Garden Shawl, Liesl, and Hooky Spring

Beautiful day to finish my "shades of green" shawl.  Hot off the triloom!

I wove this using a lovely Noro yarn.  Blend of wool, silk, and cotton.  Very light weight and soft.  Perfect for cool evenings in the garden..........  This one will be going to a friend up north I'll be visiting later this summer.

Finished my most favorite Liesl tunic in eggplant.

I finished knitting this about two weeks ago, and have worn it about five times already!  Love the linen yarn.

Working on a rug for grandson, Graham.  His room colors are red and blue with browns.... Thought a hit n' miss using those colors might be fun.

If you hook rugs, you probably know that hit n' miss is not as easy as it sounds.  I don't just grab strips from my basket, but give thought to contrast and placement of neutrals.  It's a fun hook, but can get a bit tedious.  I'm only about half done with this piece.  Thinking of finishing with black covered cording.  I've got three more children's rugs waiting in line when I'm done with this.  Lots of hooky ahead!

xo

dulcy

My Little Flock of Grosbeaks

It's so exciting!  We've had a little flock of rose-breasted grosbeaks right outside the kitchen window in the redbud tree for over two weeks!  The following are photos taken by my husband, Jim Mayfield.

The top two are males, and the other two are the sweet little girls.  They're only passing through from as far away as the West Indies.  I've seen them occasionally at the feeder this time of year, but only one that stays perhaps a day.   This year, so far, I've counted up to seven males and two females at one sitting out in the tree.  It's hard to get much done other than bird watch right now!

xo
dulcy

Hodge Podge Of A Post

I've been the worst blogger lately!  I don't post, nor check in with others.  I guess it's just spring fever and other bits of this and that keeping me away.  I have a hard time concentrating on the computer right now.  I do drop by many blogs, but just a quick glance to see what's up and then I'm gone.  Maybe blogging is more of a winter thing for me, or maybe I've just lost interest.  I don't really know, but I'm here posting today (rainy and cold outside) hoping to get back in the bloggy rhythm I used to have.  So what's new?

Well...... I just finished my Master Gardener's classes and got my badge and certificate at a lovely spring banquet the other night.

There's still much volunteer work to do to make this completely official, but I'm really very proud to join this great group of creative and energetic gardeners.  We have the most fantastic botanical center here that I'll post about later.  GORGEOUS building in the midst of a fabulous park.  So happy to make this a part of my life.  The timing is perfect!

One of the perks of becoming a Master Gardener is the advanced training offered.  I took a bonsai class the other night.  This is my little juniper that I trimmed into a bonsai shape and potted.

Such fun!!!

Spring is everywhere, as is the migration of gorgeous birdies that drop by our feeders.  Here's a lovely photo taken by my husband.

A pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks that have been visiting for the last few days.  I don't know how long they'll stay, but we're so enjoying them.  Don't they look lovely in the redbud tree?

I haven't been doing much rug hooking, but had a little group over for a special occasion, and hooked these little hanging birds.  They are from a paper pattern I got several years ago from a workshop with Karen Kahle of Primitive Spirit.

I thought they made a darling center piece, and guests each got to take one home!

I'm completely smitten with my triloom, and can't stop making shawls!  I love to weave in the studio while listening to books on CD.  Dreamy..........

I'm working on this one to go with my new peachy Liesl tunic.

Have a lovely and creative spring!

xo
dulcy

New Drawers and New Liesl

Rainy and cold day.  Perfect to straighten the studio.  I found this darling little metal chest at, of all places, Hobby Lobby.  I love it's fun multicolored distressed drawers perfect to organize all my yarn that had been in baskets all over the floor.

Ahh.... so nice to be organized......

I'm so very happy with my Liesl tunic (which means I will actually wear it), that I've started another in this lovey eggplant linen.

But, I feel that I need to tell you that I knitted this peach tunic twice!  It just wasn't right the first time around.  And......... even after finishing the 2nd time, I ripped the straps down and redid those.

