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, January 25, 2012

progress....




My white cloth for class is taking shape. I am managing to make a little progress on my surface embellishment although there is still quite a bit to do. I am making this one for my mum and I asked her for some cloth to include which holds special memories for her...she gave me two very dark patterned handkerchiefs...now there's a challenge, incorporating those into a white on white cloth. Still, I won't be beaten, plans are forming, ideas bursting forth...watch this space.....
also, don't forget the give away...just leave a comment here and your name will go in the hat...no deadline, I am nowhere near organised enough for any of that kind of competence!! 

15 comments:

deanna7trees said...

love the layers of prairie points. i already have some of your beautiful buttons so leave my name out of the hat. it's only fair that someone else gets a chance.

Unknown said...

Karen, this is fantastic work! I love your white flowers... so beautiful!
Masha

Beacee said...

The applique flowers are beautiful, but, ah, that little heart...

Joanna said...

I decided to do a cloth too and in amongst my stash of cloths from grandparents was a velvet crazy patchwork made up of dark greens and blues and so all my pieces are being sewn onto that. Should be a challenge, so light coloured pieces onto random dark pieces.

Loving your piece and I look forward to seeing how you incorporate those dark pieces into the work.

Peggy Holt said...

Your innovation never ceases to amaze me....hearts, no less....and are those darling flowers stuffed? And the embellished prairie points are ingenious.

Elizabeth said...

Each time I'm amazed what you can do in just white. The deadline arrives when you say it arrives, that is the surprise for all of us. (hihi)

Jeannie said...

So very beautiful. I love the eyelet in the heart. You make white on white so very beautiful.

Tammie Lee said...

this looks wonderful Karen ~

Lois Evensen said...

Beautiful! And, I just want to let you know I am keeping up as we are on the move again. :) We are on our way back to sea for another ten weeks.

Hugs,
Lois

Anonymous said...

Love the puffy little petals!

Jacky said...

Now that's thrown the cat (coloured fabric) amongst the pigeons (dark patterned handkerchiefs). What a challenge, but I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Jacky xox

Suztats said...

I love the applique flowers, and the heart. I'll be interested to see what develops with the dark fabrics.

marymac said...

Karen, your work is amazing I wish I had your talent. The piece you are working on for your mother is beautiful.

Helena said...

Oh, Karen, everytime I come here admiring I must go and do some embroidery too!!!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

A heart in cutwork - magnifico!!