Creating Here And Abroad

It certainly has been awhile since I've been here!  But.... good excuse.... have been in France!

Must include the "tower selfie"

And, of course, the tower at night.

I have zillions of other photos taken in amazing places, but this has to be my very most favorite.

Many beautiful swans drifting along the River Seine.  Lots of white baby puff balls everywhere!  Love how she carries her tiny ones on her back.  So sweet!

Another nice memory was taking an afternoon watercolor class just outside of Giverny.  The artist that gave the class has a painting studio on the grounds.  Here is my little watercolor.

I'm so glad I took a small set of paints with me, because I had the opportunity to paint a few more times on the journey.

My latest creations here at home (home sweet home.... so nice to return to) are these small hooked artbags.

And another lovely shawl I wove shortly before France.  It's a nice lite ply and a silk/mohair blend.  Perfect for cool spring and summer evenings.

I'm contemplating putting these in my Etsy store.  It's all the photography, writing, whatnot.... feeling a bit lazy.  

I'm really concentrating on a relaxing and healthy life these days.  It's becoming sort of a hobby.
This is where I'm at right now.

xo
dulcy

Green Brown Red and Turquoise

It's cloudy, and it's thundering, and the colors are changing, and I LOVE IT!  

Are you seasonal, or really tuned in to changing cycles of seasons and time?  Most likely you are.  I know that I feel so exhilarated during this time of change.  I'm lucky to live in a part of the country where the seasons most definitely change on time, and for the right amount of time.  Just when things become too hot and muggy, or too dreary and cold, change is in the air.

Right now, of course, it's becoming all about fall and fall colors.  Today I picked a bouquet of lovely greens, reds, and browns around the yard.  I'm leaving it dry in the vase with no water.  Will watch it dry more and change color.

Lovely little pumpkin type fruit and a hedge apple add more fall color.

Today has been a good day to weave in the studio, plus I have a new stash of gorgeous Noro yarns.  Love this pretty autumn color combination of blues, oranges, pinks, and purples.

I'll fringe it with yarn tomorrow and get it off the loom.  Then I'll wash and further embellish with ribbons and sari silks.  Excited!

I've been hooking little Posey Pouches for sale and gifts.  They're just the right size for phone, keys, cards, and lipstick.  Lots of fun to create and hook.  Not a huge time commitment like a rug or mat.

Really like the red, green, and black color combination!

And finished another shawl in my favorite turquoise.  This one is at the Library Gift Shop.

I think turquoise is a wonderful fall color.... or anytime color for that matter!

Early fall/late summer is bringing a lot of visitors to our place.  Our latest count is a regular herd of deer (about 10 or so), and quite a flock of turkeys.  This beautiful big boy was visiting the other evening.

xo

dulcy

Blooming Posy Bags

I've started making my little over the shoulder hooked bags again.  I really enjoy the process of design, color, and texture.  I would sort of like to start hooking something large, but haven't felt pulled that way, and frankly, don't have room in my home for another large piece.  Of course, I shouldn't say that because new becomes old, and old usually finds it's place over chairs on the porch, or home on my studio floor covering spots on the carpet I can't seem to remove.  And anyway, it's about the process....right?

So here's a quick look at a couple of bags I created last month that were exciting and fun to make.

First, I have what I like to call my "Dazzling Dahlias" bag.  I used some of my "sexy jersey" wool that I purchased from Deanne Fitzpatrick.  Great fun to hook with!  Nice and soft, and lends itself to clipping and twisting.  The background doesn't show up very well here, but it's a gorgeous slate/eggplant blue with a tiny gold thread runny through.  Really works well with the jersey pastels.

This little bag is currently for sale at our library gift shop, "Between Friends".

I was so in love with the background color (because, for me, it's always about the color) that I did another.  I like to call it "Gorgeous Gerbers".

Lots of pretty proddy on this one.  It's also at the same shop.

A happy pair!

 Weaving happening too.  Shawls in shop that I failed to photograph, and a gorgeous pink on the loom.

All is well and in color!

xo
dulcy

A Shot Of Gudrun

I didn't think anything could get me excited to rug hook again, until I bought this pretty top from the Gudrun Sjoden catalog.  I'm a big fan of her "everything".  Each new season I think "no more Gudrun" and then she comes out with a new line of artful clothes made from organic cotton in places to create a sense of economic sustainability, and I'm a goner.  Casual dressing fits my lifestyle.... mostly jeans...but I do like to add art and color.  Here's a shot of my newly hooked bag and my Gudrun blouse (you can only see a bit of that... but sleeveless and wonderful!).

I made another one of these little pouches that I call my "Midnight Garden" bags for the library gift shop.  It's displayed with one of my shawls.  A gorgeous teal in a silk/cotton blend.

Here's a couple of closer shots of the above bag.

It's funny how one simple thing can jump start a creative process (for me anyway).  With the blouse, I also ordered Gudrun's new book.  Oh my gosh!  It's big, colorful, and full of inspiration.  Plus it tells the story of her 40 years in business.

Aside from all this hooking and weaving, I'm gardening up a storm.  I think I'm going to add one more hellebore to my front garden, and  call it a wrap.

xo
dulcy

Home For The Holidays

Hello Friends!

Lovely crazy time of year, and enjoying every minute of it!  I haven't blogged in a bit, lately spending my days getting ready for a show followed by a holiday sale.  Just wanted to share a sampling of my fiber frenzy love.

Staying in the moment, trying to be quiet, spending time with family and friends, love being home.

Hope you're happy and well

xo

dulcy

Luscious Color Leads To Lots Of Creativity

Spring is practically officially here.... and I've kicked it off by planting pansies, sorting through and replenishing bits of my wardrobe, and lots of hooking and weaving!

