The Road To Success (Author Unknown)

The Road to Success is not straight.
There is a curve called failure,
A loop called confusion,
Speed bumps called friends,
Caution lights called family,
And you will have flats called jobs.

But...if you have a spare called determination,
An engine called perseverance,
Insurance called faith,
And a driver called Jesus,
You will make it to a place called success!

This poem struck me when I came across it the other day while sorting through some papers. I found it to be an excellent reminder of the fact that no one becomes successful without failure. Failure is necessary to appreciate success. Failure keeps us humble too. And without our faith in and prayers to Jesus Christ, we will find it more difficult to reach that place called success.

Now that we are one month into the new year it only seems fitting to remind ourselves of how much we depend on Jesus to get us through the tough times and rejoice in the happy times. No matter how you worship it seems to be a natural reaction to turn to Him when we are facing adversity. We need Him in our lives, always!

Thanking Jesus for the blessings He brings to us each and every day helps us appreciate the successes in our lives even more.

If you're struggling with those new year's resolutions, perhaps a prayer or two will help.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Agree? Disagree? Please share your thoughts.

New Pine Needle Baskets

You know that saying, "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime?" Well, here's a spin on that saying, "Give Diane a needle and thread and she will create for a lifetime." And, she is creating as fast as her little fingers will let her!

This talent for needle and thread gives you a unique selection of useful and decorative baskets to choose from without having to make them yourself. And, they make the perfect gift for both men and women. The baskets pictured below are made with one of a kind pottery and wood bases. While something similar may become available at a later date, these exact bases and baskets will never be duplicated.

A perfect Valentine's Day gift! Red dyed pine needles and a light red pottery base combine to create this sculpted basket. Measuring 6.25" X 5.75" the pottery base is approximately 2" in diameter and the basket is 2" tall on one end. The other ens lays flatter creating the look of a scoop. This basket has been sealed with polyurethane. $30.00

Natural pine needles that have been washed and baked are coiled together using an ivory nylon thread. A brown thread is used to border the top. The basket has been sculpted into an oval shape and measures 5.75" x 4.75". Thebrown and ivory base measures 2" in diameter and the sides are 1.5" tall. It has been sealed with polyurethane. $25.00

Natural pine needles that have been washed and baked are held together with forest green nylon thread. The leaf shape of the base is followed to create a unuquely shaped basket. Measuring 6" x 5", it is 2" tall. Gold toned plastic beads create the offset handles. This leaf basket has been sealed with polyurethane. $35.00

It's not too early to start thinking about your Cinco de Mayo party. This basket would certainly add the right amount of festivity! Natural washed and baked pine needles, rainbow nylon thread, and colored beads combine to make this fun basket! Measuring 9.5" x 8.75" a 3" round wooden rainbow base adds the structure. It measures 3" tall at the handles and has been sealed with polyurethane. $70.00

Each basket pictured is a one of a kind and is not available in my Etsy shop at this time. Please message me at dbabin731@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing one of these baskets. These baskets ship priority mail.

Upcoming Events

If you're tired of seeing the same crafts at the same events each year then you will be happy to hear that we are adding some new events to our schedule. Many of these events benefit some very worthy organizations.

Winterfest Arts and Crafts Faire - Saturday, February 11 at the Polo Club, 703 Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL. Faire hours are 10 am - 4 pm. Winterfest benefits Crossroads Academy, a school for children with special needs. If you're in the area, we'd love to see you. Cruisin' Creations is in space #12 in the pavilion.

Until Next Time...

Diane