Karen Ruane

05/21/2013

considering.....

Proof that there is more going on here than pin pillows. I have been examining old work. sparking ideas centred on going back to basics for simply stitch. (don't panic if you are registered for that. You don't need to do any of this. This is merely what I do when I plan on a change of direction)

Simply stitch is for me to re connect, to go back to my inspiration in its most basic form and that was....and still is...domesticity (my own) wrapped up with my Grandmothers, the women of the past, utility stitching, traditional stitching. That is ever present in my work now, be it pin pillows or wrapping cloths. It is the patterning that has changed not the motivation. Now I want to alter the patterning, the technique...hence this exercise.

By coincidence Fiber Art Now highlighted a piece of my work yesterday..... that piece is here, 5th image down and can also been seen in some of today's other pictures. The significance of this work is the ironing board, (domesticity....or slavery depending on your point of view!!) specifically my own examination of the ironing board in previous work. This morning I have been looking back at that and combining that previous design work with familiar patterning and older patterning.

Are you keeping up? I hope so.....because remember the other day when I said I saw hexagons in my future? Well there are a few of those here too and see those viewers....the rectangular card things? I also see some of those in my future....except they will be hexagonal ones.

Aside from playing and reminiscing I went out this morning to buy essentials for my holiday. I say essentials....I mean clothes. They are pretty essential I suppose but to me clothes shopping is akin to being banned from embroidery for a year. I detest it. I don't like shiny.I don't like sequins. I don't like huge prints or sugary ribbony girly things. Basically it's white and various shades of black. Actually give me a sack....that will do. Anyway.....I returned after two hours torture with.....four packets of envelopes, two packets of white tissue paper and some toothbrush caps. Successful? You decide.

Please don't panic on my behalf however. I can assure you that all my important bits are well covered.......with tat!

Posted at 01:32 PM in back to basics, considering, design, domesticity, ironing board, ledger, simply stitch, windows | Permalink | Comments (34)

05/20/2013

a little white and a new jar....

I have had this jar for a long time, a very long time. Last night I had a flash of inspiration and thought how it might be lovely to keep all my little snippets of cloth and lace in it. I can't remember where I got it.....I wish I could because now I want some more. I will have to keep my eyes open. I have also been doing a little work on this white piece which will become a pouch. I say little....perhaps tiny would be more apt. A small piece of wrapped and embroidered cloth is now attached and the best thing about this piece is that you get a rest from the pin pillows.

Posted at 12:22 PM in embroidery, jar, pouch, white, white cloth | Permalink | Comments (19)

05/19/2013

Sunday....

This mornings activity at Ruane Towers and a tissue count of only three....yes three. Things are drying up which is surely a good sign. I have been looking back at my blog this week and I am surprised you aren't all asleep or yawning at the very least. This is all you have seen since time began. I do apologise......but....I am on a mission to complete this batch of pillows and then consign them to the far reaches of my memory. I have other plans, pressing plans but fear that if I leave these they will never get done. Bear with me.....it will pass.....sooner rather than later.

Two weeks tomorrow I will be off here...on an aeroplane....in the sky....I am trying a little psychology here, preparing myself. I'm not a big fan of the metal bird doing it only as a means to an end and mostly in a state of stupefied fear. If I begin to confront it now it may be easier come the hour. These little pillows definitely have to be finished by then.

Posted at 01:16 PM in embroidery, lace, pin pillow, Sunday, white | Permalink | Comments (27)

05/18/2013

sandwiches and tabs

I'm a little late today. That's because I am doing everything in slow motion, my attempt at taking it easy. I am still getting through more tissues than I ever thought humanly possible so less of that and I would have an abundance of time. I haven't even been to school today. It could be mayhem over there as they have been left unsupervised for so long. Actually....I daren't look. What have you been up to?

Gentle embroidery on pin pillows is how I spent yesterday evening, when I wasn't nodding off in the chair. Two are now sandwiches ready to be finished. One of them is already spoken for and the other? well I got a bit carried away with that one It's huge....I am not listing anyway until they are all finished. I can't give you a day yet it depends on the tissue, blowing, nose situation. I also made tabs....I love those, tiny little things, very cute.

I also have hexagons on my mind, a plan, a plan for part of simply stitch. It is taking all my strength to control myself and not rush headlong into that one. Honestly....I am bursting with excitement, itching to do something with it....maybe a doodle. But then I couldn't share. I would have to become a recluse...........

Posted at 01:38 PM in cloth sandwiches, embroidered knots, embroidery, tabs | Permalink | Comments (15)

05/17/2013

more human....

I am feeling a little more human today although I still can't stray too far away from the tissues. Yesterday I slept again.....so much sleep. Does that mean I will be able to stay awake for days now? We shall see. The dreaded supermarket was tackled this morning, with help. Phew. Now it's a weekend of not very much except embroidery.

The lace girls got their last two videos this morning. The piece you can see here that isn't in the hoop is from one of those videos. It pains me to say that they are making so much more progress with their lace work than I am. I am a little green at all the amazingly gorgeous things they are making. My focus is on pin pillows at the moment, one in particular....TB...your pillow so I can send your pouch. You must think you are never going to get them. I am on it honestly.

Aside from embroidery I plan to do some internet surfing at the weekend. I may well stop by your place so make sure the kettle is on and don't forget to have the tissues handy either. I am also eyeing up all the blank ledgers I have, being tempted to doodle and excited deciding which one I should use for 'simply stitch'....maybe I will use more than one? I have a ''thing'' for ledgers/journals/sketchbooks and buy way too many of them, never use them but they are lovely just to look at. At least that's what I tell myself.

