Getting it Sorted - It's beginning to look a lot like...

 Nearly there..

I've managed to get everything to where it should be for the big day. The house is finally looking festive, the food is bought and we even got a little tree. Phew!

I'm not sure how it all came together as I lurched from one task to the next, but it did.

In amongst all the preparations was a long session on the phone with the doctor. The surgery made contact to suggest I went onto more medication. This time for cholesterol. To cut a long story short...

Earlier this year I was invited by my doctor's to a well woman check up. Until then I'd been feeling fine. Once they'd checked me out apparently I wasn't - high blood pressure it seems. I then had loads of tests (my arm looks like a pin cushion) and ECGs and so on. The upshot was that it was decided I needed medication. 

Compliantly I took it and felt worse and worse - the weight loss stopped, I got breathless, I won't go into everything, let's just say I no longer felt fine. After our Roman holiday where I forgot to take the tablets with me I felt so much better. So I decided on a trial of my own. I stopped taking the tablets and returned gradually to full health and felt great. I carried on checking my blood pressure - there was no difference to when I was taking the pills.

I reported in to the doctor who said a different drug might suit me better. Once again I behaved and took it. Once again I felt worse and worse. Then came the invitation for more drugs and the offer of a phone call. I took the phone call and found a doctor who was willing to try other methods to address the problem.

Over a few posts I'll chart what I'm up to with her suggestions and see what difference it makes before I'm due to be reassessed in 6 months time to decide whether I need medication or not. All I know is that once again I'm feeling fine, the weight has started to come off again and yesterday's ParkRun was completed without the laboured breathing that accompanied the medication!

The first thing I need is more nuts and seeds apparently, so I investigated and these little fellows...

are now a regular part of my breakfast. The porridge has had to go and fruit yoghurt and chia seeds have replaced it until I hunt down some lower oat alternative.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Back to the festives... I ran out of time for my usual hand sewn decorations to exchange with friends (old tradition between us) so took to scrolling through the internet. It garnered a quick and simple pattern that doubled as a card!

It also led me to some videos demonstrating water colour painting to make cards. As my search for nice children's cards had proved fruitless these were a gift!

The painting took minutes and I was well pleased with the results...

                                           

So I guess that just about wraps it up (sorry couldn't resist the wrap bit) and it only remains for me to say..

HAPPY CHRISTMAS... may your days be merry and bright!

Getting it Sorted - Rather Sweetly!

 If you read last week's post you'll know I'm stealing my sister's tips and hacks - last time it was keeping the hand cream close, now it's the attack on my waistband.

I attempt at regular intervals to control my weight. It's not that I'm overly above where I should be healthwise - it's just that a few pounds would make a difference to my blood pressure readings. Often I get caught out when I've made a firm resolution about what I'm going to do and then don't have what I need with me.

Take these,

I'm trying to cut down on sugar. I have tried tea without sweetening. The problem is that as I can't stomach (quite literally) milk in tea I feel the need for something in the hot coloured water! I do use sweeteners to try and help me at home, but don't aways have them with me. These have now appeared at my sister's. Yes, the solution is not to rely on remembering to take mine out of the kitchen, but to have more than one supply. So now there's one pack on my sister's work surface and another in my handbag. No excuses now!

Craft wise I'm sort of repeating the bag making session. I made some tote bags for my mum and sister a while back which they find handy when out and about. Then, just recently, there was a book sale in the library and my elder niece's two bought up a stock of reading material. They then had nothing to put their books in and so commandeered the two tote bags. That's fine, but they don't want to give them back as they reckon that they are handy!

Hence these....

I feel another set of instructions coming on as these are simpler than the Bluey bags. They are unlined so are a bit quicker to make, lighter and fold up smaller....

Once I get to the instructions part of my Substack they'll have to go on it too.... Like the Bluey bags they started life in another guise. The orange bag started out as a curtain! Nice and sustainable eh? I feel some recycling posts coming on!

Getting it Sorted - Smoothing and Soothing

 I was in my sister's kitchen chatting about nail polish and stuff! She, my nieces and my great nieces all enjoy a spot of nail colour. They also like smooth moisturised skin - I usually forget, or apply nail polish just when the garden is calling and it chips off immediately! I've never been able to keep my nails in any sort of shape - I guess all those years in the classroom removing wall display staples without using the right tools didn't help....

