Wishing For Peace On Another Time I Will Never Forget

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber

Wishing For Peace Always!!!

Ever since I was a little girl, growing up in a Family that did not believe in violence as a solution for anything - there were always times in our lives when I was taught "Never Forget".

And throughout my life - more times to "Never Forget" got added.  They were always times of some kind of violence and destruction and incredible sadness.

And for me - Always times to Wish For Peace !!

Above is a Photo of a Crocheted Picture of a Dove carrying an Olive Branch - traditionally a "Bird of Peace" - that I made.

So, today - on 9/11/2019 - I have decided to again speak out for Peace !!

On Nov. 25, 2011, I wrote a blog post:

" THANKS - And A Voice For Peace", where I quoted a song written by Singer / Songwriter, Dan Fogelberg -- and here is just a few lines from the chorus of that song, "A Voice For Peace":

"Let mine (oh let my small voice) be a voice for peace

Oh let mime (oh let my small voice) be a voice for peace

Let mine (oh let my small voice) be a voice for peace

Let it start here with me

Oh let mine be a voice for peace"

So-o-o, let me say on this day, 9/11/2019, another day to "Never Forget" --

Never, Never Forget to Wish, Voice and Act for Peace!!!

Love Animals! See Wild Eagle Nest Live Cam from Big Bear in California

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

With my Love of Animals - Both Wildlife and Pets - if you have read anything I have written about that online, you will understand how much I LOVE this Live Cam of a Wild Bald Eagle Nest in Big Bear, California!!!

It is on You Tube:  https://youtu.be/5b2dUgK6VV4  

I have watched it several times since discovering it - with the Eagles doing different things.

You can check it at any time!

I live in the Antelope Valley - southwest of Big Bear and on the southern side / slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains - and a few times, when walking in the fields in Pearblossom - I was sure that I saw either an Eagle or Falcon or other such large bird way up in the sky - I figured that those large birds probably lived in caverns or trees in the Mountains.

But this is the first confirmation I got of Eagles living in and nesting in the Mountains of Southern California - Big Bear, California, where this Eagle Nest is - is in the San Bernadino Mountains - east of the San Gabriel Mountains, where I live.  I spent a week one December winter years and years ago in Big Bear - nice any time of year with a very nice drive up to there - but in mid-winter, like December, it is often covered in snow -- it was that week I was there.  

Apparently, if it is snowing, you can sometimes see it snowing on this Eagles Nest - since it is Live.

I tend to reflect the things I love in Life in my Arts and Crafts - here is a White Eagle I crocheted years ago in Filet Crochet (it sold, too)!

And here are a few more Filet Crochet pieces of Animals that I have made:

Thankful, But Terribly Worried this Thanksgiving - As Some Are "Blind To The Truth"

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

As this Thanksgiving was approaching - and the day finally came - I was thinking of all the things I am actually very grateful and Thankful for - But I can't help but also being Terribly Worried with some current events.

Big On Loving Nature - and Very Inspired By Nature - different things going on in Life tend to have a huge effect on me.

Going into all of them would take way too much more than one blog post - but, if you are curious you can check the "Nature" Label here on my blog for some that I have done blog posts on!

The most recent event affecting me has been the "Woolsey Fire", and the one thing I am so-o-o Thankful for today was to check that link - and find that it has finally been 100% contained.  The "Woolsey Fire" has been burning in my favorite area of the Santa Monica Mountains mostly - West of Kanan Dune Road to the Los Angeles County Line.  Boy, I have spent so many moments there since the 1980's that I cannot remember how many times - and my favorite hiking place in the Santa Monica Mountains, "Nicholas Flats" is in the "Woolsey Fire" area - and still Evacuated per today's Woolsey Fire Evacuation Map.  Also, still don't know the cause - the fire started over in Simi Valley and somehow ended up blowing all the way to the Santa Monica Mountains and some Coastal Areas.

So, Terribly Worried!!  Just Thankful that they got the "Woolsey Fire" contained - and I hope all the "hot spots" out.  With all the fires in California in forests I love - and having met Fire and Fuel Specialists and Firefighters when going to National Forest Meetings around California - I have learned much more than I ever would have thought I would about fire behavior and the forests of California.

