Resolutions

A New Year A New Outlook

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Now that that's out of the way, let's talk a little.... and I do mean little about RESOLUTIONS.

Resolution - noun - 1: the act or process of reducing to simpler form: as a: the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones b: the at of answering: SOLVING c: the act of determining

The problems with resolutions is that most of us make them and then say, it won't work. I can't do it. Admitting failure before procedure. It might be that we don't put much thought into them to begin with. Why? are making this 'resolution' and How do you plan to 'execute'. Break any and everything into small steps, as the joke goes, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time".

Just food for thought, don't give up or give in.

Much love, wishes for happiness, health, success and prosperity for the year, do it one bite at a time. Get it done.

Champagne wishes and Cavier dreams

Sherryl

http:www.newdaycrochet.etsy.com

PHOTO by: Ann Wilkinson - Champagne Taste

http:www.annwilkinson.etsy.com

It's That Time

It's that time of the year once more. The town is lighted brightly, sharing it's colors, announcing it's the time of new beginnings and the time to put the old to rest. How many of us see the ending of a year that way? New beginnings.

I love this time of the year. I love the trees, the decorations, the more the merrier. The celebration of life. This is the time to look back and finish the undone, there is still some time left to finish the old and plan for the new. To think of the mistakes we made and to rectify them next year.

I decided last year I wanted to be a notary, no glamour, not big deal. I just thought it would be something worthwhile to do. I became frightened and thought it would be difficult, I thought it took something or someone special to do this, so I gave up. This year, a few months ago, I thought about it again or it thought about me. I delved deeper and found out it was so simple and now I wonder why I didn't pursue it a year ago...fear, that's all it was. The fear of failure. A year lost was the failure. I did it and now, I'm relieved. Over the fear and on to something new. I've decided I won't allow fear be my block. At least try. I won't let fear stand in my way.
I don't care stupid I may look or dumb it may feel. I am going to try.

I just figured out that the reason most don't do, is because of fear. Frightened of the unknown. How will you know, if you don't try. What is it that makes us so frightened. It's unknown. We do a lot of things that are unknown, why do we fear the unknown of what it is we want to do. Lack of knowledge, afraid to ask questions. The answers are available. Get them and go forth.

In the coming year, let's start by pursuing our dreams and not worry about the what if's. What if's are the things, the stumbling blocks that stand in our way of success. That keep us from achieving our hopes and dreams. They keep us stuck. Let's proclaim the coming year as the year to be unstuck.

Love, honor and respect.

Sherryl

I Say This.....I'm Back

While sitting here browsing the web and listening to easy listening from the sixties and seventies, music I grew up with, I began to realize how easy time passes us by. I was just a teenager yesterday and now I’m a granny. I wanted so much out of life. I had plans that somehow managed to fall by the wayside because someone told me I couldn’t.


I have spent my entire motherhood trying to encourage my kids to be and do the very best they can. I tell them never let anyone tell them what they can’t do.


You know with kids you sometimes have to be direct. Break things down into smaller steps. “I can tell you, you can’t jump off the roof and you shouldn’t. But never allow anyone to tell you you’re not capable of learning or performing a task, and you believe it. Always give 100% of what you have inside into any project and if you succeed fantastic, if not, know that you gave your all.”


We as parents must encourage our kids daily and love them irregardless, that’s what we do. Give to them everything we wish we had growing up ( not talking materialism). Tell them you love them daily and watch the love flow back, do much so you can’t breathe. It’s a wonderful feeling.


I started this post months ago and just got back to it. Sorry, it took so long, I didn’t realize buying a house could be so time consuming and I quickly learned that I’m not Super Woman. More about that later.


For now, take care, be blessed and LOVE.




Sherryl


http://www.newdaycrochet.etsy.com/

About

My name is Sherryl Day 'Hello' and 'Welcome' to my blog.

I am a mother and grandmother who enjoy spending time with her family and a few friends whenever I can. My home is ususally bustling during the holidays and sometimes at least once a month we all get together for a Sunday dinner or Saturday barbeques.

Having grandchildren from ages 6 to 16 and children from 14 to 40 makes for some hilarious times. What I love most is that my children have a wonderful sense of humor, very playful and have me bursting in tears with laughter.

Being an only child, I was at times bored. My grandfather use to have weekly tea (kool-aide)and cookie parties with me. Looking back at those times I use to think that was weird for a man, later I learned that men that are family oriented do these things. My husband would once a month have a party with the boys and the following week with the girls. Guess who wasn't invited.

My grandmother was a quilter, so was my mother and they both embroider, something they passed on to me at an early age. My granny quilted with old clothing being born around 1880 and my mother after I started sewing used my scraps. My mother's quilts always told a story of my life in fabric. Neither of them used an electric sewing machine, they perferred an old treadle machine.

I got my first sewing machine when I was 14. I took sewing in high school, industrial sewing and later tailoring, which I really enjoyed. Our first project was to make a coat and after that introduction I went on to make all my coats.

At one point I had a closet full of designer clothes that I was truly proud of. I started crocheting when I was 18, having a real interest in knitting but couldn't get the hang of it. I finally learned to knit in 2008, now in my fifties but I got it and I love it.

