Iris Celadon Progress

Iris Celadon

Yes, this is a large piece, but I'm amazed at how fast it is stitching and how much I've enjoyed doing it. Once the initial few rows of the patterned background are established it has been fun to follow the pattern as it grows and I can just glance at the previous stitches without having to check the chart too frequently.

The chart will come with the usual DMC cotton stitch equivalents, but for the model I'm using HDF silk floss. The colors I'm using are Yerba Mate #3135 for the background pattern, Sue-Purple #6117 for the Iris and the border, Umber #4355 for the gold in the Iris, Gold Rush #4229 in the border, and two Isle Greens for the leaves #3211 & #3209.

This design was inspired by a beautiful porcelain vase that recently appeared on one of my favorite programs, the Antiques Roadshow, shown on PBS stations in the US.
Makuzu Kozan Porcelain Vase, ca. 1898

When the same intricate repeating pattern used in the vase appeared again in one of our Korean Historical Dramas (Shin Don in this case) I knew I had to make it a feature in the next design.
Emperor's collar

Proving once again that inspiration can come from the simplest of sources.

'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 Risen

I 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 Celadon

The 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!

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.

Chrysanthemums Done and on Zazzle!

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums 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 Tote

I 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

Chrys Progress & a Waif's Story

It is snowing heavily today and supposed to continue through the weekend so I'm hoping to have some serious stitching time. Getting close to finishing Chrysanthemums and that's good, because I have some ideas for new designs that I'm looking forward to translating to new patterns.

I want to tell you about a waif that showed up last month during the coldest part of our winter. One afternoon I saw some deer at our feeders looking intently and on 'alert' at something in our driveway. Terry went out to see what it was and came back with an almost frozen and nearly starved tabby cat. As starved and dehydrated as he was he wouldn't eat or drink until he'd had some serious petting, he seemed so very relieved to have found people again.

I think you can see from the look on his face that he was in trouble. After he realized he'd found a safe warm place he drank and drank and drank, he was so dehydrated, and then ate a small amount of food and curled up and slept deeply.


Now a month later, you can see that he looks so much better. He's gained weight though he still needs to gain a bit more and he's happy enough to be sunning himself on the firewood and also keep an eye out for the squirrels that live in it.
Buddy

We've named him 'Buddy' because he is so very friendly and sweet, you have to be careful when you take a step since he's always right beside you. We've looked for any notices of someone losing a cat but none have appeared. Sadly, sometimes people do dump their pets out in the country, but what counts now is his future not his past and he seems to have become a part of the Gracewood homestead.

I think Terry is going to have to do a painting of this shot.

Chrys Halfway

You would think that this would be a pretty easy piece to stitch, straight lines and all but it has been one I'm finding I'd better concentrate while I'm doing it or those lines don't go where they should, lol

I'm glad I decided to go with the lines of the screen being in varied thickness, I think it does add more interest and adding interest to a design is what it is all about. It needs to make you look just a little closer.

I'd also like to take the opportunity of announcing my husband, Terry, now has a website for his art. Hopefully, he'll have a few more pieces up soon. He gets more work done this time of year too.

I hope everyone affected by the big storm back in the eastern part of the US came through it safely. We're used to such things but it is a whole different ball game when you live in heavily populated areas!

New Design, Free for Limited Time

Easter/Resurrection Day is going to fall earlier in the calendar this year, it is going to be the end of March.

I've wanted to create a design for this holy holiday since I started designing and I'm jumping ahead of myself a bit by introducing a new pattern before the one I'm working on is done in order to give those interested the opportunity to stitch this one in time for the holiday.

Christ is Risen

I'll be stitching it on a dove grey 18 count aida cloth and will be using two varigated Caron Waterlillies floss. the center in Opal and the lillies in Creamsicle. It measures 9" x 4.5", 162 x 80 stitch count.

It is available for free to anyone requesting it until next Sunday, Feb. 10th. Then it will go up for sale after I finish the model, it is simple enough I don't think I've made any mistakes in the pattern so hopefully there won't be any corrections to be made. Just send an email to bungard.gracewood@gmail.com if you would like a free copy.