Memorial Day Already?!

I can't believe it's already Memorial Day! May has been a cold and wet month here in D.C. this year (much like last year actually), so it's hard to accept that spring is practically over, and we're just going to hurdle towards the summer already.

This blog has been sorely neglected, but it's about to experience a resurgence because I'm going to have lots of things to specifically report on very shortly. Helen and I continue to work on the recipe books, and I've just become the Crochet Guru on Lifetips.com! Now, I know you're asking "Who's Helen?!", "What recipe books?!", and "There's a Lifetips.com?!" Patience my friends, all of your questions will be answered soon, you just have to come back and visit more often ;-)

For now, just have a fun, relaxing Memorial Day, but be sure to take the time for a moment of remembrance during the day for our service men and women.

Today's Thought: It's strawberry season -- try our Strawberry Gazpacho recipe! You can find it at http://www.lulu.com/content/multimedia/strawberry-gazpacho/7175555

Tax Day Cometh ... and Goeth!

Happy April 15th! The weather definitely matches the mood of the day -- rainy and gray. I don't know where the time goes, hard to believe it's been a month and a half since my last post.

Well, I have been busy -- I've taught two crochet classes and have been working on my newest project, cookbooks! Yup, a friend and I have taken the plunge and have teamed up to put some of our nutritional knowledge to work. It's really been fun, and no doubt, you will be hearing more soon!

Today's Thought: Two kiwi fruits have twice the vitamin C of one small-sized orange!

Etsy Hookers

Ah, there are so many "hooker" jokes amongst the crocheters, but hey, who am I to spoil the fun! Actually, it's a really nice group of Etsy shop owners who specialize in crochet, and I've decided it's time to get more active as I keep trying to figure out exactly what it is I want to be when I grow up :-)

I'm definitely starting to veer away from a crochet-centric approach and expanding into a more holistic view of life, leisure time, and business opportunities. We'll see where this adventure takes me, but for now, I'm just enjoying exploring and keeping my mind off of the media-fueled depressing news these days.

I will post more shortly, just as soon as I figure out exactly what it is that the 'Hookers' want me to do with my Flickr account!

Today's Thought: Our newsletter is about to make its debut! After all, March is National Crochet Month. If you'd like to subscribe, please just leave a comment to this post, and I will add you to the list! Thanks.

Happy Valentine's Day

Yeah, I know it's already over, but February is just whizzing by! I've been flailing around a bit lately, just trying to figure out what to do next. I've been distracted from crochet by the need to eat well and exercise. Remember those New Year's resolutions we all made about a month and a half ago?! I'm still struggling to implement :-)

I am working on one very interesting project right now -- a crocheted vase! I'm using a stiff yarn and smaller-than-usual crochet hook so that it will support itself and be sturdy. I'm thinking I'll make the neck of it so that a glass tube vase can be slid inside in case anyone wants to put real flowers on display. Here's a picture of the beginning, though I've actually made progress from here. More pictures will come :-)

Today's Thought: Rosy Likes Red is such a fun band! Check out their MySpace page to hear some of their new tunes!

Memories of the Inauguration

So, just published my article on the inauguration on Associated Content! And I've actually gotten 2 recommends :-) Look for it over in the left column.

And, last night was my first crochet class! Three lovely women signed up for my Introduction to Crochet class, and I think it went well. They were pretty fast learners, so it was actually pretty easy. I think it helped that all three had had some knitting experience, but it is quite different. I can relate to their stress because I'm the same way when I'm trying to knit. Anyway, I really enjoyed and I hope they did too. I'm going to check on them later in the week because I'm afraid they're going to forget everything we went over (I packed a lot into the 2-hour class!). I've got to figure out a way to help reinforce the class lesson. Mmmm, maybe I'll create my own videos -- yeah, right. Actually, I really don't need to, the ones on www.nexstitch.com are really good. Ok, now off to work!

Today's Thought: It's snowing here in DC! So, if it's snowing where you are, take the time to play!

We're Now on Flickr!

Ok, so I've finally managed to set up a Flickr account for Many Creative Gifts. There should be a link located over in the left-hand column. I've tried to put up a variety of projects, and I'm sure there's much editing, rephotographing, labeling, etc. to be done!

Sorry for the short post, but gotta get back to work!

Review Stream

Ok, you know by now that I am always looking for angles to generate "multiple streams of income" (hey, it makes up for all the $$ I end up wasting somehow or another!). So, now, I've come across http://www.reviewstream.com/. It's a site on which you can either check out reviews by other people about travel, products, etc., or write some of your own. If accepted, you get $2. I just finished and got accepted two reviews, which I hope you will check out and vote for!

http://www.reviewstream.com/reviews/?p=56743

http://www.reviewstream.com/reviews/?p=56737

What else have I been up to? Besides freezing and trying to finish up my "Introduction to Crochet" book, not much else :-) (I guess this is what you call a teaser~) I decided to have a handout for the folks who attend my crochet through Knit-a-Gogo, and it seems to have taken on a life of its own (15 pages and counting!), so stay tuned on that.

Today's Thought: One more pitch for http://www.reviewstream.com/ -- check it out!