My Crocheted Lace Pink Tulips in A Collection of Handmade Perfect Holiday Pinks? How Novel!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade on ARTFIRE or Bonanza - or Privately

22 1/2 Inch Pink Tulip Ring Doily

How many of you think of the Color PINK for your WINTER HOLIDAY celebrations????  Decor or What to Wear????

My first thought on it, as I put in my Title, is:  How Novel!!!

In this case, the word "Novel" meaning:  "adj. Striking, new, unusual or different"!

But if you check - and I did out of curiosity on PINTEREST - you will find references to "Pink Christmas" etc. etc.  Looks like it mostly falls into the styles of Shabby Chic or Art Deco or Modernist Styles -- but maybe some of the people are just being Original!!

PINK is certainly not a traditional WINTER HOLIDAY Color, but for some??!!

I was rather pleased that Anne Hopfer of On Fire For Handmade chose to put this one of my Handmade Crocheted Lace pieces, pictured above, in one of her Great Finds.  Crocheting a 22 1/2 Inch piece in  Size 30 Crochet Threads is quite a lot of crocheting!!

PINK is a popular color in Fashion and Decor -- and this week's "Great Finds" by On Fire For Handmade is full of some Handmade Finds in PINK - and I'll bet there is someone somewhere who would like some of them for a Gift!!

Here's a photo of all of the "Perfect Holiday Pinks Great Finds" - but go to the link, maybe click on a few - and you can always Vote for your Favorite!

Hope You Had a Happy Thanksgiving - and Happy Hanukkah - It's All About Giving Thanks!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE

In concept, Thanksgiving Day has always had significant meaning for me as a person - and though I have always enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinners or Get-togethers, it is more rooted in the meaning of it - I guess you would say that I believe in Giving Thanks.

I guess you would say that is one of the reasons I crocheted the above Cornucopia - a traditional pictorial depiction of what we are Thankful for at Thanksgiving - though when I conceptualize "Giving Thanks" - it is for much more than the "Plenty" shown in a Cornucopia.

This year, in 2013, for those of the Jewish Faith - it is an unusual convergence that another Holiday of Giving Thanks occurs on Thanksgiving:  Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights!

Hanukkah is another Holiday that has always had significant meaning for me - because it is a celebration of Thanks for the Re-dedication of the Jewish High Temple in Jerusalem in Judea in the Jewish tradition -- after Syrian leaders had outlawed Judaism, denying Jews the right to observe their own religion - and introducing pagan practices in the Jewish High Temple - then with traditional Jews winning back their rights to practice Judaism -- making Hanukkah actually about having Religious Freedom!

So - for some of us, there is a lot of similarity in the "Giving of Thanks" on these two Holidays, as discussed in this online article !

One of the most traditional Hanukkah songs - and also one of my favorite ones is the song "Maoz Tzur" (in Hebrew) or "Rock of Ages" (in English).  I have sung it in both, having been singing and praying in Hebrew and English since a child.

But I just love the meaning of the song!!

Below are the lyrics of "Rock of Ages" that I have (3 stanzas) in English - and below that a You Tube Video  by jwipe - singing the song clearly, so you can hear how it is sung!!

And - OH!  What do you have to give Thanks for?  And how will you do it?  In Judaism - some of us Give Thanks by doing "Tikkun Olam" (in Hebrew) - or "Repair of the World".  As discussed in this article, I will be putting in some time during Hanukkah crocheting a Blanket to be donated through Project Linus to needy children - a small way I can help out in the world is to donate Handmade for other's needs or joy.

Now -- Enjoy!!

MAOZ TZUR - ROCK OF AGES

Rock of ages, let our song

Praise Your saving power;

You, amid the raging foes,

Were our sheltering tower.

Furious, they assailed us,

But Your arm availed us,

And Your word

Broke their sword,

When our own strength failed us.

Kindling new the holy lamps

Priests approved in suffering,

Purified the nation's shrines,

Brought to God their offering

And His courts surrounding

Hear, in joy, abounding

Happy throngs

Singing songs

With a mighty sounding.

Children of the Maccabees,

Whether free or fettered,

Wake the echoes of the songs,

Where you may be scattered.

Yours the message cheering,

That the time is nearing,

Which will see

All men free,

Tyrants disappearing.

