Karen Ruane

little pom poms with pale blue beads

These pieces keep on coming, I have so many ideas inspired from this work and once I've created from those ideas more ideas pop up. It's never ending (in a good way) I must remember to refer back to this post next time I have a creative block, remind myself of the day when the ideas wouldn't stop coming.

These pieces will be taken further still in my 'artist book' class, there's a plan unfolding over there which I'm going to share with the girls later this week.

Meanwhile in 'stitch along' we are consumed with pockets. That too is feeding ideas and I'm working on something arising from that inpsiration which I am able to share with you so hopefully you will see that tomorrow.

gathering cloth with linen tape

I created this little piece as I had a need to create a channel through which I could thread a strip of linen tape, yes really. Ever since I finished this piece I haven't been able to get tape, channels, drawing up, gathering off my mind. There are two layers of lace here with the channel defined using French knots and bullion knots. This little piece will be used in some way as part of an artist book, an overlay perhaps or maybe even a sleeve for the edge of a page. The beaded edge has been embellished using bling from a tassel I deconstructed. I am particularly looking forward to finding a home for that large orange coloured bead....

beaded and embroidered paper

More mounting, paper again. I do prefer paper in this instance, it reassures me my embroidered samples will remain pristine. You do know what's going to happen here don't you? An artist book is forming...a very big artist book. You know what comes next too I'm guessing? These large pieces are going to need overlays because it appears I am unable to create any kind of artist book without overlays. That's not a problem, overlays are never a problem. It just means my list is getting longer.....

beads, sequins and a single tassel

A little scrap of stitch or should I say several little scraps joined together and then stitched. This is my latest sample...of many. You've been seeing these forever, what can I say. I'm building a sample library, a resource. The white pieces have been getting a lot of thought these past few days, these ones,

I think I've figured out how I'd like to prepare these for presentation. I'm hoping to start work on that now....this afternoon.

drapery for an artist book

Silk velvet, delicate paper and vintage net, stitched together before being embellished with hand embroidery, beads and pom poms. I love the weight of this, the feel of it in my hands. This will drape over the cover of my new artist book, (these are the pages if you remember)

It's coming together.....

 

edges

The overlays I showed you here are almost finished, more has been added to the seams and edges. It's so easy to work these pieces, you can completely lose yourself in the repetitive actions of adding beads and sequins. It's relaxing, calming......

A reminder about my new class, 52 weeks of embroidery.

You can read about that here.

buttons and beads on an edge

You have seen this lace piece many times but it's a 'slow grower'. The newest addition, the latest area to be titivated is the edge shown here where buttons are linked with beads. The other piece is also an edge....I haven't decided where that will live yet. It may be that it stays as a sample and finds it's way into the little swatch collection we are building over in 'create and embellish'.

I will be disappearing again now. I am off to London this week...purely pleasere (I hope). Shopping, birthday celebrations for my husband and family time.

See you next week.

beads and sequins

You would be forgiven for thinking I had spent the last seven weeks or so at some kind of sequin party or bead festival. I haven't. I wish. These are however a few snapshots of what's been going on here. Yes, lots of beads and sequins. Other stuff too...I just can't recall what that was or is at the moment.

(the last image...a beautiful birthday gift. They are 'looking at' beads. They also get fondled regualrly.)

My birthday was weeks ago.....

beaded edges

I finally finished this little pocket. After beading the lower edge I was compelled to bead the top edge. That's a first for me......(a beaded opening)

paper and fine cloth

This is what happens when you add paper to cloth, stitch a little on your sewing machine, add hand embroidery and get left alone with a lot of beads for a few days....

(create and embellish girls....you can do this with yours)