Christmas Tree Earrings

We're getting in the mood for Christmas early this year. I guess I'm always in the mood! So, I couldn't resist making this pair of Christmas Tree Earrings.

These earrings are made from tiny beads from The Czech Republic. They are quite slow to make, but the end result is great fun. I just love putting the tiny ornaments of the tree. So cute!

If you'd like to order your own pair of sparkly earrings go to
http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

We'd love to have you stop in for a visit!

Morning Glory Cottage Jewelry Designs

Willie Zuniga
of
Morning Glory Designs
creates some of the most beautiful jewelry I have ever seen.

While my jewelry boxes overflow with
fine jewelry,
bridge jewelry,
and
pieces collected in foreign lands,
I prefer Willie's jewelry.

Just don't tell my husband!

Willie's jewelry is all handmade
using the best products.
All of her metalwork is specially coated
to give it a sturdier,
smoother feel.
Though I am allergic to most metals,
her ring, which I wear almost constantly
has never bothered my finger.

I own many pieces of Willie's jewelry
and want much more!

There aren't enough good things that I can say
about Willie's jewelry,
except that you must buy some for yourself.
I have purchased pieces to give to my friends,
but they are all still here.
I just can't bear to part with them.

Willi also donates a large portion of her sales
to buy supplies to teach cancer patients to bead.

Go forth and buy!

Southwestern Bracelet

Clasp is turquoise and mother of pearl set in silver.

This spiraled bracelet brings out the fabulous colors of the southwest.

Perfect with jeans and a t-shirt, a denim skirt, or a shimmery silk dress.
The leather color will greatly enhance your favorite boots!

It is available at
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com

Vintage Rose Doily

A vintage rose doily to crochet. This pattern is originally from The Ladies' Work-Book, a nineteenth century needlework book.

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Crochet section a. With cotton No. 20 and hook 3-1/2, work 13 chains: make it round and in loop 24 d.c., 1 d.c. on d.c., 7 chain, miss 2, repeat 7 times more; in 4th chain stitch of 7 chain, 1 s.c., 12 chain, 1 s.c. in 6th chain from hook; 7 chain, 1 s.c. in same at last s.c.; 5 chain, 1 s.c., in same as last s.c., 5 chain, 1 s.c. in next chain stitch to 1st of 12 chain; 5 chain, repeat 7 times more, fasten off.

1. Crochet section b. With cotton No. 18 and hook 3-1/4, work 10 chain, make it round, and in loop 24 d.c. * In 1st d.c. work 3 chain, 3 long, 3 chain, 1 d.c., miss 1, and repeat * 7 times more. Those only in the last, 2 long, join to 4th chain stitch of 7 chain of a, 1 long, 3 chain, 1 d.c., fasten off. Make 7 more b, joining to the 7 chains of a.
2. Crochet section c. With cotton No. 16 and hook 3, **1 s.c. in the centre of the two 5 chains of a, nearest the foundation: 7 chain, 1 s.c. in the centre of 5 chain; 5 chain, 1 s.c. on 2nd long of 1st division of b; * 3 chain, 1 d.c. on next division, repeat * 5 times more, 5 chain; 1 d.c. in next 5 chain, 7 chain, repeat ** 7 times more, fasten off. D.c. all round the chain and fasten off.
3. Crochet section d. With cotton No. 28 and hook 4, * 7 chain, 1 s.c. in 1st chain, and in round loop 1 d.c., 4 long, 3 chain; join to d.c. stitches where the two 5 chains are found together, turn, and on the 3 chain 1 d.c., 3 long; then in round loop, 4 long, 1 d.c.; then join to the d.c. on the opposite side, and fasten off. Repeat * 7 times more.
4. Crochet section e. With cotton No. 18 and hook 3. Where you left off in d, join on No. 18 cotton; 9 chain, 1 s.c. in 5th chain; then in round loop ** 1 d.c., 5 chain, join to 5th d.c. from where you joined No. 18 cotton on; 5 chain, turn, and on 10 chain, 1 d.c., 9 long; 1 d.c. in round loop, 7 chain join to the top d.c., 3 chain. 1 s.c. in the 7th chain, 3 chain, 1 d.c. in the 7th chain; * 2 * 5 long, 1 d.c. in same as 1st d.c., 1 d.c. in round loop, repeat ** from ** without joining the 10 chain twice. The second time only work to * 2 *, work 3 long, join to 5th d.c. from where you joined No. 18 cotton on; 2 more long on 7 chain, 1 d.c.; then 3 s.c. down the stem. Make 7 more joining in the same way: fasten off.
5. Crochet section f. With cotton No. 16 and hook 3. In 14th d.c. of c from where you joined No. 18 cotton on, * 1 d.c., 4 chain, join to 1st 3 chain of e of 1st section, 4 chain, join to 2nd 3 chain of e of 1st section; 8 chain join to 1st 3 chain of e of 2nd section, 3 chain, join to 2nd 3 chain of e of 2nd section; 8 chain, join to 1st 3 chain of e of 3rd section; 3 chain, join to 2nd 3 chain of e of 3rd section; 4 chain, repeat all round; d.c. all round.
6. Crochet section g. With cotton No. 16 and hook 3, 10 chain, make it round and in loop; 8 d.c. join to the same place, where you began the long chain of f 5 d.c., * 5 chain join to 8th d.c. of f from where you joined the d.c.: 6 chain, turn, 1 d.c., 7 long, 1 d.c., miss 1, 1 s.c. in next d.c., repeat * 4 times more. Join in the same place only to last petal. In the last petal work down the chain as follows: 1 d.c.; 4 long, join to 8th d.c. from where you joined the 1st d.c.; 3 long, 1 d.c., fasten off. Make 7 more. Joining each as you make them.
7. Crochet section h. With cotton No. 16 and hook 3, 15 chain, 1 s.c. in 1st stitch: then in loop; 24 d.c., * 1 d.c. on d.c., 7 chain, miss 2, repeat * 7 times more, then in each 7 chain, 9 d.c., except the last, which work as follows: 5 d.c. join to 3rd point of g, 4 d.c. in same 7 chain.
   • The next h, join in the same manner to point of f make sufficient to go round, joining alternately to g's and fs.
8. Crochet section i. With cotton No. 14 and hook 3, ** 1 s.c. on 5th d.c. of 1st division of h, * 5 chain, 1 s.c. in next division, repeat * 5 times more, 9 chain join to next point of g "9 chain," 1 s.c. in next point of g, 9 chain, repeat ** from all round; d.c. all round, and when you have come to the end of "9 chain" 4th d.c. join to the 9th d.c.; * 7 chain, miss 2, 1 d.c. in next, * repeat 9 times the 10 and 11, join to the other side and fasten off.

