Happy Spring!!!

Happy Spring to All of You!

This is just a sample of some of the new items I'm working on right now.
I work slow and the totes sell fast.
I "guess" that's good,
but Heaven forbid that I make a mistake!
None have hung around long enough to make it to my website -
GlamorousChic.etsy.com

Our Bradford pears didn't make much of a showing this year.
We had a freeze just as they were about to reach full bloom.

The wild cherries and the redbuds have made up for it.
The dogwoods are late this year.
I guess they're just biding their time until they're sure of the weather.

A Lazy Day

Yes, the Christmas tree is still up.
Ray hasn't had time to take it down.
I still spend a lot of time laying on the couch
so we're enjoying it very much.

Poppett is enjoying it, too.

Ray is just enjoying the damp cold weather -
the perfect time to cozy down in front of an oak fire.

Two of my best embroidery machines have been
in the shop being service.
They're home now, so I cant wait to get back to work.
Orders have been piling up.

Doilies

Finally, my health has allowed me to get back to doing some machine embroidery. I love making lace on the machine. The result is always breathtaking!

This doily measures about 5 inches by 8 inches and is available in antique white or white. Colors can be special ordered. (Please allow 2 weeks for special orders - although it rarely takes that long.)

The price of these doilies is so low that you can line your shelves with them, should you so desire.

There is no fabric involved - only thread.

New Doilies

This month has been spent making fabulous doilies for
my Etsy site
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
and
for my local customers.
This beautiful doilies have created quite a stir
among my customers.
They are make exclusively from thread
by me in my own studio.
They can be done in solid colors or your choice
or in two color combinations.
Shown above is deep red and gold.

The weather here today is cold!
The high was 24 degrees.
No snow, of course.
These temperatures are providing great times
to sit in front of the fire and knit.
I'm loving it,
but feel so sorry for those you must
go out to work.
Homemade chili is on the menu for tonight.
Maybe some Mexican cornbread to go with it?

Keep warm!
Ruth Ann

Muddle Head

"My dear, if you could give me a cup of tea to clear my muddle of a head, I should better understand your affairs."

~ Charles Dickens ~


I had read this quote by Dickens before in

Mrs. Lirriper's Legacy

but was reminded of it this morning
while reading the blog from
La Tea Dah
at
http://www.gracioushospitality.blogspot.com

It seems that it is my own head that is muddled this morning.
Too many hours with too many doctors
with too many tests yesterday.
The Albuterol that was required for one test has made me shaky.
Driving over the mountain twice and
walking from one office to another
has made me tired.

As for a muddled head,
most of you who know me
realize that I'm muddle headed
most of the time.

The camera with vacation pictures
is still missing.
Poor Ray is trying to do all of the laundry
and put everything up by himself.
How blessed I am to have that wonderful man!

I have made several custom jewelry orders this week
and had hoped to put up pictures,
but, alack and alas...................

The weather is a warm 53 degrees
and there are storm warnings out.

We plan to put up our Christmas tree tonight
without our cheerful fire.
Rain and strong winds are expected for the next several days.

I have more jewelry to make today,
which thrills me.
Maybe I'll do some embroidery, too.

But first, a cup of tea to, perhaps,
clear my own muddled head!

Ruth Ann
http://www.raggbaggs.blogspot.com
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
http://beadkits.etsy.com

Christmas at Our House

Christmas at our house is going to be a bit lazy this year. There are a few more gifts to be embroidered and lots left to be wrapped. A few more delightful dinner parties to attend and then there's just the three of us enjoying the fire and the tree. Maybe a few more games to play this year? And fondue for a quiet New Year's Eve. Ah, this is the very best part of the holidays!

Merry Christmas!
Ruth Ann, The Bag Lady
http://www.raggbaggs.com

Here are just a few more of the
Christmas ornaments I've made this year. I'd like to start early next year and make enough of these and the beaded snowflakes to do a whole tree!

Christmas Tour

Welcome to our Christmas home tour! We hope you'll join us in a cup of mulled wine and linger a while before our fire. This afternoon we'll be baking bread for our holiday parties and you're invited to grab a rolling pin and join in the fun!

One of our more interesting packages! This is the handiwork my my precious husband.

A handmade wooden nativity placed inside a gourd. Purchased in Venezuela.


The dining room table is already set for tonight's party.


Poor Poppett is still worn out from last night's party!


This Christmas tree all aglow in the early morning firelight. Christmas music is playing softly throughout the house. Such a warm, comforting feeling!


The fire has been lit in the kitchen in anticipation of this afternoon's bread making.
Please join us!

Ruth Ann, The Bag Lady
baglady@raggbaggs.com

You are invited to a virtual tour of homes that have been decorated for the holidays on this coming Wednesday, December 19, 2007.

We will offer a few photos of our Christmas decorations and projects as well as some of our favorite recipes.

Please drop in and share a cup of Christmas Cheer with us!

Ruth Ann, The Bag Lady
baglady@raggbaggs.com

CHRISTMAS SNOW!

I've been spending my restful hours making snowflakes for our Christmas tree and for those of family and friends. It looks like this may be the only snow we get this year. At Thanksgiving the lows were around 22. Yesterday our high temperature reading was 76 degrees, making it hard to get into the Christmas spirit.

I've been making homemade rolls for our parties and friends. Candy making should begin tomorrow if the weather stays dry. Our annual Christmas party is this weekend. My poor darling husband is doing most of the work again this year. I know he'll be glad when I am fully recovered!