Ramping Up!

So, I'm starting to get nervous! I'll be giving my first crochet class for Knit-a-Gogo in about 2 weeks! I've been preparing, mainly by putting together an outline of the topics I want to cover in those 2 hours, but with even more information in it that the students can take home with them and refer to later when they're on their own.

It's really been fun in a way, thinking about the process through which I went to start crocheting. I'm looking forward to helping others learn too -- it's such a great life-long hobby, activity, way to de-stress, however you want to look at it.

I keep working on the business as well. I've gone back to the materials and coaching that Frederic Patenaude provides. I really like his approach. He's not necessarily telling you anything you don't already know, but he's very encouraging but realistic and helpful in getting your thoughts and actions organized. His primary focus is the natural health movement, but his advice relates to any type of business someone might want to start. Check it out! www.fredericpatenaude.com

Today's Thought: Persimmons are very high in antioxidants and are really tasty, but be sure that they are very ripe before you eat them; otherwise, they can be bitter and have a weird texture and aftertaste!

We've Got a Facebook Page!

Ok, so I've finally gotten lured onto Facebook! I have to say, it's pretty cool and easy to load pictures, post events, etc. I'm also creating a link to the blog by getting "verified" (that's what the little widget on the side is all about). Whether this business ever really takes off or not, I really have learned a lot through the process -- website layouts, how to create html widgets, posting and linking -- techie terms are just rolling off my fingers!

Anyway, if you're a member of Facebook, please search out our page, take a look at our photos, leave us a comment, enjoy!

New Year, New Challenges

As I continue to feebly prepare myself for going back to work for a whole 5 days in a row (something that hasn't happened in a while ;-), I find myself madly organizing, doing laundry, all the mundane stuff that gets put off til it can't be put off any longer. I think I'm almost actually "there", wherever there might actually be (clean clothes, no dishes in the sink, etc.). All of this of course is an attempt to avoid tackling the worst job of all -- cleaning off my desk and filing away all the paperwork, endless paperwork! I can't seem to stay ahead of it, but I keep trying to remember the tips I learned in Getting It Done by David Allen: try to touch each piece of paper only once (either take care of it if it can be done in 2 mins or less; file it in your file system for later action, or throw it away). Not sure I'm managing the one-touch thing so well, but the inbox on my desk is close to empty. I'm also trying to consolidate all those little bitty pieces of paper onto which I jot down "important" websites to visit or ideas to pursue. I've now got a big ole spiral notebook (yes, that's right, the old school spiral!) to write them all down in AFTER actually checking it out to see if it's worth keeping. A little pat on my back :-)

Today's Thought: PayPerPost has some new deal where both you and I can earn $$ for reviewing blogposts. Here's the link

Happy New Year!

Can't believe how time is flying by! Well, like it or not, 2009 is here. Once again, I'm trying to get "things in order" to start off the new year in a serene, stress-free way (yeah, right, that's going to last long). Anyway, so, I'm going through my piles of catalogs -- I can't bear to throw them out before at least flipping through once, so piles is a literal description. Sometimes, I do get ideas for crochet projects or color combinations, or language for product descriptions, etc., so I think of sitting and looking at catalogs as "business time" ;-) I have to say, I came across the funniest exerpt in Wisteria, a catalog of antiques and decorative items for home and garden. The item is a (beautiful) leather and stainless steel chaise lounger (though I think I would prefer a smoother leather than the distressed look of this one). The description starts "Why be a couch potato when you can be a chaise frittata?" Chaise frittata?! Somehow, I don't think that's going to catch on and become a part of the English language lexicon, but it did make me chuckle (and get really hungry!), so I thought I would share!

Ok, that's all I've got for now, but blogging is one of my NYRs, so stay tuned! And, thanks so much to those of you who verified my authorship for Facebook's blog app (the rest of you, get on it!)

Today's Thought: Go Falcons!! The playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals is on at 4 PM EST.

Christmas is Almost Here!

Hard to believe it's almost Christmas! The time is getting away from me, and I feel like I'm on a treadmill going nowhere (but of course, not a real treadmill where I'd be getting some exercise ;-). Anyway, just finished up some Christmas ornaments to crochet and have published them on Lulu as well.

Now, if I can just finish my own shopping for the season!

Today's Thought: If you've never checked out Brad's Deals (http://www.bradsdeals.com/), it's a really great site to find the best bargains on electronics, clothing, just about anything.

The Good, The Bad, and The Hopefully Pretty!

So, yes, I've fallen off the blogging bandwagon yet again, but I've been such a busy bee! As you'll see to your left, there's been some self-publishing going on!! Two pattern brochures, one for boy babies and another for classic accessories for either girls or boys, are now available on Lulu.com (don't fret, the girl baby accessories are coming!). Here are some pix of the finished products.

Why the flurry of activity? Because I'm going to be teaching crochet starting in January! There's a great company that has recently expanded into Washington DC called Knit-a-Gogo (http://www.knit-a-gogo.com/), where personalized knitting and crocheting instruction is available. I'll be teaching classes on Introduction to Crochet, Amigurumi Crochet, and Tunisian Crochet.

I figured it would be good if I have some easy-to-complete patterns available for my beginner crochet students, but these patterns should appeal to anyone who wants to whip up some cute baby gifts quickly. Another appealing aspect is that all of the pieces in each booklet can be made with just one skein of yarn! I've been using Lion Brand's Cotton Ease for these projects because it's 50% cotton, 50% acrylic, which is just perfect for baby items since it's soft, easy to wash, and economical. The color selection is nice too and still baby-appropriate without being the typical pastels.

So, watch for more updates soon!

Today's Thought: Another shameless plug for www.Knit-a-Gogo.com!

So Much To Do!

I can't believe how the time is flying, and I still don't seem to be getting done everything I'm supposed to get done! And, next week, I have to go up to NYC for a work conference...

Obviously, one of the things I need to catch up on is the blogging, and I hope to have lots of pictures posted before long.

In the mean time...

Today's Thought: If you're near Bethesda, Maryland, you should stop by this great yarn store, right on Wisconsin Avenue, called Knit and Stitch = Bliss. Their website has been improved as well! http://www.knitandstitch.com/