Hand-Crafted in Fabrics and Fibers For the Holidays

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE

Fabric and Fiber Crafted Items For The Holidays

  Curated By: RSSDesignsInFiber

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

People get creative in different ways!  Though I have done "Arts and Crafts" since I was a toddler, there are lots of arts and crafts I have never explored.

I have drawn and stumbled around creating designs in different ways since I was a toddler, but it wasn't until I was a teenager that I really constructed items -- and those were all in FABRICS and FIBERS!

I am not sure in which order I did them - but I did some basic weaving on small, almost toy looms, I crocheted - and I sewed.  I actually made real things!

Woven potholders - scarves - and when I was a teenager and given a sewing machine (a Pfaff, which is 90-something % metal parts and I still own to this day), I made real clothes that could be worn (from patterns - with my own "modifications", of course - LOL).

It never occurred to me, other than in drawing decorations, to make things that could not be used - don't ask me why.

Well - now some 50 years later, I am Crocheting, Knitting and Sewing.

Those "Arts and Crafts" are lifetime skills and activities that have stood me well!

So-o-o --- I put together this Collection of Hand-crafted Items in FABRICS and FIBERS to show off what the following ARTISANS are making --- and I think they would all make wonderful Gifts!

QUILT TOPS

DREAMCATCHERMAN

JAZZ IT UP WITH DESIGNS BY NANCY

RSS DESIGNS IN FIBER

CRAFTING MEMORIES

WYVERN DESIGNS

CHRISTIE COTTAGE

RESETAR GLASS ART

HOLLY KNITTER CREATIONS

SEW AMAZIN

THE CROCHET CUBBY

Some Great Handmade Finds in Rich Fall Colors - Including One of Mine!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE

Fall Orange Flower Meadow Lace Oval by RSS Designs In Fiber

"On Fire For Handmade" is actually 2 things:  1. A phrase stating how some feel about HANDMADE! - and - 2. The name of a website with a participating group that Makes and Sells their HANDMADE - onfireforhandmade.com .

Well -- anyone who has read my blog here for any period of time knows how I feel about HANDMADE - and yes I am ON FIRE for it - Passionate may also be the word - for a number of reasons!!!

Anne Hopfer, the creator of onfireforhandmade.com, has a number of Events and ongoing promotions - solely of HANDMADE!

Every week she does an Event, "GREAT FINDS" - on a theme - and she presents a number of HANDMADE items with a Vote for Your Favorite.

Personally, I think the Vote is nice -- it gets the people involved and some just think it is fun to express their choices by Voting - but, really now - I think it is great that someone puts out there that these GREAT FINDS in HANDMADE are there - it is one more way to PROMOTE HANDMADE - and what is actually available out there.

This is a photo of this week's OCTOBER GREAT FINDS in some very Rich Fall Colors!

My Fall Orange Flower Meadow Lace Oval is there - 4th down on the right!

I love these Fall Colors -- Do You???!!!

Go take a look - and, if you choose, Vote Your Favorite at the bottom!!!

If you are one of my "Thread Crochet Friends"  - it is nice to see our Specialized Craft represented!!

An Artfire Collection in Greens to Blues For The Holidays

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE

Artfire Collection:  "Greens To Blues For The Holidays"

Doing the Weekly Blog Hop with Julie Cleveland of Blue Morning Expressions has really turned out to be an experience!!!

This co-ordinated event has resulted in a lot of attention to my RSS Designs In Fiber Artfire Studio!!

I am still adding items to my "2013 Fall and Winter Gift Ideas" Pinterest Board during the third week of it -- but I have been noticing all the COLORS in all of the items!  But then I love COLORS -- and I tend to think in certain "Ranges of Color" - or the Spectrum of Colors or the Color Wheel.

"Greens to Blues" are some of my favorite COLORS -- and I noticed a whole selection of items in those Analogous COLORS!  Analogous COLORS?  Well -- they are COLORS adjacent to each other on the Color Wheel, which are made up of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary COLORS in the same section or quarter of the Color Wheel!

In this case - BLUE is the Primary COLOR, GREEN is the Secondary COLOR -- and all the variations including the "BLUE-GREENS" (Turquoise, Peacock, Teal) are Tertiary COLORS!

So-o-o, I decided to choose some of the items in those colors from my Pinterest Board for the Countdown -- and make the Artfire Collection, which you can see in the Photo above!!!

Click on the Caption to get to the actual Collection and get to each individual item in it!!

Maybe You or People you know might find some Gifts through it!!!