I spend my days designing, crocheting and knitting and sometimes jewelry.
I sell my handwork on ETSY, Artfire and Meylah. I really love and enjoy what I do and sharing my work with the world. You can view and purchase at:

ESTY

I Hate 'Goodbyes'

I was just informed by Renee, a fellow Etsian, that she will be leaving us for a while. It's sad when we lose a great person, friend and artist if only for a moment. I have truly enjoyed her work and I've shown several of her pieces on blog out of shear enjoyment and respect for the natural portrayal of life.

I do however understand that life deals a bad hand from time to time and we must step away in order to take a closer look, to regroup, to see other options.

I am so happy to have been fortunate enough to have crossed her path and experience her work first hand.

I'm hoping that she will take the time to drop us a line from time to time and let us know how she's doing or just to say 'Hello.'

Renee, "I'll miss you, see you later. Be good, be well and most of all be kind. You mean a lot to me and to others, we will miss you."

Let's take this time together and wish her all the best. Stop by her shop LittleSun, leave a convo pick up an item or two before we will no longer have this opportunity. She also has a blog, it's fun to read, the features are nice and you can leave her a message there, DrawingsbyRenee.

Sherryl

Blog Nomination

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been honored by being nominated for the 'Brillante Weblog' award last week from one of my readers. This comes as a wonderful surprise, and I'm just beaming with joy and enthusiasm. This nomination comes to me from Laura's Left Hook.

Laura is a member of a group I belong to, CBDC (custom Boutique design and Creations). She is a very talented lady and crocheter. I enjoy her work and she is also featured in Etsy's 'Handmade Kids Sweepstakes.'


I'd like to say "Thank You, Laura."

As part of this honor, I need to post the rules for this award.

1. Add the logo of the award to your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.


Here are my picks:



1. http://clippyhut.blogspot.com/
2. http://gilbea.blogspot.com/

3. http://lauralefthook.wordpress.com/

4. http://littlesunii.blogspot.com/

5. http://dharmadesigns.blogspot.com/

6. http://inthenightkitchen.wordpress.com/


As usual, read, enjoy, comment and most of all 'Communicate.'

Sherryl

Negatives Into Positives

Now that I have explained the title of my page, I think it’s time to get down to business. Being virtually new to this blog thing, I’ve found that it does get easier the more you do it. It can even be fun.

I spend a lot of time online when I’m not crocheting or watching old movies, re-runs of some of favorite family sitcoms hoping for a hint of inspiration. Sometimes I find so much inspiration, I get lost, as I would venture to think most creative minds do. I’m constantly asking what do I do next or now. What colors do I feel the need to work with or what pattern turns me on.

Crochet has come a long ways since its meager beginnings. We can now imitate knit and confuse the public; I like that…even though I always wanted to learn to knit. This year I accomplished that goal. My car was stolen; I was going crazy, wondering what am I going to do now. I wasn’t prepared for a car note and all the other things that come along with it. I wondered what kind of person would come into one’s driveway and take what didn’t belong to them without a single thought of how this would affect the owners. Sure, I left the keys in ignition, sure the motor was running, it’s cold outside and I was sure I had locked the door. Well, to get on with the story, I took that time, worry, and turned it into something positive. I learned to knit. Sure, it took 38 years, but I can now cast on and bind off. I knew it wasn’t hard, it was timing. It was time to learn.

We sometimes have a habit of wanting things, to happen when we want them to happen. I’ve found that the universe just does not work that way. Things happen for us when it’s time. We must learn to enjoy our place in life for the moment we are there, appreciate it all that it holds for us at that moment, so we may benefit more when we move on. There are lessons to learn everyday, in everything we do. Until those lessons are learned, moving on would be fruitless.
I, like most want to be a success. I wish that everything I touched would turn into gold, but I’ve come to a point in my life that I know it’s not as easy for some as it is others. We would like to skip some steps to get to where we want to be, but you can’t. You can’t skip steps until you know all the steps. Make sure that everyday what ever it is you do, you do it proudly and to the best of your ability. If it doesn’t work now doesn’t mean it won’t work at all.

Disappointments, failures are learning experiences. Use them wisely, keep pressing forward. You know what you left behind; take the past into the future as a torch to light the way. Never be afraid of pressing on, be afraid of being left behind. We are all bright shining stars in life, in someone else’s life, in our own eyes.

I haven’t become a Super Seller on Etsy so far, I’ve only been at it a year. My work hasn’t paid my bills yet, but it will. What I do is time consuming to say the least. I don’t let this bother me, I spend hours looking at other shops and stats and think, I can do that. Nothing is impossible, highly improbable, but not impossible.

By the way I got my car back about two weeks later, undamaged and about a half of a tank of gas in it. That was nice. I gave it away once; I don’t plan to do that again. You see, I learned something. I also knitted about 10 pairs of gloves during the time my car was missing. Something good can come out of something bad. Keep a positive attitude, always look for the good. Look hard enough with open eyes and heart, you will find it.

Talk to me, comment, or as usual ‘Communicate.’