I've made a few more shawls.... and just LOVE the ribbon addition!

The one above I paired with this sweet little bag (bag already sold).  Love all the greens, pinks, and blues...... I made this same one below, minus ribbon, as a gift for my friend Maria.  She just moved to Greece and I felt the luscious greens and blues were the perfect colors to go with her new life.

Recently dragged home the sweetest new find!  This pretty little shabby, but much loved, velvet chair.

My latest hooked piece fit perfectly on the back.  Size and colors!

Of course, the addition of a new chair means new slip covers for the previous chair that was in that corner, as it's been moved.  I'm feeling the need for lots of springtime updates.  Love heading into my studio for new possibilities!

xo
dulcy

Doorstep Creations and Serena

Our home has been happily full of children and family, and still is off and on for the next week or so.  It's been wonderful, but I love this post holiday quiet time of year.  The new year looms, and I'm excited yet peaceful.  I'm already looking ahead to the greens of springs, but so enjoying the winter browns and golds.  Christmas brought me this lovely lady to reside with us.  She came already named, Serena.

I think she'll be happy here.

I've been rug hooking and playing with designs and colors.  I did this piece and incorporated a little fiber collage I made a few years ago.  I had acquired the piece of antique paisley, and instead of cutting it to hook, I kept it whole and worked it up into this rug. 

I made these bags awhile back, but recently added the pretty vintage-like ribbons.  Have sold a few that were very similar, but decided to keep these for myself.  I find that I don't keep many of my smaller creations, and later wonder "why?".

I did the same with my flirty ribbon shawls.  I've made five, and sold every one.  I didn't take a picture of any of them!  But I was SO happy to have moved two shawls on to a lovely lady visiting here from Mississippi.  She had the most fabulous vibe about her, and I was honored to connect and share a creation of mine with such a lovely person.  The following is a shot of one of my shawls that is long gone.  But not to worry!  Another is currently on the loom. 

Hoping to get back to my sketching this week, and out and about with my sketching buddies, Mary and Tammy.  I feel really rusty! 

Lovely New Year's Wishes,
dulcy

What's New?

Summer has always been a time for new things in my life.  I guess it has to do with all the years I taught school.  When summer vacation rolled around, time seemed so precious.  I always wanted to cram it with projects and new learning experiences.  Once school started back up, very little time was left to pursue anything that wasn't about school, working on my masters for school, attending meetings, professional development,.....well..... if you've taught, you get it.

Even though I've been gone from teaching for five years, it's hard to change my need redo, revamp, invent, and create during the summer.  You may notice a few new blogs on my sidebar.  You may also notice that a few others aren't there.  I still follow the same blogs, and those can be found under the little blurb about me (which is in definite need of an update).  Before, I was immersed with primitive rug hooking, and have sort of left that to move on to a more abstract form of the art.  I'm still having fun making bags and finished this one for my lovely friend Janet.

 

It's similar to some I've done in the past, but larger.  I did a different treatment for the strap.  Instead of wool, I used a natural linen ribbon that's reinforced on both sides with wire.  This causes it to crunch, twist, and fold in the most wonderful way!  I looped some gorgeous sari silk ribbon to the sides to finish it off.  I think Janet looks fabulous with her new bag!

 

We did a fun, fun trade!  Janet creates many treasures, but what I wanted was a set of her hand knotted fresh water pearls.  She made me a gorgeous choker and bracelet.

The jewelry was nestled inside the white curly lamb yarn in this sweet little birdie box.  I felt like it was Christmas! I received these yesterday, and haven't had them off except for this photo!

A new project that I'm VERY EXCITED about is sketching.  I'm following new blogs and sites on Pinterest that are about sketchbooking on the go.  I have a precious tiny book of handmade paper that I thought would be perfect.  I bought the sweetest little set of Winsor Newton watercolors.  It all fits easily into my bag and I'm ready to sketch.  Here's a few tiny watercolors I did yesterday.

I'm trying to stay loose and fast.  A bit more abstract, with not too much attention to detail.  What appears to be smudges and petals in the background are rose petals, leaves, and stems that are made into the paper.  I'm planning on attending an online sketchbook school that begins in a few weeks.  I'm excited!

So.... that's a bit of creativity here at the doorstep.  Hope you're finding lovely, wonderful, and new adventures this summer!

xo
dulcy

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

 

Black Friday? I Don't Think So...

I had such a nice and relaxing Thanksgiving...and hoping the same for you.   When I saw the hordes  of shoppers lining up yesterday on the news trying to get deals .... well, I just felt kind of sad.   Rushing out on Black Friday has never had any appeal for me, but Thanksgiving?!  Good Grief!  I'm thankful for many things, but definitely for the opportunity to be home having a crafting Christmas.  No Black Friday here.... NO SIREE!

At my house you'll find me happily buzzing away on the following gifties for family and friends....

Bright and cheery wristies with another pair on my needles.  Using gorgeous Noro yarn leftovers from my shawl weaving.

Speaking of shawls!  This one is currently drying.

And this one is obviously still in progress.  Love working with this soft mohair/silk blend.

My favorite Christmas project is a hooked rug.  I can show you only a wee bit because it's a special surprise, and I can't take the chance of it being spotted by the wrong person....  I just love it so far, and excited to show you the completed piece as soon as it's reached it's new home.

And, of course, bags and bags!

These two sweeties just need their straps attached.  I'd be fibbing if I told you both are gifts.... I think I'll keep one for me because I'm a bit tired of making these, and I do love them.

I have a couple more gift ideas up my sleeve, and trying to be timely and not get all in a rush at the last minute.  My hands can't take it!

Happy BLACK FRIDAY!

xo
dulcy