Anyway, I noticed that on the windowsill, right near the sink was a handy tube of hand cream....

So guess what I felt the need to do on the way home - yes, buy handcream and (even more importantly) put it right where it's required.

So now I have it staring me in the face to remind me to use it. In fact, I got two - one for the kitchen and another for the bathroom.

Let's see if it galvanises me into action - mind you it doesn't solve my inability to flash gorgeous nails around, but one step at a time I say!

I've also raided the loft after last Saturday's coffee morning/craft fair to see what I've already acquired for the looming festives. I uncovered the pack of cards I found in a supermarket clearance for 10p that I knew was up there and also two lovely cards that I bought last Christmas Eve at a fraction of their normal price. 

Some of the decorations I had ready to give as mini gifts needed some extra embellishment so I turned to videos online to work out how to add to them. Low and behold there were some tutorials on making tassels...

Oh my goodness, I'm addicted. These aren't quite finished and neatened off. They are so simple and satisfying - even better than pom pom making and use up odds and ends of yarn and beads! They may even make an appearance alongside the gift tags on presents this year.... More reasons not to throw away ANY yarn........

Another set of instructions for when I get round to them on my Substack....

Getting It Sorted - Read All About It

 This week I really am going to focus on my reading! I keep getting sidetracked online and with my Kindle, but the real issue is the pile of magazines that I seem to be building!

This lot were loitering in a drawer under the TV and I've found some more in the garden room. Most of them I've skim read and dived a bit deeper into one or two articles. All of them sit accusingly of.. well I was going to say a task, but it's not, it's supposed to be an enjoyable pastime, The thing that stops me enjoying it fully, I suppose, is the number of unread issues. So.... this week I'm going to carve out the time to finish them all (yes, even the one from April!) and indulge the fun of reading before moving them off to new homes....

I have, however, been busy with the sewing machine. A while back I needed some fabric with the characters from the Bluey cartoon series to make one of my great nieces a picture for her birthday - I've shared that photo before. The fabric seemed very expensive so I bought a duvet cover at a fraction of the price and had plenty left over.  I made some fabric pots with Bluey and family on them and a tote bag for each of the great nieces - there was still quite a bit left so I've made a few more bags and put them on the local sales page.

Amazingly they sold immediately and paid for the original duvet cover! I've still got some fabric, but the characters left are a bit big for bags so I'm off into town for some wadding. The girls can all have mini Bluey quilts for their dolls/teddies this Christmas!

I really ought to organise myself enough to take photos and write out instructions to show how to make these bits and pieces. It certainly spreads the cost of presents! I'll put it onto my to do list. Maybe I'll get around to sharing some of the 'how to make' ideas on my Substack once I've finished with Phonics!!

Getting It Sorted - Smelling Sweetly!

 

Now this one's a bit of a luxury, I know...

I seem to have gathered a whole collection of odds and ends of rather nice perfumes! Most are the last knockings of presents. I know I ought to finish one bottle before I start on the next, however, it only seems polite to wear a gift when it's given. Then the others sort of get moved down the finishing up line.

As a result I've a number of these with the remains of the scent sloshing about at the bottom of the container.

I also know that they should be used up before the air/light gets to them and spoils the smell so it's time to get going and use one at a time till each is finished. After all, Christmas is coming and you never know what Santa might have in mind.

I've also accumulated a number of samples, some of which I've used part of when on holiday (saves lugging a big quantity around in my luggage. Again, they are now on display to remind me to use them up. The newish, unopened ones are ready to go into our Christmas Eve lucky dip/tombola/treasure hunt (I can't remember what we're doing this year - or perhaps we haven't decided yet). 

This is a task I'll enjoy - definitely - now what to do with all the lovely bottles once they're finished?

I'm back on the card creation for a while. Firstly, because I've a craft fair looming next weekend and they always sell well. Secondly, it'll get me in the right frame of mind to start on this year's Christmas versions.

I'd seen some rather like this one in a magazine a long time ago and fancied having a try.

Once I'd worked out the template it was great fun fidgeting about with different fabrics to get the effect I wanted and to rummage through the button box for the 'cherry' on top.

What do you think?

Right, on with a bit of discipline now.. My next Substack post is due - all about Deadlines this time. I'm trying to be good about posting on time so it's probably the right subject... Perhaps you'd like to pop over there to have a look?

