It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Dear Friends,
How does the time just slip away?  I've been getting the house ready for Christmas.  I want it to be done by Thanksgiving.  That may seem early, but I want to enjoy the season and all its beauty and by having the decorating done is one less thing for me to think about!

I took my sweet Santa boot that I wove last year out of the closet a couple of days ago.  It is sitting on a table near the front door and I put big candy canes in it.  Cute!  The pattern for this is Julie Deen's.  If you haven't been to her site in a while, it's time you popped over to see some of her latest works.  She has the most beautiful egg basket and has woven it with fabric!  I love it!  Julie is so creative.

Remember last year Julie sent me this angel?  It has been on my kitchen windowsill all year.  Now it sits among some Christmas greenery and pine cones.  Super Sweet!

Anyway,  are any of you getting ready for Christmas?  Last night the kids made chocolate covered pretzels.  Yum!!!  Of course we have to have those as a snack on Thanksgiving day.

Emily has started seeing an endocrinologist for her Hashimoto's and Vitamin D deficiency.  That has meant more lab work for her.  Poor kiddo is a pin cushion these days.  After Thanksgiving she gets in with pediatric infectious disease about the chronic lyme disease.  I really believe God is shining and getting her going in the right direction.

I also started with a company called Rendi.  So now I have two small businesses, Rendi and Scentsy.  Rendi is personalized home decor and is a brand new direct sales company that just launched October 1st of this year.  It's actually a sister company of Danieleson Designs which has been around 20 years.  I feel I'm on the ground floor with it and much can be done on the internet for it so I don't anticipate it taking as much time as Scentsy (which has been keeping me pleasantly hopping).  I'm really pressing forward with getting the mortgage paid off on the house.  Hallelujah when that happens!

Have a blessed Sunday.  Hope you are all healthy, we've been getting over colds here, and hope all is going well in your part of the world.

Love and hugs,

Nancy

An Emily Update - Finally Some News!

Dear Friends,
If you've been reading this blog for some time, you know my sweet Emily, age 15 1/2 was struck with fibromyalgia beginning about a year and a half ago.  There are two schools of thought with fibro.  The first is that it is its own disease.  The second is that fibro is a symptom of something else going on in the body.  I choose to believe the second because I want to believe we can "fix" her.

We have been to so many doctors and specialists.  The pediatric rheumatology/fibromyalgia specialist that she sees has tried everything in his bag of tricks.  I've tried everything that has been sent or told to me.  Nothing has worked and all lab results, exams, and testing have come back normal.  Until now...

We had been referred to a medical office that does more alternative therapies of medicine.  We first went a couple of months ago.  Emily first saw a nurse practitioner who spent about an hour and a half going over EVERYTHING regarding Emily's fibro history.  She ordered some blood tests.  I thought to myself, Emily has been tested for everything under the sun already.  The nurse practitioner said I had to go to a specific lab because this is the only lab in the city/state to run some of these specific tests.  While I wait the 6 weeks for the tests, Emily has been back to this clinic for massage, healing touch, she's started yoga, and will soon begin acupuncture.

This morning was our follow-up visit after 6 weeks.  Would you believe there were some lab abnormalities?  I was shocked.  She, the nurse practitioner, spent an hour with us again today and there were three significant findings.  The first thing she said is that Emily has Hashimoto's disease.  This is a disease of the thyroid, the antibodies that the thyroid produces, that is not treatable, but is pain causing.  (Emily's thyroid is functioning properly, just not the antibodies it is producing)  I also question if the other two issues get resolved that possibly the Hashimotos will resolve itself???  Maybe??

Another abnormality that was VERY low was a specialized Vitamin D test.  Not your standard test and Emily has started today on some medication to bring that up.  Low test results here cause pain.

The third abnormality is something that could be carried by ticks.  Not Lyme disease, but related.  It has something to do with her lymph system and according to the nurse, there is only one doctor who treats for this specific issue in the United States and that doctor is in Kansas City.  Again, this was a specialized test and Emily's results were VERY low.  She thinks these three things are all interrelated and all causing her pain.  She also thinks it will take a year once treatment begins for Emily to start feeling better.  Back to the tick thing.  Emily had been bitten by a tick. (I don't remember the nurse asking us about ticks at the first visit and I didn't even think of it at the time.)  She was bitten back when we lived in Florida.  The nurse practitioner thinks that it is possible that Emily has carried something in her body that has remained dormant.  Then when she got very sick 1 1/2 year ago, high fever and so forth at the time all this fibromyalgia started, what was dormant in her body became active starting her pain.

