Saturday, May 26, 2012

Summer Vacation


I'm finding that it is time to take a brief blogging break to enjoy summer and ramp up my creative life.  I won't be posting for awhile, but I'll be checking in with blogger friends and leaving comments here and there.  Please feel free to contact me through email at anytime.........
xo
dulcy

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Birdy Love!

I'm a member of our local chapter of the Audubon Society.  Yesterday, I went with my team of five including me, bird counting.  We started at 5:00 am and ended around 5:00 pm.  Each species we counted added up for a fund raiser.  The money raised is used for Audubon materials for schools, and our summer camp for kids.  At last count, my little team's number of species was 99.  We drove EVERYWHERE!!  Friends pledged so much per species spotted, plus several just donated $$ for the cause.  Below is a shot taken by my hubby this morning of a nesting hummingbird we spotted yesterday.


Isn't that just the sweetest little thing ever?!  Thanks to those that worked so hard traipsing all over our little part of southwest Missouri bird counting.  And a HUGE thank you to those who donated $$ to a wonderful organization........
xo
dulcy

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Succulents, Lily Pads, and Gazing Balls!

This morning hubby and I dropped by the very newest of our farmer's markets.  It was convenient since we were on our way to walk the Nature Center trail that is close by.  I've been to lots of farmer's markets around here and other places, but this one is just the best ever!  I didn't take pictures because it was to be a quick drop by for some Mother's Day bouquets.  But...... I was stopped in my tracks by the most wonderful little booth.  The lady had all these succulents and sedums in the most clever containers.  Lots of little vintage wire baskets and such.  But I was taken with this sweet little birdie house with the moss covered roof.


See the cute tiny pot of hen n' chicks sitting on the doorstep?  Darling!   Here's a shot of the roof plantings.


So earthy and precious!

I grabbed a quick photo of our pond this afternoon.  Notice froggy lounging on the lily pad..... so serene.


I've spent the past couple of weeks doing some substituting at my old school, working in the flowers, lunches catching up with old friends, and a bit of swimming at the Y.  But, I have gotten in some hooking time.  I've been working on this gazing ball pattern by Primitive Spirit.


I love gazing balls, and have three nestled here and there.  I've admired this pattern for some time.  I thought it would be a pillow, but am now leaning towards a tote.  I enjoyed hooking the gazing ball in the center.  I tried to show light and some green reflecting off the glass from the overhead trees.  I'm moving a little slow on this.  My goal is to keep the coming week free of too much "out and about" so maybe I'll make better progress.

Happy Mother's Day To You!

xo
dulcy

Sunday, May 6, 2012

A Silly Post

I'm at an in between place right now with my art and other projects.  I have a couple of things that I really want to get moving on this week, but my motivation is a bit lacking.  So...... awhile back I did a little post that included a couple of mats I made that hang in my laundry room.  I believe I said that I hang art anywhere, and I really do love my little tiny laundry room.  A couple of you dear readers asked me to post some shots of it, so here goes!

MY LAUNDRY ROOM/ART GALLERY!



Here we are entering from the kitchen.  The room is only as wide as the other edge of the ironing board which you can't see here.  That's where the other window is.


This shot shows little Iris leaping about.  Also, the wall with two of my hooked mats.  The cats like to lay on the ironing board and look outside at the birdbath and feeders.  So, I keep a piece of fun print fabric on the board to keep kitty hair off.  Just remove it when ready to iron.


This plate rack is above the washer and dryer.  Notice how it has nothing on it that has to do with laundry.  I have a few of Mom's old antique dishes displayed.  I painted the rack red because I thought the dishes looked too fussy when it was a light natural color.  Also, to the left is a pastel I did about a year or so ago and a little piece of folk art I found in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.


I've hung a couple of my step daughter's photographs.  I LOVE both of these soooooo much!  They are part of a series she did on domestic life.  The large bottom one is a self portrait.  Lily Mayfield is her name and Lily teaches photography at a couple of universities in Chicago.  She also shows and sells her work.  I have her blog link under "Places I Like To Go".  I think these photos are perfect in my laundry room!


Now we're looking outside the other window by the ironing board.  You can see the garage, and our studio is behind that.  I don't like to have my windows covered with curtains or shades.  Sorry about the ugly trash can.


On the floor, in front of the washer and dryer, is the first hooked rug I've ever owned.  I wish I could say I designed and hooked it, but "no" to both.  I actually lusted over it about 15 years ago in an llbean catalog.  It originally had a place of honor in our other home, but since then many other hooked rugs have been moved all over the house.  They never stay in the same place for too long.


Now we are leaving the laundry room.  I love the arched doorway.  A few lovely friends thought this room would be much better as a breakfast nook.  That is really a good idea, but I like it this way.  Otherwise, the laundry would have to be hauled down into the gloomy basement.  I love folding clothes and looking out into the garden.  I love how the laundry makes the house smell.  I love putting little "happys" in my laundry room.  I treat it as any other room in my home.  I love my laundry room!

xo
dulcy


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