Dogwoods AT The Doorstep

Finally done with this one!  I have enjoyed hooking my doorstep more than anything I've done in a long time.  I guess because I was doing something way different from my recent pieces (which basically means not a hand bag).  My original plan had been not to have a border.... but after a conversation (well actually two long convos that covered everything from art to politics ) with Tammy, she suggested doubled folded quilt tape.  I bought a nice chocolate brown and some very tiny cording.  The doubled folded tape is good and wide, so it covers my cut linen on the back.  I probably should have take a picture of the back so you can see what I'm talking about.  Anyway, Tammy's suggestions worked like a charm, and was easy peasy to do.  That's about it at the doorstep today.... but I must comment on the gorgeous weather we are finally having!  We slept with the windows nice and wide open last night, and I mean it was like being drugged!  I just love sleeping with fresh air blowing in.  Air conditioning makes me feel stuffy and close.  I tend to toss about.  Last night was heaven.....  xo

And I Hook

I hook and I hook.... this is mostly all 4 cut, and I'm loving it.  The detail can be tedious, but I get into  it.  The smallest loop seems important.  Maybe because it's my house and the design is based on my husbands photography.  Maybe it's because I began this rug in Maine taking a class with my step daughter, Lily.  Maybe it's because I feel like I'm painting.  It doesn't matter to me.  I simply love rug hooking, and the repetitive process that ends up with such texture and design.  If you hook, you know what I mean.

Today I was running errands and listening to my IPod.  I have Deanne Fitzpatrick's new cd loaded, and I'm listening to her essays on art and life in general.  She was telling about how sometimes she might go someplace, get to talking, and maybe say more than she had intended.  Then worry about it later.  I know exactly what she means, as I imagine most of us probably do.  Deanne then went on to say that it happens and we're just saying what we most likely needed to.  Maybe it's best not to worry about it and just let it go.  I had the most wonderful mind cleanse as I listened to this essay.  I had written a letter a year ago to a couple of friends.  It was very nice.... nothing weird or mean.  I just needed to get some stuff off my chest.  The letter was four pages!  I talked about a lot.  I probably said more than was necessary.  I was on a roll.  This letter has bugged me.... but as I listened to my IPod, I just let it go!  I felt like a dust ball in the corner of my brain had finally been swept free.  I expressed myself in that letter honestly and real.  I wrote much about my life and passions.... I said things that are important to me.  I'm glad I wrote it.  Thanks for your words Deanne.

Too Hot To Play Outside!

Except for an early morning walk, and watering my quickly fading flowers, I spent the day inside.  It's blazing out there...., but my husband did spend the better part of his day mowing.  It's a big job, but when he's done it looks just like a park!  This is a view from the upstairs bedroom looking out towards our studio out back.  Leaf reflection is kind of cool I think... Our upstairs bedroom is practically a green house!  A few of the plants have gotten so big, I imagine that if we ever sell this place the plants will either have to be cut down, or remain with new owners (heaven forbid that ever happens!).

Another view from the same window of our pond and wacky fence.

I'm knitting....yet another pair....of socks.  Absolutely loving this new sock wool!  The colors are scrumptious.... My sock knitting has vastly improved since my last pair.  This is the fifth pair I've done, but it's taken me all five to really get it right.  I've also got another set of #1 needles that are quite a bit longer than my previous set... fewer dropped stitches.

Here's sweet Willow reclining and catching her late afternoon cat nap.  This nap closely follows her midday nap, which comes just on the tail end of her late morning kitty snooze.  These naps usually take place upstairs shortly following her early morning doze on the screened porch.  I've also included another peek at my doorstep rug, which is still under construction.
xo
dulcy

Fiber On My Mind!

I wanted to make a blog post, but not much going on except just trying to stay cool.  The Ozarks is literally dripping with humidity, which can be suffocating, but quite good for the skin (let's look on the bright side, class half full, etc.).  While out running errands, the car temp. gauge read 101!

Even though it's blazing outside, I've got fiber on my mind, and looking forward to new projects on the horizon.  I'm not doing anything new or particularly exciting at the moment, but have made a lot of headway on my hooked doorstep piece a post or two down.  I'll share more of that next week.  In lieu of newly hooked excitement... I decided to share a few other little fiber moments that all you crafty and creative friends might find interesting.

As most of you may know by now, we spent a lovely two weeks during June in Maine and Nova Scotia.  While having tea and muffins in Gilbert's Lighthouse, I was so captivated by the hooked mats hanging about.  I was especially drawn to this little mat (about 10"x10") because it so nicely expresses the quaint and brightly painted fishing cottages that are nestled along the coastline of Nova Scotia.  I love the straight line hooking, which is very different than I see around here.  I grabbed this sweet mat up, and it's my favorite NS souvenir.... except for a heart shaped rock my husband brought back to our room after an early morning walk (I was still sleeping......).

