Making The Best Of It

While others have bemoaned the order to shelter in place, I have reveled in it. Why? Because I have so many craft projects to work on and now I have the time to do them without distraction. That's like heaven for a crafter like me!

What have I been working on?

- Masks for protection

- Hats for those in need

- A counted cross stitch piece I haven't touched in decades.

- And, naturally, pine needle baskets. These and many others are available for sale.

Measuring 4.5 x 1.5 inches the swirls remind me of the swan's feet moving beneath the water line.
$30.00

Stitched with lavender variegated nylon thread.
Measures 7 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
$45.00

Measuring 6.5 x 1.5 inches the black and white glass seed beads give the illusion of music swirling around you.
$40.00

Measuring 5.5 x 1 inch it's perfect for mom!
The swirls simulate rose petals.
$30.00

Perfect for bread, fruit, or vegetables! Or just for display!
9 x 8 x 2.5 inches
$70.00

This base was an Easter gift from my husband.
Measuring 9 x 2 inches the glass seed beads and nylon thread bring out the many shades of gold and brown in the base.
$75.00

These are just a few of the any pine needle baskets are being handcrafted daily! Watch for new additions to be posted on our Facebook page - facebook.com/cruisincreations12

Please share what have you been doing.

Upcoming Events

While craft show participation is uncertain for this year, you can still purchase unusual gifts for your loved ones. Simply check out our Facebook page - facebook.com/cruisincreations12 to view the many baskets we have available for sale. Then simply message me on Facebook of email me at dbabin731@gmail.com.

Until Next Time...

Diane

The Pause

We can't help thinking of this Easter Sunday as, "The Pause." We are pausing from the hustle and bustle of the season. There was no shopping for a new outfit. No shopping for a big meal. No shopping for gifts to fill Easter baskets. No decorating the house. No elaborate preparations. No hustle and bustle of getting the house ready for a big crowd.

Instead, we paused. We relaxed and reflected. We prayed. We sorted out all of the clutter to realize what is really important in our lives. We reached out to others in the only ways we could - phone, email, social media. We realized how much we need others. 

We wish you a blessed and holy Easter Sunday.

May we live a new, more considerate life once this is all over.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Obsession

Obsession can be a dangerous activity. It can rob the soul while cluttering the mind.

Many year ago my doctor gave me a diagnosis of carpel tunnel syndrome. I was doing an over abundance of hand sewing and was experiencing much pain and some numbness in my hand and wrist. Classic signs. I found myself obsessing over this condition which only made it worse.

Each time I would pick up a needle I would think about the proper way to hold the needle, the need to push it through the fabric with little force so as not to cause pain. What actually happened. I experienced more pain than I would have felt if I hadn't thought about any of it at all.

At that time TV watching while crafting was a nightly activity in our home. We had our favorite shows, but there were nights where we channel surfed until we found something interesting. One night we caught a show where Dr. John E. Sarno, MD was speaking. He had written a book, Healing Back Pain, The Mind-Body Connection, which I found interesting. I thought perhaps this book could help me with my wrist pain.

I purchased the book and felt relief within the first few pages. Why? The basic message of this book is, if you focus on or obsess about pain you are going to continually feel that pain. Focusing on other things rather than the pain will help the pain go away. This is an over simplified explanation, but one that works for me. I stopped reminding myself of the proper way to hold a needle, cut with a pair of scissors, lift something, etc and began focusing on other things and the pain did go away. Did I still feel pain. Occasionally. When I did feel it, I acknowledged it and forgot about it.

This book's philosophy is why I am now able to put my hands through the grueling task of making pine needle baskets. Making baskets puts a lot of stress on the hands. By not obsessing about the pain I am able to move past it and create works of art.

While Dr. Sarno focuses on back pain, I believe this book's premise can help those suffering from a wide range of chronic issues including social, emotional, and physical pain. This book doesn't remove the condition it simply changes the response to the condition providing a better quality of life.

