Secret Gardens and Small Things

My garden is changing quickly.  Less brights, but lots of greens and browns.... which are just as lovely.  I have one more page of my garden journal that I really need to get done so the project is complete for this year.  Already new ideas collecting for next spring as shade is heavier than ever, and I need to move away from some of my standard bloomers.  I'm actually already quite excited to make some changes, and plan to add a special page in my journal to record my 2017 garden ideas.

The above is a tiny secret garden we were steered to while visiting the little country town of Ava a week ago.  We went to attend the Saturday market on the square, and while visiting a wonderful little art gallery, the owner told us to check out her secret garden down the block.  It's not wide enough to stretch my arms between the two buildings.... and at the end she's painted a lovely mural on the skinny wall.  I just love it!  So sweet to take this wee space that no one really sees, and yet make it beautiful!

Speaking of wee creations, I made this tiny pillow last week.  It's actually a little pattern on linen I picked up several months ago.  I've been wanting to create and hook something large and grand..... but just can't come up with what I want, or the enthusiasm to do it.  So.... this little piece was enough to feel productive, and hopefully, jump start a new design.  It's only about 5"x10",  and just the right size to find a good spot.

Someone else has also found a good spot!  Little Iris on the hedge apple rug.  The yellow bird house behind her was one of the reasons we went to Ava.  There was a very old man selling them.  He had lots and lots.... all bright colors.  We ended up getting four!  They are finding homes in the yard, and also for gifts.

I never seem to tire of weaving on my triloom.  I especially like how this shawl turned out.  It's a special order, and will be moving on.  Hard one for me to let go of, but going to a lovely lady and a good home.

It's a bit muggy here.... but I'm feeling fall and good energy.

xo

dulcy  

A Home With A Name

I took a fun class the other night at Lowlanders Yarn Shop.  I learned to broomstick crochet.  It was a great class, we received yarn, a hook, and a wee broomstick with the lesson.  I've been crocheting along, and due to an uncorrectable mistake (as in ripping everything out) I added a bit of ribbon.  Always good with shabby ribbon!

Something different, and thought the color variations very pretty.  May make a belt/and or scarf of it.

Working some more on my garden journal.  Finished page three.

I'm going to need two to three more pages to finish up this front garden section.  I really enjoy quick sketchy watercolor painting.  Not too much precision or thought.  Just paint!

We've had quite a bit of rain lately which always brings out the garden visitors.  Had this "lovely" nibbling about yesterday.

I like the happy surprise lilies off to the right.  Things are very lush right now and quite overgrown.  We don't do much about it as we like it like that.  I just control a couple of gardens close to the house and studio.  Feels and looks a bit like a jungle right now.

Peggy over at Woman With Wings wrote about naming her spot..... gardens, sacred spots, home..... and I've thought of this many times.  My idea is Stone Fox Cottage as that fits quite well with our stone house, stone fox head above the door, and the many fox families that have resided here over the years.  I decided to go with the Spanish translation because everything sounds better in Spanish and I'm getting ready to bring out and dust off the little I know for an adventure next year.  So the Spanish translation of Stone Fox Cottage is.......

casa de piedra de zorro

(quite fitting)

xo

dulcy

American Made

Spent a lovely day at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art with my friend Ann.  We took a tapestry class, and got to catch the American Made show.  Lots of FABULOUS folk art!  Here's a shot of a lovely old, and gorgeously simple, hooked rug.

We're so lucky to have this absolute jewel of a museum in our area.  Going back soon to spend more time at the show.

I haven't been hooking, but wanting to..... just don't have a design idea right now.  Maybe something small that doesn't require too much time, planning, and wool.

I have been knitting on hubby's yellow socks.

They're bright, happy, and his favorite color.  I ordered this fabulous yarn from old bloggy friend Dag.  She has the most wonderful yarns that she spins and dyes.  Check out her Etsy store!

I've been working on a small garden project.  It seems that each spring I get a bit too excited to clean out my garden, and start pulling up vinca, leaves, etc.  Well I, more than occasionally, pull up other little plants that have been patiently waiting to come up on their own.  Sometimes I forget what they are, and replant.  So...... I started a little watercolor garden journal to help me remember.   These are my first two pages.

They are pretty sketchy and a bit abstract, but fun for me to paint this way.  I've since labeled the plants, and attached little packets to the back of each page for the cards of new plants, and maybe some seeds.  I have three more pages to go to complete this front garden.

Nice rainy day today.... planning to cut some of the pretty crepe myrtle that's profusely blooming at the moment and bring in a bouquet.  Loving summer, but feeling the tug towards fall.  Not yet though.

xo

dulcy

It's Time To Paint!

Oh..... such a nice rainy cool fall day!  Perfect day to do a little painting.  I have an upcoming art retreat centered on balance and motion.  I've been trying to decide what to take to work on for 3 whole days..... My first thought is to do a pastel of a lovely horse that resides at the stable where I ride.   But, to be quite honest, I'm a bit tired of working in pastels (although I will most likely have time to do this piece, and probably will at least get it started).  But in the meantime.......  I looked around, and my eyes landed on this sweet little old gardening encyclopedia that my friend, Jessy, gave me.

Do you remember these?  I think they were sold as individual editions at the grocery store back in the 60's.  I thought, "wouldn't it be fun to paint on some of the inside pages".  Sort of an art journal, but without all the wording (there's plenty already on the pages, and I'm not one for adding inspirational phrases).  I decided I would paint scenes from our gardens and yard.

The above is a painting of little Firefly.  He's a stray that loves to sit in the grass at night and be with us while we enjoy our "deck time".  I feed him, but he's pretty wild and won't let anyone come within petting range.  I think firefly is ours now even though he doesn't know it.

We were so lucky to have lots of red breasted grosbeaks visiting our feeders last spring.  This one was more orange than red, and I loved the days that he hung around in the trees.

So..... I think I'm going to work mostly in my garden book at the retreat.  I've got lots of ideas for paintings, and I love getting something done quickly... and instead of loose paper, they're nice and neat in their sweet old gardening book!

I've also started a "doodle book"  where I do pencil drawings and color with pencils, pastels, and oil pastels.  The type of art that's portable and doesn't require trips to the sink.

It's all just for fun!!!

xo
dulcy