Back in the groove!!

Oh, my!  I just managed to get back onto this page after a long period of inactivity.  In looking at the date of my last post, I was shocked to see that it has been over four years!  Where in the world have I been, you ask?

Well, a lot has gone on during this time period!  First, I started having arthritis pains in my hand, mostly my thumbs, and could not crochet any longer.  It was heartbreaking as this was my passion and my therapy. Right now, I struggle to open lids, hold things down, etc.   Wow, four years seems so long ago and I have surely missed my therapy!

Over the past four years, my thumbs have become progressively worse requiring me to get steriod injections every three months and the doctor has has said the only other option is surgery.  The surgery is called CMC Arthroplasty where he would remove the damaged bone in my hand/thumb area and then stretch tendons from my wrist to my thumb, hopefully allowing me to gain more strength in the thumb.  I have heard that it could take 12 months before you are actually glad that you had the surgery.  Honestly?  Ain't nobody got time for that!  I have rescheduled it three times and finally decided that I am going to wait until I cannot take it any longer!   I have also decided no more injections! 

I also retired from teaching in 2016 after 23 years.  I'd always heard that you would know when you were done.  I did!  I actually surprised myself (and my husband), making the decision just a few months before school was out.  I finished out the year and haven't looked back.  I, then, ran a successful business from home but, after 2 1/2 years of non-stop going and not being able to separate business from personal, I finally closed down shop, and, well, here I am !

BUT...and this is the big but!  I decided that I am going to crochet again!  I've bought a few special gloves and a thumb brace (links to these items will be added shortly) and it is working well.  I have been crocheting like mad for the past week and a half but do monitor myself carefully.  When my thumb starts getting sore, I ice it down with some frozen peas (best ice pack on earth) and I'm good to go.  No anti-inflammatories, no shots, no nothing!

I am so thrilled that finally I decided to give it a try again!  My crochet bag has been calling to me for too many years, whenever I opened my craft closet, so I decided to go for it.  Glad I did.  I will be posting some of my new work soon and will have a yarn giveaway too!

And, remember, this isn't just about crocheting.  I have shared all of my crafting projects and crafting fun and will continue to do so!  I recently started painting and distressing Mason jars and love the end product! 

More to come! 

And the WInners Are......

Mary Lou Ruiz!!!  Congratulations!  

and Jo Anne Zavala, congratulations!

I will mail it tomorrow!!  I will send an email requesting your mailing address!

Another Giveaway (see my first one also)

I bought this yarn and cannot use it because it has wool in it.  I am allergic to wool but I know someone, somewhere can use it.  It is three skeins of Lion Brand, Wool Ease, 6 oz. yarn.  See my other giveaway.  I will pay for postage just to find it a good home and make someone's day.

Drawing will be Saturday, June 21st.  Please leave your name and email address.  I will notify the winner and post it on here next Saturday!

Thanks,
Janice

Yarn Giveaway

We are moving and I am consolidating and purging.  I found this yarn that I have been storing and, at first, I was going to give it to Goodwill.  Then, I remembered how some of the ladies on the blogs and Facebook pages I am a member of were so excited when they found yarn bargains at yard sales.

On that note, I want to say, yes, some of the yarn has been used, mostly when I was re-learning how to crochet a few years ago, but I switched to different yarn after I started selling on Etsy and I hate to see this go to waste.  If you like Red Heart Super Saver or Craftsman yarn, then this is for you.

I will do a drawing on Saturday, June 21st, and will send this yarn to the winner free of charge, even paying for the postage.  It has been stored in a smoke free, pet free home.

If you are interested, please leave your name and email address below so that I can let you know if you win.  I will also post the winner next Saturday.  I know it isn't much, but free is free and someone would love to have it!

Thanks!  Good luck!

Janice