What's New?

January through June is inventory building time. That inventory includes supplies as well as baskets. I've found a few new basket base suppliers who have provided me with some awesome bases. I've collected bases from a few whose work is consistent and enjoyable to look at. And, I'm experimenting with some new ideas of my own for bases and embellishment. Below are a few photos of baskets that will appear at shows beginning in July. Which ones do you like the best?

Eleven black walnut slices make up this unique basket.
While a beautiful display piece because it has been sealed with polyurethane
it can also be used for any of your basket needs.
Measuring 10.5 x 9.25 x 2.25 inches, $85.00.

A simple piece of wood and a leaf sticker combine to create this adorable little basket.
Burnt orange and gold thread bring out the colors in the leaf. Measuring 5.75 x 5 x .75 inches, $30.00

Always a favorite! Gear buttons, pine needles, and nylon thread were used to create another fun basket.
Measuring 8.5 x 2 inches, $55.00

My daughter has a great eye for picking out items to use for basket bases and this one is proof of that.
Measuring 3.5 x 1 inch it is the perfect basket for holding jewelry, loose change, keys, etc. $25.00

Don't you just love this darling little basket? It's perfect for a camp or home in the woods!
The uneven shape of the basket base creates a different shaped basket and the barrel beads in the handles add a different look as well. Measuring 4.75 x 4 x 1.5 inches, $35.00

Another trinket basket stitched with turquoise thread. Measuring 3.5 x .75 inches $25.00

The design of this basket mimics the flower in the center. Brown wrapping is patterned after the center of the flower.
Ivory thread brings out the ivory flower and random V stitches in brown represent the brown markings on the flower.
Measuring 5.5 x 1.25 inches, $40.00

This is one of those fun basket bases I just couldn't pass up! I think it came out quite well. Do you agree?
Red stitching represents the red in the watermelon, small black wraps represent the seeds, and the white and green wrapped rows at the top represent the white and green of the skin.
Measuring 7 x 1 inch, $45.00

Would you like to purchase one of these baskets? Please message me on Facebook/cruisincreations12 or dbabin731@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

We are developing our schedule for 2020. Our first show will be in July in Northville, NY. Keep checking our events list to keep up to date on upcoming events.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Worth The Risk?

Imagine one day you're a healthy, athletic female in the prime of your life. The next day you have aches and pains in places you didn't even know could have aches and pains. Over time your life becomes a series of doctor visits, surgeries, and medications to the point where it is determined by the doctors that you are permanently disabled and have to use a scooter to get around.

What is causing all of these medical issues? The breast implants that were inserted into your body many years before.

I'm going to let my friend, Robin, tell you more about this, because she can tell it much better than I can. She lived through it.

"I am a Breast Implant Illness survivor. I know the dark side of breast implants because I've been sick for the last 18 years. Little did I know that implants were slowly killing me. I was given two years to live due to the amount of stress and sickness my body was going through.

My whole life I was very athletic, tennis, bike riding, hiking, and my favorite joy was dancing with my husband. I was appointed as the Associate Chaplain'Abuse Chaplain of the Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall in Martinez, CA. I was also a Public Speaker against child abuse. Over the years my health deteriorated to the point that I was no longer able to work or be the Mother and Wife I use to be. I was tired and I didn't want to live anymore. I was so frustrated I was losing hope. I felt like I was on a merry-go-round with doctors, hospitals, surgeries, and medications. For all this time I used wheelchairs, walkers, and canes to get around. I was taking five different medications every day. Even then, the pain got worse and I ended up spending most of my days in bed. ...I was totally disabled.

One day my husband was watching a health program and the woman on the program had all my symptoms. She too had saline breast implants and the same symptoms I was having. I started doing research and to my shock and fear I realized I was a candidate for breast implant illness. I met with a cosmetic surgeon who confirmed my fear that I had all the symptoms. It was time to have them removed, which I did 8 months ago.

