WHAT's NEW...with me!!! I am now going to use this page for letting you know what is "NEW" in my life. I will try to update weekly on my new ideas for Ragspuns, progress in my business, and even on my life. Please feel free to email me back and give me any comments, suggestions or let your feelings out too!!! But please don't correct my spellings or grammar...that would take too long!!!
4-26-09 4-4-09...Where have I been???? Well..I've been busy getting ready for quilt market which is in Pittsburgh this May. Why so busy you ask? Well, I have added more colors, more shapes and my first monthly project called "Raggy Hang-Ups". You will so excited and surprised when you see them. They aren't your ordinary monthly project...oh no...not from Rhonda RagSpun! I bet you haven't seen anything like these before...they are truly unique. There is a different trendy RagSpun shape for each month. Ackfeld's Wire Company has designed a wonderful ornamental hanger for the Raggy Hang~Ups. This works great so you don't have to take up anymore of your wall space! Check back soon to see these new adorable "Raggy Hang~Ups". Stores feel free to preorder to pick up in Pittsburgh!!! Hope everyone else is having a nice spring because in Wisconsin ... IT HAS NOT ARRIVED YET. There is a big storm headed here tomorrow...oh boy! Blessings to all..oh and Happy Hoppy Easter ... Rhonda 2-26-09...NO mOre SnOW!!! I am really sick of snow...can you tell!!! I am having spring fever very early this year. I think that is because last year we really never had a spring. We went from a long hard winter to summer. We are forecasted for a winter storm today. It sounds like school will either be delayed or cancelled for tomorrow. Our kids are already having to make up two days of school because they over used their snow days off. Okay...enough of my complaining...right?!?!?! I have been putting my energies into lots of new RagSpun patterns. With the slow economy, I have noticed customers are looking for inexpensive projects, ones that use up their scraps and still allow them to purchase something NEW. Well, RagSpuns are perfect for that. With the low price of RagSpuns, customers can afford to purchase them to decorate their project. They can use their scraps of fabric to make a pillow, wallhanging, potholder, etc and simply add a RagSpun to finish it off. During these hard times, people still would like to purchase something new and fresh(especially in the dead of winter). With all of the new choices of colors, shapes and sizes, RagSpuns can please just about anyone!!! So spend sometime today and decide on some RagSpuns to liven up your winter!!! They sure keep me going!!! You will see all my hard work at Pittsburgh this May. Blessings...Rhonda 1-23-09...Have you noticed all the changes I have been doing to the website? Now you can order RagSpuns so much easier. You simply can go to the RagSpuns Shapes Page and click on whichever shape you would like to order. I am trying to simplify steps for you so let me know if you have any other suggestions. Also I have uploaded all of the new patterns. You must check out the new ornaments too! I know, no one wants to think about Christmas again!!! Don't blame you but it is the most wonderful time of the year. I am busy finishing the website and preparing myself for taxes!!! I am sure we are all in the same boat or I should say snowmobile around here. This has been another cold and snowy winter. I just pray we have a nice warm early Spring. It seems like last year we never had a Spring. Well grab another cup of coffee and tea, put your feet up and check out all the new items on my website. The tan words above will take you to those areas!!! Can it be any easier!!! Quilted Warm Blessings from Wisconsin....Rhonda 1-6-09...Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...and yes I am here! Boy have I had a lot of problems with my website. As you have probably seen I haven't been able to put up anything new on the website since August(except for the front page). This was very frustrating for me. As many of you know, I run 90% of this business and that includes updating the website which I do love doing. I love letting you all know what is going on in my life. Our holidays were crazy as I expect many of yours were...but I love it! The kids are full of life which pumps me up. Gabe thought the new bow he got was the best present Santa could give me. Maria now has a Hannah Montana guitar and she is playing away. Luke as you know is the little farmer so he was very happy to get new work clothes(sounds strange but he was thrilled!). Abbey is the fashion girl these days so new clothes, earrings, necklaces and socks were her favorites. And what about me...well I got new bread pans. Yes, I love to make bread. I love making anything with yeast. I find it such a fun challenge and my family loves the results. My husband was happy to get new and different spices. He loves to cook and boy do we love it when he does. We make a good team because I bake and he cooks. Somehow though, I always end up doing all the dishes!!! Well I must do lots of other updates and work today. Keep checking