From My Desktop

Hello to all you faithful readers and visitors,

As I'm writing this newsletter the wind is howling and the snow is furiously falling outside my window. It is only December, but already there is more than a foot of snow outside my doorstep. Inside the fire is burning, soup is bubbling on the stove and the scent of homemade bread fills the air.

I'm reflecting back many years ago when my children were all at home. Back then a snow storm brought with it dreaded thoughts that I would probably have six boisterous children running around for a day or maybe even two, because of school cancellations.

Years down the road, snowstorms brought visions to my mind of horrendous driving conditions as I commuted 45 miles one way to my work.

Now, as I am retired, I look out the window and see beauty and feel the peace and absolute quiet only a snowstorm can bring.

Isn't it amazing how our lives evolve?

My wish for you, all my dear readers, is a New Year of peace and harmony, lived in the beautiful surroundings you have created in your home.

Happy New Year!

Your Friendly Neighborhood (even if I am half way around the world!) Home Dec Lady,
Gloria

The Creative Workshop
The Power of Visualization

The ability to visualize can greatly enhance your talent to decorate your home and obtain the results you desire. The creative art of visualization can be actively developed. The process of visualization begins with taking the time to observe and really see what you are looking at.

Suppose you are in the accessories department of a home decorating store and you spot a lamp you really love. Stop and really examine it as if you've never seen a lamp. What shape is it? How tall? How wide? What material is it made of? Take time to answer these questions and it will fix the lamp on your mind.

If this lamp was in your home, what space would it occupy? What about the shade? Do you like the shape? Do you prefer a taller shade? Perhaps an octagon style? Should you add fringe? Is it too small? Too large? Would it fit into your color scheme? If you changed the color of the shade, what color would you make it? In your mind's eye, picture the lamp with a different shade along with any other changes you have made. Put this picture in your mind's eye and place it in your home. Does it fit in the living room? Not quite? How about on a bedroom end table? Maybe a kitchen counter?

Look at some of the wall decorations. Choose several items and in your mind create a whole wall arrangement. Choose a sconce or two, several pictures and perhaps a mirror. Create an entire wall decoration with these items. Where would you place this in your home. Visualize this arrangement in your home with your mind's eye.

As you are walking through the kitchen area, you pass a place setting that attracts you. Picture your table set with these dishes on a tablecloth with a floral centerpiece. Can you actually see this in your mind? If not try again with different accessories.

The more you do this type of exercise, the easier it will become. Soon you will find yourself decorating your entire home in this manner. You'll also find yourself more satisfied with your purchases and doing less returns to the store. You may even find yourself buying items you never would have considered before simply because you are becoming more creative and imaginative.

The great thing about visualizing is that it doesn't cost a thing. What great fun to build your visualizing skills while you decorate the home you desire without having to spend a penny!

Dare to Dream, Dare to Hope, Dare to Believe, Dare to Live!

Who Owns Your Business, You or eBay?
The Truth About Online Auctions

Love doing eBay but tired of all the rules. Tired of working for eBay for free?

eBay lets the software run the network of buyers and sellers. And then they let the network effect take over...

More and more sellers meant increasing diversity of product, which attracted more and more buyers. More and more buyers meant more demand, which attracted more and more sellers.

"And thus did eBay's growth feed upon itself"... meteorically. eBay grew into a company worth billions. They now own all "the little people" who do the hard, tedious, physical work that software cannot do.

Well... it's Independence Day.

No...

• Do NOT stop your online auction business. It makes money. That's a start.

• Do NOT stop your eBay activity. They offer a great service.

• Do NOT "start over". Just build upon what you have started.

To continue this thread about Online Business Auctions see how others have created their own auction sites without eBay.

2. If you have an unused doll house, place it on a large decorative shelf or attach it to a wall, open room side out. Use it as decorative storage space for linens, craft items, toys, etc.

3. Don't pass up an old but sturdy bench at a yard sale. Painted or finished to match your bedroom decor, perhaps even with an upholstered top, it can provide useful seating or storage space when placed at the bottom of your bed.

4. For some artwork you'll treasure, create silhouettes of family members. Tape white paper to a wall and seat the person with light behind them to create a wall shadow. Trace the outline, then cut the silhouettes from paper of your choice and frame it. This also makes a great gift for grandparents and favorite relatives.

5. Add details to an inexpensive light fixture to create that designer touch. Paint it in a bold color, change the shades, and/or add beading or crystals. Make it suit your personality and decorating style.

6. Do you love pattern but are unsure of how many you can combine to mix and match? As a general rule, 3 patterns are the maximim you should use in a room to prevent the eye from being overwhelmed.

7. If you travel often, look for something unique from each place you visit. Keep a small notebook and log in the date, location and interesting details of your purchase.

8. For a luxury look in linens, choose a thread count of at least 300 threads per inch. The higher the thread count, the better the quality.

9. Often the only thing that's needed to upgrade your furniture and cabinets from so-so to ooo-hh is some new hardware. You can oftentimes find some great hardware buys on old furniture at yard sales. This hardware is often better designed and cheaper than buying new. Keep and refurbish the hardware, dump the furniture.

10. When buying a rug, never skimp on size. A too small rug will throw the whole room out of balance. Spread newspaper on the floor to help you determine the perfect rug size for your room before you start to shop.

11. Don't buy a lamp without seeing it lit. Check the demos before you buy. Some lamps throw some strange shadows or give poor or inadequate light. Don't assume a light bulb with higher wattage will fix the problem. This solution will most likely only enhance the defects.

12. Yard sales are a super source of vintage glassware. Often these pieces are more elegant and have greater design impact than pieces bought off the shelf of exclusive stores.

About the Home Dec Lady:

If you enjoyed this newsletter, visit my website and learn to develop your creativity and create the home you dream of by using my **free** online home decorating workbook.

To find out why and how I am building a web business visit the Mysite/Myself page on my website. I am having fun and building a good income at the same time. If you would like to do the same, check out this page while you are visiting my online home

Take the time to visit this site if you can use an extra $500 to $1000 a month

Do you already own a website? Is it producing income for you? If you would like some hints to increase the income from your site download this *free* Affiliate Masters course. Read what other website owners are doing to increase their monthly income.

All products recommended on this site have been actively researched and used by me. I only recommend products and services I use myself, and hope you find some new and interesting ideas for developing and using your God given talents and creativity.

Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated! Feel free to email me and let me know of your comments and suggestions now while your thoughts are fresh in your mind.

Please feel free to pass on this issue to friends and associates --just keep the entire message intact and unaltered.

Published Monthly “Creative Home Decorating" is a newsletter geared to the individual who dreams of creating the perfect home atmosphere of peace, harmony, comfort and relaxation.

Designed to help the frustrated decorator and creatively challenged, this ezine will inspire you to jump in and take a chance on your inborn talents. By doing this you will grow from the inside out.

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