Within two months all of my symptoms went away slowly. Today I no longer need any assistance to walk. The pain and depression are gone. The only thing I need to hold on to is my best friend's arm, my husband of thirty nine and a half years, with God leading the way to a healthy new beginning.

These were my symptoms:
Seizures - at times two per day
Lesions and cysts
Hair loss
Joint pain and soreness
Low libido
Sudden heart palpitations
Metallic taste in the mouth
Skin rashes
Excruciating lower back pain...for many years
Weight gain
Bruising and bleeding
My blood smelled like metal
Neuropathy in my feet
Brain fog and memory loss
Burning pain down my legs
My skin was turning gray

I became incapacitated...and there is a lot more to this story including my biggest fear that I might have had breast cancer, thank God it was negative. Today 90% of my symptoms are gone."

Robin also lost use of her hands. They would shake and she had difficulty writing.

I have known Robin for 17 years. We met on vacation and have stayed in touch since. When we met she had to hang on to someone or use a cane. Other than that you would not have known that these saline breast implants, which were supposed to be safe, were killing her. She was so full of life! Over the last 17 years I have listened as Robin's health deteriorated. I couldn't understand why all of these doctors she was seeing couldn't figure out what was wrong with her and fix it. No one suspected the breast implants.

Robin called me a few days after her implant removal surgery. I immediately heard a difference. She was more alert and coherent and easier to talk too. I am so happy to say that my happy, full of life friend is back! She is hopeful about her future and sees a reason to live.

I have another friend who is a breast cancer survivor. She had reconstructive surgery using saline breast implants. After about 8 years she started to have symptoms - pain and a pulling sensation. She too, had her implants removed and is feeling much better. While this friend didn't need much convincing to have the implants removed, the telling of Robin's story confirmed that she was making the right decision.

Please help Robin spread the word that saline breast implants are NOT safe!
Thank you!

What's New?

We are in the thick of the craft fair season! I've been working diligently to make as many baskets, key rings, and ornaments to fill your gift giving needs. Here are a few...

Upcoming Events

Oct 22 - Dec 20 - 10 am - 5 pm, closed Sundays - The Shaker Heritage Society, 25 Meeting House Rd, Albany, NY
Nov 23 - 9 am - 4 pm - Colonie High School, 1 Raider Blvd, Albany, NY

Nov 24 - 10 am - 3 pm - Soroptimist International, Gloversville Middle School, 234 Lincoln St, Gloversville, NY

Nov 30 - 10 am - 4:30 pm - Saratoga Craft Marketplace, Saratoga City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY

Can't make it to one of our shows? Message me on Facebook - facebook.com/cruisincreations12 and we'll make arrangements to get a basket to you.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Imagine ...

Imagine walking up a flight of stairs to the second floor of a building after arriving in a new country. As you are walking up this flight of stairs you notice people using a piece of chalk to mark an X on the coats of some of your fellow travelers. You wonder if you will be marked as well. You wonder what that X might mean.

At the top of the stairs you are ushered into a large crowded room with minimal seating on wooden benches. You wait your turn to be called into room after room to prove that you are worthy. Worthy of what, you ask? Worthy to stay in the US. You endure a humiliating physical and are introduced to a small hammer that checks your reflexes. You must prove that you can read in your native language. You must prove that you will not become a menace to society. You must prove that you can take care of yourself. And... you must have someone willing to sponsor you and promise to support you until you can support yourself.

You endure all of this after sailing on a boat for 1-2 weeks in steerage accommodations that are anything but luxurious. Seasickness is common. You're scared and don't understand what people are saying to you because you do not speak English.

There are dormitories, infirmaries, and cafeterias. You arrive penniless but you are still expected to pay for your meals.

The dates? 1890 - 1924
The place? Ellis Island

Many who arrived during those 34 years were allowed to stay. About 2% were sent home. Some families were broken up because one member or another was sick. Those family members never saw each other again. Some were sent home because they were thought to "become a public charge."