Sherryl

Explanation

I know when most of you look at the title of my Blog, you think it's all about crochet and business. Some of you might have been disappointed. Sorry. The title of this page and my Etsy shop are named so because my last name is Day. I am a 'Day' that is into 'crocheting' and in 'business.'

I felt the need to clarify. I will deal with the craft and I know that I have delved more into business than anything else. All of this is good. You might pop in one day and find that I'm talking or complaining about kids. I have them both, kids and grand kids.

Today I feel like rambling. Today, I wonder how many of my creative brothers and sisters come up against a wall. How many times do you find yourself unproductive. Unproductive, does not mean without a sell, it's that you just can't get the juices flowing. What do you do. How do you handle it. Do you force yourself into something or just let it go.

I find that if I force myself, I end with a big mess of yarn and wondering what was on my mind and maybe somewhat depress. Why is it that the creative mind tend to lead to a form of depression. Is it really depression. Maybe the problem is that we feel that we have to be perfect. When perfection enters creativity, we're hindered. We have to let it flow. Creativity is natural, it's not structured. Realize that nothing is perfect. The perfection is in the eye of the be holder, like beauty.

I've done a lot of things I didn't like and was embarrassed to attach myself to. I was the only one it seemed with the problem. Then later, I felt they just didn't want to hurt my feelings.

Nothing's wrong with expecting a lot from yourself, you should. The problem is when you let it control you. It's when you decide the rest of the world doesn't have an eye for beauty and It's your job to tell them what beauty is. Every one is not going to see it the way you do. If they are paying for your work, then it is perfect in their eyes regardless of what you think. You may be the artist, but you don't have all the answers. We all see things differently, be it the same thing. Mistakes can be beautiful. Which means no one is wrong.

This is not my normal time to post and you're right, I just had to get this off my chest, which means at this time I am right. Doing the unexpected. There have been many a day I've wanted to post, if not just thoughts, to let others know that we just like to talk or let the world know we have something to say if to some it feels like we're not keeping with the decorum.

I love what I do and miss the other things in my life that I do that have bought me this far. I did this site not just for crochet or business, I did it to share that and much more, so let the party begin. Life is more fun when you live as oppose to letting life live you.

Comment, 'Communicate'. Let me know what you want, and I'll see if we can get there, at least I will try my best.

Sherryl

The Weekend

The weekend was great. I could hardly sleep, the anticipation of passing out my marketing materials laid heavy on my mind. I was up at 7 a.m., checking email and waking kids. Only to my surprise there was only one home, the youngest but the tallest.

I was unable to get the fliers I wanted, the price wasn’t right and I didn’t have enough ink to print my own.

That was okay though, I went with my bookmarks. I had to shop for school uniforms, so that gave me the opportunity to stop a three libraries going to and fro. I asked permission to leave
my bookmarks on the counter, it wasn’t a problem. I also took the liberty to browse a bit and leave some in books. We have to be creative in our marketing techniques.

Now to see what happens. Everything takes time. Put in the energy and eventually it pays off. I'm in the market for a house, I during a viewing, I found myself talking to the owner about my business and how the space could be used to help me work better. when I told them about Etsy, they got excited. They were interested in handmade. I actually made a pitch not just for myself, for all of us that use Etsy as our store front.

I designed and printed the bookmarks myself with a program called PrintMaster. It can easily be found and installed onto your computer and you can import your own artwork. This I like very much. I found my copy at Wal Mart and it also can be purchased online from Broderbund. I have 3 copies. They offer it online without a disc, it’s a download stream. The disc is best, just in case your computer does what mine does. It’s notorious for viruses. I take it out, have it cleaned, request my data be saved and somehow or another it disappears.

Notice the rose, it’s my brand. I carry it throughout all my projects, labels, hang tags, etc. A brand should be recognizable where it's seen, like the design on the Coke can. When people see it they know it's you.

What did you do this weekend to promote your shop?

Breast Cancer Awareness month is fast approaching, so I decided to pull out all my pink to start my Awareness projects. Seriously thinking of just making ‘All That is Pink’ a part of my shop. As with all health concerns it takes more than a month, it’s a daily battle.

As always, comment. Better yet 'Communicate'.
Sherryl

We All Need Customers

We All Need Customers
Business and Advertisement

Most of us have taken that plunge into owning and running or own business, be it large or small. The reason we went into business in the first place is that we had something we wanted to share with the world, next it was the pleasure of being our own boss and next to make money.

Now we’ve hung out our shingle and nothing much is happening. We wonder if this was such a good idea after all. It is. We just may have missed a step or two. Maybe we have been at this for a while and still not getting the response we want. Let’s take a minute and think this thing over. We ask our selves certain questions and the best way to answer those questions are to list them as they come up and then write out the answer. I know I may sound big on a list but I find that if I don’t have it visible, I will forget and leave something out or undone. The mind being the control center that it is can only handle so much at a time. That’s why we invented the computer, to keep up with the knowledge we attain on a daily basis. For everything new we learn, we lose something old and unused.