Getting it Sorted - Best Foot Forward

 It was daft really. Writing about my sister and her shoes and not starting from there myself. After all, they take up far more room than nail polish and the choices about what to keep and those to throw are far more straightforward.

So, this week the shoe rack has been emptied...

What made the task easier was the fact that the weather has definitely changed so the summer stuff needs storing away - and at least one pair that have still been in use, while only just surviving the ravages of use (and age) isn't worth saving till next year!

I've sorted, thrown and given away some and still have plenty to wear - result - I'm very happy and they are all organised and ready to go.

I also delved into the loft a while back to unearth some rather nice boxes and old wrapping/craft paper. During the recent half term these made it over for one of my sister's childcare occasions when all the relevant parents were working.

They all had individual approaches to covering their boxes with a patchwork of scraps creating their own personal storage boxes. It was not only a fun way to while away a rainy afternoon, but it also cost absolutely nothing as I had the scraps, boxes and PVA glue and found some wooden letters in my card making stores.

 

One great niece chose to cut small pieces choosing the pictures she liked, another decided to go for strips, whilst the 4 year old watched them use the PVA on the paper scraps and they position them onto the boxes. She decided there was a better method. First she pasted a small area of PVA onto the box, then cut out a shape or picture to fit and finally put it onto the pasted surface. It was quick, efficient and far less messy than the other two!

When it came to sticking their coloured, wooden intials onto the boxes, the oldest pair put theirs on the top of the boxes, but the littlest one went for the front 'cos that's where you look to open it!'

(I know the Z is reversed, but that's a normal trait for this particular great niece - as I say, they are all very individual!)

Right, now to tackle this week's Substack offering... I hope you get the chance to check it out. Last week I added the first in the series about helping the process of learning to read with phonics as a building block....

Getting it Sorted - Nibbling at the Edges

I know it seems like I'm obsessed by 'small steps' as well as eating - all those bites of elephants from last year's project! I'm blaming my sister for this one...

She's been soooo busy - mainly with helping others that she hasn't been able to get to a whole list of tasks for herself. Recently I was over at hers when she managed to whisk through half a dozen quick tasks in a small time window and we've taken, now and again, to grabbing the odd bit of time to get a job off her list.

Not too long ago she decided it was time to examine her shoe situation and we very quickly emptied her shoe store, cleaned it and put back her definite 'keeps'. She tried on some she thought she liked and discarded many that were either worn out or uncomfortable and went through the others for passing on, sale items or dumping.

It didn't take us long and so I've decided that 'Getting It Sorted' needs to be a series of quick gains to keep my momentum going! Thanks Sis...

Here's my first...

I've emptied my drawer of nail polishes, thrown away the dried up ones and selected these (above) to go back. There are one or two that I'm not sure about, so I'm about to try one of them out and then leave the others somewhere obvious so repeat the process so that I can make decisions about each one and either add it to my stock, throw it away or even perhaps add it to the craft pile as I remember an article about marbling using nail polish......

The second task has been longer, but I have decided against prevaricating any longer over Substack. So... (fanfare and drumroll) I've launched my Substack. It's going to be in the form of a weekly (fingers crossed) newsletter where I can empty my brain and try and organise my thoughts. Alongside that will be a series of second weekly posts on a particular subject which will change over time. This second string will start next week with phonics and helping those learning to read. Eventually there'll be a paid subscription too with extras - the weekly posts will stay free for all subscribers.

If you'd like to come along for the ride (the newsletters will be different to this blog so not all repeated stuff although there will obviously be bits of overlap with introducing myself there and the general run of life) then you can go to substack.com/@sueburton the newsletter is called 'And this is me .....'

Finally I wanted to decrease my making to-do list. I've a number of things stopping me getting to my wish list of projects so I'm concentrating on the small step of finishing one each week.

This week it was the turn of some cushions that one of our tennis ladies asked me to make from a suite covering that had worn out. I've finally got to grips with the task so hopefully she'll be pleased with the result. 

For once I remembered to take before and after photos...

as well as some 'along the way' shots, so I'll be able to do a step by step set of instructions on Substack later on!

That's me done with nibbling around the edges for today - last task - get the next Substack post done.....