 Yes... this shot was in my previous post, but I wanted to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.  Knit, knit, knit..... It may sound like a lot to knit for one garment, and it is.  But, it's really a fun project, and so far, I haven't gotten the least bit bored with it.

I've knitted lots of garments in the past that have stayed in the drawer.  I really don't want that to happen anymore.  So..... I just stayed with it until I got it right.  I think my little eggplant number will be much easier (hopefully).

If you're a knitter, you can find the lovely Liesl pattern here. 

ps...... the pretty hooked pillow was made using Karen Kahle's lovely Gazing Ball pattern.

xo
dulcy

It's All About The Yarn!

I saw this lovely little tunic on the Primitive Spirit blog.  This tunic is called the Liesl, and can be found here.  I had an awfully good time knitting it the second time around........  The first time I made too many mistakes, and it just didn't fit properly.  I'd rather rip than keep something out of this lovely linen yarn that would never be worn.  Fortunately, I was not completely turned off of this project on my first try, and soldiered on until I got it right.

I'm so happy with it that I've ordered some yarn in a pretty shade of eggplant to start another!

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying my triloom at the moment.  I've woven a few shawls, not wild about all of them, but getting better.  Here's one just off the loom.......

I'm completely smitten with all the Noro yarns right now.  I've ordered some more in a gorgeous turquoise, lime, violet, gray combo out of their Spring Garden Silk collection.  I'm going up north this summer, and these shawls should be perfect for Michigan and Canadian summer weather!

Happy Spring!
xo
dulcy

Spring Snow and Spring Knitting

When it looks like this outside your window............

It's a perfect day to knit a peachy linen tunic by the fire..........

Happy Spring!
xo
dulcy

Almost Here..........

Spent the afternoon with Master Gardener's Class at Wickman Gardens.  It's almost time...sigh.....

xo
dulcy

New Spring Bag!

Feeling a bit springy these days.........

xo
dulcy

Have A Lovely Valentines Day!

xo
dulcy

Vintage Valentine's, Hobo Tights, and Hooking

It's rainy, and feeling very spring like today.  Daffodils and crocus are blooming outside.  Also blooming is my lovely little clump of snowdrops that I'm definitely thinning and spreading about the yard this May.

I've been using old silver plate to make pretty little hanging Valentines for friends and my Etsy store dulcyann.

I'm getting Valentine lovelies wrapped and ready to mail.  I'm sending on these adorable little Hobo Tights made by bestie, Jessy.  She made them as part of a fund raiser for our local indie movie house, The Moxie, so it can go digital.  They're just perfect for our little Ava!

Aren't they sweet!!

Yesterday I made a quick trip through my favorite flea market, Relics.  I first found this little $1 dish that I bought because it's so cute and chipped... and well.... It was in a rack with all these very nice  unchipped dishes.  I simply felt sorry for it and decided to give the poor little old thing a home.

It now lives in the dish rack, which is in the laundry room, which is sitting right above the washer and dryer.

I also bought this wonderful little hand tooled bag.  I see these a lot, but many times they are too stiff and heavy.  I was drawn to the darling shape of this one.

Oh, and here I'm wearing a new Gudrun dress that I've had for quite a while, but just got it out to wear today!  So fun to have two new things!

The little bag is a bit rough on the inside, so I lined it with some wool scraps.  Now it's soft and cozy.

And while we're on the discussion of handbags.  This is a little design I've been playing with for another hooked bag.  Not sure what's it's going to end up like, but thinking of hooking only the design and leaving lots of exposed linen.  We'll see where it goes........

Have a fabulous day!
xo
dulcy

Happy Day!

Today is a happy day, and I guess it's a happy day because yesterday was a down in the dumps day.  I sorted out the reasons for being down in the dumps, and decided to put those reasons to rest so that I could now have a happy day.  Here's why it's a happy day..........

First of all, it's my bestie, Jessy's birthday!  I made her some organic cotton pink wristies for spring, and they're sort of Valeninesy...... don't you think?

I decided these cuties needed their own special packaging to I made a little pouch to tuck them away in.