Posted at 12:34 PM in embroidery, embroidery hoop, lace, online learning, simply stitch | Permalink | Comments (18)

05/16/2013

Lace

Only one image today, sorry about that. I'm still not 100% and spent most of yesterday afternoon asleep. There was no embroidery of any kind yesterday. Thanks so much for all your good wishes......they mean a lot.

What I have been doing is finishing off Lace class. Tomorrow is the last time for that one and it has flown by. I shall miss it. A great group of girls are creating the most fabulous work so once again here is the link.

Finally, (because I am keeping it brief in order that I can dash for tissues when the sneezes come!!) the link to the new class is now here....all the information you could ever need. Let's hope that normal service will be resumed tomorrow, thank you for your patience.....x

Posted at 01:10 PM in bullion edge, bullion knots, embroidery, lace, online learning | Permalink | Comments (17)

05/15/2013

untitled

Sorry. Untitled as I can't think of a title. I am decidedly under the weather....man flu...I must however muster the motivation to say thank you for your overwhelming response to yesterdays post. I appreciate it more than you could know. I have posted it again under here....the more the merrier or so they say. This morning has been half spent getting video ready for my lace girls, the other half spent feeling sorry for myself. These pictures....pin pillow progress.....tomorrow I hope to have more to say. I'm off to bed.....

Simply Stitch. A gathering of cloth and embroiderers

Commencing Monday June 17 Simply stitch, a gathering of cloth and embroiderers is my latest online learning programme born from a desire to get ''back to basics'', hand stitch at it's purest. This online creative experience will take the form of a very relaxed and gentle gathering of cloth and embroiderers, those who have an affinity with handling cloth, working with cloth. Twice weekly, sometimes more, we will gather together and embroider. I will discuss my plans, my inspiration, the preparation and creation of embroidered cloth. I will demonstrate technique and process throughout. I can guarantee that there will be pockets, pouches, pin pillows and more. I will share thoughts along with the more tangible sources which drive me. I will doodle, you will be encouraged to do the same.

It is my hope that you bring your own work along with you, to share and discuss with the group. We will guide and support each other, sharing tips and process, a gathering of girls for ''online'' afternoon tea.

You are welcome to continue and /or begin your own projects within the forum of this class. You are also welcome to observe and plan work around the pieces I create. If you do not wish to embroider then that is fine too. You can just follow along with us as I record my personal, creative process on a twice weekly basis. You will be given access to me, my day, my embroidery with demonstration, discussion and instruction throughout.

Video will be hosted on a pasword protected blog and there will be a dedicated private flickr group where you can upload images and interact with your peers by means of private discussion.

Upon registration you will be sent a brief e-mail to confirm your seat at the table.

Suitable for beginners and the more experienced.

Posted at 01:14 PM in cloth, man flu, online learning, pin pillow, simply stitch, untitled | Permalink | Comments (21)

05/14/2013

Simply Stitch....a new class...back to basics.

Has it been a long time coming? I feel as if it has been in my consciousness for a long time, the desire, the wish.....and the need to do this. There has been a lot of thought, deep thinking, questioning...of myself and my methods, my inspiration and that which drives me. I have a need to go back, to re visit my early research, my passion for cloth and stitch. I hope you will come along with me.

a stitch........one complete movement of a threaded needle through cloth such as to leave behind it a single loop or portion of thread, as in sewing, embroidery,

Simply Stitch. A gathering of cloth and embroiderers

Video will be hosted on a pasword protected blog and there will be a dedicated private flickr group where you can upload images and interact with your peers by means of private discussion.

Upon registration you will be sent a brief e-mail to confirm your seat at the table.

Suitable for beginners and the more experienced.

Posted at 12:32 PM in online learning, simply stitch | Permalink | Comments (8)

05/13/2013

head clearing doodles and a small piece of white

I doodled and I made notes. I even got the thesaurus out.....somehow it inspires me. I love words. Decisions have been made and plans jotted down, or should I say scribbled down. I think I am in need of handwriting lessons.

Once the head was clear I embroidered, a tiny piece on my latest white thing with a few bullion knots and the ever present buttonhole lace. Actually....I am pre empting (only slightly) tomorrows school work so if you're watching girls shut your eyes now! This has to be put away today though and attention given to the pin pillows. One lovely lady is waiting for her pouch which can't be sent until her requested pin pillow is made....I'm on it. You will be first.

Posted at 12:43 PM in doodles, white, white cloth, white lace | Permalink | Comments (12)

05/12/2013

catching breath

You may see this as a bit of a cop out...a lazy post. In truth I haven't embroidered for two days Yesterday I was at the wettest garden party in the history of the world. I got there early enough for a ''dry bum'' seat indoors and despite mother natures best efforts had an amazing day not getting home until late last night. I spent time with my foreign relatives, my native relatives, children, a baby and a cat....The baby and I were very comfortable around each other. She fell asleep on my arm for almost an hour. There is something very satisfying about holding a sleeping baby, can't quite explain but it made the day extra special. Cake was eaten and trifle. I said goodbye to my brother and his family before they head home to Sweden....not a sad occasion as I will be visiting them in three weeks. I posted images from yesterday on facebook and instagram so if you want to see some cake, a garden and a cat then just look at either of those places.

So far it's been a funny old day today. I can't seem to get back into the swing of things so I intend to spend a while thinking, catching my breath and making a few notes about the next class. Later today the needle and thread will be out...absolutely no question of that so tomorrow you will not be fobbed off with old photographs.

Posted at 01:28 PM in catching breath, mosaic | Permalink | Comments (10)