So what happens next...Emily is now on super high doses of Vitamin D that we've started today.  The nurse practitioner asked her to start the Paleo diet, Emily calls it a cave man diet.  I got the book and we are starting it tomorrow.  Tonight I research this doctor in Kansas City and begin the process there.  Emily continues with yoga, massage, healing touch and accupuncture.  Whew....

I have been elated today to hear news that I'm hoping and praying will take us in the right direction with her.  I've been watching the television show "Mystery Diagnosis" faithfully to see if any of their cases are similar to Emily's.  There was a case of Hashimotos on the show.  I remember thinking, well Emily doesn't have anything wrong with her thyroid as it is functioning properly so I didn't pay much attention to that episode.  I'll have to go back and watch it now.  The final thing is that the nurse practitioner wants Emily to have some counseling.  Emily is such a sweet and loving girl, but as you can imagine, being in pain every day takes a toll on her both physically and mentally.  Sometimes it is hard mentally for her mommy here to know that my child is in pain, but we take it day by day.

So with all this said, please Please keep Emily in your prayers that we are doing the right things and finally getting her the help that she needs to remove this pain from her body.  Also please pray that she has the strength to deal with the pain until we get it resolved.

With love and blessings,
Nancy
(Update)  Upon further research regarding Emily's lab tests, it appears that she has Chronic Lyme Disease.  So much was given to me earlier that it is all hard to digest.  The more I read, the more I find people first being diagnosed with fibromyalgia for years only to discover that they have had chronic lyme disease.  Could it be that this has been her problem all along?  Now, what about the Viatmin D and Hashimotos?

Happy Halloween! and Share a Basket Sunday

I made this witch basket years ago at a basket guild meeting. I wish I had a better photo of it but I have given this basket away. The rim is interesting as it is a "rolled border". I sewed the arms and the hat came from the doll department at a craft store.  It is not my design.  This pattern is titled "Hagetha" and the author is Wanda Grahm.

Have a Blessed Sunday and Happy Halloween,
Nancy

Free Basket Weaving Pattern

Hi Friends,
Here is a beautiful pattern called Lines Of Autumn by Jennifer Rhodes.  It is a large market basket that uses a 10 x 12 D handle and space dyed reed in "autumn" color,  This pattern is available from http://www.basketweavingsupplies.com/ and you can link directly to it HERE.  They also have the kit available for purchase for $23.95.  It's not a basket for the brand new weaver yet it is a beginner level.  Once you have a few baskets under your belt, give this pretty basket a whirl.  The space dyed reed in it is stunning.
Happy Weaving!
Nancy

A Fun Use for Extra Wire Handles

Hi Friends,
This project came across my e-mail and I want to share it with you.  You know I like crafting of all sorts, but I thought even all of you basket weavers would enjoy something different that you can do with your supplies.

If you teach classes like me, you may have a surplus of an item.  I'm always ordering extra handles for my classes.  I want to have extra handles on hand because someone always says they would like a kit to make the same project again at home.  Soooo..... if you have some of these sweet wire handles, these are the ones that you get with the eyes and ears, also sometimes called spool handles, you can do a fun craft project with them.  These happen to be three inch handles.

Here is the link to the project that comes from Crafts 'N Things.
Enjoy!
Nancy

Thank You....Drum Roll....Winners!!!!!

Oh Dear Friends,
I am so happy and I've seriously got tears in my eyes as I type this.  The grand total is $226 that we raised for the Susan G. Komen foundation.  Every single penny that was donated is going to this worthy cause.  Mike and I have covered any PayPal fees and shipping.  I'm so happy for all your generosity.  I feel honored to call you all my friends. 

I've got to tell you a quick story that happened to me in Walmart just 2 days ago.  I was shopping and had picked up a flyer with a pink ribbon product and the flyer was sitting in my basket.  A lady near me was telling her adult daughter to get a bunch of celery.  I just commented, "Oh I'm glad you mentioned that because I need celery too and had forgotten to put it on my list.  Thanks for jogging my memory."  The daughter looked over at me and saw the flyer in my basket, mentioned it and a brief conversation ensued.  I told them that every women in my family has suffered or passed on from breast cancer.  The mother said she had just been diagnosed and tears formed in her eyes.  I wanted to say that I'm trying here to help with the fight against it.  All I could say is, "I'm so sorry and my family will keep you in our prayers."  This disease hits every family and it is heart wrenching.  I want to say to all of you, Thank you, thank you thank you all for your generosity.  Thank you to those of you who provided prizes.  Thank you to those of you who donated money and thank you to all of you who have been praying for a cure.   With all my heart I love each of you.

