Happy To Be Back!

 I haven't blogged in a really long time.  I had lost interest, and found myself smitten with Instagram, which is a site that I really enjoy still.  But, I decided to give blogging another try, hopping to share more thoughts and content.  Hopefully I can stay with it.  There's still blogs that I love to look at, and I think more people are starting to blog again.  Maybe?

I'm still rug hooking.  The above is my current project, which will eventually be a large poppy pillow.  I stopped hooking for awhile, but joined Deanne Fitzpatricks creativity class called The Harbour.  It's a monthly class for one year full of great books, interviews and lots of creative inspiration and discussion.

This class really got me jump started back into rug hooking!

I've also had a lot of fun designing and constructing hooked bags.

These three are my most recent.  The blue and black are currently in my dulcysdoorstep.etsy.com.

Another favorite pastime that I continue is weaving on my triloom.  I'm addicted to Noro yarns and have recently woven these two lovely shawls made from a soft and vibrant cotton blend.  They drape beautifully!

These two shawls are also in my shop.

Another fun thing that I recently dipped my brush into is Annie Sloan Chalk paint.  I have/had these white cupboard doors in my bath.  Well, I became enamored with Annie Sloan's chalk paint palette after reading an article about her in Selvedge Magazine.  I fell in love with all her colors, but really have a passion for the Antibes Green.  So I used that on the insets of my doors.  Then I cut a stencil using inspiration from seeing the gorgeous purple/black tulips in Amsterdam.  So happy with the results!

Hope you're enjoying this gorgeous spring.  All the flowering trees are in full bloom here.  The colors and lilac fragrance outside my door in amazing!

One of my new fancy tulips I planted last fall.

xo

dulcy

It's Been Awhile

Thought I would share a bit today.

I've been on a furniture painting spree! 

I was so inspired by a photo of a cabinet painted by Gudrun Sjödén that she keeps her textiles in accumulated from travels.  I have a similar cabinet that I had chalk painted white about five years ago.  I decided to give it a face lift.

I'm also using it to keep textiles from travels, things I've created, and my small fiber library plus books on spirituality and travel.  So happy with it now!

Have been rug hooking of course!

Designed and hooked this tulip rug..... wanting to hook some florals in red and yellow.

Also have been working on a few bags.  Below is my Floppy Sunflower Bag.  I taught a class on this one Saturday.  

Here is a a series of three of my most recent bags.

Also I've enjoyed making posy pins! Have taught a couple of classes on these and currently have a few for sale.

And..... a bit of knitting.  One sock done, and currently working on its mate.  Also my very fun knit, the Hitchhiker Shawl.  Which I finished yesterday!

And I'll leave you with a sweet shot of a recent backyard visitor.

Happy June!

xo

dulcy

February Quiet

My days are so quiet right now, and I'm really enjoying the pre-spring peace of it all.  Crazy weather from sunny 60 degrees, to ice and snow in the teens.  Right before our last icy snow day, or wintry weather mix as the weather people call it, it went outside and took a few photos of new growth.

Snowdrops about ready to bloom.

And my lovely hellebores will be showing their color soon.

 There should be a nice full bloom from both our dogwoods out front.  White and pink.

I've had flowers on my mind and spent the last week making a new pillow.  I just sort of free hooked with no particular pattern mind.  My only plan had been to leave a nice bit of natural linen showing.

It looks sweet next to my old snowdrop pillow I made several years ago.

I also made a batch of posy pins.

These are really fun and fast to make.  I will be teaching two classes on various ways to make these later in March.

Yesterday I decided that I wanted to clean out my bookcase and dedicate a couple of shelves to my textiles and fiber art.  This is the case in the spare bedroom.

I took bags and totes I had made and stored away and put them out to see...I also have a few textiles out I purchased when in Guatemala last year.  I have a nice little library of textile books and publications that were scattered throughout the house and studio.  I grouped my favorites together on the shelf, and will donate rest to the library.  This sort of job is great when I'm between projects.  Perusing through my books keeps me inspired and dreaming about what comes next.  Well.... actually now that I look at this white bookcase, which is really quite large and painted with white chalk paint, wouldn't it be interesting to paint it multicolored with some stenciling?  I'll probably be out buying paint tomorrow.  No kidding......

A little February heart rock laying on a needle point piece I did at least 20 years ago.

Enjoying the quiet while it lasts.
xo
dulcy

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

Shawls, Bags, and The Little Blue Cupboard

HELLO!

I've been making, and organizing, and trying to make creative plans for 2018!

Put a couple of shawls and bags in the Between Friends library gift shop where I volunteer one night a week.  It's the absolute best place to shop for gifts and just fun things for yourself.  No tax, and proceeds go back to the library.  WIN WIN!

I've got another on the loom that needs to be fringed, just haven't "felt it" lately.  Maybe this weekend I'll get back at it.

I'm showing a bit of my work for the month of December at a sweet little bistro, Tea Bar and Bites Cafe.  "Willow's Dream" is one of five pieces I'm showing.  The reception is tomorrow evening, and I'll post a few photos from that soon.

Willow's Dream

Having the best time with my Little Blue Cupboard spot at the Vintage Peddler Antique and Vintage Market.  

I've put a bit of Christmas in, but looking forward to January for a complete redo.  It's a tiny spot, but I've got big plans!