back because I'M BACK!!! Miss you all...Blessings..Rhonda 8-9-08...Well the website is all updated...well...not totally! There are still some wonderful examples of Ragspun uses that I haven't added yet. Soon...I promise! Where has this summer gone! Can't believe only 3 weeks left till the kids are back in school..not that I'm counting or anything! Yes all four will be in school this year-Abbey(7th), Luke(5th), Maria(Kindergarten) and Gabe(Pre-K). Gabe will be home by noon but I will still have the whole morning to myself. I think it will take me till noon to recover from getting them all ready for school in the morning. I haven't been alone for 12 years. I'm excited but I know it is going to be hard. I have always put my children first in my life. The main reason Ragspun Quilting came to be was because I refused to send them to a daycare or babysitter which meant I couldn't work away from home. I knew I had to do some sort of work right from my home. I started quilting and the story flows from there. So as I am sad to see my chicks leave home, I also know how excited each one is to be back with their friends. I also know that I have a great future ahead of me with my business and I am ready to be back with all my quilting friends in Houston(only 10 weeks away!) Hope your future is full of friends (and lots of quilting!) Quilted Blessings...Rhonda
7-10-08...Has it been over a month already since I chimed in on what I have been up too?!?!? This summer is going way too fast. Since we had such a long winter here, I have been looking forward to some nice hot summer weather. Unfortunately, it seems we always get that hot weather with humidity and I hate humidity because it means I have to close up the house. Closing up the house reminds me of winter! I refuse to close up the house...but if it gets as humid as they say today, I MAY HAVE TOO!!! Summer school ends this week for my girls. If you have ever met my girls, you will know that they love school. I am not sure if they love school as much as they love being with their friends. Now they will be begging for friends over all the time since school is done and we live in the country with no friends living nearby. Gabe is busy playing in the sandbox and with our 2 new kittens...Pixie and Jenx...they are so cute. Luke is a "farmer" during the summertime. He works for the neighbor farmer and he loves it. He feeds the calves each morning and night and during the day. He also helps do general chores if I don't need him to mow the lawn. Oh did I mention yet that we now have 2 beef calves. Abbey and Luke are raising them until they are feeders. It is a good summer job for them. They(Choo-choo and Bobby) are almost as cute as the kittens!!! Little League is winding down with only 2 weeks left and I am not too happy with that now. I have started to really enjoy the night out of the house and just hanging with adults. I don't however, enjoy the driving and paying for gas! Well time to wake the girls for school and start filling more orders which are still flowing in. Start looking for my Ragspuns with many new designers...how exciting!!! Thank you for visiting my website and we'll chat again soon... Blessings..Rhonda 6-02-08...Working Hard...that's what I have been up to. My Quilt Market in Portland went very well. I am still working on getting orders out the door as fast as I can. I have lots of contacts to still "Contact" and I'm still trying to get my house back in order. My husband, Chip, did very well with the kids and they were very good for him too. Besides the business, I am a running Little League mother! Luke plays Monday night, Abbey on Tuesday and Maria on Thursday...which leaves me Wednesday night open. As most of you know that was the night I worked at the local grocery store..working there gave me a night out alone! However, last week was my last night there. I loved getting out but not until 2 in the morning! I would sleep most of Wednesday afternoon and Thursdays I was just exhausted and did not feel like working at all. So now my night out will be....GROCERY SHOPPING by myself! I already warned everyone about this. Well back to work I go. The weather is finally warming up here in Wisconsin and it's about time! I hope all of you are getting out and enjoying your summer...because as I was thinking of the other day...I must get working on new ideas for Ragspun pumpkins, ghosts, bats, etc. for Houston Market because it will be here before you know it! One last thought...People who bury their gifts/talents make a grave mistake! God Bless...Rhonda 3-30-08...Good Morning! I am glad to report that winter in Wisconsin is done and spring is here...yeah right...it is snowing again!!! I swear this cold winter weather in Wisconsin will not end. I am so sick of it. My kids are ready for some warm weather to get out and play outside. Oh well before you know it we will roasting in the summer heat. I have been working away here. New patterns are almost complete and I have so enjoyed designing them. I have new colors...yes, pastels will be featured in Portland. How fun it has been to work with them. I know many quilters are either a dark