But as a Nature Photography friend of mine said - the Santa Monica Mountains will recover - hopefully naturally regenerate where it burned - and after the Winter/Spring Rains, we may have a wildly beautiful show of wildflowers throughout the "Woolsey Fire" area!  (Got to look for something good in it all - NATURE REGENERATING!)

And speaking of Music I am Thankful for -- having been reading articles - and news about things - what really kept coming to my mind was something Singer/Songwriter Dan Fogelberg wrote a song about years ago.  Like I have mentioned in earlier blog posts - I knew him and his songwriting from our College Days at the University of Illinois - and I followed a lot of the Music he put on albums - and one of his songs on his album "The Wild Places" was something I could so, so, so identify and agree with - to the point that I borrowed his song title for this blog post:  "Blind To The Truth".

I noticed it in College -- and I found it true all throughout his albums - Dan Fogelberg had a way of reaching people with his lyrics and music.

For me, his song "Blind To The Truth" really "hit the nail on the head"!!

I am going to finish the blog post by quoting the last verse and ending Chorus of the song, "Blind To The Truth" - but you can see the full lyrics at "The Wild Places" on Dan Fogelberg's official website.

I agree with him:  

"Now there's laws that we must live by and they're not the laws of man
Can't you see the shadow that moves across this land
The future is upon us and there's so much we must do
And you know I can't ignore it and my friend neither can you"

"Unless you're...
Blind to the truth, blind to the truth
And you can't see nothin'
You're so blind to the truth, blind to the truth
But the judgment day is coming"

FOLKS!  We Really Can't Ignore It - There is So Much We Must Do! 

Spring Floral Crochet Decor By RSS Designs In Fiber - Including Newer Items

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop or On Fire For Handmade -- or Privately

In Southern California, a warmer climate, there are Flowers that bloom all year long - though, depending on the exact spot and how cold it has gotten, it can greatly vary what and how much they bloom.  But in Spring, they start blooming more and more - and they are all the Inspiration for the Crochet Flower pieces I make!!

This 14 1/2 Inch Diameter Doily with Shamrocks and the Yellow Flowers that accompany them often usually represents early spring - March - but in Southern California I very often see the "Shamrocks" or "Clover" with or without flowers all year long - when it rains or they are watered, they add a bright green ground cover that I really like!!

Green Shamrock Doily with Yellow Flowers - 3 Leaf Clover Shamrock Decor By RSS Designs In Fiber

More Spring Florals:

Red Hearts and Flowers Table Topper - 16 Inch Square - Diamond or Square Shape - By RSS Designs In Fiber

Spring Pansies!!

Poppies pop up all over the place in California all Spring!!

In different areas, Tulips bloom early, mid and late Spring!!

Crocheting Roses - some 3D Multi-layer - and some in Filet Crochet Lace is something I have done all along - here are a few of them available in my Etsy Shop now!

Here are two that are relatively new - in the brighter colors we very often see in Flowers at all times of the year in Southern California:

Whatever you are doing this Spring, I hope you are enjoying the Colors of Nature - but my Floral Crochet can always decorate you own spaces -- at all times!!!

Handmade Cotton Pink Scarf - Using Filet Crochet to Make Something To Wear - Nice For Summer!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Filet Crochet Flower Design - Handmade Pink Scarf by RSS Designs In Fiber

6 Filet Crochet Flowers - with 5 Filet Crochet Webs - a Web between each Flower - See this Photo showing 3 of the 6 Flowers with 2 of the 5 Webs:

The Scarf is Hand-Crocheted with Fashion Weight Cotton Light Pink Yarn -- 70 Inches Long and 10 Inches Wide - Being 100% Cotton Lace, it is definitely Summer Wear!

Here is a Closeup of one end of the Scarf - a Flower is at each end of the Scarf.

Of course - this could also be used as a Decor Item:

• A Dresser Scarf in a Women's Bedroom or Dressing Room
• A Table Runner on a Dining Table or Coffee Table

Find more Filet Crochet by RSS Designs In Fiber in this Section of her Etsy Shop

 -- Or this Section of her Bonanza Booth!

