Pieces of The Netherlands and Belgium

A series of shots from our travels to the Netherlands and Belgium.  No particular theme, just people and places.

That's it for today!  I think my next post will be about the boat we traveled on.  Viking River Cruise.... the most amazing, comfortable, and easy way to travel!  Ready to go again!!

xo
dulcy

People, Bikes, and a Bit of Shopping

Now that we're home, and jet lag is behind, I'd love to share some of the photos from our lovely travels to the Netherlands and Belgium.  Something that's VERY impressive about Amsterdam, aside from pot smoking in the cafe's, is the bike riding!  Now I know bike riding is much more prevalent in Europe than here.  And I saw it as a major mode of transportation around Holland and Belgium.  But... in Amsterdam that IS the main mode of transportation.  Everyone, every age, rides their bike everywhere.  No helmets.  Cars are discouraged and parking is 7 euros per hour...  Bikes always have the right of way, and if you step out in front of one and get hit... your fault.  So, this post is simply pictures of people, bikes, and a bit of shopping in Amsterdam!

Okay.... enough for now.  I'll post again in a few days with photos of the positively gorgeous and old architecture of Amsterdam along the winding canals.

xo
dulcy

p.s.  in case you're wondering if I'm ever going to post about rug hooking again.... today I plan on starting a small piece to get me back in the saddle for the Heather Richie rug retreat I'll be attending in June.  Hope to do a piece completely with prodding.  Maybe I'll have some work to show soon!

Travels and Tulips

I'm home from travels to the Netherlands and Belgium.  Waiting for gorgeous photos from hubby to post, but he'll be working on his for a good while.  He took over 2,000!  But that is his job and passion.  So, I grabbed a quicky of tulips from my download.  They were HUGE and everywhere!

I started a new part-time job within two days of getting off the plane at the fabulous Vintage Suitcase!

 

I'll be working two days a week, but have worked four over the past week.  Whew!  Love it, and it's the perfect fit for me.  Lots of loveliness and creativity going on, great people, and the bit of structure I've been lacking.  So..... will post again soon when I have some gorgeous photos from the lands below sea level!

xo

dulcy

Pinafore Fun

I'm so excited because I received my new linen pinafore from Rough Linen!

It's a lovely business that makes handmade linen products that bestie, Jesse, told me about.  She also ordered a pinafore, but dyed her's blue, and it looks fabulous!  Check out the site.  Gorgeous bedding, curtains, and towels. 

I love it with this new shawl that I just finished. 

The lovely neutral linen makes a great backdrop for the jewel tones of the shawl.

You may have noticed our brightly painted fence in previous posts. 

I found an old section that came down during the terrible ice storm several years ago.  My sweet hubby sawed off a nicely distressed piece for me that I can use to mount my occasional pastel work.

I simply attached it with washi tape so I can remove and change out artwork when I have something new.  Saves on framing.... but get to enjoy a piece for a bit and then move it on.

And..... if you've been following my Firefly saga...... here's a recent photo.  You can probably tell he's "been around the block" to say the least.  But such a pretty boy.

I'm a tad worried because I haven't seen him at all today.  Usually he's here at least twice, like clockwork, for meals.  Hopefully, he hasn't gotten into more trouble!

xo
dulcy

Spring Has Sprung!

It's cold, but it's officially spring!  Daffodils are all over the place, so I brought some in, and added some pretty pink tulips to the mantel (the tulips are from the day old flowers at the market.... cheap, healthy,  and pretty!).

I love to display my pretty hooked spring pillows this time of year.  Well, actually, I have them out all the time.........but love them now with flowers and sunshine in the house!

And the Firefly piece is hooked and bound.  I may eventually attach it to painted canvas as a wall piece.

Firefly is still around.  His bad wound seems to be healing well.... although he won't let me get close enough to get a good look.  We did make progress a few days ago.  Firefly ate a bowl of food on the deck one sunny afternoon and let me sit in a chair a few feet away.  I think he really wants to be part of our family, just too nervous and distrusting.  I plan to try and trap him a bit later this spring.  If that goes well followed by a vet checkup, rabies shot, and the procedure, I'll then make some decisions about the little guy.

I had a lovely afternoon with bestie, Katie.  She had made me this awesome bracelet.

Isn't it just the cutest?!  So we spent a day at her house, where she taught me the technique and I made another for myself.

Mine's the one on the bottom.  It's a process of layering paper, collage, antiquing, and painting onto a wooden bangle.  Such fun!  And the best part is crafting with a special friend......

If you live anywhere around here (or wherever you live!)..... please check out Robin's Vintage Suitcase.

