Making Things And Finding A Sparkle

Gorgeous day in the Ozarks!  Woke up to four deer in the yard and a groundhog on the brush pile.  Signs of a great day.

I got a bit ambitious this morning and finished my new Valentine's scarlet flirty ribbon shawl.  It's another fabulous Noro color in the cozy but lightweight silk/mohair blend.  Love this color!

I'm trying to decide whether to keep this beauty or take it to our wonderful library gift shop to sell.  Our gift shop, Between Friends, is just the best.  Money made from purchases go back to the library, plus there's no tax.  Win Win!

Having a blast in Jane LaFazios sketchbook and watercolor class.  I worked a bit with plants last week.

I picked some raggedy winter rose hips and rosemary.  Lots of improvement could be made, but I'll leave it alone for now.

Had a lovely evening of food, wine, and friends with my art group last week.  We took over the back room of Tea Bar and Bites and did some sketching and watercolor.

I did this little teapot.  Kind of sweet.

A good friend recently said "everyone's life needs a sparkle".  Well.... My sparkle came in an acquisition I made several months ago of a handmade primitive cabin (as in doll house).

My reason for wanting a doll house is rather long, and goes way back to childhood memories.  I'd lately seen several fabulous antique ones on Ebay, Etsy, and Instagram......but hugely expensive!  Then I found this one (well one like it but a different color) on Etsy made by the awesome company Gooseberry Creek Designs.  It's completely hand built, hand carved, with custom paint job and wonderfully distressed.  I just adore it!

Gooseberry also makes furniture.  Yesterday I received some new pieces.

I made a couple of little wool sheep to add some livestock.  I also added two little punch needle rugs that add just the perfect primitive touch.

The folks at Gooseberry (which I believe is just Candy and her husband) custom make all of it, and sign and date everything.  I'm getting ready to make my own little hand painted dishes out of clay.  It is my sparkle!

I'll end with this little gift sent to me by my friend Mary.  If you're a knitter or crocheter, I think you'll find this article very interesting!

Health Benefits Of Knitting

Have a lovely weekend.
xo
dulcy

Back Again

Hello!  It's been awhile, and to be honest, I thought I was done with blogging.  It seemed a bit like homework, and I've became enamored with Instagram that's so quick and easy.  Well..... it is quick and easy, and I see some of you out there and many others whose work I enjoy and find inspiring.  But, you just don't get the personal touch as you do with your blogger buddies.  Instagram is kind of Blogger's lazy sibling.  Lot's of pretty pictures, but no substance.  I still have been visiting blogs, and suddenly missed it all.  I missed the creative aspect of the writing, commenting, and layout that you just don't get with Instagram.  So..... enough said.  I'm hoping to become a bit more regular with my blogging, and a better visitor and commentor.  So Happy New Year! (ps..... still instagraming at dulcy stewart).

I'm very excited to have recently started an on-line watercolor journaling class with Jane LaFazio.  I'm working in my sketchbook, and trying to work fast without too much detail.  Here's a couple of my first tries.



This was ok, but struggled with the apple.  My past work with pastels made me want to blend and smoosh around.  It all ended a bit muddy.  So I played a bit more with the apple.



A bit faster, less smooshing.

My current goal (at least while taking this class) is to paint a bit everyday.  I really like Jane's free and fun style.  Plus her teaching on-line is very thorough, and even though the class seems large, she comments back on everyone's work.  Also, all of us comment to each other, so it's a nice little art community!

I've been using up shawl scrap yarn on a new knitting project.  Doing a log cabin pattern, and loving the blocks.  I'm hoping to have enough yarn to get nine blocks done.  Currently at seven.



They're just so gorgeous and fun to work with!  Great Noro Silk Garden yarn.

Speaking of shawls, this is my newest...... made for a friend who is gifting it.  We collaborated a bit on yarn and ribbon.  Fun way to work!



I don't have anything on the rug hooking frame at the moment.  I had a rug show for the month of December, and in preparation I put a few on painted canvas.  I've done this before, and really like the effect.  Here's one that I especially like.



Makes hanging easy if it's not a floor piece, and I like the addition of color.

So.... I think that's a bit of a catch up for now.  Hope all is well with you, and cozy and warm.
Stay safe!
xo
Dulcy