But with the new year, I worked diligently to follow all the 404′s and tweak the themes and update pages to have more ,better, and supplemented content. And finally got The Gazebo in order, too. That required working with htaccess files, which somehow were messed up in the updating process. I added a recipe feature there, although that is a bit of a pain for an author to work with.

I started making lots more Zazzle products and actually sold a few. I used it recently to create posters with my vision board efforts- a new thing tat I hope will upgrade my confidence and optimism.

The test for all this new enthusiasm for the year? Whether I get busy organizing and cleaning the house in a measurable way, whether I lose weight and get fit in the next couple months, and how the garden looks this July. Those are test points… Here goes!

I’ve been working very hard on Squidoo, and recently put lots more designs for Zazzle products up at Ilona’s Garden Shop- go check it otu if you land here. there isn’t much to do here, so you might as well follow the links.

Squidoo is slowly up and running, although the amount of lenses and work it requires is more than the income merits. I have learned a lot, in the meantime, and that is always worth something. It is still Christmas time and I am hoping that the Christmas lenses do better next year if I am still at it. The top lens is the Advent lens. The Advent blog did not do well this year, which was disappointing since last year was wonderful- so many visitors. I am not sure what happened, as I was better at keeping up with the schedule this year.

Squidoo lenses such as Cute Teddy Bears never took off, which is a shame because it was a very nice lens. Gingerbread Decor and Artist Gifts weren’t so good, but it was “Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree” that really tanked. Info on living, artificial, and cut trees was included. Either people don’t need that information or I didn’t headline it well. That , or too much competition, because it was not a bad page.

Well, this was just a little experiment, because I have lots of this type of post on the ilona1Squidoo blog. But I nedded something to write about here since I changed the template and the did away with the buddypress stuff.

I ought to show you some of my new zazzle, though…

Lace Christmas Love Heart Ornament by ilonagarden
See more Christmas ornaments

Hungary Deer Keychain by ilonagarden
make money as an artist using Zazzle.

Hello Bunny Postcard by ilonagarden
Browse Bunny Postcards

I have lots more than that- but just wanted to show a few new things!

I’m going to invite people to participate in this experiment with me.  that will probably determine the scope of topics. Well, I’m off to install the forums which I think will be an important part of this adventure.