primitive color quilter or a pastel quilter. I thought I would really have a hard time with working with the pastel colors because I am the primitive quilter...but I have really liked working with the lighter colors. They are so uplifting and just so nice and bright. I hope you will all like my new designs also. I hope to get some sneak peeks on the website before I leave. Did I mention that I only have 6 weeks till I go? I best keep working. As for my sister and family(by the way, thanks for all the well wishes), they are doing well. They are keeping busy planning their new house and still cleaning up stuff from the old house. Once this weather improves, the house building will begin. Prayers work wonders, thanks for all that have offered prayers and support. Quilted Blessings, Rhonda 2-23-08...Where do I even begin! Since talking to you all last, many things have happened. First, and the saddest, my sister and best friend, Trina lost her home on Feb. 4th. A fire started at about 10:30 in the morning after she had left for work. Her husband was at work and their 2 girls, Emily(11) and Morgan(8) were at school and we are all so glad for that. The fire started in the wall behind the stove in the electrical. Unfortunately, they did lose their dog, Louey, 3 three cats, 2 gerbils and fish. To me, that day seems like a blur. I received the call from their neighbor at 11:30 and had to call Trina at work. I don't think I ever shock so hard while trying to dial the phone number. It seemed like forever till she returned to Brandon and her home. I just stood there and cried and cried. All the memories were burning inside me. Many of you may not know this but before I started my quilting business I used to babysit here in my home. I babysat Emily and Morgan since they were both 3 months old until they went to school. They are like my own children. I love those girls so much. I felt their pain that day. Their home was a total lose. We were able to get in a little to grab some very important items: Morgan's blankey, pictures, financial papers, etc. The smoke was terrible because it was an electrical fire. They had to use foam to put it out which ruined many things. I have never seen a house fire before and I just could not believe how horrible the whole situation was. My full-attention immediately went out to them. I went into gear and made my home their home. They moved in for two weeks. It was a houseful with my 6 and their 4. The kids thought it was a lot of fun to share rooms and just live together. Us adults adjusted very well because we knew it was temporary. We finally started laughing again as the 4 of us are best at. We made light of the terrible situation and planned for the future. They are going to rebuild in the same location because they love their lot. We found them a rental home which is about 2 blocks from their old place so that will be wonderful while they rebuild. God does not want us to know why things happen as they do because we are to just trust him. Trina has never become mad at God through all of this instead she says her faith is stronger. She has her family and those items can be replaced. Through this tragedy, there are so many blessings coming out. My entire family(2 brothers and 3 sisters) were at Trina's home within a half hour and JO's only brother was there too. The Brandon community has come out in full force to help them in any way possible. March 1st we are all having a benefit for them. Yes, they had insurance, but as we are finding out, it is never enough to cover all of these expenses. And to end, my sister's family moved out last Saturday, Sunday we had a snowstorm and Monday my little Maria came down with the chicken pox! I am so glad I have a good sense of humor and I can laugh!!! God's Blessings to all and please keep my sister's family in your prayers. Maybe you could slip one in for me!!! Rhonda
2-1-08...Well the Clearance Sale is going well and there are only a few left so let me know if you still want me to save one for you. Winter...well what can I say...this has been a cold and snowy one here in Wisconsin. I actually think the kids are getting tired of snowmobiling and sledding...and so am I!!! We haven't had a winter with this much snow in years and I keep telling the kids that they better enjoy it. My little Maria who is 5 is great on the snowboard. She hardly ever falls and is so much fun to watch. Her dad keeps saying that the Olympic team has called for her. She just smiles that big smile! I am happy to announce that I have a new employee. Yes, my husband, Chip(real name John) has started working for me this winter. He gets layed off every winter and this year I have so much work to do that I have put him to work. It is great because for one he can see how much work it takes to make Ragspuns. The second thing that is good is that he is wonderful at coming up with ideas of how to make things get done easier. He is already changing my cutting way...I love and encourage his ideas. I'm sure he will be happy when Spring comes and he is back to excavating but until then I am enjoying him being around to help. Also he takes over as head