These are a couple of little cotton scarves I crocheted last spring.  They are for two of my favorite gal pals, Cyndi and Claire, for their birthdays (in April and May.... oh dear).  I also felted the little flowers and pinned them on.  Obviously, we are way past our birthday celebrations, but just haven't found the time to get together for our gift exchange.  Isn't that terrible!  We need some priorities in life!

This is some new sock yarn that I'm really excited about!  It's sort of an egg plant color..... I'm finishing up another pair, then on to these.  My next project will be a surprise!  Delving into new fiber territories.....

Totally non-fiber related, but here's our Little Iris.  I happened upon her sitting on this little chair the other day, and she was more than happy to have her picture snapped.  A calm and cooperative cat she is not!  I imagine she had probably been doing something naughty just prior to this moment.

xoxo
Dulcy

Goodies In The Mail and Hooking Steadfastly

I was so excited to find my package from Sharon of Sweet Repose in the mailbox!  Sharon makes uniquely beautiful jewelry.  I had lusted over her necklaces for a couple of years, and finally took the plunge and ordered this one.  It was calling out "Dulcy..." when I saw it on her blog.  Sharon's work is modern, but has such a nice vintagey antique quality to it.  I love the combination of the black vintage glass with the turquoise crystals.  The bird and charm are burnished and old looking.  It's especially fabulous with a black or white tee shirt (I'm for keeping it simple when I'm wearing a piece like this since it makes a statement all it's own).  Sharon also included a couple hunks of her luscious homemade soaps.  Lilac and Brown Sugar Fig.  My bathroom smells heavenly!  Check out Sharon's blog so you can see her fabulous selection of repurposed antiques and vintage goodies.  She also has a great take on life and art, plus her photography is wonderful!

This hot summer's day finds me diligently hooking away on my front door piece I started last month when attending Jane Halliwell Green's workshop.  I'm so excited to see that one of her rugs made it onto the cover of the new "Celebrations" book.  I'm not surprised.  Her work is very artfully done with lots of shading and details.  Her wool is fabulous, and Jane's technique is very "painterly......"

Well.... off to run more wool through my cutter.... 4 cut..... must be patient with this one.  Hope this steamy day finds you cool and comfy.  Maybe working on your art, reading a good book, checking out a new flick at the cinema, or perhaps just a catnap is in order.

xo
dulcy

Find Me At Grandmayellowhair!

I have a little blogazine story over on Maggie's  blog.  We bumped into each other out here in blog land sometime ago, and her stories are just the best.  The first time I read her blog about her escapades with "Ms. Pearl" I was laughing out loud, and have retold them to friends.  My story is mostly things about myself that some of you probably already know, but please check out Maggie's blog on a regular basis.  She profiles other bloggers on her blogazine regularly in addition to her personal posts.  Great way to meet other bloggers and get to know Maggie.  It's well worth your time!

Here's a nice shot from Maine that might cool your brain on this hot summer's day.
xo
dulcy

My Switch Is Flipped To "ON"

Do you ever get that creativity/hippity hop/can't stop/I want to do it all thing going on?  If you're one of my many talented bloggy friends, I know you know exactly what I'm talking about.  My summer switch has been flipped to "on" and I can't stop.... nor do I want to.  So much to do and so little time.  I hope you don't mind me sharing all the little things I've got going on.  My favorite part of blogging is visiting other bloggers and sharing in their creative quests.  It helps keep me inspired!  The following is my current project line-up....

The hooked piece I started in Maine continues with the four cut wool, which is very tiny.... but... love the detail I get with the itsy bitsy pulled loops.  A view of the front door on our rock house.

About a month ago I took a class on needle felting from Vickie (her work is FABULOUS) with my super talented bestest bud and collage artist, Katie (her work is also FABULOUS).  This is just a little experiment.  I'm hooking and felting....  a small mat that I'm making up as I go.

If you've followed my blog for very long at all, you know I'm also a knitter.  Knitting is the thing to have on hand when I can't be at my rug frame hooking.  Hands that can't stay still issue.  The following are my knitted sock (Patience is needed because this can really drive a person crazy using four #1 needles), and I'm loving knitting simple cotton dish clothes.... great to have on hand for quick gifts, and an easy knit, especially when I get the "sock headache".

I've enrolled in an ongoing drawing class to help me with my rug designs.  I love to draw, but really need to hone my skills.  Now it's not much, but it's my first eye.  It took me two classes to draw one eye (I think it may be awhile until I'm doing portraits.....)

This last shot has nothing to do with the subject matter of this post, but I just had to share.  We've had three young Cooper's Hawks soaring and whistling around our yard for some days now.  If hawks can be considered cute (and I believe they can) these fellas are just the sweetest things to watch.  They leap and play and seem so joyful just being alive!  Yesterday, all three were sitting on the garden bench together (let me tell ya, they may still be babies, but these guys are huge!).  I grabbed my camera, but one of them jumped to the top of the bench.  This isn't the greatest shot because I was far away, and in the house.  But if you look closely, you can see the one on top of the bench and the other two on the seat.  I love summer!  Have a beautiful day....
xo

One more thing.... I will be back with more shots from Nova Scotia....eventually.... with a heat index in the 100's, I'm wistfully dreaming of the  breezy Bay of Fundy and the cool climate and roaring waves along the Nova Scotia coastline.