Making Known Handmade, Art, Vintage You Can Find For Gifts - Or Yourself!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE

Pinterest Board:  2013 Fall and Winter Gift Ideas

There's a group of us who have decided to join together and from now until mid-December, we will post some of our own items we sell online, that we think will make good Gifts this Fall and Winter Holiday Season -- and then we will cross-promote them all!!

Obviously, we feel have something valuable to offer the world!

Many of these items are Brand New Handmade -- and some are so Unique as to be One-Of-A-Kind -- in other words you won't find duplicates of some of these items elsewhere!!

If you like having things that are somewhat Unique - well take a look at what we have!!

We have a weekly Blog Hop, set up by Julie Cleveland of Blue Morning Expressions, where we each post our items for the week.  I'm doing the Blog Hop here on my blog.

For instance, my items for this current week are:

Crocheted Earthy Choker with Carved Wood Pendant and Wood Beads

Fall Orange Flower Meadow Lace Oval

Folk Art Orange Green Tan Woven Crochet Basket - 10 Inch

I'm promoting through December on Pinterest - the Pinterest Board pictured at the top.  I update it regularly with new items from the group.  So far, as of the second week, I think we have had 196 items to show off and I am working on posting them all -- and by mid-December, you may find that there are over 1,000 items -- and quite a variety, too!!

From Jewelry, some of which is pretty much "art to wear" - to special Holiday Cards, Tags, Bags - to all kinds of Decor and Housewares.

Here are just a few of the items in different categories!!!

JEWELRY

Black and White Beaded Ladies Watch by Blue Morning Expressions

Handmade Dichroic Glass Pendant with embedded shapes and colors by Umeboshi

Handmade Multi Strand Pearl Necklace by Shadow Dog Designs

HOLIDAY CARDS, TAGS, BAGS

Merry Christmas Card by Cards by Libe

Handmade Holiday Gift Tags by Adore by Nat

Handmade Penguin Gift Bag by Christie Cottage

DECOR AND HOUSEWARES

Handmade Glass Plate Inspired by the Leaves of Autumn by Resetar Glass Art

Handmade Quilted Gingerbread Boy Table Runner by Putnam Lake Designs

Handcrafted Wood Dream Catcher of Bear Scene Inside Paw Print by Kevs Krafts

Fall Harvest Apron and Pot Holder by Quilt Tops

It's Autumn Garden Scenes - Me and Some Friends on Artfire

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE


Some Artfire Friends and I tend to do things SEASONALLY .... I guess it is just the way we think???!!!

Well, some of my customers think and buy SEASONALLY, though some just are buying my Decor items because they match a Color Theme in their home.

Well - it is FALL or AUTUMN now -- and out come the Oranges and Golds and Browns and Beiges and Coppers - along with some others!

This is an Artfire Collection made by a fellow-seller on Artfire, Crafts of the Past -- and I like this one particularly:  "Autumn Garden Scenes" --

-- and my own crocheted Pumpkin Coaster Set is included!!

But that is not all -- I like the whole Collection - from Paintings to Embroidery to Artistic Jewelry!!

Take a look at all the items on Artfire by clicking on "Autumn Garden Scenes"!!

Art in Handmade I've Found on Artfire

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE

Artfire Collection curated by RSS Designs In Fiber - Pink To Burgundy


I spent a fair amount of time putting together this Artfire Collection.

I like the Color Combination or Theme of what I call "Pink To Burgundy" - encompassing all shades in that Color Range from a Pale Pink to a Deep Burgundy Red.

I had read online that even though this is not the Color Theme of the year - according to the authority, Pantone -- it has it's own niche both in DECOR and FASHION -- I have seen discussions of this online.

So, I went hunting on Artfire for Handmade and Fine Art (a specialized type of Handmade) with these colors featured in them -- and found the Collection pictured above.

Everything in this Collection is made by the person who has the Studio the item is in - some are in the top category FINE ART and some are in the top category HANDMADE.

Every single piece in this collection, to me, has some ARTISTIC QUALITY that sets it apart - showing the Care (and Talent?) of the Artisan who created it.

I hope All ENJOY it!!

(Note:  Click on the Caption of the Photo of the Collection to go to the Collection on Artfire itself -- and then to each of the featured items in it.)

Sharing more about Wildlife - from Pinterest

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE

Image from Pinterest - Momma Bear with Cubs

I just love Wildlife!!!