Newest Crochet Lace - Yellow Star Crochet Lace Earrings - plus other Crochet Jewelry by RSS Designs In Fiber

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

These are the Newest line of Crochet Lace items I decided to make and sell online - Crochet Lace Dangle Earrings - Handmade By RSS Designs In Fiber - these are a Yellow Star In A Circle Dangles - 3 1/2 Inches in Diameter, which is considered "Extra Large" or "Jumbo" for Earring Dangles.

These are basically a Crochet Lace Round in a certain pattern - the type of which I make all the time - but for Earrings, they are tightly stitched and then starched to stay in shape when attached to Earring Wires.

Note:  These Yellow Star Earrings are in the "Handmade Heatwave Great Finds" by On Fire for Handmade for the week starting July 9, 2017 through July 15, 2017 - You can Vote for "RSS Designs 

In Fiber"

I had gotten some instructions/patterns for making Crochet Jewelry - mostly Chokers or Necklaces or Earrings - with Beads and I made one Choker with Wood Beads some time back:

But I decided to do more - in more colors and designs - and I have made a little bit of headway - and my first newer project was this longer Beaded Pendant Necklace with Matching Earrings in Aqua. 

 The Aqua Beads and the Pendant are actually crocheted onto the crochet thread strands, that are crocheted in a design by Maggie Petsch Chasalow that I like, though I adapt it to my idea of what to make!

Then I had the idea to take one of my Wood Hoop projects with a Filet Crochet design inside it of a "Bird of Peace" (Dove with Olive Branch) - and make it a short Necklace/Choker:

I really enjoy crocheting with  Crochet Threads - which these are all crocheted with!  Making a Necklace / Choker / Earring Strand with Crochet Threads (sometimes doubled up) makes for a very lightweight Jewelry piece.  I use very strong crochet threads, which hold up well - and are washable and colorfast!

I have a Pinterest Board for My Handmade Jewelry - you can follow it on Pinterest for any new pieces I add to it - or follow me on Etsy, which is where I put the Crochet Jewelry I make!

Romantic Couple Filet Crochet Lace Doily - For Valentine's Day or Any Day of Romance!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber 
- Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Another Picture "drawn" in Crochet Thread!

I really enjoy crocheting in Filet Crochet and seeing the Image or Design unfold - here I decided to do a rather simple portrayal of a Dancing Couple that, at least to me, is the epitome of Romance!

This "Romantic Couple Doily" makes either a nice Gift or good Decor for any Romantic event - such as the upcoming Valentine's Day!

In this closeup of the Woman, below - you can see the little bit of Sparkle from the Silver Blending Filament I added to the White Crochet Thread!

You can find all the details about this Filet Crochet Doily on Etsy.

Feeding the Little Birds - Spring 2016

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

I've had this Bird Feeder for years - the one pictured above.  That picture was one taken at the place I lived at 2001-2012 in the Antelope Valley of Southern California, but I still have it where I live now in another place - also with Trees and Birds.

Something funny happened yesterday and today, so I thought I would share it.

I periodically fill the Bird Feeder with Wild Bird Seed - it takes a varying amount of time for the birds to find it - and eat it.  In the picture about there are 5 birds around it - if you notice, it is a Smaller Bird Feeder and they are all Small Birds - which is part of my point today!

Yesterday I filled the Bird Feeder up to the top - sometime mid-morning.  A few hours later I checked and low-and-behold, I could see some of the birds had gotten to it because a noticeable amount of the bird seed was gone!

Then this afternoon, I took another look - boy - the Bird Feeder looked totally empty!!  So, this evening, I filled it again!!

*************************************

You see, where I live now - there are a lot of Trees and Bushes over about 65 acres and around low, mostly ranch-style buildings.

And - there are Lots and Lots of Birds -- All Sizes and Lots of different Kinds it seems to me.  But one thing that is very noticeable - is that there are Lots and Lots of Ravens - since moving here, I have said some times that "the Ravens Rule the Skies here"!!

