Foxy Red and Mr. Fox

Is it too early to think about fall?  Probably.... but I couldn't resist making a shawl out of this gorgeous foxy red Noro yarn.

And..... a pretty little hit n' miss bag to go with it!

Speaking of foxy red, we spent some time up in Michigan and Canada this summer.  On the way home, we spent a night in Saugatuck, Michigan.  We found the most wonderful junker's paradise and couldn't resist this little concrete guy that really needed a home.  The problem was finding room for him in the car.  Hubby did some juggling with bags, totes, cooler, etc. and found room for this sweetie.

 

He's originally from an old lodge in Traverse City.  Beautifully painted concrete, and such detail in his pretty green eyes.

He now resides out back among the day lilies.  I love our new Mr. Fox!

xo
dulcy

Happy Friday!

I haven't posted anything much on my rug hooking project lately...... and that's because I'm not going at my usual manic hooking pace.  But, actually.... I'm really enjoying this project because I have no particular home for it yet.  It's fairly large, and I'm currently working in little roses around the edge.  I don't have a background color yet, but am thinking blues or perhaps golds.  What color would you choose?  A new perspective might just push me to get going on this one.  I would like it done before we're very far into spring.

It's not really an oval, but a large rectangle...  just thought I'd try out this little enhancement on iPhoto. 

My fox pastel is finished.  I made some body shape changes and added more color in the background since I last posted.  Beneath is the photo I was working from.  This little girl was a very good mama to her wee ones last spring.  We watched her raise them for about a month.  We haven't seen any foxes around lately, but our neighbor saw one the other day that didn't appear to be in very good health.  Poor creatures are pushing into our neighborhoods as we push into theirs.

 

I'm closing with a simple photo of my kitchen windowsill.  It's one of my favorite places to put tiny bottles and old jars for flower vases.  The iris and red carnations are from the grocery, the forsythia branches are some I brought in a couple of weeks ago to force bloom, and the daffodils, snowdrops, and crocus were picked by me this morning from the yard.  

Sending my hopes to you for a most lovely weekend!

xo

dulcy

Foxy Lady

Here's a peek at my new pastel that's still in progress.  I'm painting this from a photograph my husband, Jim Mayfield, took of a female that was raising a litter of five pups on our property last spring.  I'm completely enamored and just a touch obsessed with these beautiful and resilient creatures.....

 

Artist at work......

A sweet figurine given to me by my friend Claire.

A cup made by one of my very favorite potters, Julie Whitemore who makes the most lovely functional pottery with gobs of charm and sweet woodland creatures.

A hooked rug I did a few years back showing my feelings of connection to these orange beauties.

A print I purchased from another favorite painter and rug hooker, Ann Willey.  You should really drop by her website and check out her Etsy store.  The most marvelous art!

Another hooked rug I did several years ago.  I call this one "Nighttime Garden Fox" because we would hear their wild crazy screams all the time at night.  It sounds kind of creepy, but I love the sound, and knowing they're close by the house as we sleep.

Most recent issue..... very interesting article about some research and breeding of foxes in Siberia.  They have been bred for domesticity.  Good idea?..... not so sure about that, wonderful photos.

So.... just sharing a passion of mine.  I love all things wild, and feel privileged that these gorgeous creatures have let us share their space for a short time.
xo
dulcy