Those selected to stay were not allowed to leave the island until their sponsors arrived to pick them up.

Back to that X. What did it mean? It was a mark placed on the coats of those who struggled going up that flight of stairs. It was the first test they had to pass. Those who struggled were at a disadvantage in their ability to remain in the US.

As I toured Ellis Island recently I couldn't help but marvel at what my grandparents had to endure to enter this country in the early 1900s. Both of my grandfathers arrived first, established themselves then sent for their wives and children. I had always thought that they were simply documented on Ellis Island and entered the country. I never realized how involved that immigration process was at that time.

Ellis Island was very enlightening for me. It is a must see!

New Items

We recently introduced a new item to our collection - key rings. Key rings are made of pine needles and have a solid center. There is a silver toned or gold toned key ring to attach your keys. These key rings were first introduced at the Shaker Heritage Summer Craft Fair in July and they have proven to be quite popular!

The first batch is pictured below. Several other center designs have been added. Check them out at one of our upcoming shows!

Upcoming Events

Speculator Craft Fair is one of our favorites and is coming up on Thursday, Aug 8. Join us at the Speculator Ball Field, Routes 8 & 30, Speculator, NY from 9-4. Santa and I will be in the pavilion.

We are excited to announce that we have added a new event - The Carrot Festival at Agudat Achim, Troy-Schenectady Rd, Schenectady, NY. Sept 8 from 10 - 4. I'll be inside the building. See you there!

Until Next Time...

Diane

How Did You Get Started?

From time to time people ask how long I have been making pine needle baskets and how I got started. I owe my pine needle basket success to two people - my mother, and my friend Cheryl.

As I've mentioned in earlier posts my mother enrolled me in a 4-H club when I was 9 years old. For 5 years I participated in the Hilltop Club run by Martha Matula. We learned how to cook, sew, manage our money, and many other things. I conquered a bit of my shyness by doing demonstrations on many subjects at various competitions throughout the county. I won many blue ribbons particularly for sewing at many competitions and the Altamont Fair. Membership in this club taught me so many things, introduced me to many new friends, and gave me a lifelong hobby that led to many careers.

Fast forward 5 decades. My husband and I are vacationing in Florida and our friend, Cheryl, asks if I would like to learn how to make a pine needle basket. I had been introduced to these baskets 3 years before and was intrigued by them. We met with two of Cheryl's neighbors to get an idea of what was involved. These neighbors are true artists who had been making baskets for 2-3 years at the time. We then took a class. 

As with learning to sew all those years before, I took to pine needle basket coiling like a fish to water. Our instructor, Carol, helped me out with a few techniques and then I took off! One basket became two, then three, then ten, then... Hmmm? What was I going to do with all of these baskets? I have just so many family members and friends t0 give them to.

A visit from a neighbor who wanted to purchase some baskets got me thinking about selling them at craft shows. With a business name like Cruisin' Creations I could sell anything. I wasn't limited to the women's fashion accessories that I had been selling.

So, I began testing the market in the fall of 2016 by displaying a few baskets. As they sold I realized that the uniqueness of pine needle coiled baskets in the Northeast would work in my favor. I could be a very successful entrepreneur by switching my focus from accessories to baskets.

It's been three years and over 300 baskets and 500 ornaments have been made and sold. With a goal of 120 baskets by June 30 the first 6 months of 2019 have been devoted to building inventory for this year's craft fair season. I'm getting close with 111 made and ready to sell!

I will continue to make these baskets as long as my hands hold out. Yes, making pine needle baskets can be painful at times. Yes, I have to give my hands a rest now and then. And, yes, Advil has become my friend.  

The beauty of making a pine needle basket is that I get to create. I get to see a design I have imagined come together. And, I get to meet so many wonderful people throughout the year.