As in everything we do, we need a plan. Today our plan is action. We need to get the word out about our business, whether it is local or national. Let’s start simple. We are not going to overwhelm ourselves. For me business has been slow, so for the rest of the week, I am going to work on door hangers and flyers. Something low-cost, for example:

Door-hangers: If your target is geographically defined, locate this area, print a specific offer on door-hanger and place them on doorknobs in your area or the area where the clients you wish to reach live. I am lucky enough to have children, so I can gather them together and on the weekend, we can pick our target area and start working.

Use attention getting words and phrases in your message as ‘Big enough to serve you, small enough to know you.’ Extend some type of offer for first or second time service with you. Give them a reason to try you.

Flyers: I don’t like placing flyers under windshield wipers. It would be my luck to set off an alarm or walk away with a wiper in my hand. However, it is worth the try to find shopping lots full of cars with people needing your service and didn’t know you existed. Stand out and talk to people. Speak and ask them how their day is, offer them the flyer and find out if this were something, they would be interested in. Let them see the face behind the product, be a little personal, everyone likes attention. This gives them something to think about and talk about. They can help pass your message on when someone else sees the flyer and inquires.
I personally love passing information on about the people I met during an encounter be it good or bad. It's what I do, I'm a Mystery Shopper, part time.

Another good thing about flyers they can be left in many different places. Ask permission from doctor’s offices, stores, drugstores and the like. I like the half size sheets of paper, they’re easier to place and you double your advertising for the same amount of money.

The key is to be effective in your advertising, focus on the individual.

As usual comment, speak up or out and most of all Communicate.
Sherryl
http://www.newdaycrochet.etsy.com

Dharma Designs: Meet Etsy Spice Master: ohmasala

Dharma Designs: Meet Etsy Spice Master: ohmasala

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!


Happy Birthday to YOU….Happy Birthday to YOU….Happy Birthday, Dear Flo (mother)..Happy Birthday to YOU!

This lovely lady would have been 91 today. She was one of the hardest working women I know. She loved just as hard as worked.

When I was younger I use to hate her job, she was gone early before it was time for me to go to school and came home long after school was out, only to eat dinner, take a bath, go to bed to do it all over again. I remember begging her to stay home, I needed her home. She couldn’t…..you see, she was a single Mom.

There was a time she worked two jobs, one was to have carfare to get to the one that paid a little more. There was a period I stayed with my grandparents for awhile to go to school and she took a one room efficiency close to the bus stop and her job so she could not only take care of me, but her mother, father and other family members that often needed a bit of help from time to time.
She never thought much of herself; she cared for others more and at the time I did not know why she worked so hard. Had she had only stayed with my Dad, I thought she would not have to work so hard. That had nothing to do with it. If and when there was a need in the family, she was always there trying as hard as she could to fulfill it.

I was sixteen when I began to spend serious time with my Mom. We had moved closer to her job, better living conditions and it didn’t take as much time for her commute. As a matter of fact she got door to door service. One of the guys she worked with lived not very far from us.
In our new surroundings I learned to quilt from her. I use to sew all the time and she would take my scraps and turn them into quilts. From her I learned to cut pieces from the fabric leaving very large useful pieces, something they didn’t teach in school. She use to make pleated skirts without patterns, by hand. She never learned to use an electric sewing machine, she only like the old treadle machines.

I use to love to look at her quilts; to and for me they told a story, a story of my teen years and adulthood until she stopped quilting. We use to go skating; of course, she just liked to watch. For my twenty - first birthday, she bought me a new car, it also included a payment book for my monthly payments and lecture on when I could and could not drive. She could not drive so I became the designated driver in the house. My mother became a best friend once I became an adult, we could talk, share and hangout just about anytime or anywhere, we laughed together; we cried together. From her I learned to carry that love and connection into my relationships with my girls as well as my boys.

There is so much more I could tell you about this woman I call Mom, but then it would be a book. I think about her often, almost daily and I write this with tears in my eyes, but a smile in my heart for having been able to know such a wonderful, kind, loving person. All that met her loved her.

Six years ago, on this day the birth of my grandson happened, so I look at him and hold him close in heart for he was born on the day of his great-grandmother, whom if were alive would spoil him rotten. She died, November 14, 2000; she was old, sick and tired. She had dementia, but she lived a wholesome life while she lived.

Remember to tell everyone close to you at least once a day, even if you’re angry with them, that “I love YOU”, those three little words are heard by my children, grandchildren regularly and I from them.

This is my Happy Birthday Song for my Mom - Flauzella Clark, August 1, 1917 - 2000.

Sherryl

Visit: http://www.newdaycrochet.etsy.com

A NEED TO SHARE

Our Deepest Fear

"Our deepest fear is not that we are

inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we

are powerful beyond measure. It is our

light, not our darkness that most

frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am

I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented,

fabulous? Actually, who are you not to

be? You are a child of God. Your playing

small does not serve the world. There is

nothing enlightened about shrinking so

that other people won't feel insecure

around you. We are all meant to shine, as

children do. We were born to make

manifest the glory of God that is within

us. It's not just in some of us; it's in

everyone. And as we let our own light

shine, we unconsciously give other

people permission to do the same. As we

are liberated from our own fear, our

presence automatically liberates others."

MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

This is one of the first things you see upon entering my home and I've made copies for all those around me that mean so much to me. Hopefully to keep them inspired and mindful of the greatness they poccess. I hope this finds you and touches you as well.