Right, so why can't I settle to write?

 It's a mystery to me that with all the thoughts buzzing in my head, I'm finding it so difficult to get down to recording some of them! I've also been a bit all over the place with my blood pressure and anxiety, not to mention lack of sleep and have been searching for reasons for it all....

Not my usual thinking space I know, but local enough to use....

I've been taking a bit of a break from being so organised. Trying to go with the flow.. opening the fridge/freezer just before dinner to decide what to have, nabbing bits of time to jot down ideas, not sticking to a rough schedule for housework and so on. I think this might be part of the problem!

I mentioned last time about grouping, sorting and organising (even if putting things away could be a bit of a trial) and now I realise how important my routine, rituals and planning are to me. I'm one of those people who can't work unless their desk space is tidy, not as a delaying move, more a 'I can't operate my brain with all this mess' kind of move. There are those around me who don't see my tidy space as they would like theirs - whatever works for me I say.

Anyway, I've decided to get back on track I need to regroup and refocus in order to get working efficiently (or at all) again. I also think this drifting has left me feeling without control and added to the aformentioned anxiety and blood pressure problems. So, it's back to the roughly planned menus, the cleaned up house and goodbye to the 'I'll wait till there's a pile' ironing and the 'I'll clean up when we've finished this next task' mentality.

With that in mind I'm off to finish the ironing, clean the bedrooms, hang up the washing that's just finished and then, with mind clear, properly plan the forthcoming blog posts, Pinterest boards and Substack..

The creativity black hole might also be due to another little health question - all about hearing aids that one, but I rush ahead here - more later.... Back to the chores.

I'll be back soon with the grand plan all ready and raring to go..

Watch this space!

Back to the office...

 I didn't intend, way back in March, to take so much time out before settling once again in front of the keyboard, but here we are in September and not a single new post in the intervening months! It's not that I haven't had any ideas, rather too many, in fact, I just haven't managed to sort them into any cohesive order...

I'm well overdue on the time to get back to the office - so here I am...

I've done a lot of listening to podcasts and researching Substack and it feels like it was built just for me. I can start in one place and wander off with one connecting thread - me. I'm not quitting this space at all - I've had a number of in-depth planning session as you can see....

I don't know what I'd do without my special office space - I'll be there again tomorrow.

Mornings at the seafront with a coffee and pastry help me to order my thoughts and pretend I'm going to be good all week at getting stuff down. (I would show you the pastry as well as the coffee, but I found it necessary to eat it for the sugar rush).

The planning has been going better than the writing action, but there it is.. hey ho. I'm hoping my nieces will be able to kickstart my plans - one to teach me Canva to get my graphics all blinged up and the other to polish my English, guide my random outpourings and generally beat me up about keeping on track.

Gazing out at the view isn't really helping me decide on titles, subtitles, short introductions, explanations about what I'll write about and so on. I've got some ideas and I'll make a decision this week - promise.

Following on from last year's attempt at an ongoing theme of order and organisation on the finances front I've uncovered a number of other aspects of 'life, the universe and everything' that I need to address in the same way. These thoughts won't be quite so 'in the flow' and may well be whatever random improvements I hit on as they arise.

I don't think the randomness will be a bad thing (!).. Firstly as I may well sit and jot things down more often and secondly because tackling small steps as they present themselves is usually my best way of solving problems and challenges.

When I was small my main way of tidying up and organising was to empty everything I owned (mainly toys), group and order it and then intend to put it all away. I usually got the grouping and ordering done and then ran out of steam for the putting away. Fine if it doesn't affect anyone else, but as I live with Mr Tidy it just wouldn't work!

The working title (and knowing me - the title it'll end up with) is Getting Sorted.... whether that's health, crafting, cash, decluttering, Christmas (there I've uttered the dreaded word and the sky hasn't fallen in yet) or whatever else I alight on. I'm thinking of creating some Pinterest Boards to gather them together too.. who knows a book or thread or Substack vertical might emerge. At least they'll all be roughly organised so I know where to find them all.

Well, enough of that.. I'll be back when I've wrestled with my welcome page and introduction (and found a title) for the Substack and let you know how to find it all - along with the Pinterest links if I ever work it all out.

See you sooner rather than later (fingers crossed)......

Consolidating My Thoughts!