I saw this on Pinterest and had to Pin It to my Environmental Interests Board in my Pinterest!  I was re-pinning it from NRDC BIOGEMS.

It has been re-pinned a bunch of times.

I have actually seen Bears in the Wild - including with Bear Cubs!  Just be sure not to get between Momma Bear and her Cubs -- Momma Bears are very protective!!

An additional Note:  Bears need large areas for roaming and getting food -- we need large Wildlife Corridors in areas that are Bear Habitat!  You wonder why you see News Reports about Bears in Communities around California Forests -- those Communities are part of those Bears' Wildlife Corridors!!  It is their home!!

And California has lots of Forests, which are all part of the California Floristic Province, a Globally Significant Biodiversity Hotspot -- and protecting Bear Habitat and Wildlife Corridors is part of Global Biodiversity!!!

Pinterest is great for sharing lots of Images -- but it is also great for Environmental Education, after all, a Picture is worth a 1000 words!!!

Seeing this photograph of a Momma Bear with her Cubs -- did you learn something?????

My Hand-Crocheted Orange Pumpkins Featured As A Handmade Great Find

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE

Pumpkins Coaster Set - Textured Crochet - Nature In Art

I am in a Group of Handmade Artisans -- and the Theme is "Are You ON FIRE FOR HANDMADE?"

Well, to be honest, if you have no interest in Handmade - don't bother to read any further.  HANDMADE is what this is All About!!

I am Big On - and a Supporter - of HANDMADE - for several reasons!!!  

1. I have always enjoyed doing it since I was a little kid, very little really - I wanted to make things!  

2. I think Handmade is good for others to do for quite a few reasons.  

3. I think Handmade is good for the world - it can be done with quite low carbon emissions compared to the mass-made, mass-marketed items you can buy in stores - and, actually, if you are careful, you will get items of much higher quality for the same amount of money (though I do admit, like anything else in the world, you need to be watchful) -- and if you get them Custom Made, you get the Colors, Shapes, Designs, Materials that you want, not just what is available on the store shelf!!!!

So-o-o, I am Happy that this week (July 6th thru July 12th 2013) my Hand-Crocheted Set of 5 Textured Pumpkin Coasters, pictured above, is in the GREAT FINDS run by ON FIRE FOR HANDMADE  -- see the lower right-hand corner of this Screen-Shot Photo:

Outrageous Orange Great Finds by On Fire For Handmade

Outrageous?? Well, Maybe!  They are a somewhat bright Orange!!  I have never forgotten years ago hearing locally that someone who liked to give parties was looking for a set of Crocheted Pumpkins for a Halloween party -- by the time I heard, it was too late for me to do them and make them available for that Holiday.  But, I thought, you never know -- someone may still be looking for some, someday -- and I had this great pattern that I could "adjust" some to make these -- and with the textured stitches, the green stems and the green leaves, they actually look like Pumpkins, LOL!!  

It was also fun making them!!  I like crocheting -- and watching the "images" unfold!!

GREAT FINDS - the Event by ON FIRE FOR HANDMADE - is actually a Voting Event with Winners - and you can Vote for Your Favorite Handmade item in it, but I also think that just being in it is both Fun - and Great, because it shows off some really excellent pieces of Handmade - and I think that is GOOD!!

More of My Favorite Lyrics

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE


Life goes on, but each of us have things that are more important to us -- and sometimes, just sometimes, you find a song that says it just right!


First, from GORDON LIGHTFOOT, the song "IF CHILDREN HAD WINGS" from his "ENDLESS WIRE" Album (I have the old LP from way back - copyright 1969 Moose Music)

"There's a love I hold dear
  and it shines through each year
  And it makes things seem different somehow
  It's for better or worse
  It's for people who thirst
  for a love that burns brighter right now

"And it shines on and on 'til all sadness is gone
  and if children had wings I
  would sing them their song
...... "

Second, from DAN FOGELBERG, the song "THE SAND AND THE FOAM" from his "THE INNOCENT AGE" Album copyright 1981 Hickory Grove Music

"Time stills the singing
  A child holds so dear
  And I'm just beginning to hear
  Gone are the pathways
  The child followed home
  Gone, like the sand and the foam
  Gone, like the sand
  Gone, like the sand and the foam"

Third, from PHIL COLLINS, the song "SURVIVORS" from his "BOTH SIDES" Album copyright 1993 Atlantic Recording Corporation

"When all is said and done
  we'll find someday
  we can forget all this
  somehow, some way

"And as long as I'm here
  there'll be no worries any more
  and all these promises I'm making now
  I'll hold each day

"So don't ever, don't ever, don't forget
  that I never, never meant to break your heart
  all I ever wanted was to stand beside you
  survivors in the night

"We are survivors in the night"

Ya' know -- I wonder if we ever know what the singer/songwriter exactly meant in a song (unless they tell you) -- but each listener may have their own interpretation in their very own life!