Jessy and I celebrated her bday in style at the Aviary and had the most delicious salmon crepes.  Here she's modeling her new wristies.

Doesn't she look smashing in her wristies, pink plaid pouch, and cute pink T!

I'm also happy today because it's snowing!

I just now snapped this shot from where I'm sitting at this exact moment at my computer sending this exact same snowy photo on to you!  Actually the snow seems to be stopping, and it's not much, but I'll take it.

Another happy for me is that I finally finished my Little Dream Girl, and feel pleased with the results.

She's on canvas and currently residing on my fireplace mantel.............

 

After my lunch with Jessy, I came home and played Etsy Store.  I added another lovely little dish to my inventory at  dulcyann's.

 

So sweet!  Can't you see it with pretty chocolates to serve for Valentine's Day?

So, it has been a happy day.... which will wind down with a glass of wine and a new magazine by the fire.  

Heavenly........

xo

dulcy

Projects In The Works....Etsy Again!

I'm not sure I'm done with my "Little Dream Girl".  So..... she remains in the studio mounted to this gold painted canvas.  She may come off, or I may add something to the canvas.  Just not sure yet.

Here's a view from the door into my very messy studio space taken this morning.  My newest shawl is still on the loom waiting for the rest of its fringe.........

I'm excited to get it off the loom so I can start my new one with this gorgeous color transitioning Noro yarn.  It's my absolute favorite right now for weaving!

On To Vintage News!

I've just opened a new little Etsy shop called dulcyann.  I've acquired quite a few vintage finds over the past several years that I'm ready to clean out and pass on... also several small antiques.  I've started with a few items and will continue to add more.  This will most likely be a temporary shop that I'll close when I'm ready to move on.  In other words, these are items I've owned for a long time, and don't plan on adding more to my collection.  Please drop by and check in often as there will be a variety of vintage lovelies for sale!

xo
dulcy

Fiber Loves........

My little dream girl is hooked and waiting to be mounted on painted canvas.  I think I'm going to use a burnt sienna with some gold as my background colors to frame her off with.

Tools of the trade......... I made the little leaf pottery at a First Friday Art Walk a couple of years ago, and the shells are from a beach in Nova Scotia. 

Current pair of knitted socks on their way to being finished.....  I truly think I'm done with socks for now, but am taking a trip to the yarn store tomorrow, so never say never!

 

And am so excited to share a Christmas present from hubby.  A new year's subscription to my favorite mag...... SELVEDGE!!  Just got my first issue this week.......... If you're a fiber gal like me, this magazine (actually it's more like a book) is a must.  The problem is they quit carrying it at any of the book stores here. 

It's perfect for cold winter evenings in front of the fire.  My other gift is a subscription to the British edition of Country Living (as I've stated here many times in the past, HEADS AND TAILS ABOVE IT'S AMERICAN SISTER!)  Unfortunately, my first issue doesn't arrive until March or April.  I have no idea why it takes so long.  Hubby feels sorry for me as he says "trolling Barnes and Noble each month for the latest issues................".  Pitiful.........

xo

dulcy

Rainy Day Hooking

Cold and rainy ....... perfect day to work on new hooked piece.  This one will eventually go onto painted canvas......

xo
dulcy

What To Do With Potholders?

What did we do on New Year's Eve?  Well...... Ava and I wove potholders and turned them into a sweet little colorful bag!

Lot's of fun bringing back an old craft from my youth and teaching it to Ava.  I was surprised how tight and tricky the potholder weaving could get!

Spent today in my studio weaving, crocheting, and correcting pesky mistakes.  All was worth it because I have a nice new shawl for wearing over tees and sweaters...........

I used this lovely color transitioning Noro yarn.  I was looking for a simple green, but fell in love with this combination of greens, teal, peach, grays, and black.  I see this with a white t-shirt in the spring!

I'm on to my next project, which will be another small hooked pictorial.   I have some fun ideas in my head that hopefully,  I can make come to life on the linen.  Have a wonderful cozy weekend....

xo
dulcy