Remembering Christmas-Creating Handmade Projects

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Welcome Fiber Friend!

Can you believe we are already into July? Where has the year gone? It didn’t seem like I was doing that much more then last year during the pandemic! But here I am thinking already about Christmas. I guess because it’s time to celebrate Christmas in July…LOL So this is a great time to tell you about the release of my book Remembering Christmas-Creating Handmade projects (read on for release date).

Let’s start at the beginning

Last year was probably the worst for many of us, myself included. In January I set goals and had high hopes for a banner year in my business. This was the year I was going to take it to the next level. I invested in education, software and time to make this happen. Then the Pandemic. The whole world came to a halt! I forged ahead with my new business community and instead of going to shows grew my online business. It was tough, I am not going to lie. Technology is not my strong suit and I needed to learn a lot to make this happen.

Feeling Frustrated

By December I was really feeling the effects of the year. I was lost and didn’t know which direction to go. To be honest I wasn’t sure I even wanted to be in business. In June I had a left hip replacement and was recovering from that. I have to say I was feeling very depressed. It was difficult to get to my studio to create the way I wanted to. That always helps me deal with these situations. So I went back to my Occupational Therapy training. What had we learned about relieving stress and depression?

Treatments for Depression

There were a lot of things I could have done to help me deal with depression. I could exercise but that was hard with a new hip and winter weather. Working on my crafts always helps but most of my supplies were in the studio and not easily accessible. Talking to a friend is a great strategy, which I did and Thank God for her! Or the easiest way, journal. I remember teaching my students about the benefits of journaling. That was it! I had found my outlet.

Journaling

The journal I received when I retired was still empty so on December 1, 2020 I started writing. I went all the way back to the beginning and recorded my birth as well as my siblings. It just felt like I needed to do that. Eventually I started thinking and remembering Christmas as a child. The memories I had growing up about Christmas just came flowing out. Christmas was always my favorite time of the year as a kid. It was a time for making gifts, baking cookies and decorating. Oh how we decorated the house. My Dad was a master at orchestrating our living and dining room into a very festive place.

Something Magical Happened

As I wrote the stories in my journal, I had the feeling I should do something with them. These stories were making me feel better so maybe they would help someone else feel better! I decided to post them on my Facebook account. One story at a time the magic happened as they resonated in a positive way with my community. So many wonderful comments and several people asked if I was writing a book and if not, I should. One friend said I should add craft projects associated with each story. “Oh Wow!” That was a great idea. I had thought about putting my stories in a book but this idea was so much better. Combine two things I love…crafts & writing!

A Book was Born

I began the process of putting together my stories with different craft projects and baking recipes too. After all who doesn’t like a good recipe? Let me tell you, the process of creating an e-book is not for the faint of heart! I had to learn how to take pictures and add videos and send google docs…YIKES! What was I thinking. Then there was the professional editing & formatting and then oh ya, something called a Leadpage to sell the book; and how were people going to pay for it? So many questions and changes and additions! I never thought it would happen. But perseverance paid off! My first e-book, Remembering Christmas-Creating Handmade Projects is FINALLY ready 🙂

Release Date

After many months I am SO EXCITED to announce the official release date of July 17th. Remembering Christmas–Creating Handmade Projects, will be available through my webiste. It has been an interesting journey and I have learned and grown so much. I can’t wait for you to see it. Make sure to save the date to get your copy!