 Hi Again,

I've taken a bit of a breather. After blogging the equivalent of a post a day - rather rushed and garbled as it was towards the end of the year - I'm happy that I met my (self-imposed) target, but know that it's not a sustainable thing for me..

I wanted to have a think about where to go next, both with the blog and with how I spend my time and energy in particular. 

The past few months have been a bit of a whirlwind in our family and it coincides with me trying to work out the best use of my time - purely from an enjoyment point of view I might add.

So I took to my usual thoughtful place 

There's been so much going on I just had to stop and make space.

I want to carry on with the blog and pushing on with being creative, but, butterfly brain aside, I can't keep shooting off in all directions however much fun it feels.

There are practical issues at play - helping with a flat move in the family - curtains and upholstery seem to be my contribution.. (excuse the socks in view!) ..

 

Gathering of finances for forthcoming needs also need addressing - so Ebay has been duly filled with bits and pieces...

 

as well as a start on some small items for a table/craft sale...

 

 

There's been fun stuff with birthday presents needed too..

And a Quiz to be won...

Then tennis, swimming, running .... well - life I suppose!

So where do I concentrate my time.

Hence the consolidation...

Looking back over 2022 and the advances I made with money need to carry on bedding in and consolidating.

What also needs consolidating is where my main focus lies...

I still want to make things and there's plenty of scope in the loft for using up materials. However, I'm basically a writer at heart. It's largely how I've made my living at times and in various roles. So, that's where I must start.

My big issue at the present is what I write and which platform I use. The blog, of course, stays. There are other ideas floating round the brain at the same time - I'm researching Substack so I'll get back to that when I've more information.

I'm still doing some freelance ghost writing too - good fun and manageable chunks of time.

The other consideration is about what I write and the best place for each theme...

The short stories I've amassed could be a Substack 'vertical'.

The Phonics book for parents I'm part way through is probably an ebook, but it could belong on Substack too.

I'd like to do some step by step instructions for craft items and I guess the blog is the best place for that - YouTube videos are so not my thing - I love following other crafters' channels, but me, in front of a camera, nooooo.

Ideas about organisation and sorting various of lifestyle could sit on the blog.

The novel is only is research form so no decision there..

The serial writing I've started - one set in Italy another written from a cat's point of view - well, who knows!

See the butterfly thing extends into my writing too - just too many threads..

Looks like I need to get back to my thinking space this weekend and come up with a plan...

Let me know if you've got any thoughts, won't you?.....

See you next week.

Home Run

 This has got to be the very last word (or words) on the old year...

Just a few more bites to finish it off and I can look towards the next ideas!

So...

Month 12 - Bite 23

The spinning group I go to usually has a Christmas Lunch out. Obviously we couldn't during the restrictions and then when they ended last year we were unsure about crowded restaurants, especially as a number of members are older and more susceptible to bugs, germs and illnesses. We decided to eat in and each bring something alone.

It was such a success that we did the same again this year - here's some of the spread after we'd already started to tuck in!!

Not only did it leave those who act as carers the flexibility to turn up when they could and provision being made for those with specific dietary requirements, but it also allowed us to move around chatting - not necessarily our experience when sat at a long table.

I have a feeling we'll be doing the same again next time round!!

Month 12 - Bite 24

I've just finished wrapping 90 presents! It's not what it seems... The presents were all collected cheaply or free over the year (perfume sample anyone?) or handmade. The wrapping paper was that collected from unwrapping last year. It provided great fun and entertainment during our family get-together without too much cost or waster!

Month 12 - Bite 25

Time for a bit of reflection on the festivities. This year we've all cut back - some of that is to do with the present financial squeeze that everyone is going through, but much of it is because so many of the family were bug stricken so we were a bit more cautious in food buying and so on. Do you know what? We hardly noticed! So a rethink for next year while we still remember what went well and what could be ditched is due.

We've collectively made a note of what got eaten or leftover and what needs to be budgeted in for next year. As a family we'd already decided to cut down on sweets and treats as we always seem to be 'finishing up' well into January and invariably waste some of the leftovers. There was still plenty left so next Christmas we'll cut back a bit more and probably won't notice it even more!!

Month 12 - Bite 26

Planning for next year now while there's a lull in the frantic nature of everyday life. I love a blankpage, a new notebook or a pristine diary so mine's all ready...