chef during this time of the year...he is an awesome cook. So I will keep working away and enjoying the beauty of winter because before you know it, we will all be outside enjoying the beauty of spring!!! God Bless and do take time to enjoy the beauty outside because our eyes are the opening to the wonderful world God created. Rhonda 12-29-07...Last note for 2007...as I say good bye to 2007, I think of all the things I have planned for 2008 and I can't wait to get started! The list is long...new catalog, website set up for retail customers as well as stores, updated list of new Ragspun shapes and colors, new "Quickie" patterns, new wools, yarns, threads and tools available for sale, etc. But for now, I am enjoying this week with the kids home. We are trying to do everything we planned. Today, we plan to go sledding and thank goodness we received all that snow yesterday. The kids got new blow-up sleds that fit 2 people...that should be fun. We have eaten enough sweets so the exercise outside will do us some good! However, we plan on having pizza at the end of our day. Oh well... Hope your list of hopes and wishes for 2008 is as long as mine. But...first remember to enjoy this wonderful holiday season with family. Warm blessed wishes for 2008...Rhonda 12-10-07...Christmas is in the air at our home. Our tree went up this weekend and it is...well...natural looking!!! We cut down our own like we do each year and I never pick the ones that are trimmed nice...no I like the rustic look and I really out did myself this year. The kids think is it beautiful now since it has lights and decorations on it. I have many lists of things that need to be done and I'm sure I won't get them all done but dreaming that I will is always nice!!! My thought this week...everyone keeps saying how bad Christmas has become and I have to disagree a bit. I love shopping for family and friends. I love thinking about how excited they will be to receive it. I don't think that is a bad thing. My kids are more excited about what they are going to buy their cousins, sister/brother, grandma/grandpa, etc, than what they are receiving. I love seeing everyone happy, joyous and full of giving...isn't that what God wanted of us! 11-12-07...I can't believe Houston is done and I am home again. I have been so busy filling orders, updating this website and family!!! I am sure you are all wondering how Houston went...well...it was Fantastic! The night before market opened, I told my traveling partner Julie that I was so nervous and I wanted to go home. I am really glad I didn't! Houston was only my second market and I was impressed how many customers recognized me as "Ragspun". I taught this time and I think I talked 100 miles a minute...if you took my class, I apologize...I'll work on that! I had a lot of wonderful new stores place orders and they were really excited about this new product. Since this is such a new product, I have to teach many about how to use them, what to do with them and just all the possibilities with them. I will continue to educate as many as possible with my Ragspuns because I just love them. I already have a list of ideas for the Spring Quilt Market!!! Well I must get to work on those orders...I am so grateful for each one of them. Quilted Blessings, Rhonda
10-9-07...This is not the time for the flu!!! Yes, I have 16 days till the show and my 2 little ones came down with the flu. They decided to share it with me. One good thing is that it is a quick flu. I started feeling it coming on yesterday and by night time I was on the couch. I don't plan on getting much physical work done today...instead I am going to work on lots of computer work so I am close to the bathroom! I don't have much energy to add much more...hope your families are staying healthy! Take care and God Bless...Rhonda
9-28-07...Okay, I have to put this in writing so that I can finally say "I did it!!!" What did I do? Well, I have all my kids costumes done by October 1st!!! Usually I wait till the week before and then sew like crazy because all the good costumes are gone. Of course, my kids always want the one that is so hard to create. This year I have been warning my children that this year we are NOT waiting. Since I am going to be in Houston at the end of October, I know that life will be crazy around then so that is why I insisted we get them done. So last night we headed to the local thrift shop and boy did we do good. Abbey(11) and now in middle school and attending her first Halloween dance wanted to be a pirate. A few weeks ago I looked at one pattern and quickly suggested we try to buy one!!! We had good luck and she found a cute top, skirt and even a belt. The hat we had so she is set. As for Luke(9), I think he has been a hunter for the last 5 years or ever since he wouldn't wear my cute homemade costumes. (I thought he was an adorable snowman!)He found a nice hunting outfit and promises that he will even wear it hunting with dad...only cost $6.50 so I agreed. Then comes to the two little ones...Maria(4) has always wanted to be a bumble bee. I had the wings, head piece and stinger tail so I thought we would put