Due to scheduling conflicts and and a need to preserve the strength of my hands I have limited the number of shows this year. Check out our upcoming events on the right side of this page to find a show near you. Also, check out our Facebook page to view many of our new creations. 

Can't make a show but want a basket? Simply message me with the basket you are interested in and we will get it shipped to you.

What's New?

These are just a few of the many baskets that have been made so far this year. See one you like? Message me and we will work out a means to get it to you.

Upcoming Events!

We have two events scheduled for July!

July 13 & 14 - Shaker Heritage Society, 25 Meeting House Rd, Albany, NY 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

July 19 - 21 - Northville Woodworking and Fine Arts Show, Bradt Building and Park, Northville, NY Fri - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Sat - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sun - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Until Next Time...

Diane

Medicare For All

I listen with interest to all of the pundits who promise Medicare for all of our citizens. I believe the impression some of our citizens have is that Medicare for all means free healthcare for all. Medicare for all is a noble thought; however, Medicare is NOT free.

A few facts:
~ If you are employed you are paying 1.45% of your income for Medicare Part A (hospital and inpatient care) through your withholding taxes. Your employer also pays 1.45% of your income for Medicare Part A. In theory, this money is set aside until you are eligible for Medicare then it is used to pay 80% of your hospital and inpatient care expenses.
~ Medicare Part B (doctor and other health care provider services) is funded by those 65 and older who pay $135.50 or more each month. This premium is dependent upon your annual income and increases each year.
~ Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) is an additional premium. I was unable to gather premium information without getting too far into applying for a Medicare Part D plan.
~ In case you're wondering, Medicare Part C is for Medicare Advantage Plans.
~ Medicare covers up to 80% of most medical bills. Most people 65 and older obtain supplemental insurance out of pocket to cover the remaining 20%.

Let's do some calculations to see if Medicare for all would work for you. If you earn $100,000. per year you will be paying $1450 and your employer will be paying $1450 for your Medicare Part A coverage. At an income of $100,000 you will also be paying approximately $135.50 or more per month or $1626/ year for doctor and other health provider coverage. Using these numbers you have an out of pocket cost of $3070/ year. But wait! That doesn't include prescription coverage so your annual premium would most likely be more.

At this point you may be thinking, that's not bad. Perhaps it's less than you pay now for medical insurance? Oh, but remember $3070 is only for 80% of your medical coverage. Also, if you have a spouse, and children, you or they will be paying an additional amount for their coverage as well. So, a family of 4 could be looking at an out of pocket cost of over $12,280 per year for an 80% coverage of your medical expenses. How does that compare with what you are currently paying?

Let's say you have a hospital stay that results is combined expenses of $75,000. Medicare will cover $60,000. If you didn't carry supplemental health insurance how would you fund the remaining balance of $15,000?

Obviously, my numbers are purely speculative as no one has explained how this would all work out. Being the cynic that I am when it comes to politics and "free" stuff, I would hazard a guess that these numbers are a fraction of what will actually be withheld from your paycheck to pay for Medicare for all.

My intent with this blog is not to discredit the notion of Medicare for all as it is a very noble thought. My intent is merely to enlighten those who believe that Medicare for all means free health care for all. I think it's important that we, as citizens and a nation, gather all of the facts and calculate all of the numbers before we proclaim Medicare for all as the law of the land. Do you agree?

One more thing...
for those who call Social Security an entitlement - 6.4% of your gross income is withheld from each of your paychecks for Social Security. Your employer also pays 6.4% of your gross income for your Social Security. It's your and your employer's money funding your Social Security benefits! Social Security is not an entitlement; it's your money.

What's New?

Time, energy, and working hands are impacting the number of baskets that I can produce this year. I've made a dent in the number that will be needed, but there is so much more to do! Here are a few new ones for you to enjoy. If you had to choose one as your favorite, which would it be?

Upcoming Events

Our first event will be July 13 & 14 at the Shaker Heritage Society. More details can be found in the Upcoming Events section of this blog.

Until Next Time...

Diane