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







Thursday, June 7, 2012

seed stitch





After spending a great day with my niece I arrived home late last night so didn't get any embroidery accomplished for the whole day. Can you imagine that, a whole day without me picking up embroidery? I made up for it earlier today though, a tiny section of seed stitch added to my 'thinking scrap' and captured on video for you. I can also be seen doodling....
Next week I am going to have a much anticipated hermit like existence. My other half and my son are off to Spain on Monday for a 'Stag do'.... (bachelor party). Four whole days of solitude and I can't wait, just me, my locked front door and my embroidery. No meals to cook, (I will snack on cold stuff and drink lots of coffee)...no car journeys to make, no shopping to do...heaven. Much as I love them I feel privileged to be able to lock myself away without a care.....I am counting the minutes.

13 comments:

Helga said...

I love your work.
LG,
Helga

Helena said...

Hi, Karen. You have plenty of time to make a lot of lovelly things. Enjoy.

Jane said...

I know exactly how you feel, the boys are away for just over a week at the end of the month, and it's the time I shut myself away.
The seeding stitch looks so delicate on here, very pretty

deanna7trees said...

great video. i love that you're using you-tube videos now so i can make it full screen. beautiful piece of work.

ersimarina said...

What a beautiful, easy way to embellish a cloth! First time I see seed stitches, I'll try them on my work. Yours looks absolutely lovely.

And the part of locking the door and enjoying peaceful creation is very familiar, have a great time!

henrietta (aka ani aka zani) said...

well, ms woolf knew what it was all about. though i know her story is about a different type of room of one's own, time and room to oneself is vital. it is such a comfort to the soul to find that kind of time. the tiny bits are big.

Lois Evensen said...

So pretty once again.

We are ready to head South again beginning tomorrow. I'll be checking in here and still blogging, but may have some lapses in time when we can't get a connection while at sea to come visit you here. I just can't seem to find those Verizon towers out there and the satellite connection is soooo slow most pages time out.

Huge hugs,
Lois

Barbara said...

The seed stitching looks so pretty Karen and a good way to fill in little spaces I shall be giving it a try :)
Barbara
x

Elizabeth said...

Just love your videos, you are getting better and better with them. Envy you for all the time next week but I wish you a grant time and please enjoy yourself every second.

Christine B said...

I love seed stitch. Thanks for the video.. you bring it all out fresh for me again.

Enjoy your week of freedom... and unadulterated stitchery!! Don't forget to tell them you miss them lol!!

Karen said...

Hi Christine, thanks for the comment. I try to respond to everyone personally who leaves a comment but I can't find a link back or anything to you!!!

Rachel said...

Four days with nothing to do but stitch - I am green with envy!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Four days with nothing to do but stitch. Oh - the bliss! I can't imagine it,,,,