Someone I know who runs an environmental group and who I have mentioned on my blog before, John Buckley of Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center wrote an interesting article on their website:

http://www.cserc.org/news/like-humans-ravens-can-cause-major-impacts-ecosystem/

I was surprised to see his article - but I understand his points in it - I find the Ravens here where I live to be very bold - they sometimes whoosh by me very close to my head as I walk through the trees - and they are exceedingly vocal at times!!  I actually like the Ravens, but John Buckley's article drew my attention to the problem between them and the Smaller Birds, which I also like very much - so-o-o-o ---

---- I realized that my relatively Smaller Bird Feeder was a way I could contribute to the survival of the Smaller Birds - my Bird Feeder is way too small for Ravens - and they do not come to feed on it, but Yesterday and Today - I saw and heard a whole bunch of  the Smaller Birds around here - around my little Bird Feeder!!

I have never seen the Ravens around here attacking a Smaller Bird's nest like John Buckley describes in his article - nor eating other smaller animals either -- I just usually see them flying around - or sitting around in trees or on the ground - or even walking around in the grass (what there is of it these days LOL) - very often pecking at something on the ground.  

Most of the Ravens around here seem very fat and satisfied.  I do not feed the Ravens at all - I don't know where they grab their food -, except for the seeds and whatever they find on the ground -- they don't particularly hang around the closed garbage cans on our 65 acres - but I am sure they are getting food somewhere .... but I am now on a Mission to make it easier for the Smaller Birds where I live to get food - my Bird Feeder!!

I have always loved watching birds - ever since I was a little girl, though I am not a real "Bird Watcher" with binoculars and all - I just like to watch them when I am around ... just the other day I noticed a lot of cheeping coming from this Big Bush at the corner of the building I live in -- this bush  is really big and thick - and I strongly suspect that there is a bird's nest in there - it is a rather thick bush, but not the kind Ravens sit on - and thick enough, I think, that the Ravens may not be able to get at that nest - at least I hope they won't!

Every so often I Crochet something with a Bird in it - in fact, one of my current "works-in-progress" is a rather large Filet Crochet picture of "Birds Nesting" (little ones by the way)!!  Here are some photos of completed Handmade projects of mine with Birds:

Bird of Peace

Proud Rooster by Ruth Sandra Sperling - RSS Designs In Fiber

Red Cardinal On A Branch

Lovebird In A Heart

Filet Crochet of an Eagle - Sold mid-2000's

Winter Holiday and Year End Specials for 2015 in my Handmade Shops

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

Handmade for the Winter of 2015 - All By RSS Designs In Fiber

Each Year about this time, I put together what I call the "Winter Holiday and Year End Specials"for the Handmade I have for sale online, which usually lasts from mid-November to early January.

I have 2 Online Shops this year, so each venue is a little bit different.

In my Bonanza Booth --
Automatic Discount thru Jan. 5, 2016:  15% Off any Purchases totalling $20 or more --
plus you can use any other private coupons I have given you.

In my Etsy Shop --
Public COUPON CODE:  WINTERHOLIDAY2015 -- For 15% Off any Purchases totalling $10 or more -- Good through Jan. 5, 2016.


The Collage above is All of the Handmade I've made - which are in one way or another for the Winter Holiday season - it includes:

• Decor Accents of all sizes 
• Personal Accessories of different kinds and sizes - Hats, Scarves, Bags, Jewelry

More Handmade by me in each online shop and I have more projects that I am working - I will get as many of them as I can online -- and I'm taking Custom Orders!

And --- For Those Who Prefer to Purchase Privately, the Discounts will be applied when arranging the Private Sale - just Email !

My Filet Crochet "Proud Rooster" in On Fire For Handmade Great Finds Fall 2015

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber
 - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

"Proud Rooster" - Designed and Crocheted by RSS Designs In Fiber

I designed this Rooster Mat or Wall Hanging - charting it out based on a picture - and then crocheting it in Filet Crochet with some textured stitches - and a rectangular edge, making it easy to frame for hanging - 15 1/2 Inches Wide by 16 3/4 Inches Long.
Roosters are a popular Folk theme - very often for Fall or Autumn or Country or Farm Decor - and it is also considered "French Country Style".

This week the On Fire For Handmade Great Finds is:
"Lil Bit Country"
~~ and my "Proud Rooster" got in it!
Definitely a "Lil Bit Country"!!!