New Tote, and Vacation Pics. from Nova Scotia

Above is a shot of my new fall tote.  I just love working with these colors, and I'm especially smitten with the dark teal (I prefer the term "midnight teal") for the background.  One of those wonderful finds when looking for a completely different color.

And now for assorted shots of my trip to Nova Scotia.

Tide pooling on the beach....

Knitting on the ferry...

Gilbert's Lighthouse where I bought a cute hooked mat done by someone in the NS guild.

Coastline with lighthouse (actually, this was taken in New Brunswick).

Shed with fish netting....digging those colors!

Glorious lupine everywhere!!!!!

Lobster traps abound, as does the tasty treat....

 Hastily made new friends who invited us up to watch the sunset over the ocean (there was wine involved.... yippee... great new friends!).

That's all the NS shots I'll display for now.  I don't want you to feel the need to make a hasty retreat with too many "How I spent my summer vacation" photos.  I'll post some next time of the many colorful boats and homes that grace the coastline.
xo
dulcy

Hooking in Searsport Maine

I just returned from a lovely vacation to Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.  And, yes, I'm tired and glad to be home.  But, travel is truly invigorating and always creatively stimulating for me.  It's good for me to see the world through new eyes.  Colors become more bold when viewed from a new perspective.  I just love to see how people live in other parts of the country and world.  I got so excited when I saw the faded salt box houses of Maine, and the brightly colored homes along the coast of Nova Scotia.  Watching whales and dolphins gliding by from the ferry between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia was a real treat as was seeing hooked rugs from the early parts of the 19th and 20th century at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland Maine.

The original purpose of the trip was to take a rug hooking class with Jane Halliwell Green in Searsport, Maine.  My lovely and talented step-daughter, Lily, took the class with me.  We learned so much, and had such a fabulous time!  I'm posting just a very few pictures from class.

The puppies like resting in the display case (how cute!) greeted us at the door.  Dixie and Dexter love being part of all the goings on.

Jane, teaching one of several new techniques.  Lots to absorb..... but new exciting ideas swimming around my overly stimulated brain!

Dee, my neighbor, and Jim's tour director of the area (thanks Dee!).

Gobs of wool everywhere..  Paradise!

Lily and her rug.  It's from a picture she took in Costa Rica of a church bordering the jungle (fabulous!!).

My project, a picture of our front doorstop.  I haven't got much done because I'm hooking in a very small cut, and trying to shade and pixelate as I go.  It's 14"x22".

Last.... end of day on the coast of Maine after a nice lobster (or some kind of seafood.. I had so much I can't remember) dinner.

I'll post more of Maine, and shots from Nova Scotia in a few days. xo

Color Abounds!

Color is everywhere around here, and it's really got me psyched to hook, plant, cook, and just plain create!

We planted many hydrangeas a few years ago, and they're really starting to burst forth with color.  I love it when the colors are not set, but rather mixed.... yet they change over time.  Right now this beauty is pink, blue, and green.  Lovely after last night's rain.

It's really hard to beat white!  This is a small portion of a massive bush that's probably a good forty years old.  It's great for cutting huge bouquets.

I planted this hanging basked with just one wave petunia plant.  It was kind of spindly at first, but has filled out nicely.  I'm currently in love with old fashioned pinks and blues in the garden.

I love the lavender plant mixing in with the pink dianthus.

Jim and Graham feeding the fish among the day lilies.

Swinging in the sunshine.

And playing freeze tag.

Lastly....  the new fall bag I'm currently working on.  I couldn't get my hands on the antique black I had originally chosen as a background.  My best surprises are when I'm forced to rethink my plan.  I found this lovely dark teal/green that gives the piece a more jewel tone feel.  I will hit and miss various colors from the flowers around the edge of the dark teal.

Off to prepare my pattern for the Jane Halliwell Green class next week in Searsport, Maine.  Very excited!

xo

Groundhogs and Handbags?

Are groundhogs considered cute?  I believe so....  especially when they are babies exploring the garden.  This little guy was all over the place!  About the size of a small guinea pig.

New fall bag in progress.......

This fall flower motif will be on both sides of the tote I'm currently working on.  I'm thinking of a background in antique black, with lots of hit and miss colors around the edge.

I've sort of veered away from my original hooking plan, which was to do two more summer flower pillows.  I started thinking about how much I'm enjoying my hydrangea tote this season, and how I would like something to replace it in the fall.  So.... started digging through my cabinet of wool, found some colors I love, and started pulling the loops!  Also, I received this stand for my Puritan frame.  My talented can-do-all hubby,Jim, did some alterations, and now I'm hooking comfortably in my favorite chair.

Yes..... I realize there's absolutely no relation between groundhogs and hooking, but those are things that make me happy, so thought I'd share!

xo