I really haven’t abandoned you.

I’m sure you think I have, since my track record is so bad.  I’ve been thinking about you all week, actually.  I’ve just been blogging elsewhere.  I’m guest blogging about organization this week over at Here Comes The Stork. 

Stop laughing.

Seriously.

I totally do know how to organize. 

Just because I haven’t answered your email from 3 weeks ago, and I haven’t finished putting away the Christmas decorations, and you can only open the kids’ kitchen cabinet at your own risk because assorted plastic cups are likely to rain down on your head if you move too quickly does not mean that I don’t know how to organize.

side note: Nella, I still have not even mailed your Christmas gift. I suck. I’d apologize, but since you’ve known me for 15+ years, realistically I’m sure you are not surprised by this information.

Ok, back to my regularly scheduled ‘I am too organized’ post.

Exhibit A – the kids’ bathroom closet:

Perfectly organized.

And when I come up with an exhibit B, you can bet I’ll be rubbing that in your face too.

So there.

Eat your laughter my friends.

And then hop over to HCTS if you’d like to read what kept me away from you this week.  Or if you’d like to learn more about selling online.  In case you didn’t know, I’m actually a moderator over at the HCTS forums for moms who sell online (eBay, Amazon, websites, through direct sales, etc) or other work at home venues, blogging, yada yada yada.  I’ve been a member there for more years than I can remember, and it’s definitely my virtual home away from home.  And the ladies there are super nice. 

They never laugh at me when I write about organization.

Calling all crafters (or wanna-be’s)

I’m not sure how many of you know this, but I am a moderator for a great forum called Here Comes The Stork, a resource for online sellers.  The owner, Kendra, started out selling children’s clothing on Ebay (hence the baby name), but her business has grown tremendously and HCTS is now dedicated to helping sellers improve sales on Ebay, Amazon, Etsy, Bonzazzle, BuyItSellIt, independent websites, and any other online venue you can think of.  I’ve been a mod there for years and a member for even longer than that. 

One section of the forums is devoted to designers and crafters, which is where I found my niche.  I’ve been sewing all my life, but never tried selling online until HCTS and the Stork Studio Custom Design group (SSCD on ebay) gave me the confidence to go for it.

One of those encouraging members was Kim, or Kimberbell as she is known in the design world.  Kim is seriously one of the sweetest, kindest people you could ever [virtually] meet.  She always has a kind word for everyone, encouraging and supporting new designers and freely sharing her expertise.

Now I knew Kim while she was on her way to the top, and while I’m sure she hasn’t yet reached the highest height that she will acheive, she is definitely on a mountain.  Unfortunately Kim is no longer an active part of our website…because she is too busy running her own!

Several years ago Kim got the genius idea to turn helping people find their creative abilities into a booming business, and boom it has. YouCanMakeThis.com was named one of the top Mom-Owned business by Startup Nation, and the site has been featured in many print publications and on television appearances.

So why am I telling you all of this?  Well, first and foremost because I love the site, and I really believe in the concept and the products available.  YCMT has inspired thousands of people to take the plunge into crafting, be it sewing, cake decorating, decoupage, beading, and so much more.  There are fun projects for kids, too!  Want to learn how to knit?  Paint?  Improve your photography skills?  It’s all there, and a lot more.

But the second reason I’m telling you this is because I have an awesome giveaway to be announced on Monday!  The folks at YouCanMakeThis.com have made a generous offer that I am all too happy to accept, and I can’t wait to share it with you!  So yes, this is just a little teaser to whet your appetite.  Now pop over to the YouCanMakeThis site and find yourself a project to keep you occupied this weekend, and I will give you the full scoop on Monday.  Whoops! Sorry – NEXT Monday.  I am taking the coming week off.

*Weekend project not required for contest entry, but recommended to make you a better person.