Friday, June 20, 2008

Not a Very Creative Day




Foiled Pomegranates- for sale $60US inclusive of stage.

I seem to have frittered away the entire day without a creative thought and very little done! I was really wanting to be working on a new biggish quilt, but with all my work tables out of the shed waiting for the slab to cure there is nowhere to work on fabric. I picked up my Traveler's Blanket again- I had put it aside as i was not sure i thought it was working, and whether I wasn't wasting my time. I am still not sure- I like it a bit better with the background quilting in place- but it is an awful lot of stitching if I am not happy with the end result! I will ruminate on it some more.

I tried to do some research by going through my books on Palestinian costume- I love some of the colours that are used on the older more traditional cross stitch embroideries. The first book "Palestinian Costume" is by Jehan Rajab ,the other book "Palestinian Embroidery" was given to me by Tania Nasir, who co-wrote the book with Widad Kawar, when I was in Ramallah in the Palestinian Territory in 2006. Whilst embroidered dresses are made throughout the region and into Syria each area does have its distinctive motifs and colourings. I would love to see Widad Kawar's collection in Amman,Jordan of the dresses. Looking through the books made me quite sad- to realise that things have worsened since I was there. The dense cross stitch embroidery speaks of a patience and a certain timelessness that cannot be denied.








5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that your traveller's blanket is beautiful, especially the colours. I would keep working on it.
I'm glad that you finally have the concrete slab laid and also I'm interested in purchasing your book on lutradur.
Joanne in Canada

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous work, both! The colours are so rich, I can see the inspirations from your love of the Palestinian textiles. I know, it's so sad over there. Work does give some peace and sanity, doesn't it, even through some difficult times you endure? Keep up the wonderful work, as you prepare for your exhibition in Munich, wish I could see it. When did you say it will be on? We have some family there and I could let them know.

Digitalgran said...

As the other has said lovely work, both colours and textures. I chose Palestinian embroidery for one of my City and Guilds topics and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was at the Knitting and Stitching show in London and there was someone there exhbiting wonderful Palestinian costumes, just at the right time for me. You have reminded me of the wonderful details.

jude said...

if the traveler's blanket is the third photo, it is definitely NOT a waste of time...

The Idaho Beauty said...

I know it's hard to accept (because I have this problem too), but research and ruminating are all part of the creative process. You may not have been putting needle to fabric, but you were stimulating your creative juices, i.e. having at least a somewhat creative day. ;-)