New ArtFire Member

I am a new member of ArtFire.
http://www.JewelsBySwanger.artfire.com

I'm not sure that I like it.
I have been unable to post photos in
Netscape
and unable to view them properly in
Explorer.
Weird.
But -
it's a Beta version
and it's free,
so we shall see what will happen.

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

Ahab, the Magnificent

My dear friend,
Jo Ellen Huskey,
made this purse for me as a bespoke piece.
The work that she did is incredible!

The are beads, bells, and tassels everywhere!
There is an African design on the inside
along with my name.
The designs were designed, digitized,
and embroidered by Jo Ellen.
She also constructed the purse.

I own several of her purses
and never leave home without
one of them.

Her work is magnificent!

Jo Ellen and her designs
can be found at
http://www.huskeyembroiderydesign.com/

If you own one of her designs,
you are very lucky, indeed!

Time for Socks!

'Tis the time of year when
a young woman's heart turns to
knitting!

My first experience with knitting socks with double pointed needles
was when I was about 5 years old.
This was also my last experience.

A few years ago, I discovered that one can knit large
Christmas Stockings
on short circular needles.
I made enough for the whole family,
including our fur babies.
Sometime during the summer,
I lost the pattern.
It had fantastically easy heels and toes.

Last week, I discovered
self-patterning yarn.
Wow!
What neat stuff!!!!!!
(Yes, I know it's been around for years,
but I'm still avoiding the double pointed needles.)

I had to have a couple of skeins,
but then there were those double pointed needles.
Now I remember why I hated them so badly!

As you can see by the photo,
I almost finished my sockies last night.
I have maybe 30 minutes left to do.

Then another color of the same
self-patterning yarn
followed me home.

I still hate double pointed needles,
but I'm loving that yarn!

Have a great day!
Ruth Ann

http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com

A Fabulous Table Cloth

This fabulous new tablecloth will appear in my Etsy shop tomorrow.
I just wanted to give ya'll the opportunity to see it first.
The center of the cloth is made of a polyester silk blend.
The silk gives the fabric a beautiful sheen while the polyester ensures great washability with almost no ironing required.
The tablecloth is a copy of one I saw while visiting Europe last year.

This wonderful Celtic minstral's harp was a gift from my precious husband and is not for sale.

The tablecloth measures 36 inches across and is perfect for a small tea table.

The lace is rayon embroidery thread that was made my little ol' me.
The colors are antique ivory and gold.

http://www.deerhaven.etsy.com