Spring Magic

It feels really magical around our house this time of year.  Everything is big, wild, and green!

I feel like that sense of magic carries over into my life and creativity.

I'm just loving building papermache teacups!  I will be part of a spring sale in a couple of weeks, and I've decided to add several of these.  Using up recycled paper to make these little cuties is great fun!

I like to make them look a bit grungy and old, then tie natty looking ribbon on the handles.

Last weekend I went to Texas and met up with my friend Mary.  We attended the Dallas Fiber Fest and had a great time lusting over all the hand dyed yarns!  I thought I'd never make another pair of socks, but couldn't resist this pretty yarn.  It has a real vintage feel.  Making more of a shorty sock for spring.  Much quicker knit!  All the colors in this picture inspire me!

Another magical piece of my picture is my little cabin dollhouse created by Gooseberry Creek Designs.  I've added a bit of spring to the porch.  The rug is a little punch needle brooch I made several years ago, and the sheep is a winter Saturday project my friend Tammy and I cooked up.

And the downstairs is looking cosy too.

Still painting away in my Jane LaFazzio watercolor and mixed media journaling class.  This past week we were to choose a subject, and draw it using different methods.... creating a journal page.  I chose to draw some of my jewelry.

Hope you're feeling a sense of magic this spring.......

xo
dulcy

Keeping Up The Color

The first week of February is when I pick up something to force bloom inside.  I've still got winter in my bones, but can't help myself from adding just a wee bit of spring in my home.

I like to watch the blooms slowly appear.  These tulip buds were completely unopened when I purchased them up at the grocery on Tuesday, but becoming more gorgeous everyday.

I also cut a few limbs of forsythia..... those are my favorites to watch!  The tiny yellow flowers are so sweet, but it will be at least a week before they start to show.

February also means pinks and reds.  I ordered this beautiful Noro Silk Garden Solo yarn and made these two shawls for the library gift shop.

I love them curled up next to my hooked snowdrop pillow.  I have clumps of snowdrops just starting to sprout outside.  Sooo looking forward to their little white heads!

I've been painting my little green flea market metal teapot for Jane LaFazio's class.  This first is continuous ink line to paper.  No pencil or picking up the pen until done.

Then I played around with my first effort that I really didn't like.  Instead of trashing it, I added some design and a bit of washi tape for interest.  Sort of dressed the poor thing up a bit.

I'm my best when surrounded by color and art.  Looking forward to Jane's next class that combines sketch booking and water color in a mixed medium format.  Practicing flowers right now.....  more later.

Happy Weekend!
xo
dulcy

Friends, Food, Family, and Art

It's been a great start to 2015!

Took Ava to a New Year's Eve party at my friend's house..... not to worry, that's sparkling grape juice.

Working on new ribboned shawls.  These two are for the shop.

I just love choosing the ribbons that will work with these.  Great fun with color!

Had the most fabulous afternoon sketching away with friends Mary and Tammy.  We haven't had a good sketching session since before the holidays.  I'm so remiss to not get their pictures today or their sketches, but will next time.  It was the perfect combo........friends, food, and art!

Another great start to the year was receiving my new piece of mixed media art by artist, Heather Murray

So sweet..........

And Iris enjoying a beautiful sunset to end the day (plus a bit of warming temperatures......)

xo
dulcy

Cold, Ribbons, and Studio Time

It's all arrived!  Cold, wind, snow..... the holidays!  Very busy in studio, home and at work.  No time lately for blogging, but wanted to get something out before Thanksgiving and related busyness sets in.  I've been playing with my triloom and shawl making.  Added some ribbon embellishment, and quite happy with the results.

This pretty coral/green combo sold the first day I took it into work at the Vintage Suitcase.  I've since sold another in blue and rosy jewel tones, have another in the shop in lovely shabby antique creams, and one on the loom in grays, blacks, and lavenders.  It's great fun to choose all colors, sizes, and textures of ribbon for the embellishments.  Some I tea dye, but all I scrunch up wet and let dry all wrinkly and crinkly.  We have the best ribbon assortment in the shop you'll find just about anywhere!

I've been knitting mittens with crocheted pretty ribbon borders.

I'm currently knitting my fourth pair!

Of course, always rug hooking.  Tammy and I organized a little hook in at Ivy Jeans a week ago.  I began this piece.

I think I'm going to incorporate the collaged fiber piece that's next to it somehow.  I did that piece a couple of years ago to use this sweet little swatch of antique paisley.  I hope it will come together well, and for once, have the perfect place for it.

