My 1st attempt was totally unsuccessful. Can it be done (easily and successfully) any time of the year (excepting winter, of course) or was my spring attempt the only time?

Not sure about abeli cuttings From what I have read it should be stem cuttings.
In general some cuttings take and some dont. If it dont work try again.
I keep a log of what I do so I know what I did wrong.
But my life is not too busy

I haave more time than money!

I need 13 total, to make a living "hedge" along one side of my place (I've made a Master Landscaping Plan: easy/no-care perennials with eye appeal, so when I HAVE to quit gardening. . . . I'll have "eye candy" to admire outside my windows!! ).

At a bit over $30 each, I BOUGHT one.. . . . and am trying to learn how to propagate it!

Of COURSE I'll keep trying but some helpful practical information would be bettter than my present trying (and failing) blindly!