For me - It is FAMILY .... and FAMILY .... and those really true FRIENDS!

Tulips in Arts and Crafts on Artfire

Ruth Sandra Sperling 

RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on Bonanza - or on Etsy - or Privately

TULIPS have apparently been a rather popular subject in various Arts and Crafts for hundreds of years.  I am thinking mostly of Visual Arts, such as Painting, Drawing and Photography in the Fine Arts -- and Embroidery and Lace in the Fiber Arts (not including the Art of Poetry).

After some searching for particular Handmade creations of Tulips on Artfire, I came up with this Collection:

Tulips in Spring -- Hand-Crafted, an Artfire Collection curated by RSS Designs In Fiber 





This Collection contains a variety of Arts and Crafts items, all in Handmade and Fine Art on Artfire, that feature the TULIP !!

APPLIQUE
BEADWORK
CARD (PAPER)
CROCHET
GLASSWORK
LACE
LAMPWORK BEAD
PAINTING
PHOTOGRAPHY
QUILLING
QUILTING



This is a Closeup of one of the 8 Tulips:

 -- Which is in my 22 1/2 Inch Round Fine Thread Crocheted Lace Tulip Doily in this Collection, "Tulips in Spring - Hand-Crafted"

Crocheted Lace Pink Tulip Ring Doily

(Please Note:  I crocheted this finished product - the pattern is not of my creation.)

Check the Collection on Artfire to see these individual items with TULIPS in detail -- or check online to see what other Arts and Crafts items you can find with TULIPS!!

Love Those Wild Horses - A Beautiful Video of Real Wild Horses in Arizona

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE


Sometimes something just shows how you feel .... Love this Video!!  Love to see these Horses running WILD and FREE!!!!!





This Video is posted by Karen McLain - a Painter of Wild Horses in the Wild.

New Color Theme for the Bruges Lace Oval

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on Bonanza and Etsy and On Fire For Handmade Gift Guide - or Email Me for a Private Order

Crocheted Bruges Lace Oval with Pansy-Colored Violas

This is another color variation on the pattern of a Small Oval - done in Bruges Lace - with 3 Flowers down the Center.

 -- Flowers and Edging in "Light Pansy" - a Violet Purple, Yellow and White Ombre
 -- Bruges Oval in Light Green

I really like this pattern -- I have done it in multiple sizes - from "Trinket" or Coaster-size to the size of a Centerpiece or Small Table Runner -- of course with a few adjustments.

I like the Oval "Trinket" one as an alternative to the more common Square or Round Coaster patterns.

This is part of what I call my "FLOWER DECOR SERIES" - I do a lot of Crocheted Flowers in Thread Crochet.  Some of the different pieces match.  Some people really like Flower Crochet.  I have Sold any number of them - as shown in my Videos on You Tube!

But these also Match another Handmade piece I made with the same Threads that is in my Etsy Shop -- which I intentionally did in the Light Pansy and Light Green Crochet Threads - so it did Match!  I like to make pieces that Match -- it is part of doing actual Decor for Homes or Offices -- it can really be part of Interior Design!!

Here is a small Collage of the 2 different patterns that Match:

Matching Thread Crochet pieces:
Purple and Yellow Viola Bouquet
Crocheted Bruges Lace Oval with Pansy-Colored Violas

On My Mind Now -- Peace and Nature

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE


It seems like so-o-o many things are going on -- this past week a whole bunch of Issues important to me in Life -- and some very significant to my Life -- either became apparent or were brought to my attention again -- generating thought, study, writing, social action.

I thought it would be nice to find some Handmade items which I felt celebrated and communicated what I feel is important and we should all keep in mind:  PEACE and NATURE.

So I did a bit of searching (it wasn't that hard to find some) ~~~ and I put together this Artfire Collection ~~~~~

Of Peace - And Nature

  Curated By: RSSDesignsInFiber

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts