My first crochet project

One a whim last week, I decided I wanted to learn to crochet. My sister is a happy crocheter, having learned from our grandmother, but for whatever reason I just never picked it up. So, I stood at JoAnn and stared at lots and lots of yarn. I knew I wanted dark blue and super soft, but I had no idea how many different types of yarn would be there for my eyes to feast upon. Finally I chose one, and picked out the size crochet hook recommended on the yarn label. When I got home, I started watching every youtube tutorial I could find, every written instruction, a few patterns I didn't understand, and found lots of information. I settled on a "one skein scarf" pattern that consists of just single crochet stitches. Sounded like a good first project. Well, I started my chain row, pulled it out a few dozen times, then moved onto my single crochet row and pulled it out a few times. ugh. I couldn't see what I was stitching and I didn't know what I was doing. Turns out the yarn I chose is very fuzzy, textured, and not a good newbie yarn. Oops. I kept plugging along, though, and got 4 rows completed. My edges were sadly uneven, and the whole thing looked uneven and pretty rough. But I learned a few things, somehow refrained from throwing both yarn and hook, pulled the whole thing out and started again. I realized I wasn't always crocheting into the very last stitch and that's why my edges were uneven. Now this time, it's starting to look a little bit more like it should. So, here I have what I'm calling phase one:

EA Sports Active~Week 1

In case you're not familiar with EA Sports Active, it's a "game" for the Wii. You can use the Wii Fit board with it, but that's optional. It comes with a leg strap (which holds the Wii Nunchuck controller against your thigh during certain exercises) and a resistance band. I started the 30 Day Challenge program last week, and today finished Day 7. The box says it's like having your own personal trainer, and while I'd have to say it's not really *just* like that, I am really enjoying it. It's more like a mini boot camp class in the comfort of your own home. I like that it has set exercises for you to do each day that target different muscle groups. It's more challenging to me than Wii Fit, more focused toward strength exercises, and sometimes I've been quite sore the next day. On easy mode. But, I can't say that I started out in supreme physical shape, so your experience might very well differ! There are built in "rest" days after every 2 workout days, which I really like. The whole concept of the 30 day challenge has so far been helpful to me, and has kept me motivated. And knowing each day is different, and I don't have to think about which exercises to do. I just turn it on and go. I've also been sleeping better at night, which is a nice bonus. So, we'll see how it goes as I continue the program.

Wear your Sunscreen!

The Skin Cancer Foundation is urging people to continue protecting their skin from harsh UV rays even in the colder temperatures of winter. Even though the prevalence of UVB rays is down (the ones most responsible for sunburns), UVA rays remain constant year round. These UVA rays contribute to skin cancer as well as all the classic signs of aging: sagging, wrinkles, and brown spots. UVA rays are longer and penetrate deeper into the skin and are present even on cloudy days. So, rain or shine, water skiing or snow skiing, or just driving around town, don't forget to wear your sunscreen daily!

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop of the Week: Sweetwater Inspirations

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop of the Week: Sweetwater Inspirations


In Sweetwater Inspirations , owner and designer Wendy Hamilton offers her customers distinctive hand-crafted jewelry of exceptional quality and value. Within her shop you can find gifts for men, women, brides, and teens. You can see that in every piece that Wendy makes she takes pride and is very meticulous with her workmanship to ensure a special pieces for each of her customers. Please see her shop for international shipping details and convo her if you need more information.


Wendy admits that "I love to work with metal wire (sterling, copper, brass) and love the sparkle and unique qualities found in glass, stone, and semi-precious beads. I choose materials of quality and pride myself on representing my materials and jewelry with integrity. I purchase my materials in small quantities, so I sell limited production or one of a kind pieces."

She explained to me that her inspirations really are not much of inspiration as it is an "Addiction. Really, my inspiration is as uncontrived as seeing something new to 'play' with, the interplay of color, or the hypnotic affect of sparkly things. Although my husband groans at stepping into a bead or craft store, he has learned to bring his Blackberry for company and is really very patient when my head starts spinning with possibilities."

Although Wendy is new to Twitter and Etsy (opened on 1/5/09: Happy One Year!!) she would like to share what she has learned on Twitter: "I’ve tried to develop a following for my business by tweeting new items in my shop; but I also like the camaraderie of tweeting with other business owners. I think that Twitter and especially the Etsy Twitter Team offer a great way for business owners to connect and help support each other. It’s amazing how a kind tweet or re-tweet has the ability to open each business to a whole new network of people."

Since her store just celebrated its first anniversary on Etsy, Wendy has taken on the following resolution for 2010: "Last year I put a lot of time into learning about e-commerce and developing the software I needed to make my business end run efficiently. This year I am taking courses to hone and expand my metalworking skills and will put more of my time into design development and building my portfolio."

Good luck Wendy! We look forward to seeing your new metal work and designs in 2010!

From January 18th-24th Wendy is offering the following discount in her shop:

FREE US SHIPPING on all items in her Etsy shop
- PLUS a 10% discount on purchases totaling $50 or more* ·
Discount will be refunded to PayPal after payment or you may convo her before payment for a revised invoice. Texas residents - applicable purchase of $50 is calculated before sales tax. International shipping is not included in applicable minimum purchase and discount does not apply to shipping.


Wow! What a great idea to tell our DH and family members to do while we shop for the things we love the most! Thanks for the amazing tips Wendy about your shop and about your how you work on Twitter.

To learn more about Sweetwater Inspirations please visit Wendy's shop at:
http://sweetwatergifts.etsy.com/

Use the links below to follow Sweetwater's latest information:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SweetwaterGifts
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweetwater-Inspirations/115542896770

UWIB Team Free Shipping Promotion - Jan 22-25

Due to my current mad-hectic schedule I'm not going to be able to participate in this event, but I do want to promote it and the fabulous ladies of UWIB (Unique Women in Business) so here are the details:

UWIB is excited to announce their first Team Event! Participating UWIB businesses are offering free shipping Jan 22nd - 25th. Please look forward to an upcoming post with website links.

In the meantime, please visit this thread moderated by our wonderful creator of this event, Cobweb Corner. Here you will find the rules and means by which you can find the participating Etsy shops. Look for UWIBTEAMFS tags to receive free shipping on many wonderful items!

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop Of The Week: Scrap With Style

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop Of The Week: Scrap With Style

Shop Of The Week: Scrap With Style

If you're always on the lookout for unique papers and embellishments, Scrap With Style is a dream come true.


As owner Janelle Jones says, "I have papers, ribbons, rub-ons, embellishments, cardstock, scrapbook albums, fun things that can bring family photographs to life! I also make some premade scrapbook albums (paper-bag, recycled CD style and others) and put together page kits and cut paper packs too."


A stay-at-home/work-at-home mom with two little girls, Janelle finds inspiration " in the tons of pictures I take of my two girls. Those pictures are what got me into scrapbooking and making photo projects! I really love displaying family photos."


She also loves the fact that the business allows her to work at home alongside her girls, ages 2 and 4. "My 4 year old particularly likes to help with packing the orders and ribbons!"

From a business perspective, Janelle finds Twitter great for connecting with fellow crafters. "I love to meet people and I really enjoy the social aspect of twitter. It's fun to meet other crafty people and share tricks and tips about papercrafting!"

The shop happily ships both across the country and internationally.

For more information about ScrapWithStyle:

http://www.twitter.com/scrapwithstyle
http://facebook.com/scrapwithstyle
http://janellescraps.com/
http://scrapwithstyle.com/
For this week, Janelle is offering the following great discounts:

10% off orders of $5 or more, 15% off orders of $10 or more, and 20% off orders of $20 or more just put "SOTW" in msg to seller @ checkout. Refunds made via paypal or you can request an updated invoice before payment.

My Clarisonic Review

For Christmas, by dear husband bought me a Clarisonic facial brush (http://clarisonic.com/us). I've had my eye on this little piece of skin care equipment for a long time. It uses sonic technology similar to the Sonicare toothbrush to gently aid your cleanser. Some of the benefits listed on their website:

• 6X more makeup removal
• Skin is soft and smooth
• Cleanses so well that products absorb better
• Gentle for use twice daily
• Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Reduces the appearance of visible pores
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Being an esthetician and obsessive about skin care, I've used a lot of different scrubs, facial brushes, cloths, sponges, as well as an impressive list of skin care products on my face. This is my new favorite. My all-time "you have to go get one" favorite! The brush is so gentle and silky soft, it doesn't feel like you're scrubbing your face off (and my skin is extremely sensitive). Yet after using the Clarisonic for nearly 2 weeks now, I can really tell the difference in my skin. It's smoother, softer, the texture and tone has improved noticeably. I have fewer red splotches and my skin looks so healthy. I've definitely noticed the reduction of visible pores, since I have normal to oily skin and they have always been more prominent on me. I'm even starting to see a bit of improvement on those pesky little crows feet (what a bad name by the way, who came up with that?!?). If you've been on the fence about this device, I say get thee one now. If you've never heard of it, go check one out-it's definitely worth the money in my opinion.