A fun event on a different theme each week showcasing online Handmade from On Fire for Handmade, Great Finds has a Poll at the bottom where you can VOTE for your Favorite.

You can VOTE for "RSS Designs In Fiber" in the Poll!

With My Lifelong Love of Nature - Every Day Is Earth Day

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

My "Avatar" or Identifying Icon - A Crochet Tapestry of Nature on Earth!

So-o-o .............. It's Earth Day!!

Well, I'll tell you - it sure is glad to see that there is Worldwide acknowledgement of the need for support of an "environmental movement" on our planet!

But for me - well!  It is ALWAYS ON MY MIND!!

Yes - we need to take care of our environment - to learn to take it into consideration in all our daily activities - at Home, at Work, at Play.

I LOVE the Nature on this planet - from Pets and Plants at Home - to Trees everywhere - to Mountains, Valleys, Seas, Lakes, Rivers, Fields ..... !

One of the reasons I chose the place I live right now is that I can walk outside and Be In Nature - all I have to do is walk out, walk off the porch and starting walking around under Trees and by Bushes, watch the Birds (lots of Ravens live here) - not as great as being in Wilderness - but good enough for "instant Nature"!

I try to live "Green" - Green Commute, Green Economy, Conservation of Water, Energy - Recycling, Re-using - it is a way of LIFE for me!

And I show it in my Arts and Crafts - Photography, Crochet Tapestry, Filet Crochet, Knitting Intarsia -- and here are a few examples of how I Celebrate Nature on Earth!!!

From Giant Sequoias in the Sierra Nevada .......

....To the Bird Feeder with Birds in a Tree outside an apartment I lived in .....

...... to a Scene on a back road in the Santa Monica Mountains ......

.... to fields I walked through in the Antelope Valley!!

..... to making a "Tree Tapestry" Pillow - every stitch my own .....

.... to crocheting in Fine Threads the type of Mountain Cabin scene I love ......

.... to figuring out how to crochet a Bouquet in a Vase, so it looked like the Cabbage Roses I saw on a Walk!!

To a little thing like this Key Chain with Irish Crochet Roses and Leaves!

Well, I have the Nature on Earth Every Day in my life, because I want to - and I share it with others!  Do You???

Crocheted Lace and Crochet Tapestry For Spring

Ruth Sandra Sperling

RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Etsy Shop  or On Fire for Handmade Gift Guide -- or Privately

A-h-h-h - after whatever weather you had this 2015 Winter - how beautiful and welcome is the Nature on Spring Days!  ~~~~~~ So, when I Crochet or Knit, I'm still choosing themes for the Seasons, and Spring is one of my favorites!  ~~~~~ Here are some of my Artistic Handmade Spring-themed pieces - Flowers, Rabbit, Clover, .......................

Pink Tulip Lace Ring

Thread Crochet Tapestry - Tree and Bird

3-Leaf Clovers with Yellow Flowers Lace Doily

3-Leaf Clovers Crocheted Oval - Bruges Lace - Handmade By RSS Designs In Fiber - Email to order

Yellow Flowers In Green Lace with Gold Beads

Cottontail Rabbit Hiding Under A Bush - Handmade in Filet Crochet

California Poppy In The Sky - Crochet Tapestry
Note:  The Poppy is a signature plant of the Antelope Valley -  a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this piece will be donated to the Antelope Valley Conservancy, whose stated Mission in the Antelope Valley is "...the acquisition and stewardship of native habitats and watershed resources."

Roses and Shamrocks - Cottage Style Irish Crochet Doily -- Sold on Etsy

3D Rose with Green Leaves - Crocheted Lace Motif

Lily! - Ornate Vintage Style Design in Filet Crochet

Pansies - A Delicate Fine Thread Crochet Doily

Matching Viola Flower Doily and Coaster Set
Viola Bouquet Doily (top) - Handmade By RSS Designs In Fiber - Email to order
Viola Flower Oval Trinket Doilies - Set of 4 - Handmade By RSS Designs In Fiber (bottom)

 Please Note:  If you prefer making Private Arrangements to purchase any of my Handmade or Request a Custom Order - Contact RSS Designs In Fiber through the Email Address HERE.