So without further ado....can you hear the drum roll...............................................

The second place winner of the Lia Sophia necklace and Earring set is.....................




Kumon!!!!!



The winner of the grand prize of the basket, Scentsy warmer and fragrance, hand woven scarf, Stampin' Up supplies, Lia Sophia necklace, crochet tote, handmade journal and pink ribbon Bible is....................




Susan Zak!!!!!

I will be contacting both of you and your prizes will be on their way this week!!!!  The check to the Susan G. Komen foundation will also be sent this week.
I'm so happy for both of you!  I'm so happy for our efforts and what we have all accomplished together!!!
The final thing I want to say is PLEASE LADIES do not neglect to do those monthly self breast examinations.  Early detection is the best prevention.
God Bless each and every one of you!
With love,
Nancy

Final Call for Think Pink Donations

Hi Friends,
Friday is the big day when I draw for the winners of our Think Pink Raffle.  If you've been saying I'll get to donating tomorrow, well, tomorrow is almost here.  Please, please let your friends know that this is it.  Shout it out to your friends.  Let it be known on Facebook, your blog, twitter or any other social network site.  The farther we spread the word, the more money that will be raised.

Be sure to take a moment and look at all the prizes shown below.  Let me tell you, because I can see them in person here, they are all stunningly beautiful! 

One lucky winner is going to get an amazing “THINK PINK” prize package!

The prize package will include:

Pink Pot of Hope basket woven by me

Matching pink set of Stampin' Up supplies from CJ at Tea n' Stitches

Pink Sentsy warmer and fragrance from Naomi at Sentsy

Handwoven scarf from Bety at Deep End of the Loom

Lia Sophia "Pink Flamingo" necklace from Faith

A Beautiful Pink Ribbon Bible, Handmade Pink Journal and Crochet Tote Bag from Julie at A Handwoven Life

---------------------------------------------------------

A second lucky winner will receive this beautiful Lia Sophia necklace and earring set also from my friend Faith. 

Raffle entries are $1.00 per “ticket” and can be purchased through PayPal (see "Donate" button in the sidebar)  

Please be generous. This is a cause very near and dear to my heart as I've lost a grandmother and an aunt to breast cancer and my mother and other women in my family are breast cancer survivors. This disease affects many of us.

For those of you who have already donated, for those of you who have provided the prizes, and for those of you who have advertised this charity raffle, I thank you with all my heart.
God bless.

Nancy

Share a Basket Sunday (make that Friday oops) - Fall Leaf Bread Basket

Is it getting cooler in your neck of the woods?  It is here.  I'm waking up to temperatures in the low 60's and it feels so good.  I love having a cup of hot coffee out on my patio with some crisp air.  It is perfect for sitting down and reading. 

With this basket you can get ready for fall! This basket is great for using your scraps. Just grab your leftover reed in autumn colors and away you go. Take a close look. The handles are made from the stakes on each end of the basket. They are looped over each other.
As I lashed on the rim, I just included a garland of fall leaves. This basket holds a loaf of bread perfectly!
Baskets of blessings,
Nancy

Make Your Own Reed Diffuser

Have you seen the reed diffusers? They are sold many places these days and some are quite costly. They're reed! Good ol' basket weaving reed! You can make your own for pennies in comparison to what they cost in the stores.

Just use #6 round reed and cut to the desired length. You can use your scraps here. Place in a narrow mouth bottle. My bottle is from a vinegar and oil set that I got at Walmart. You can also get potpourri oil at Walmart as well. Mine is a potpourri gel that I got at a home candle party that I went to. Just fill the bottle with the potpourri fragrance, insert the reed and tie on a pretty ribbon. I also hot glued a small flower embellishment to mine. I made several of these to give as gifts and they are always greatly appreciated.

A bonus craft you can see in my photo of the reed diffuser. This photo is taken in my bathroom. I got some pretty, smooth glass blue rocks and used a clear epoxy to glue them to the wall in my bathroom. The blue rocks and epoxy also came from Walmart's craft department. I like the pretty bling it adds in there.

What other ways do you use up your scrap reed?

Baskets of blessings to you all,

Nancy

German Basket Weaving Festival Part 3

Hi Friends,

Here is the last of my scrapbooking photos from the basket weaving festival held in Lichtenfels, Germany. 

Enjoy!!!

Nancy

My sweet babies.

 They are now teenagers!

I want my babies back!!!

Look at that woven basket behind them.

The stage where the basket queen and king are crowned and where the music is played. 

Lots of tables for some great food and beer.

Crowded streets.