Sherryl

DO ONE THING

DO ONE THING



Commit to doing only the projects and activities which are connected to your main goal. Make sure it is directly or indirectly moving you towards your main goal. Please, try and stay away from anything that will confuse, sidetrack or drain your energy.

Now that your goals are set, remember to say ‘Yes’, to what vehicles take you to the place you want to be and ‘No’ to those that don’t or won’t.

If you’re anything like me you have friends that will usually need you to stop and hang out, pursue a project for them an assure you it won’t take much of your time. You have a schedule, stick to it. Nothing hurts as much as putting you on the back burner when there is work to be done. Playing catch up, and that is with just about anything in life, is very hard to do. Hang out when it’s convenient for you; hang out when you need to unwind. They will understand in time. Your time (life) is very important.

When I was younger, I thought I worked better under pressure. Now I’ve found that that is not the best thing for your mind or your body. The assembly line does not work well for me now. I find it to be draining. I share this because I care. I’m not good at math or wish to deal with the details of it, so I let someone else handle my ledger. I’m only good at what I do and that is one thing, I work with my hands.

I do this blog, not because I’m good at it, I do it because I enjoy it; it helps me to stay focused and relaxes me. Plus I do like to talk as anyone that knows me will tell you. As a matter of fact I spent the holiday catching up on friends and family, both close and long distance.
Take a day, just one day a week and let people know when you will be available. Pick a day for advertising, a day to relax and the others are devoted to your goal. You can’t do it all at once and that that you can’t do designate. Your goal or goals are very important and important to and for you. Never lose sight of where you’re going and remember to take care of yourself and your business.

How do you eat and elephant? One bite at a time. So after each bite be nice to yourself.

As usual, comment, question, speak out. Communicate.
Sherryl

INVEST IN YOU

INVEST IN YOU
Invest: verb
To furnish with power or authority.
To make use of for future benefits.
To endow with a quality.



Now that we’ve done our homework, we’ve set our goals it’s time to start bringing those dreams to life.

This is truly the fun part, this is the test. This will tell you how serious you are about your dreams. Will I sink or swim? Don't think about sinking always think and see the shore ahead and go for it.

Remember investing in one’s self is showing the world around you, you believe in you.
Some people seem to think that invest almost always involves money; the first thing they say is I don’t have any. Say you don’t and you won’t. I am so grateful I was taught to be grateful and taught patience. I was taught to be a strong person, a person that thinks for one’s self and to take care of one’s self. To put your life in the hands of other’s, is like knocking on a prison door asking to be admitted for a stay, not a visit. I was taught this by my mother and a few other women in the family. You see while growing up I spent a lot of time with older women and I listened intensively. I loved listening to them talk and like I said, I learned a lot. The men in my family were a big help also and some things I had to learn the hard way like most.

You can invest in yourself first and far most by learning everything there is to know about what it is you want to Be. Hang out with the people that are what you want to Be. Read everything you can get your hands on about the subject, eat, sleep and dream what you want to Be. See in you what it is you Are before other’s do. Don’t tell them; let them discover it for themselves. Every mirror you pass, look into it and say,” I am smart, I’m bright, I’m intelligent, I can do whatever I put my mind to, I am __________!” Fill in the blank with what it is you want to Be.
I never asked my kids what they want to do when they go up; I ask what it is they want to Be. If you think about it, what you want to do is a request for an answer of failure. In asking what you want to BE, is asking one to think about and strive towards that goal. Love yourself for who you are right now, in the place that you’re in and enjoy the trip on your way to where you want to BE.

Keep investing in you and you will enjoy the return.
Excuse the rambling, but I told it would be days like this.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.
As always, comment, question. Communicate.
Sherryl

INITIATIVE

INITIATIVE


Initiative: Function - noun
1: an introductory step
2: energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action:
on one’s own initiative: at one’s own discretion: independently
of outside influence or control.

Yes, it’s time. Time to take out that notebook and start setting those goals. It’s time to take charge of yourself and your life. Whether your goals are educational or business, take matters into your own hands.

This is the part where most wonder where and how. Once you’ve figured out what it is you want to BE, start at the beginning.

I always wanted my own business. I use to make clothes for family, friends and church robes. This was okay but it wasn’t me. I this type of work took away my freedom, even though I was making money, the creative side of me wasn’t shining through. Afterwards, I rented space from an older lady in a tailoring shop; I wasn’t treated as an independent but more like an employee. I had my own sketches, not a clue as tohow to make the styles come to past and she sure wasn't the one to learn from. I was told it couldn't be done, later to find out she was envious of my work.

It took a while for me to get my head on straight, at the time I was doing the above I had two children and fourteen years later, I began having children again and all the time being told what I could and could not do because I had kids. Kids aren’t the reason to stop trying for your dreams, they don’t hold you back. If you look at it, they’re the reason you try harder. It shows them that nothing is impossible if you only try or take the INITIATIVE.

I come from a line of entrepreneurs, the only person alive I could talk to was my grandmother and her advice was to do something I loved and was good at. Never stop learning. She was a beautician, so she told me about the different shows and classes she took as times changed and styles also.