Robin is currently having a major redo of the Vintage Veranda Tearoom part of the shop.  It's sooooo gorgeous and cool!  Hopefully, it will be open in April.  I'll let you know for sure.  Also, the Vintage Suitcase and garden shop are in full bloom.  Check out the above link to a new blog I've been putting together.  Would love to receive your comment.  Also, it would be great to be linked up with you!

Happy Spring!
xo
dulcy

Firefly In The Garden Times 3

I've been more than a little obsessed with our feral kitty, Firefly.  This is a cat I'm feeding every day.  Have saved from "death's door" with the help of my wonderful vet and antibiotics to heal infection from a nasty wound.  Bought things like a heated cat mat for the garage.... battled raccoons in the same garage when I've kept the door up a bit on horribly cold nights so Firefly could go in, warm himself and eat.  This is a cat that STILL won't let me get close to him AT ALL!  So..... I've determined that Firefly is to be our outdoor friend that I feed and enjoy from a distance for as long as he chooses to stay around.  I think trapping and bringing him in would be a rough situation for current girlie cats, hubby, myself, and Mr. Firefly.

I have been enjoying doing a bit of art work and rug hooking using this little guy as my subject.  Below is a photo my hubby took one evening while we sat on the deck.  Firefly likes to sit outside with us as long as we keep our distance.

 

I used that photo for a little painting I did last fall.

And recently, began a hooked piece that I just finished........

All different..... fun to play with the wool and try to capture this little guy sitting contentedly in the grass enjoying the lovely summer evening.  Unfortunately, it's once again horribly cold with ice and snow.  We're back to cat mat in the garage and those nasty determined raccoons!  Spring is bound to eventually show up......

p.s.  There are crocus and snowdrops poking they're sweet little heads up.  Hope they make it through these bitter temps.

xo
dulcy

Getting Out in the Ozarks: Nature Photography - OzarksFirst.com

 Story on my husband, Jim Mayfield.

Getting Out in the Ozarks: Nature Photography - OzarksFirst.com

Palette For Firefly

I'm hooking a "just see where it goes" kind of piece.  It's from a photo taken of our little feral cat, Firefly, last summer.  I'm playing with color, and loving the greens with peach, teals, and darks!

Here's the messy palette of wool I'm working from........

The fence behind Firefly will be fun... lots of abstract hooking with wonderful color. 

On a solemn note, little Firefly appears to be very sick.  He will come nowhere near me, but comes out to be fed.  I'm calling the vet, and may try and trap.  From what I can see, he has a rather nasty wound and his poor little eyes are all runny.  It's been such a difficult winter!!

xo
dulcy

Colors of Russia

Since it's all about the Olympics and Sochi Russia right now.... I thought I'd post a few photographs my husband, Jim Mayfield, took while in Russia several years ago.   Enjoy......

Such beautiful people, architecture, and color.........

Warm Thoughts With Lots Of Color

Sunny cold day with no wind.... I'LL TAKE IT!  Beats what we've been dealing with lately..... Oh, enough whining about the weather please...

Hooked up a few more bags for sale in May.

My cure for winter blues is always lots of color!

Weaving  shawls for same springtime sale.

 

My little shawl/scarves work well in spring and even summer.  I use a very lightweight mohair/silk blend, and they're nice to throw over shoulders or wrap around necks on cool summer evenings.  Especially when one is wearing a tank or tee.

And here's my little "Sweet Annie" doll that I found in a flea market.  I love her happy face and the tiny heart she's holding.  

Warm thoughts to you!

xo

dulcy

 

Getting Ready For A Colorful Spring

I'm a bit mad at myself, because I made my most favorite bag ever..... took it to the customer..... and forgot to photograph it first.  Dang!  But, on the upside, the lovely lady I made it for owns a wonderful shop (I've written about it here before) called the Vintage Suitcase.  We did some trading, and one of my new treasures is this sweet Santos doll.

 

I have her a bit dressed up for upcoming Valentine's Day.  She's wearing a strand of whale heart beads I bought many years ago in Alaska, and a pretty heart necklace my friend Jesse made for my mom last year at Valentine's Day.  Here's a closer view of her perfectly peaceful face.

I've been knitting quite a lot lately.  Made this darling little cap for our precious Ruby.

 

 

Of course it's tiny baby size.... just adorable and an easy project.

Also been working on a knitted afghan using these gorgeous jewel tone chenille yarns.

 It's a ripple pattern.... Nice soft and luxurious! 

New exciting things in the works.... will begin hooking lots of small bags, goodies, and weaving shawls for an upcoming spring sale in K.C., big trip in the spring (more on that later),  and more!  Stay tuned..... and add some new color to your life.  My new color is bright royal blue!

xo

dulcy