Loving this late spring like weather, but also looking forward to a bit of winter (crazy, but I love all four seasons!).  We don't have as much of that anymore, and things are starting to rebloom, not to mention insects are still out and about.  Saw a pretty little yellow butterfly the other day.  Oh... and a couple of mornings back, I was up early getting ready for my morning swim, stepping into the dark living room to turn on a light, looked up, and a bat was splayed out on the ceiling!  After much swooping about, hubby was able to get it in a large jar without any injuries for us, cats, or the bat.  Aren't bats supposed to be hibernating by now?

xo

dulcy

That's What I Do

Blog Post Time

I'm still at it.... can't seem to stay away.  And the true reason is that I'm continually wowed with several very awesome blogs I've seen lately.  Women who write about all kinds of interesting and somewhat relevant (depending) topics.  Art, fashion, hair, more art, books.   I haven't linked anything new in my sidebar, but will get to that soon.  Stay tuned as you'll discover some very funny, artistic, and thoughtful musings and photography.

So.... I'm

Sleeveless with shawl.  Tank underneath, and sort of a 

cool look as is.

Well, ok, it's just another shawl.  The story on this one is that I was not the least bit inspired by the color.  But I continued to weave just wanting it done and off the loom.  When finished I tea dyed some ribbon, dug out more of my dwindling supply of sari silk, but then.... happy, but not just super excited.  I rooted around in the studio, and came up with an unopened ball of some luscious gold thick/thin Italian yarn.  I added long streamers between all the ribbon and sari silk.  That did it!  Love it, and it looks and feels so fall, fall, fall!

Kinda loving this little "blowing in the wind" shot.

And here's

THE BIG REVEAL!

Willow's Dream mounted on canvas.  She's a sweetie for sure.  I think I got her little smile, and intensely blue eyes about right.  I dyed most of this wool, and what doesn't show up, is the very tiny gold threads that run through out.  Gives this piece a very subtle sparkle.  If you read my blog, you probably know this is wool hooked onto linen.  If not, well there you go..... that's what I do!

I'm trying to get up the courage to apply for a spot in a Chicago show.  I have the application bookmarked, but can't quite get to filling it out yet.  Not even sure what I'd enter.  Self-esteem, fear of failure, etc.  We'll see.... it all depends on my inner spark.  If I'm tired.... no way.... If I'm in a general burst of energy and creativity ..... there's a good chance I'll apply, then fret about it later.  

Ok.... hang in there.... here's something new!

I made a dress!

Picked up this cute Tina Givens pattern and fabric on complete impulse.  Just stared at it for a couple of weeks.  Then started to cut.  At that point I began to get a little excited.  I remembered my old sewing days (still use the used machine I bought when I was 18).... gathering, basting, etc.  What's completely wonderful with this pattern..... no facings, honoring the fray by leaving edges sewed to right sides, no darts or enclosures of any kind.  Actually, my cat could probably make this.   But I'm pretty  proud.  I'll wear it and have hubby take a photo.  It will be perfect this fall with tights, boots, and a very pretty pink shawl I have socked away.

Lastly, here's a dreamy shot taken the other day at Sandstone.... the most gigantic and truly magnificent garden store.  We went there and had a fab lunch, then drooled at all the concrete statuary and fountains.  Need a trip back with a truck!

xo
dulcy

Summer Musings

Oh.... hello!  Been awhile.  I battle with this blog thing.  Can't seem to get myself to post anymore, but then I read these great posts on other's blogs, and I think "well, blogging's not dead yet".  And.... I really do like taking photos and writing about them.  I use Instagram all the time.  It's become a tiny hobby.  Love using the filters, and curating my own little band of people and organizations that I like to follow.  It's sort of like a magazine of pictures that I've personally chosen.  But...... I'm here today to lay a few shots down of my beautiful, but extremely hot and humid world.  Although....the upside with all this humidity is skin, nails and hair.  Really, there's a big difference this time of year as opposed to days on end in heated enclosures.  But, boy do I LOVE a change of seasons!  Would not want to live where it's the same day in and out.  Oh dear, a bit off topic (whatever my topic is.......) not sure.

This photo was taken from the upstairs bedroom window a couple of weeks ago before all this heat wrapped us up in it's sweaty grip .  The mimosa has grown so much this year.  It's become a cloud of pink, with the most heavenly scent.  This tree has been in bloom for a month!  But I'm looking outside right now, and blooms are browning and tumbling into birdbaths and our pond.  Still, the aroma is fabulous if you catch the breeze just right.

See all those pink puffs!  All the same tree crowning our back yard.  It's like a tropical jungle.

I use these super hot days of summer to spend time in my studio with the AC cranked up, and podcasts and Netflix keeping me company (I've discovered "Absolutely Fabulous"  Hysterical!).  Things are a bit untidy, but it's my "happy place".

I took this shot today.  You may see the green shawl I'm working on, and the canvas that I've just painted red.  The color is actually called Christmas Red, but it has just a touch of orange in it that makes it perfect to mount this on.

My Willow Rug.... Willow is our extremely sweet girl.  This rug is done, with a few tweaks since I took this photo.  I'll post again when I have her mounted on canvas.  I'm showing her in December at a little exhibition I'm having.  Just four large pieces.

My new favorite shawl is the most gorgeous dusty sort of lavender.  Lovely silk/cotton blend.  I tea dyed much of the attached ribbon.

Smashing against the old green iron bench!  I chalk painted that bench a couple of years ago, and it just gets better with time and the elements.

Speaking of green.... here's little peek of a deck corner.  Everything is here, because it's the only spot that receives any sun.  I keep a few herbs and my trusty geraniums.

Fact:  when in France I saw that people really do have tidy window boxes of geraniums sitting on windowsills.  The scent keeps away insects.  Good to know.  I loaded up on red this year and have several pots located about.

And lastly...... enjoy this sweet little video I took the other morning of a very industrious garden spider.  The web was amazing with the east sun shining through.  All golden and sparkly!

xo

dulcy