My aunt, believed that if there was something you wanted to learn or know, there’s a book on it. Find it, read it and learn from it. She wasn’t one to sit you down and teach or tell you. She passed a few years ago and upon cleaning out her things, my youngest sister set aside all her books for me. I learned one thing about aunt Cookie, she believed in learning to do things herself, real hands on person.

Be proactive; take the necessary steps to achieve whatever it is you want. I took a class last year, Starting Your Own Business. It really helped. Whatever it is that you don’t know don’t be afraid to ask someone, get a book read it and reread it. I go to the library but I really enjoy owning books, so I can always refer to them just in case. I have more books than house.
Achieve your dreams through your own INITIATIVE and being PROACTIVE. Share your dreams with others but don’t wait on a go ahead from them. Set a starting date and do everything in your power to meet it. The power lies in you. And never ever let anyone tell you your heart’s desires.

I welcome all questions and comments. Communicate.

Sherryl

DECISIONS

This past weekend we all know was Father's Day. I had planned on taking the Mr. out to eat and to a movie, no hot kitchen. Well, as we have experienced a lot of times thing don't quite work out as we plan. I got the hot kitchen.

The day before he invited his 87 yr. old father over for dinner while we were visiting and of course I didn't say a word. Yes, I did, I asked the old man what he wanted for dinner. It was a special day for him and he spent the whole day with us.

My stepdaughter called and wanted to be picked up, okay another guess but more help in the kitchen. My step has been having some life crisis' so her Dad decides she needs to talk to me.

Her problem, the same as most making decisions and a plan and sticking to them, not secon guessing herself. Who knows better than you what is good or bad for you. No one. What's so hard about sticking to a plan, nothing much if you write it down ..... a lot if you don't.When there is nothing to see, you don't have anything to gauge.

I asked her what it was she wanted out of life and what it is she wants to do. I asked if she had a plan. Of course not. First things first, let's start by thinking what it is we want, then how are we going to get there. She looked at me somewhat confused, I think she expected me to give her the answers. The problem with this is, I don't know what she wants, only she can answer those questions.

I suggested getting a notebook, regular cheap spiral, I keep boxes of them here at home, I have children. "Now, you need a pencil or pen," prefer pencils with erasers, good for mistakes, don't you sometimes wish you could erase some of the mistakes you've made in life. Of course you do but you can't. Don't look at them as mistakes, look at them as learning experiences, for that is what they are.

Now to wait and see what she comes up with. It's okay to bounce your thoughts off of other's, seek your own strengths for yourself and ask for input, make it clear it is only input, don't give up your control. You might be surprised to find that there are others that can see more in you sometimes than you can see in yourself.

Decide what it is you want and then set about making a plan to acheive it. Look at it as a road map for life. When you go somewhere for the first time, you get directions, you write them down and you're off. See the beginning and the end. The in between is your guide on what it is you need to do to get to where you want to BE.

You have to be able to make hard but good decisions to accomplish your goals. Knowing when to say 'Yes' or 'No' are going to be two most important words you will learn and use. Remember this is about you and your future. Don't allow poor judgement to choke your dreams. Make a decision and stick to it, don't question it. Try it, it might or might not work but you'll never know until you try. Do a little each day, don't over whelm yourself, that can be a quick ruin. Take it slow but steady and as I said before, for each baby step you make it puts you closer to where you want to be. With each step do something if no more than the happy dance, like dancing in the end - zone after a touchdown, it's fun or call someone who cares and share your steps with them.

Whatever it takes to keep you pressing forward. Remember we learn from our mistakes so don't be hard on yourself if it doesn't fall right into place easily, nothing in life is easy. It is easier to give up than to try again and spend the rest of your life wondering what if.

As always feel free to leave your thoughts or comments. Communicate.
I love hearing from you,
Sherryl

Create Time for Goals

CREATE TIME FOR THE GOAL


If you’ve reading my blog, you will recall this as being third insert for 7 effective ways to set your goal in motion.

Well, today I found out that I’m a good one for setting goals; I missed mine for the week. I like to write my goals onto a calendar I keep next to my computer. This wasn’t a very good week to reach goals; we had a family emergency evolve. Isn’t that always the way when you’re trying to achieve something.

Don’t sweat it if this happens. You missed your goal; it’s not a life threatening matter. You keep working at whatever it is that needs to be completed. Some of us get upset, frazzled out, I know I do sometimes, but I have to come back to the reality that things happen and it’s out of our control. We can’t control everything, even though we think we can.

Look at this way, I missed it but I can get it done. Don’t let missing goals for that week throw you out of sync, relax and get back to work; it is not the end of the world.
I was working on a couple of items, I ran out of yarn. I never knew there were so many shades of black from a manufacturer. I had extra black, just not the shade I needed. This added to my not reaching this week’s goal. Now that I have what I need, there was other business to attract my attention. Things happen that you can’t say no to. I moved reach date to three days away from the original. That’s all we have to do, just reset the date and work towards the next deadline. You see, the important thing here is to keep working towards those new dates.
Remember to always set short term goals. Something that can be achieve quickly. As you begin to reach your goals, you will feel better and begin to set more goals that are attainable. Write them down, place them where they are always visible. Once you achieve your goal, just one goal, each goal, treat yourself. Do something special for yourself, go to the movies, take a day off and just relax, get a facial, just do something that makes you feel good about reaching your goal. It’s a reward. This gives you the enthusiasm to work on to the next.

