Case Of The "Blues"

I'm loving the blues today!  Blue has not been one of my "go to colors"  ...... but lately..... I see it everywhere, and it makes me feel creative and full of energy!

The blues with greens and browns in this new shawl I'm currently blocking.

The blues in my new favorite little painting by Sophie Parker.  Love it next to my old pottery pieces!

The garden blues of my bottle tree.  So lovely next to the greens, pinks, and whites.......

These gorgeous blue wools I'm using in my "just have fun with hooking and art" piece.  The brights and contrasts always excite me!

And my favorite spring and summer pillow.... the gazing ball..... pattern by Primitive Spirit.

Having a case of the blues is really not so bad!

xo
dulcy

Springtime Arts and Crafting

I'd love to share with you a few little items I've worked on over the past few days.  I've been enjoying all the posts on Karen's Primitive Spirit blog.  She shared a pattern and instructions for a little Birdsnest bag sometime back that I thought I'd give a try.  I changed the pattern somewhat, but used most of the construction directions.

I call it my little "scrappy rose bag".  I think it came out really cute, and I used colors that I've been loving this spring.  Lots of lavenders and greens.... also the addition of rose and golds just make the whole color composition come together! 

I'm working on another rug for a new family baby.  This is a little free pattern I found in the Rug Hooking Journal several years ago.  I've already made it twice with the addition of names and  different flowers.  Just little changes here and there.  But it's the mommy sheep and her lamb that make this such a cute pattern!  This is for a little baby girl named Chesney. 

I haven't seen Chesney's room, but the colors are bright pinks and greens.  It's such fun to play with these brights!

I shared with you on a previous post that I finished my Master Gardener classes.  One of the very nice perks of this program, is that they offer lots of advanced training in a variety of gardening interests.  Saturday a class was offered in botanical drawing.  We spent the afternoon with a very talented teacher who had been doing botanical drawing as a profession for many years.  Below is the piece I drew.

The instructor had laid out all kinds of plants, seeds, and leaves.  I grabbed this one because it looked interesting, even though I don't know what it is (I'm still an MG newby).  Anyway, I haven't drawn in ages, so this was a nice way to begin again.  Maybe I'll get the pastels out this week!

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

Birds and Bags

Hello Friends!

So good to be back blogging again!  I've had a wonderful summer so far. My days revolve around  hooking, knitting, painting, gardening, reading, swimming,  and visiting with friends.  Of course I've also been cleaning, cooking, pulling weeds, paying bills, watering, watering watering .... you get the picture..... everyday life.

What I've really enjoyed this summer is bird watching!  I'm a card carrying, binoculars on a strap around my neck, member of the Audubon Society.  My hubby bought me a pair of super duper binoculars for my birthday. I now can see things far away, really really close up, and crystal clear!

 The above shot is me looking up at our family of yellow crested night herons.  Four of these "cuties" are now learning to fly and are all over our yard.  I can practically walk right up to them, as they seem to be very used to us now.  They've been watching down from their nest as we work around the yard and have our evening "deck time".  Deck time is a nightly affair that involves wine, sitting, and doing nothing.

We are also enjoying the family of adult cooper's hawks with their four new babies.  These sweeties are huge, and they whistle all day.  They swoop among the trees, and I can hear them whistling right now as I write this post!

These babies usually can be seen in the bird bath trying to battle the 100 degree plus temperatures!

And what outdoor nursery wouldn't be complete without triplet baby fawns and their mother roaming about?  These little guys suddenly appeared the other night.  They ran all over the place while mama drank from the pond.

So, it can be hard to get much done around here aside from wildlife watching and photographing, but I have managed to be a bit creative.

Below is my gazing ball pillow.  The pattern is from Primitive Spirit. 

 I think it turned out absolutely gorgeous!  I wasn't sure where I would put it, but seems to work nicely resting on my little gold-checked wing-backed chair.

I'm sooooo excited to be going to New York in the fall!  One of the things I'll be doing is attending a wool festival.  This trip was just what I needed to put me into high gear and make a new fall tote to carry on my journey.  I was trying decide color and design, when the obvious choice came to me.  My love for hedge apples!  I love the color, texture, and shape of these fall beauties.

The colors I chose evolved from the greens.... I knew I wanted a grey background.  I think hooked bags look their very best after being carried awhile with a bit of wear.  This one may come out late summer to very early fall so it will be nice and a bit frumpy for the New York trip.

Below is a quick shot I took of the inside before I assembled the bag.  I wanted roomy pockets so I wouldn't be digging for stuff all the time.

I've made other bits of this and that, but this has been sort of a lengthy post, so I'll share more of my life and creative endeavors here at the doorstep on another day.

xo
dulcy

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

Spirals + Color = Happiness!

I saw this nifty spiral tutorial on Karen's Primitive Spirit blog.  When I first saw it, I liked it but didn't think that it was something I wanted to do at that time.  Well, I kept seeing it popping up on other wonderful hooking blogs that I love.  The more I saw this pretty swirly spiral evolve, the more I wanted one of my own.  I love it's hit and miss simplicity..........

At first I kept going back to other blogs to see if I was doing mine "right".  Isn't that just the most insecure stupid thing?!  Although I'm constantly in a state of learning, I need to trust my own instincts.  I've been hooking for years,  I know what I like, and what works for me.  So... I cut that out, and proceeded to hook my colors my way.  I'm very happy with the results.  I plan on crocheting the edge as suggested by Karen.  I'm saving that job for a hook-in this weekend.  I find that the border project will involve a lot less hooking paraphernalia to be dragged along. 

I'm still knitting away on my little shrug/mini poncho.  I have my doubts about how it will turn out, but with blocking I'm hoping for the best.  Almost done with the knitting, then I'll block, then overlap and stitch.  I have a very sweet little punch needle brooch I made that should look smashing with this piece!  Must keep fingers crossed on this one.

