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, May 19, 2012

hearts and lace




Just a small corner of my white cloth. Four cutwork love hearts with a lace insert. I bought this lace in London from a vintage shop. It was ridiculously cheap. There are yards and yards of it and it is so fine and delicate I think I found a treasure.
This cloth will be a gift for someone special. She doesn't have internet....unusual I know but good for me in this situation. It needs a label, a label printed with a long sentence which says something we share, kind of a private thought. It's not private in the sense that I can't share but the meaning only makes sense to us. When I have my label I will share and explain. Meantime I need to start work on my May newsletter, pictures of cakes from my afternoon tea with Alice in Wonderland, news of a new class, a little rambling.....note to self, get brain in gear!

13 comments:

Suztats said...

Those hearts are so precious with the lace beneath. I like the look of dimensions it gives your cloth. Lucky friend!

Unknown said...

lovely hearts. The fabric reminds me of my graduation dress. New Class? I am so excited.....

Iceni UK said...

beautiful hearts beautiful embroidery. A new class and a newsletter.......can't wait!!!!:)

deanna7trees said...

lace and hearts are perfect companions.

Lois Evensen said...

Just lovely. :)

Tammie Lee said...

so lovely
the cloth, stitching and the gift

Jane said...

This is one of my favourites

Tatkis said...

Adorable, delicate hearts!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Marica Sevelj said...

So delicate looking. Love the effect of the lace hearts.
As for the new class - I can't wait to hear about it even though I am only into week three of my first class with you.

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

These hearts are beautiful! I love this idea and always enjoy your gorgeous work.

Elizabeth said...

So gorgeous!

You know people without internet? It is an endangered species so be careful with your special friend.

Rachel said...

Gorgeous glimpses of delicate lace through your little heart-shaped windows!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

ooooh - I just had a thought - wouldn't those hearts be absolutely gorgeous on a lamp shade with the light softly shining through? They're beautiful here of course, but I can't help thinking about lamp shades.