I know that in order to achieve you must have time. The best way to find time for your goals is to take note of where your time is going. Ask yourself what is it that I’m doing in a day that takes away from my achieving my goal. Then eliminate that action.

Set a date and time for everything you need to do. In running a business, set aside a time and date that all you do that day is work on your promotions. Set a date and time to blog or check forums. Set aside time that you spend on the phone with family or friends, so as not to interfere with what you’re doing. Get the picture.

There is always time to work on what we love and consider important. Create time and see your dreams begin to unfold.

Please feel free to leave comments, I love hearing from you. Your comments will help to make my blogs better.

Next week I will go into Decide once and for all!

Sherryl
http://www.newdaycrochet.etsy.com

Dharma Designs: Meets Etsy Artist: Newdaycrochet

Dharma Designs: Meets Etsy Artist: Newdaycrochet

Perfection

Waiting for the perfect time to start your business is about as wise or useful as tits on
a bull.
There is never a perfect time, this is not a perfect world. If there is a problem tackle
it today. Tomorrow it'll just get bigger. You see the longer we wait to do something that
needs to be done or something we want to do, the more time we waste.
Starting your own business does take a thought process. What is it I like or love to do?
Is it profitable? Where will the funding come from?
The only input I have is funding. Some people will say use your credit cards. I feel that's
a big mistake. The interest rates are outrageous and payments go on whether or not
you're making money or not. Take a loan, the same applies with the loan as the credit
card idea. It would be easier to borrow from family or friends, make them a business partner.
Better yet, bootstrap. Start small and grow as you go. Don't let money be an issue.
Pick a start date and stick to it. That was one of the hardest for me.
I have spent years wondering where to start, how to start, showing my work to family and
friends. I made a few sales and got a lot of ohhs and ahhs. That wasn't enough. I wanted
More people to see my work. I made an online purchase and the seller later emailed me and asked
what it was, I made. I emailed her back, explained what I did. She asked to see pictures of my work, after which, she
steered me to Etsy.
I took a look within a day or two and I liked what I saw. I spent hours looking through the
catergories, admiring the work I saw there. I got excited. Jumped right in. You see, that's
the catch, if you're excited about something, other's are excited also. It's catching. Jump
in, as Larry the Cable Guy would say, "Get 'er done."
Never allow your hopes or dreams to linger for long, if you do you'll find them slowly slipping
away. Nothing hurts more than looking back and wondering what happened, why didn't I or what if.
Get started today, you can do it, there is nothing you can't do if you put my heart and mind
into your desires. Sure, it may be a little slow at first, don't get discouraged, all things
change in time. Just keep positive and moving forward and most of all enjoy trip, it will
be an adventure. An adventure you created and can be proud of.
My congratulations to goes out to Kate for taking the plunge. For throwing caution to the wind and
believing in herself. For admitting fear and saying the heck with it. What is fear?
F - false
E - evidence
A - appearing
R - real
The key letter (word) is 'A' appearing and we all know appearances or deceiving.
Everyday strive to achieve.
Visit her at: http://www.omshanti.etsy.com
also
Check her out at indiepublic.com, leave her a congrats. Sure she would enjoy hearing from you.
Sherryl
http://www.newdaycrochet.etsy.com

I Don't Need Anybody's Approval

I recently posted on setting goals. Goals are important and are a needed fact in life or business. Without a finish line (goal) what are we aiming for. It's like wandering around in the dessert after dark without a compass.

If we wait for other's approval whether they're trustworthy or not, and sit and just spin our wheels. The approval that is needed, is knowing what it is you want and what it is or takes to get you to the finish line.

I remember designing a line of male and female clothing, and being told they weren't feasible. The sketch pad disappear and all the designs came to past. I was renting space in a tailoring shop, older lady, wanted me to work more for her than for myself. I felt that working for her I could gain knowledge and approval, when all I got was stiffled and told what I could not do.

When things like this happens, it takes the wind out of your sails, you can't quit, don't give up. Believe in yourself, keep going. There are people that are jealous, they won't say it, but if you're aware you'll know. They won't urge you towards your dreams, towards the finish line.

Keep your eye on the prize for you, for it is about you. Know what you can and cannot do. That, that you cannot do, find help, get a mentor, read books on the subject. There are books everywhere. Buy them, go to the public library. Read, read, read ferociously. All
the information you need has already been written, seek and you shall find.

Just keep this one thing in mind, and say to yourself whenever you get weak in the knees, "Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real and I don't need anybody's approval to succeed."

NEED MOTIVATION?

