Tulip Model Update & Silken Treasures

There still isn't much spring outside at Gracewood, but Tulip's Praise is making me feel like it has arrived inside. Here is my update on the model's stitching. I wish it were more, but after a winter of being able to be happily homebound we've had to start the chores of spring from pruning to fertilizing the orchard and rose beds. We're in that short window between winter snows and spring rains and our stitching and painting have to take second place for a few weeks.

I'm very happy with the colors and fabric I chose for this piece. I'm finding them truly joyous :)

You know already that I love working with silk floss, but I really love all silk textiles. There is a wonderful exhibit at the Textile Museum featuring the woven silks of the famous Katagawa family of weavers. I find them exceptionally lovely and inspiring - Silk Textiles

Royal kimono fabrics

Tulip Colors

Tulip Praise's stitching is progressing, though I have to confess I have a new obsession that has definitely cut into my stitching time. I'll tell you about it at the end of the post :)

As promised, these are the colors and floss I chose for the model. I've converted the dmc in the chart to the HDF silk I'm using -

DMC - 907, parrot green-lt / HDF - 3315 Wrasse Green

DMC - 3804, cyclamen pink-dk / HDF - Perfect Red

DMC - 906, parrot green-md / HDF - 3317 Wrasse Green

DMC - 3845, bright turquoise-md / HDF - 2253 Chrysocolla

DMC - 3806, cyclamen pink-lt / HDF - 1229 Attar Rose

DMC - 3607, plum-lt / HDF - 1367 Rose Quartz

DMC - 3689, mauve-lt / HDF - 1349 Sea Pinks

DMC - 703, chartreuse / HDF - 3307 Popinjay

DMC - 597, turquoise / HDF - 2435 Acquamarine

DMC - 598, turquoise-lt / HDF - 2433 Acquamarine

DMC - 911, emerald green / HDF - 3211 Isle Green

I also wanted to share a photo of the framed Back in the Day, beside one of the tins that inspired it.

And now my confession, we've discovered just how good Korean historical dramas can be! We began with The Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang-Geum) and since it is of course subtitled I can't stitch while I watch it! Terry can't do his painting and these things are long! This one has 54 episodes!!! The episodes always end in a cliffhanger and too many nights we'd say let's just watch one more we have to know what happens next!

What can I say? We're weak for good story telling and the sets and costumes were gorgeous! Some gave me inspirations for designs so as they say - 'watch this space'

Coffee Break on Gracewood

Today's post isn't about cross stitch, it is about what happens on Gracewood when I take a break :)

I found an older bag of some kamut in the back of the cupboard and since its age was unknown we put it out on the bench in our wildlife/bird feeding area off the side porch. We had no idea if either bird or beast would like it but while we were at the table having coffee we looked up to see this doe and her yearling approach it with some wonder. After the first sniff they decided they did indeed like it.

This pair comes at least two times a day and have since the yearling had spots. You can see they are beginning to lose their heavy winter coats. I hope you'll enjoy this brief break from stitching.