BACK FROM TRYING TO CREATE MY OWN PERSONAL H-E- DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS

GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!!! WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO. BOY DID I JUST LEARN A 5 MONTH LESSON ON "FABULESS" LIVING!

OVER THE HOLIDAYS, I WAS SEIZED WITH ETSY MADNESS. I OPENED A COUPLE OF ETSY SHOPS AND WAS ABSOLUTELY OVERWHELMED BY THE NUMBER OF ORDERS THAT I RECEIVED.

I CROCHETED MY FINGERS TO THE CALLOUSED BONE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO FULFILL THEM ON.

MEANWHILE, MY BOYS, MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS SAT BOILING OVER ON THE BACK BURNER.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER - AGAIN.

I LEARNED MY LESSON.

I LOVE CREATING THINGS, I LOVE SHARING THINGS, BUT I HATE SAYING NO.

FROM NOW ON, MY SHARING HAS TO BE LIMITED TO BOOKS AND PATTERNS ONLY.

PLEASE EXCUSE MY BLATHERINGS, BUT I JUST HAD TO GET IT OUT!!

WHEW!!! WHAT A RELEIF!!!!

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF PROJECTS FROM BY BOOK "CROCHET CHIC". SIGNED COPIES OF THE BOOK ARE AVAILABLE AT http://fabulessliving.etsy.com/. THE BOOKS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE & BORDERS.

holiday hello/update

my my my! have i been busy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i got swooshed away into a crafty whirlwhind! here is some of what i've been making

TIP # 7 - EMBELLISH THE TRUTH

O.K. SO I GOT A LITTLE CARRIED AWAY. THE TRUTH IS THAT WHEN EMBELLISHED, THE SIMPLEST OF PEICES RISE FROM THE ORDINARY & BECOME THE EXTRAORDINARY. I STARTED WITH MY WORN OUT SHOES THE OTHER DAY, BUT I JUST CAN'T STOP MYSELF. I GUESS I'LL BE CAMPING OUT HER FOR A WHILE. I SET UP A NEW ETSY SHOP, THAT CARRIES THE PATTERN. CLICK HERE TO VISIT http://FABULESSLIVING.ETSY.COM

TIP # 6 - LIGHTEN UP

Lighten up!!! Things are not so bad. And while you're at it, you can up-cycle an old candle - turning it into an object d'art!

To make this teacup candle, I melted several old candles in a double boiler, added vanilla flavoring (for yummy scent), placed a candle wick in this old cup, and poured the melted wax inside.

This would make a great gift, but lately I've been a bit stingy - so I think I'll keep it!

TIP #5 - SHOP AT HOME

O.K., well I don't actually mean shop, I meant to say, create. These fanciful table items took no time to whip up. Imagine how much they might cost if I actually bought them in a store? They'd make great gifts, but I think I'll actually keep these for myself.

TIP # 4 RE-WORK, RE-CYCLE, RE-VAMP

So I did say goodbye to the insoles, and the played out bow, but instead of trashing them, I gave them a little re-design for the fall. I think they'll be awesome with my super-dark denims.

These shoes were about to get the boot. They were a pair of comfortable favorites that I'd worn a few too many times.

TIP # 3 - KEEP IT FRESH

Many times, it's more economical to make meals that use partially prepared ingredients. When cooking with frozen vegetables, jarred pasta sauces, or boxed dishes (like tuna helper), adding fresh ingredients enhances, both, the flavor of the dish, and it's nutritional value.