Saturday, June 10, 2006

A need for repetition....

As promised {although late!} here is the other page from the spread I spoke about in the last post from Vogue Magazine ..that I just loved, and that stirred something in me I have been thinking on for a while....

The modern cross-stitch embroidery sampler above is by the artist Kate Westerholt...{whom I could not find any links to, so..if you know of any???}..she stated in the text below the piece " I wanted to make samplers that were more modern....I like the irony of using hip-hop inspired slogans on a sampler"......Generally speaking, I just love samplers {and this is no exception} especially antique ones. And after seeing this, I scoured the internet to find any really good, and modern work done in cross-stitch {maybe other artists}, but I really couldn't find anything that moved me. This mad search, you see....is all down to the fact that I used to cross stitch as a child, and have found myself recently really missing it. What I liked about it, was the monotony of it..the repetitive action....it made time just melt away {the sign of a good past-time, yes?} . I spent most of my time growing up working on my art or design {personal or school work} and I found this an escape from the pressure of that, because I was following a pattern...a path, and not having to 'think' about anything but the perfection, and placement of that one stitch, just one at a time...small steps. I have been thinking of starting it up again, the embroidery.....as a way to relax, and have something creative to do - removed from my works creativity. I think I may well design the patterns that I will embroider {I maybe do need something slightly more challenging than when I was 10 after all! ;P}...but if anyone has any suggestions of cool companies who make great patterns I would love to hear about them. Otherwise, I am thinking of doing a flock style wallpaper look..in stitch. Mmmmmm...relaxing already. I was also thinking about quilting after being inspired by looking at Denyse Schmidt Quilts.....in particular this one ...love the purple, such beauty!!

Edit: Thanks to Paula who gave me the link to Kate Westerholts website ...check it out!


Speaking of which....just look at these blooms! They are so stunning, and with the heat of the air today..they are just getting bigger and bigger each time you look at them....Oh I so adore peonies, these are almost as nice as the ones I saw in Paris. The perfume is filling the rooms so deliciously, it makes me glad for the warm weather {well...almost}. Right...off for now, as I am working on a very special pair of earrings I am really excited about, and a long necklace peppered with carvings on big expensive pearls!

Have a wonderful evening all....xox

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have you seen the work of Jenny Hart?...www.jennyhart.net...Also, she sells totally fun embroidery kits on her other site...www.sublimestitching.com...Her personal work is amazing! ---Laurie in Alabama

Anonymous said...

Kate Westerholt has a website http://www.katewesterholt.com/

Your jewellery is lovely.

Anonymous said...

It kind of reminds me of these too...http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com...cheeky stitching!

Abigail A. Percy said...

Thanks girls!! Those are all really cool.....I especially like the downloadable grid for designing your own patterns from subversive cross stitch...

:)

paula said...

Hi there Abigail!
Thanks for this post.
I'm very much into embroidery, specially contemporary one.
I have a couple of (not so contemporay!) books on embroidery by Constance Howard (book of stitches and inspiration for embroidery - this last one is a must) which are just fantastic on looking into this art from another perspective. Although these works are from 1960s they are still very contemporary.
Thanks Paula for Kate Westerholts' site. I haven't had the time to look into it but from a first peep in it looks I'm going to like it.
Peonies are one of my favourite flowers.
Have a great day!
Paula :)

Anonymous said...

Abigail...I too have been on a hunt for great modern cross-stitch patterns - I LOVED it as a kid and am also looking for a way to relax with monotonous hand work! Have you seen the monochromes by Anagram Diffusions. I love them. http://www.anagram-dif.com/
I particularly love the multiplication table and the "sampler 4 saisons". I did a search to find dealers in the states and found a few. You could probably do the same. Let me know if you find any others! Hope you receive your scarveS this week (hint hint)!