Friday, March 22, 2013
'Christ is Risen' Model & New Design
Happily, I was able to finish this Easter/Resurrection Day pattern model prior to the actual day.
Christ is RisenI stitched it on 18 count dove grey Aida cloth and used two Caron Waterlilies silk floss, Opal and Peach Cobbler. This is the first time I've used this variegated floss and liked it very much, it moves easily through the fabric and lays flat without much effort.
The pattern is now on sale on the Gracewood Stitches website for $6.00.
I've begun stitching Iris Celadon and I'll list some more information on the design.
Iris CeladonThe stitch count is 252 x 254, on 18 count fabric the image size is 14" square.
Yes, it is a large piece but it has been fun stitching it and I think it is definitely going to be worth the effort.
It says it is Spring on my calendar, but it was a frosty 19 degrees this morning and we had a fire in the woodstove. And as is typical of our springs it has warmed up enough by afternoon that I could go out and survey the damage winter did to the roses and lilacs and at least begin to think about things like pruning and planting a few things in upcoming weeks.
Each day we're waiting to find that the bears have come out of hibernation and have visited our bird feeders!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
New Design! & Spring Festival!
The Spring Counted Wishes Festival starts tomorrow, March 15th. The festival will feature the work of several independent designers and during the festival Gracewood Stitches patterns will be on a sale, buy two get one free! I hope you'll visit the show.
And now I'd like to introduce my newest design, 'Iris Celadon'.
Iris Celadon
Another of my passions is pottery. From the simplicity of utilitarian pottery made by craftsmen like Ben Owens to the intricate porcelains of Staffordshire, Limoge or the Far East - I am captivated by the colors and images that can be achieved in clay.
In this design I seek to capture the feel of the wonderful examples of celadon pottery known as Goryeo or Sanggum. If you aren't familiar with this type of pottery, here is a little information about its history from Wikepedia -
"Celadon glazes can be produced in a variety of colors, including white, grey, blue and yellow, depending on several factors: 1) the thickness of the applied glaze, 2) the type of clay to which it is applied, and 3) the exact makeup of the glaze. However, the most famous shades range in color from a very pale green to deep intense green, often meaning to mimic the green shades of jade. The color is produced by iron oxide in the glaze recipe or clay body. Celadon are almost exclusively fired in a reducing atmosphere kiln as the chemical changes in the iron oxide which accompany depriving it of free oxygen are what produce the desired colors. As with most glazes, crazing (a glaze defect) can occur in the glaze and, if the characteristic is desirable, is referred to as "crackle" glaze.
Some of the world's most coveted and admired masterpieces of ceramics art were produced in Korea during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. An inlaid celadon technique known as "Sanggam", where potters would engrave semi-dried pottery with designs and place black or white clay materials within the engraving, was invented in Korea during this time.
"Korean celadon" is often referred to as "Goryeo celadon," which is usually a pale green-blue in color. The glaze was developed and refined during the 10th and 11th centuries during the Goryeo period, from which it derives its name. Korean celadon reached its zenith between the 12th and early 13th centuries, however, the Mongol invasions of Korea in the 13th century and persecution by the Joseon Dynasty government destroyed the craft.
Traditional Korean celadon ware has distinctive decorative elements. The most distinctive are decorated by overlaying glaze on contrasting clay bodies. With inlaid designs, known as "Sanggam" in Korean, small pieces of colored clay are inlaid in the base clay. Carved or slip-carved designs require layer of a different colored clay adhered to the base clay of the piece. The layers are then carved away to reveal the varying colors. Modern potters, with modern materials and tools, have attempted to recreate Korean celadon techniques."
Here is an example of a Goryeo Sanggam style vase -
Goryeo Sanggam Style
I look forward to sharing more with you about the new design next post.
And now I'd like to introduce my newest design, 'Iris Celadon'.
Iris CeladonAnother of my passions is pottery. From the simplicity of utilitarian pottery made by craftsmen like Ben Owens to the intricate porcelains of Staffordshire, Limoge or the Far East - I am captivated by the colors and images that can be achieved in clay.
In this design I seek to capture the feel of the wonderful examples of celadon pottery known as Goryeo or Sanggum. If you aren't familiar with this type of pottery, here is a little information about its history from Wikepedia -
"Celadon glazes can be produced in a variety of colors, including white, grey, blue and yellow, depending on several factors: 1) the thickness of the applied glaze, 2) the type of clay to which it is applied, and 3) the exact makeup of the glaze. However, the most famous shades range in color from a very pale green to deep intense green, often meaning to mimic the green shades of jade. The color is produced by iron oxide in the glaze recipe or clay body. Celadon are almost exclusively fired in a reducing atmosphere kiln as the chemical changes in the iron oxide which accompany depriving it of free oxygen are what produce the desired colors. As with most glazes, crazing (a glaze defect) can occur in the glaze and, if the characteristic is desirable, is referred to as "crackle" glaze.
Some of the world's most coveted and admired masterpieces of ceramics art were produced in Korea during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. An inlaid celadon technique known as "Sanggam", where potters would engrave semi-dried pottery with designs and place black or white clay materials within the engraving, was invented in Korea during this time.
"Korean celadon" is often referred to as "Goryeo celadon," which is usually a pale green-blue in color. The glaze was developed and refined during the 10th and 11th centuries during the Goryeo period, from which it derives its name. Korean celadon reached its zenith between the 12th and early 13th centuries, however, the Mongol invasions of Korea in the 13th century and persecution by the Joseon Dynasty government destroyed the craft.
Traditional Korean celadon ware has distinctive decorative elements. The most distinctive are decorated by overlaying glaze on contrasting clay bodies. With inlaid designs, known as "Sanggam" in Korean, small pieces of colored clay are inlaid in the base clay. Carved or slip-carved designs require layer of a different colored clay adhered to the base clay of the piece. The layers are then carved away to reveal the varying colors. Modern potters, with modern materials and tools, have attempted to recreate Korean celadon techniques."
Here is an example of a Goryeo Sanggam style vase -
Goryeo Sanggam Style I look forward to sharing more with you about the new design next post.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Chrysanthemums Done and on Zazzle!
ChrysanthemumsChrysanthemums on an Asian Screen model is finished and the pattern is for sale for $8.00 on my website
I think it goes well with Poppies!
I've also opened a Gracewood Stitches store on Zazzle and have begun stocking it with items featuring some of my designs such as this Tote.
Chrysanthemums ToteI haven't got many items listed yet though I hope to spend some time doing that in the next few days. I'll have everything from notecards, mugs, t-shirts, magnets and even postage stamps featuring images of my designs for sale. If you haven't discovered Zazzle yet give it a try. Gracewood Stitches Zazzle store
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