy!

Tammie Lee said...

bored, don't think that will happen
these, all the details, shapes, holes and more are wonderful to see.

Heather Woollove said...

What wonderful pieces! I hope you have a terrific trip. You're not coming to Philadelphia, are you?!?
I would love to meet you in person!! XXO-

Jeannie said...

Beautiful! It reminds me of sea spray or the foam that is left from the tide. Enjoy your bumps!

Joanna said...

Some great textural work, love the way it works well together

Carol Q said...

love seeing your stitching on paper Karen. it virtually sends a shiver down my spine! lol

Lois Evensen said...

I hope you're having a blast on your trip! :)

Hugs,
Lois

Anonymous said...

Delightful and intriguing, Karen!

Suztats said...

What!?! Bored with your cloth stitching??? Not ever likely, as you know. I'm addicted, I am......

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I think your paper fragments would look stunning mounted in a frame on a black background (perhaps velvet?). That would be ever so stunning!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous Karen! :-D