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

Blogging For The Better

Haven't blogged in a bit, and quite frankly, wondering "why bother?".  But... I've also cruised around from time to time checking out other blogs,  Instagram, facebook sites, Pinterest, and am always so amazed at all the creativity!  I love to follow wonderful artists at these sites, and occasionally will leave my own comments.  Sometime I'll get a reply back!  Whenever I feel a bit in a slump, something as simple as a few photos of great homes, gardens, art, and fashion are all I need to get back at it.  So.... (well now that my computer is fixed.... a pesky issue) I'll post a few photos of what I'm up to, and what is making me happy and feel creative.

I've been hooking a lot over the past few months, and just finished this small abstract landscape.

This piece was inspired by one of my husband, Jim Mayfield's, photos taken while traveling through the Netherlands last spring.

I've also had a lot of fun making pillows.  Here's a couple of girls.  Rosie and Violet.  They're about 18" tall and 10" wide.

I still have one more to do to make a set of three.  These will be for sale later next fall.  Speaking of owls, our friends called the other day and told us to get over quick!  New baby barred owls just emerged from the nest in their yard.  We jumped in the car and got there in time for a great viewing.  Jim grabbed several shots.

I'm still working on lots of shawls and a few bags.  Saving bags for fall sale, and shawls I've been selling in a couple of different shops.  Love the silk/mohair blend of yarn.  Light and soft!

Spending special time with family.  Just returned from Chicago where we had the most lovely time with little grand daughter Ruby, who just celebrated becoming two years old.

 

Of course, my favorite place to be is home.  It's garden time and I couldn't be happier than when puttering around the house and garden.  Here's a picture of our front and porch.  I'm using this shot for tags on my shawls. 

A view of the back yard after one of the many extended rains we're currently enjoying.

A sweet little guy resting in the front garden.

And one of our gorgeously brilliant hibiscus!

So.....passing on a long post to you in hopes of adding a bit of color and creativity to your day!

Namaste....
dulcy

Rugs, Wristies, Shawls... COLOR!

Beautiful spring like weather makes me happy thinking of the garden, spring clothes, creative pursuits, and always, lots of color!

Working on a new rug that I'm having great fun with, and very excited about.  Here's a few bits and pieces.

I have two different venues that I'm going to show my work in next fall and early winter.  So, since hooking is so time intensive, I'm already working and setting things aside for that.

Just off the loom is this lovely shawl in the most fabulous blues and teals.  This one is traveling to it's new home in Greece!

And below, a sweet pair of wristies I knitted for a friend......

Last night we had a lovely evening at Tea Bar and Bites where hubby, Jim Mayfield, is currently showing photos from our trip last spring to the Netherlands and Belgium.  The theme of his show works well for February, lots of tulips and gardens.... plus windmills and bicycles.  I took this prior to the reception.  Lovely turnout, and lots of good company.

I really must include this sweet photo of Willow basking in the warm sun falling through the window.  She's got it made!

Happy Weekend!
xo
dulcy

Holiday Studio Show

If you're in the area, this will be a nice show to attend.  My husband, Jim Mayfield, will be displaying his work along with several other talented area artists.  Hope you can make it by!

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

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.........

Orange!

We're so lucky to have a lovely little neighborhood farm within walking distance of home.  It's looking particularly gorgeous this fall, so hubby popped up there the other day and grabbed a few shots of color.

Happy Fall!
xo
dulcy

The Art Of Jim Mayfield

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Art-of-Jim-Mayfield.html?soid=1102276892169&aid=CZtVB1vgG2I

My husband,  Jim Mayfield, will be showing his photography the month of August at Obelisk Home.  Please join us Friday,  August 2nd, for the show opening!

My Little Flock of Grosbeaks

It's so exciting!  We've had a little flock of rose-breasted grosbeaks right outside the kitchen window in the redbud tree for over two weeks!  The following are photos taken by my husband, Jim Mayfield.

The top two are males, and the other two are the sweet little girls.  They're only passing through from as far away as the West Indies.  I've seen them occasionally at the feeder this time of year, but only one that stays perhaps a day.   This year, so far, I've counted up to seven males and two females at one sitting out in the tree.  It's hard to get much done other than bird watch right now!

xo
dulcy