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, November 23, 2011

white cutwork...





There are two pieces of my new white cloth here. One you have seen before but I put it on today so that you could see how it's coming together. The piece with cross stitch and the base fabric I don't like, remember? now has cutwork added. I am very happy with how they look side by side and feel this cloth will be as lovely as the one I made for Helen. However......I am a little lacking in motivation. Don't know why, don't know what's going on, feeling a little droopy, a little over tired maybe...who knows.....I am hoping it's temporary and that a little less sewing and a little more flicking through inspirational books, sketchbooks, magazines will give me a kick.
Part of me feels as if I want a WHOLE new direction...to where? Haven't a clue...a new project to excite me, I hope I can find it from somewhere deep within soon as I really hate feeling like this. I'm not unhappy...more 'creatively barren''....not a good place to be when everything you do depends on keeping the creative juices flowing. So as I can't think of what to sew today I thought I would bore you all instead, sorry about that......I will be chirpy from here on in.
Karen's Global Embroidery School opened for the winter today.It's all very exciting and as soon as my girls have created something I will point you in their direction so you can take a look and I promise that when I come back I will be newly invigorated...honest!!

14 comments:

Lois Evensen said...

Hi Karen,

Your work looks so gorgeous as always! I am delighted to hear your school is going so well.

We are just home from ten weeks on the high seas. I am so happy to have my high speed connection again so I am able to get into your and other blogs.

I have to apologize for not getting to the crocheted purse I have designed in my brain that I was going to use to display your pretty buttons. I have had so many special orders that I just haven't done it yet. That sounds like a good problem, and it is, but I really want to make something for myself! Pictures of it will appear on my blog when I get it made.

It is wonderful to be home! We just got into Cincinnati yesterday and the kids are already after us to do something every day and every evening. :)

How was your vacation?

Huge hugs,
Lois

Anonymous said...

If your weather is anything like ours, that will be reason enough for feeling droopy!

Love all those crisp textures, though - nothing droopy there!

deanna7trees said...

i admire people who can focus on one thing and keep going. i have to be working on several different type projects to keep the creative juices flowing. inspiration is everywhere so i'm sure there is something that will get you back on track.

Jane said...

I am sure you will have fun with the students in your next class and you'll find what you're looking for soon.

Elizabeth said...

Your white-work is so you, so gorgeous, so fragile. Just love to see how you are gonna incorportate your mothers colourful hankies.

Mosaic Magpie said...

I get that same feeling from time to time. Recently I have felt as though my fabric stash is just overwhelming me. So I have had a proper clean out. Numberous black bags full of fabric later, I am starting to see some order. Hopefully with a clean fresh palette I can focus. I am sure you are still suffering jet lag from your trip and will be feeling bright fresh soon.
Deb

Anonymous said...

Beautiful whitework. I find it's the 'times between' that turn out to be the most productive. And winter is always such a good time to delve within and reflect. And then of course there's Harrogate... ;-)

Tammie Lee said...

oh how very beautiful Karen.
wishing you a muse that helps you along.

Hoola Tallulah said...

I plan on joining Karens Embroidery pronto! Will be after crimbo now, budget allowing, am most excited!

Sheeprustler said...

Maybe you should try blackwork for a while... Or it;s the post holiday blahs or something.

fabriquefantastique said...

Karen, you take the most beautiful, professional photos. I'm sure the muse will visit you soon.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Being droopy could still be a bit to do with jet lag AND combining that with a flu shot might not help. Not only that - December and Christmas can be downers when we think about all the stuff we think we have to get done in order to have a 'proper' celebration. Why do we do that to ourselves?

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Good luck with your new course, Karen. And welcome back! Hope you're feeling back in the swing of your embroidery work now.
Have a lovely weekend.

Unknown said...

C'est magnifique, rien d'autre à ajouter.