her in black pants and top and I would stitch some yellow fabric strips on them. Well to our luck she also found an adorable jacket which meant if I bought that I wouldn't have to worry about sewing those strips on. It is fussy and so cute so again $6.50 later she was done and the proudest little girl with her fussy jacket. Gabe(3) has agreed to wear a lion costume from my girlfriend's son. He hates to shop so we didn't take him along. What a blessing!!! I even took my niece, Morgan, and she went home with a Garfield costume. Someone sure put a lot of time into making that costume and it is adorable for $8.50. So all in all, we did great and I can relax about Halloween and continue to panic about Houston!!! I attend church each Sunday and the feeling I get when it is done is kind of how I felt when I left the thrift store yesterday...I am very proud of myself and I am at peace. Even though I only get the good feeling of having my Halloween costumes done once a year, I am very lucky to get that good feeling every week at church! I'll be posting pictures of the four all dressed up at Halloween so look for them at the end of October....Quilted Blessings Rhonda
9-14-07...I can't believe what has all happened in the last year!!! It was a year ago that I hit the quilt market by setting up my first booth at Quilt Expo in Madison, WI. Yesterday, I attended Quilt Expo again but this time I didn't have a booth. I decided not to have a booth for 2 reasons...first, I am selling to several shops in the area and I didn't want to compete with them and secondly, I am heading to Houston at the end of October so I have plenty to prepare for that show. But at Quilt Expo this year, I was again teaching. As I was giving my lecture yesterday, I felt like I was in the audience looking at myself. Boy have I changed...I now seem to be more and more confident about my Ragspuns, I have sooooo many new samples to share, I am finding it so much easier to talk in front of people and I am so grateful for this past year and all that I have learned. So what will happen in the next year? Not sure...I just know I can't wait for the ride because I am loving all that I am experiencing. Some times are good and some are hard but with my faith, I will make it through another year. As I have heard said before... "The secret to true peace is to give every anxious care to God". If you were at my lecture at Quilt Expo on Thursday, 'Thanks' for being a great audience. I will be teaching on Saturday again at Madison at 1:00. If you signed up, I can't wait to meet you. God Bless....Rhonda
9-08-07...Well, today I am a very tired mom. I work at Pick 'n Save every Wednesday night from 8-(1 or 2:00am). I help set up the new sales ad for the next week. Since I work from home, I don't get out much which means I don't get to talk much either with adults...just kids. A couple years ago I decided I needed something, aside from quilting, to do so I could be with other adults. I love my one night a week job. I work with other moms who just need out and we have a blast plus get paid for it. I spend enough at that grocery store so my little check doesn't make much of a dent in the bill. However, I get my shopping for the week done before I start my shift so that saves on driving there twice and I don't have to take my kids along either! For these first few letters, I am going to try and tell you as much about me as I can without boring you. Some of you know me well and others have no idea where Brandon, Wisconsin even is. Well I am located about an hour north of Madison. Brandon is a small town of about 450. We are known for our awesome meat market...Brandon Meats. They bring in people from all over the state and ship things everywhere. It is so nice because they give back so much to our little town. I am not originally from here, my husband is. I am from Princeton, Wisconsin which is about 20 minutes from here. I love the smallness and closeness of Brandon and would never want to move. But like with everything, there is the bad side too...no good shopping places, lots of gossip, not as many quilters as I would like!!! I have a very strong faith in God and I want to leave each day with a different thought. I am a diabetic which began when I was 28. I only had two children before I got it. I felt empty and still wanted more children. I read lots of books and some really scared me about getting pregnant. I spent a good year praying and deciding what to do. I read this passage one day and I still have it hanging on my computer. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8 I felt this told me to trust that God would take care of me and protect me during my pregnancies and not to wait for someone else to take care of me. I delivered Maria Lucille on October 5, 2002 and when I held her in my arms for the first time, I swear the look in her eyes was God looking at me. She is named in honor of Mary whom I prayed to everyday...and still do! Gabriel Robert was born May 15, 2004 and he is named Gabriel which means "God is my Strength"...how appropriate. May You Know God's Grace...Rhonda
Click here to email me.
Thanks Rhonda |
|---|
