Contents:
1. What's hot at DCW

• DCW Of The Month

• New Columns!

• New Contest!

2. Business and Entertainment

• Let's Talk Business

• Home & Decor

• Craft-Corner

Congratulations to Terri Seymour for being chosen as the 'Dot Com Woman of the month' for May 2003. Terri Seymour is undoubtedly one of the key persons in the Ezine business. Her beloved project 'MY OWN EZINE' has stormed into the lives of many a women. Wading her way through all obstacles, Terri is here with us this month to give you an insight into the transformation of an everyday housewife to a Super-successful 'Dot Com Woman'! Read her interview at http://www.dotcomwomen.com/dcw.shtml

Let's Talk Business

100 Home-Based Biz Ideas! (contd.)
51-75 (Watch out for more in the next issue!)

051) Home massage
052) Home medical billing
053) Home medical testing
054) Home repairs
055) Home security
056) Internet cafe
057) Inventions
058) Kitchen remodeling
059) Landscaping
060) Mailing service
061) Makeup artist
062) Mobile disc jockey
063) Moving company
064) Multi level marketing
065) Nail parlor
066) Newsletter publishing
067) Paralegal services
068) Payroll service
069) Pet accessories
070) Pet bakery
071) Pet food delivery
072) Pet grooming
073) Pet walker
074) Printing service
075) Real estate appraisal

Home & Decor

Spring Cleaning for Good Feng Shui
                     - by Stephanie Roberts

In feng shui, the season of spring is associated with new beginnings, new ideas, and the first steps taken on new projects. Spring is also a time when many of us feel an urge to clean up and air out the house. Here are some tips to help you take advantage of this opportunity to spring-clean with intention:

• Remember that energy is always seeking balance and equilibrium. As you clean your home, getting rid of dirt, dust, and stale energy, new energy will flow in to fill that space. The more you clean and declutter, the greater the energy shifts you will experience.
• If you have not yet begun to Spring Clean your home, take a few minutes to think about what new projects or directions you would like to encourage. How have your energy, priorities, and goals shifted since this time a year ago? What are you making room for or getting ready for by Spring Cleaning your home? Are there other ways in which you can Spring Clean your life?
• If you have already begun-or even completed-your Spring Cleaning, take a few minutes to focus on welcoming new energy into the home. Be as specific as you can about what new idea, opportunities, relationships, and experiences you wish to realize.
• Pay attention while you clean and at all time during this season to whatever might be "springing up" in and around you: emotionally, physically, spiritually, materialistically. Be alert for synchronicities, and explore what personal meaning you see in them.
• Open all your doors and windows for at least 15 minutes during the hours of 11am-1pm to encourage a complete change of the chi in your home. If possible do this on a sunny day when there is a steady but gentle breeze. Imagine all the old, tired energy flowing out, and fresh, vital energy flowing in.
• The lighter shades of green are associated with springtime. Bringing natural energy into your home with living plants is a great way to improve the feng shui of your space. Put a vase of fresh flowers or a new potted plant in each major room of your home.
• Walk through your home and look at everything as if you were seeing it for the first time. Note anything that feels dark, heavy, or depressing to you, and look for ways to lighten or brighten the mood in that area. This could mean slip-covering dark furniture for the warmer months, changing artwork, or even getting rid of some things.
• Include your hard drive and email folders in your spring cleaning, too!

Consciously get rid of the old and welcome in the new in everything that you do, and watch the new ideas and opportunities come flowing in.
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If your spring cleaning plans include finally doing something about all that clutter, please visit http://www.clutterfreeforever.com for information on our new clutter-clearing Home Coaching Program. This in-depth ebook and 6 weekly lessons show you how and why to clear out and get organized for life enhancement and good feng shui!
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More on Home & Decor for members. Membership is Free! Join today!

Craft-Corner

RIBBON EMBROIDERY

Ribbon embroidery involves dimensional embroidery stitches using ribbons made of silk, satin, rayon, chiffon or cotton. Silk ribbon has been used since the 18th century to adorn clothing, quilts, and decorative accessories.

Ribbons are twisted and turned during stitching to form realistic-looking flowers, buds, and leaves. Regular embroidery stitches  such as satin stitches, straight stitches, French knots, and stem
stitches may be used with ribbon. As well, there are some stitches and stitch combinations used only for ribbon embroidery.

Cut a length of ribbon. Thread the end of the ribbon through the eye of a crewel needle. To lock the ribbon onto the needle, pierce the ribbon 1/2" from one end and pull on the opposite
end. The ribbon will rest securely on the eye of the needle and will not come unthreaded as you work.

Keep the ribbon flat at all times while making the stitches. After taking each stitch, make sure the ribbon is untwisted, and use the needle to straighten the ribbon as needed.

For stitches where the ribbon is to be wrapped around the needle, be sure the ribbon is flat so that the stitches will be as full as possible.

As you stitch, be sure to pull gently on the ribbon so that the stitches will not be tight and thin. The stitches should lie very softly on the fabric.

Some special stitches to use with ribbon include the Japanese Ribbon Stitch, Spider Web Rose, Plume Stitch, Decorative Lazy Daisy, and Loop Flower.

For a loop flower, bring the ribbon through the fabric, then down 1/4" away, forming a loop. Control the loop with a round toothpick. Bring the needle up at the beginning point again, and form another loop. Repeat until you've made a total of five loop petals. With contrasting floss or ribbon, add French knots  at the centre of the flower.

If you plan to embellish a purchased item, look for garments with yoke seams or linings that can be loosened to allow you to slip your embroidery hoop inside. For baby garments, it is best to stitch the embroidery before the garment is cut out from the yardage. For wearables, use closely stitched ribbon stitches such as French knots and lazy daisy stitches. Larger, looser, and more fragile stitches can be used for projects that will be framed.

Contributed By
Patty Lee
FR*E online CRAFT newsletter!
Craft Tips, Contests, Links to Craft Sites
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CONTESTS

Win personalized Sweatshirts and Tote Bags. Enter the 'Gloria's Design Corner' contest. Answer a few questions to enter the contest. Win F-R-E-E candles just for answering a few questions! See the 'Apple Lane Contest' for details. WIN FREE CANDLES WORTH $7.50 EVERY MONTH!!! (1 votive, 1 tealight and 1 dz Candle Melts) Send in your Beauty & Home related tips and win personalized E-Books 'Beauty Boosters' and 'Home-Decor'. Visit the contests page for more details. http://www.dotcomwomen.com/contests.shtml