in the countryside, quiet evenings
of the last month of this old year 
with the velvet of night time tucked around me
with the velvet of night time tucked around me
like a cosy & familiar blanket
my thoughts ran to the magic of christmas
and i pondered times past, present & future
and i pondered times past, present & future
the giving & the sharing & the meaning. . .
those thoughts stirred others in my mind
i set about making (the 1st time since too long ago).
i have unburied my boxes of treasures
& began beading berry red hearts 
and wondering what gifts i could make
with my bundles of richly coloured ribbons
i have brushing glittering gold
onto my christmas card designs
* * *
such enjoyment in the stitching & painting
and making things to give, with love.
and for me, its part of the magic of christmas
x x x
Such beautiful little treasure you have. I think your Christmas card is exquisite.
ReplyDeleteNow I feel more Christmassy! :)
Ruthie this card is stunning xx
ReplyDeleteYour little work space looks so cozy and inspiring! I have been feeling the urge to make gifts this year as well. My knitting needles have been clicking away and I'm planning all kinds of baking adventures. Your card is very beautiful! I love glittering gold and silver at Christmastime!
ReplyDeleteI love your Christmas card. She looks like Mother Nature. And oh, those gorgeous ribbons!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cozy creative space you've made, Ruthie - the card is really wonderful!
ReplyDeletewhat amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteI collect beads, these are just beautiful!
Beautiful Ruthie, your card and your thoughts. I must admit to a little envy, I love this sense of 'drawing in' that winter seems to bring in the northern hemisphere, retreating within/indoors physically because of the change in season, but also psychically/mentally becoming a little introspective and reflective and bringing a sense of clarity. Despite the fact that I'm a born and bred 'Aussie' I find our summer a long, harsh time when I feel as if I'm hibernating physically and mentally. I certainly don't feel a sense of clarity (or creativity) at this time of the year, rather more foggy-brained and half asleep! I think I only wake up properly in Autumn, when rain comes and things start to turn green again.
ReplyDeletei see where magical fairytales begin in your beautiful inspiring cozy studio space...looks sooo sweet...what a treat to have!! i love all your collections of piccys on the wall above your desk!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely place to imagine fairies and festive folk...love all your little crafts too! lovely post as always ruthie xx ;0)
Magical, Ruthie. xx
ReplyDeleteVery cool card, Ruthie. The image makes me think of Arthurian legends. Love your work space.
ReplyDeleteI love the warm, golden glow of the colours in these pics
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Ruthie,
ReplyDeleteYou are very lucky to have such a lovely work space. It does look cozy... You have the same bead box as I have. I love these storage boxes... The red hearts are going to look stunning!:)
Your Christmas card is so vibrant and very Gabriel Rossetti, with the gold background. Gold leaf is great fun to use. You have created such a wonderful image with the white hare.
Thank you for your kind message. I will do my new post next week too, probably on Monday, with link to your blog. I will look forward to seeing your photos of the Fox necklace again!:)
Love, Jo.x
I really love this. Your writing evokes the feeling of the Holidays. Your photos and art are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteA truly spectacular card and what a great collection of ribbon.
ReplyDeleteMagical, Ruthie. I love your work area--and your card is simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteDear Ruthie
ReplyDeleteYour blog is just wonderful! I love your illustrations. Your artwork is very detailed. Please stop by
http://angelsdoor.blogspot.com/
when you have a moment. I have two awards for you.
kind regards
Penny
everything about this post is lovely. I want one of these cards...... is that possible?
ReplyDeleteIs that card yours Ruthie? Wow! It's absolutely gorgeous! You'll have no trouble selling these if that's what you'd like to do. I love that warm blue against the gold, so inspiring and your work table table looks inviting! I love your collection of beads too, I look forward to seeing what you make :)x
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post, I think it is my favourite so far!
ReplyDeleteYour card design is exquisite.
Mr O. xx
Ruthie,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your red-haired lady in the blue dress (and the hare too).
What a beautiful post Ruthie. I like your glittering Christmas card and beautiful holiday thoughts.
ReplyDeleteDear Ruthie
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and leaving such kind words. Yes, I understand completely.
I love your Christmas card design.
Happy Holiday
Penny
The gold card is so beautiful, like a page of an illuminated manuscript.
ReplyDeleteSome lucky people, opening a present to discover one of your handmade gifts.
Beautiful thoughts to inspire some creativity in me too :)
ReplyDeleteYour words and art are lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love the illuminated painting, it looks Medieval.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely inspiring post. I am looking forward to tonight now, so that I can cosy down in the velvet and generate more ideas and make . . . . .
ReplyDeleteAmelia.x
Such a lovely card, I love the hare - and is that a Celtic knot in the tree? Those ribbons are such beautiful rich colours - the long winter evenings are the perfect time of year for stitching and knitting and other crafts.
ReplyDeleteFinally i had some time over to read more of this blog of yours: i just wanted to say that i love it!
ReplyDeleteand it is not only a matter of beautiful illustrations, or inspiring photos and links.
I love very much your journey back to art and admire your decision you've taken about changing life. it's something I'm self thinking about since a long time and you've inspired me.
What an amazing and very beautiful piece of art! Love her side pose, her such sweet little hands.
ReplyDeleteYour rock Ruthie!
I used to have a desk like that one, with an "assemblage" of bits and pieces, all precious to me. Then we moves, then we had twins, now I'm trying to put it back together again.
ReplyDeletethose gorgeous ribbons!!
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