Winter Means Make Something!

Brrrrrrr..... cold wet snowy icy.  We've had it all, but not nearly as bad as many other parts of the country.  Actually pretty typical January, one extreme to the other!  Perfect days to get in the studio and create.  

One project I've been working on is some triloom weaving.  I've been weaving a pretty melon cotton shawl for spring.

I think it will be just the right touch with a white tee shirt. Triloom weaving is so relaxing..... I love listening to podcasts or books while weaving.  Sometimes even a movie on Netflix!  

I've also been having fun with flowers.  I purchased the Raggedy Flower pattern from Primitive Spirit and spent an afternoon hooking pretty posies.  

It's fun to make them into little pins.  Directions for all of this comes with the pattern.
Here I have it pinned to my navy pea coat.  You can see a peek of a bag I needlepointed at least 20 years ago.  The pattern is from an old folk art needle point book by Mary Norden.  I've needlepointed several of her patterns..... not doing needlepoint these days, but who knows, may decide to give it a go again.

 I will soon be teaching a rug hooking class at Pheonas's.  Pheonas's is a CHARMING historical home turned into a shop and studio in Billings, Missouri.

Over the course of two classes we will hook and assemble this pretty pansy pillow.

We will meet Saturday February the 9th from 1:00-4:00 for hooking, and Saturday March 2nd at the same time for assembling.  All materials are provided, and no experience is necessary.  Great time of year to learn a new skill, or add some additional techniques to your rug hooking repertoire.

Hope you're warm and cozy.
xo
dulcy

Cold With A Hint Of Something New

8 degrees and quiet days after end of the year festivities.  I really enjoy this time of year (as long as there's no ice storms and power outages).  I like going to the Y to swim, reorganizing this and that, working at the library, and digging out old projects and beginning new ones.

I finished my "Iris" rug before Christmas, painted a canvas, and got her up on the wall.

I think I captured her perpetually worried little face in this one.  

Dug out scraps of yarn and knitted sweet little "heart felt rings".  Very cute and easy pattern over at tiny owl knits.

Finished a new shawl, and received a "gently used" copy of the Kaffee Fassett book.  Inspiration!

And today I received a new shipment of yarn!  So spent time in the studio weaving and planning new possibilities...........

Happy New Year!

xo

dulcy

New Drawers and New Liesl

Rainy and cold day.  Perfect to straighten the studio.  I found this darling little metal chest at, of all places, Hobby Lobby.  I love it's fun multicolored distressed drawers perfect to organize all my yarn that had been in baskets all over the floor.

Ahh.... so nice to be organized......

I'm so very happy with my Liesl tunic (which means I will actually wear it), that I've started another in this lovey eggplant linen.

But, I feel that I need to tell you that I knitted this peach tunic twice!  It just wasn't right the first time around.  And......... even after finishing the 2nd time, I ripped the straps down and redid those.

 Yes... this shot was in my previous post, but I wanted to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.  Knit, knit, knit..... It may sound like a lot to knit for one garment, and it is.  But, it's really a fun project, and so far, I haven't gotten the least bit bored with it.

I've knitted lots of garments in the past that have stayed in the drawer.  I really don't want that to happen anymore.  So..... I just stayed with it until I got it right.  I think my little eggplant number will be much easier (hopefully).

If you're a knitter, you can find the lovely Liesl pattern here. 

ps...... the pretty hooked pillow was made using Karen Kahle's lovely Gazing Ball pattern.

xo
dulcy

Bags, Birds, and Screen Doors.....

Life and my crotchety computer have gotten in the way of blogging lately.  If you're thinking, "Gosh, I check in with Dulcy and leave comments but I don't seem to hear anything from her" it's not that I haven't tried.  Sometimes I'll write a nicely thought out little comment, then everything just comes to a complete standstill.  The ball spins and spins, and then I'm just kicked right off my server.  SOOO frustrating!  I haven't had it looked at yet because I don't want any bad news.. Like $$ bad news.  Let's just hope it's going through a little "phase".

But, I have been producing a bit of this and a bit of that.  Below are two little clutches I hooked back-to-back.

I'm keeping the pink one because the green button is from my mom's green suede coat she wore when I was a little girl.  I LOVED that coat.  She wore it when she was going somewhere special.  Back then, my parents really "dressed" when they went out for the evening.  Kelly green was a favorite color of hers, and she wore it well.

The other bag is for a family member.  I sent her a bag for her birthday, and she never received it.  I could get all sick about it being lost in the mail, but I think it will eventually turn up.

I was so excited when the mail came today because I had been waiting for a special package.  I WON 2nd place in Vicki's (2 bags full) giveaway.  My prize is this absolutely fabulous tea towel from Anthropologie.

I had to take a shot of it with my "March Hare" who is my favorite concrete bunny ever!  Oh!  First place is one of Vicki's most gorgeous hand-made nests.  Please check out her blog.... you won't believe what she makes!  Very different and wonderful.  Thanks Vicki!

I'm happy because we finally got a screen door put on the studio.  I really don't like air conditioning, even though I realize it's a necessary evil.  So, until it gets super hot and humid, I like to be able to get fresh air and listen to the sounds from the pond and the birds.

It kind of looks likes it's been there always doesn't it?

Speaking of birds, here's a quick shot I grabbed from the kitchen window of an indigo bunting.  We have about four that keep a vigil all day at the feeder.

Lastly, just a quick shout out to our strong and brave neighbors to the west in Joplin, Missouri.  They've been through something I can't possibly imagine... even after living in tornado alley here and K.C. my whole life (and spending many a night in the basement).  They have a huge weight on their shoulders right now and for a good long time to come.  The stories I'm hearing everyday and see in the paper are absolutely beyond what anyone should have to experience.  I haven't been there yet, but have talked to many who have.  "Talked" is not really accurate because anyone who's seen the devastation is usually at a loss for words.  Nothing on television or pictures in the news can begin to portray this horrendous loss of homes, businesses, and lives (still # unknown).  I usually don't get into this type of thing on my blog, but it's been front and center here for the past week.  Right now $$ donations are what's most needed.  If so inclined, see the American Red Cross.

xo
dulcy