This evening I'm attending a very small birthday dinner with a couple of friends.  I really never know what to gift these days.  Everyone seems to have everything!  I've given many handmade goodies over the years, but not always sure that's the best choice.  So..... In this case I bought a couple of little gifties, a cute bookmark and folk art blank book.  But, never happy unless I prim things up a bit.  I wrapped the gifties in some scrap linen and tied with this pretty aqua blue ribbon.  The ribbon had been a tad too baby blue, so I coffee dyed it.  Then I topped the package with a little fabric flower brooch I made.

And now, out to the flowers.  I may need to drop by my favorite nursery for a couple more cone flowers to fill in.  Gorgeous day here in the Ozarks!

xo
dulcy

Fiber Loves and Frustrations....

I've been having sewing machine problems that result in just horrible language coming from that frustrated place deep inside me.  I was sharing my latest exasperations with my fabulous pal Jessy, and she said it sounded like ill fitting bobbins.  You may want to stop here because this bobbin talk could be getting a bit too boring.  Anyway, before I could even write "get new bobbins" on my to do list, Jessy had popped over to the sewing machine shop and got me just the right thing.  Problem solved!

Now Jessy can't just give them to me in a sack..... instead she sews up this darling little package with this lovely vintage Dutch girl to keep them in.  Soooo sweet!

I decided to try them out pronto.... and grabbed this piece of scrap linen and sewed up the sides.  Smooth sailing, and no nasty language.

Well, we're going to some friends home tonight for dinner.  I like to take my favorite luscious and cheap wine, Mad Housewife!

It's a nice cabernet, and you've just got to love that label! 
I'll use my new somewhat shabby little linen bag as an alternative to a paper sack to deliver the wine in.

I think this is a much nicer presentation than a paper sack.  Don't you?

Yesterday I finished hooking my teapot welcome rug.  I haven't thought of anything cute to name it yet.  It's one of those projects that I wasn't just real excited about, but the colors worked out so beautifully that now I'm just thrilled with the results!  This combination is very much "my colors".

I got most of the wool for this project from my friend Tammy at Skip To My Ewe.

It's easy to get wool from Tammy because we live in the same town.  Lots of fun looking at wool, drinking coffee, and discussing upcoming projects and adventures.  I'm going to do my first crocheted border on this one.  I got a lovey print that blends nicely with the rug.  I don't want anything too strong that makes it look outlined.  Just a pretty soft crochet.  I'm so excited to do this!

Oh dear, I'm somewhat embarrassed to show you this, but I couldn't resist running out to get more sock yarn.

I was over at Primitive Spirit
reading Karen's blog and she had a picture of her hand knitted socks. Well, before the day was over, my friend Ann and I had driven out to this wonderful little knit shop outside of town and purchased some new yarn.  It's like just the picture puts this suggestion into my head and I HAVE to knit socks!  I know it's about keeping my hands busy when I'm not hooking or doing other things.  I can't just sit and visit or watch TV without doing something.  I do really like this color pattern.

Enough for now.  Enjoy this lovely weekend!
xo
dulcy

Color, Hooking, and Inspiration Everywhere!

It's been a way busy week here at the doorstep!  Grandchildren visiting over spring break has made for much happiness, fun, and lots of arts and crafting.  Below is a shot of my two favorite girlies, Ava and Emma (Ava is our grand daughter, and Emma is my dear little friend and neighbor).  Each of these sweeties has a new hooked posy pouch draped over her shoulder.  I love seeing a little girl carrying a cute tiny bag!

I realize it's not officially springtime yet, but you wouldn't know that if you could see out my window.  Redbuds are starting to pop, daffodils have been up for at least two weeks, and green is everywhere!  I get sooo completely jazzed this time of year.  The new Gudrun catalogs are my favorite, and they're bursting with color!

I'm finding the golds, greens, and blues especially captivating right now.  Even though we've been turned upside down with kiddos this week, I've found lots of time to work on my new teapot rug.

It's so exciting working with the golds, reds, mossy greens, and dusty purple and lavender.  I come back to this color combination often.

A new favorite blog of mine is Karen's Primitive Spirit.  There are so many rug hookers and pattern designers that I've admired over the years.  Everything from primitive to abstract to very realistic.  But the one I always come back to for inspiration is Karen Kahle.  I was able to take a workshop of Karen's several years ago and was awed by her designs and ability to teach color technique.  I don't order patterns anymore, but I do like to order from Karen.  She recently had a lovely post on her blog showing some of her pillows.... I'm a lover of gazing balls, and have a few sitting around in my gardens.  I couldn't resist acquiring her gazing ball pillow pattern.  I received it the other day wrapped in lovely paper with this pretty paisley tag.  I'm trying to save it for a hook-in coming up in April, but I don't think I'll be able to leave it alone until then...........

Karen has a virtual geometric chair pad tutorial over at her blog that is fabulous!  I haven't gotten in on it yet, but plan on it between the teapot and the gazing ball.


The other night, while hooking and enjoying a glass of wine, I looked up at my mantel and decided to take a quick shot of it to share.  Far be it from me to actually move my frame and stand up to take the picture (my photographer husband would be so disgusted with my photographic laziness).  My mantle is a place I like to change around with the season.  It's a catch-all for some of my favorite things.

I did the robin pastel, and the floral was done by my painter pal Kathryn Glover.
Various vases were made by local potter friends.  My favorite piece is the little pysanky egg done by my mother.  It's a place that seems to become a home for art and outdoor finds such as flowers, rocks, and bird feathers.  I change it around constantly.

Thanks for dropping by, and I hope your weekend is spring filled, restive, and creative.
xo
dulcy