Loving Sketchbook Skool.  I've been sketching in public places with friends Mary and Tammy, who are also taking the class.  As you can see, wine is usually involved.....

Heading back out into my cozy studio for some more weaving.  Stay warm, and have a lovely Thanksgiving!

xo
dulcy

Fall Finds and Daily Color

Fall continues to be brilliant!  It's a gorgeous Monday following a fabulous and fun weekend.  Today is a bit rainy and cloudy, but colors pop even more when everything is damp and the sky is grey.  I finally finished my latest hooked piece.  It's big and it's red!  My original plan was that it was to be a wall piece as there's quite a bit of 3D going on.... but for now it's on the floor in front of the fireplace.

Kinda crazy, but I just wanted to hook color and texture.  It's full of not only wool, but silk, velvet, various yarns, metallics, sari silks, and some cotton.

And you can see the beginnings of mittens I'm knitting.  This is just the first of a pair.  I wove in the silk ribbon for a bow, and will crochet the same ribbon around the cuff.  Just doing a bit of experimenting.  Hope to make a few pairs for The Vintage Suitcase, gifts for family and friends, and a pair for myself.

Speaking of The Vintage Suitcase, I grabbed this shot of our "sweet" new bakery at work the other day.  Needed to be quick before the customers started to arrive!

In the shop part of the Suitcase, we carry a nice selection of art papers and vintage look silk ribbons.  I was playing around with a cone made of doggie themed paper at work the other day to sell in the shop.  But, after I finished I decided to purchase it for a Christmas present (can't mention anymore about that here....shhhh...)

Love making these things!

And..... it's hedge apple season again.  My favorite color of fall!  My sweet husband picks these up on his outings and brings them home for me.  They don't last too long, but so gorgeous!

I just had to do a quick little watercolor in my sketchbook....

I love sharing the little things I make and do here in the Ozarks, and I so enjoy visiting all the other fantastic and creative blogs out there.  Such a great source for inspiration, education, and friends!  Thanks for popping by!
xo
dulcy

My Week At A Glance!

I'm hooking like mad to make some headway on this piece to take to the Warsaw hook-in next weekend. It's all the color blending that slows me down.  I have to think a bit too long about each piece that comes next.  It's the only way I think this will work for me and not turn into one big hot mess!

I've found time this week to do a bit of kitchen table sketching.........

Another cup and saucer.

A fresh peach.  Love playing with these oranges!

 

And a lemon.

 

Here's a few shots from Robin's Vintage Suitcase where I'm working part-time.  Getting ready for fall.

Some of our gorgeous ribbon!

We're now carrying lovely linen clothes for fall!

note:  one of my little hooked bags :)

And other wonderful treasures in the shop!

And our little crew on the front of Metro Woman this month!  I'm peeking out from under the large straw hat third back on the right.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo

dulcy

Summer Tidbits

Busy and extremely pleasant summer!  Life and weather have been more than one could ask for.....  Here's a few tidbits of this and that.

Bike riding again!  Bought a new bike that my very sweet hubby put together for me.  I've been riding all over the neighborhood, and hoping to hit some trails up north along the Missouri River this fall.

 

Still sketchbooking.... a recent sketch of my home.  So glad I discovered sketchbooking this summer.  Thanks Tammy!

Friday I went to Warsaw with Tammy and we hooked all day at Salt Box Primitives.  Here's a sampling of all the creativity going on!

Tammy's aerial view of her back yard.  Gorgeous!

Nelda's priceless pig!  Wow!

I did not get this ladies name, but love her geometrics!

And I'm still working in reds.........

 

A fun discovery of some little owls I hooked at the local Farmer's Market Birstro, The Aviary.

 

My new job at Robin's Vintage Suitcase and Tearoom.  We're getting two new lines of clothing this week that will be exclusive to the shop.  Robin is scurrying about getting things set up as only she can do.  We're now becoming a boutique, and adding a bakery!

Best of all...... time with our precious little Ruby!

Of course summer isn't over, and it's going to be a very hot week, but with school in session now... it feels as though a lovely fall is not far off!

xo

dulcy

Sketching Teacups

I've joined the sketchbook challenge!  Actually, all that seems to involve is copying the badge as seen on the right, and joining in the sketchbook fun.  August is my first month in the group, and the challenge is "Coffee and Tea".  Two things I enjoy!  Here's what I've done so far.....

 

These are all very small, and I'm still using my handmade rose petal paper.  My book is mostly full now, so time to move on to a proper sketchbook.  Summer fun!

xo

dulcy