This article is from http://www.selfgrowth.com/
SELF-HELP GENERAL TOPICS
7 effective ways to set your goal in motion today!
By Caroline Jalango
Mar 29, 2004




1. Stop seeking approval from people.


You don’t need anyone’s permission to fulfill your dream. Trust yourself and give yourself permission to succeed. Having support from people whose opinion you value is a wonderful thing but it should not be the criterion for whether you begin acting on fulfilling your goals or not.
If you really desire to turn your idea into reality, constantly floating it around and seeking the approval of people will waste your time and kill your dream. What will happen to your idea if you don’t get the approval of those whose permission you so desperately need? Nothing!




2. Don’t wait for perfection.


Waiting for a time when everything is perfect and in place will cause you to lose your enthusiasm and abandon your goal. Conditions may never be as perfect as you desire. You may never have all the money, time, or knowledge you desire to begin working on your goals.
You must take risks, learn and improve as you go along and then watch as everything begins to fall in place. If you have to wait for the perfect time to begin working on your goals…you will be waiting a long time!




3. Create time for the goal.


Many excuses about lacking the time to work on goals that are important to you is a procrastination tactic, which will kill your dream before it has a chance to see the light of day. There is always time to work on what we love and consider important. Create that time and see your dreams begin to unfold!




4. Decide once and for all!


The process of goal accomplishment, like most things in life begins with a decision. You decide what you want to achieve and then you plan how you intend to achieve it.
If accomplishing your goal is important to you, your inability to make crucial decisions about what you should do, how you should do it and when you should do it, will waste your time and choke your dream. Make up your mind and stop second-guessing yourself. When your mind is made up…nothing can stop you from making progress with fulfilling your goals.




5. Be bold and take the initiative.


Be bold! You are the one in charge of turning your dreams to reality. You need to be proactive and actively involved in the process of working on your goals to ensure you achieve them.
Just because you have shared your ideas with others does not necessarily mean that you are no longer responsible for turning them to reality. Don’t sit around waiting for others to make suggestions and guide your idea to reality. Don’t leave your dream entirely in the hands of others. Nobody cares about your dream like you do.




6. Invest in your dream.


No idea is self-funding. Don’t be deceived into thinking that people will invest or finance your idea just because it is brilliant. If you are lucky, someone may invest in it, but if you are not, you will have to invest your time, energy and finances towards activities that will fortify and fulfill your dream.
You may have to invest in the acquisition of knowledge or expertise that will help you achieve your goals. It would be a good idea to keep some money stashed away to finance your goal.




7. Do one thing at a time.




Commit yourself only to projects and activities which are connected to your main goal. Whatever you do should directly or indirectly add up to a move toward your main goal. Failure to do this will confuse, overwhelm, sidetrack, and drain your energy.
To get started on achieving your goals, you need to plan for it and make it a priority. If you keep crowding and cluttering your life with what does not matter, you many never, ever accomplish your goals.


Remember that you can’t do all things, but you can do one thing!

About Me

My name is Sherryl Day 'Hello' and 'Welcome' to my blog.


I am a mother and grandmother who enjoy spending time with her family and a few friends whenever I can. My home is usually bustling during the holidays and sometimes at least once a month we all get together for a Sunday dinner or Saturday barbeques.

Having grandchildren from ages 6 to 16 and children from 14 to 40 makes for some hilarious times. What I love most is that my children have a wonderful sense of humor, very playful and have me bursting in tears with laughter.

Being an only child, I was at times bored. My grandfather use to have weekly tea (kool-aide) and cookie parties with me. Looking back at those times I use to think that was weird for a man, later I learned that men that are family oriented do these things. My husband would once a month have a party with the boys and the following week with the girls. Guess who wasn't invited.

My grandmother was a quilter, so was my mother and they both embroider, something they passed on to me at an early age. My granny quilted with old clothing being born around 1880 and my mother, after I started sewing used my scraps. My mother's quilts always told a story of my life in fabric. Neither of them used an electric sewing machine, they preferred an old treadle machine.

I got my first sewing machine when I was 14. I took sewing in high school, industrial sewing and later tailoring, which I really enjoyed. Our first project was to make a coat and after that introduction I went on to make all my coats.

At one point I had a closet full of designer clothes that I was truly proud of. I started crocheting when I was 18, having a real interest in knitting but couldn't get the hang of it. I finally learned to knit in 2008, now in my fifties but I got it and I love it.

I started New Day Crochet in September 2007 as a suggestion from a vendor on Ebay. She emailed me after an order I placed with her and asked what it was I did and would I share pics of my work with her. I did and from her came my business. Up until that point I had never heard of an outlet for handmade items other than setting up your own site. God puts people in our lives at just the right moments in time to give the information we need to move ahead, we do a lot of standing still on our own.

I spend my days designing, crocheting and knitting and sometimes jewelry. I really love the look of knit, but it's quite time consuming, whereas crochet goes along much quicker, so I do a lot more of that than knit.

About my blog:
My blog will mostly consist of articles and inspirations I find interesting and hopefully helpful to others. There will be business tips and shared work of myself and other artisans. Shared information on what I'm up to and some of my Etsy, Artfire and Meylah favorites. If there is anything else you would like to see here please feel free to ask, and I will do my best to bring it forth.

You can find me at:
ETSY, Artfire and Meylah.
I really love and enjoy what I do and sharing my work with the world.
ETSY
ARTFIRE
MEYLAH