First in go all those dates and reminder, appointments and birthdays. I usually pick up a free calendar from some supermarket or another, this year none were around at the same time as I was looking so I've just printed off the twelve months as individual pages using the calendar app on the phone.

Looks like it could be another busy year!

Month 12 - Bite 27

I'm ready to venture out again. Not too much to restock, just one or two essentials and a quick look at the post-Christmas stock clearance. 

I know I've made a number of cards for next year already, but there were some ridiculous reductions (24 cards for 10p anyone?) on these and on wrapping paper too. I have however resisted the urge to splurge on too many mini gifts so that I don't have a storage and cluttering problem before we put our heads together about what next years get-together game will be - lucky dip, tombola, tree presents - decision yest to be made!

Month 12 - Bite 28

Revisiting the budget I set at the beginning of the year is today's task. I've randomly noted spending for some weeks and I've got all the bills for the year. I'm going to settle down with a nice cup of tea, a pencil and paper and some soothing music to see where I kept to my intentions and where things may have gone awry before I go any further.

Month 12 - Bite 29

With all those facts and figures and the dates in the diary for birthdays, occasions and renewals known so far it's time to plan for finances for 2023.

I know there'll be some changes to the family pot - positive ones as I'm due my pension - I never thought of myself as being a pensioner one day!! We're also planning for a holiday or two and there's new pressures round the corner, but overall looking at the finances this year looks like fun.

Month 12 - Bite 30

And finally - never thought I'd type that and mean it!

The last act of this month is to take some time to think and plan generally. The past year has given me plenty of food for thought and some surprises too. The house is clearer and I can see a path for the home budget. More writing looks possible and I'm going to take some time to form a plan for my next projects...

In all a happy new year looks set ahead....

And Finally - yes I hope so..

 Okay, I know it's January and this should have been written almost a month ago, but as I mentioned last time the events of the end of the year caught me out.

This then is a sort of rapid romp through what I intended to write with photos showing some of the ideas in their making stages as I had to speed up to get them off to the right people and places as I went along!

The idea of making so much for the festive period is twofold. Making something specifically tailored to a person and spending time and care on it can make a gift special, it can also cost far less than a hastily bought 'pressure to buy' present. 

Here's the last elephant to see out 2022 (even if it is 2023 now) - good thing he's got a good memory aided by my notebook and photos!

Month 12 - Bite 1

With my Card and Present Lists all present and correct the countdown is on. Obviously the more time I allow myself, then the easier and cheaper things will be. Well, it should work like that, if everything goes to plan (you know there's a 'but' coming now don't you?)

Best laid plans and all that means that this is more of a list than a blog in an effort to note all the 30 bites for the final month of the 12.....

I did at least manage my first bite which was to stock up on stamps. If I'm honest this belongs to earlier in the year. Once I heard that the price of stamps was going up I took the precaution of buying ahead to make sure that all my Christmas posting would be at the pre-price rise level....

Month 12 - Bite 2

My husband always buys too many cards - not dozens too many, just a few. I'm off into the loft to find out what's up there from last year so that I know exactly how many I need once I've used up his 'last year's stock'.

                                                   

Month 12 - Bite 3

Now to make the rest of the cards I need.....

If you remember I went on a fern picking trip and pressed the ferns when I got home. 

These are now nicely dried and have worked well so now all I have to do is dress them up with some sparkle and a star, mount them on Christmassy backing paper and pop them onto card.

Apologies for the lack of before and after photos from now on... with the clock ticking I took shots when I could so that I could get the finished products in the post or wrapped or.....

Month 12 - Bite 4

For family I tend to make different cards to the ones for friends. For the children I found a few wooden letters that I bought a while back at really silly sale prices.

For each of them I'm decorating their initial by pasting on Christmas tissue paper left from last year and attaching a hanging string before putting them onto the card. That way they get a card and a decoration too!

  

          

Month 12 - Bite 5

Other family cards get the handmade treatment too..

A spot of simple cross stitch embroidery with sparkle and beads always looks effective and is pretty quick to do...

                               

Month 12 - Bite 6

Following on from the Christmas card stock I rummaged around in the loft to unearth the bags and boxes from previous years.  We tend, as a family, to recycle these between ourselves. I can't tell you how old some of these are, but it becomes a kind of game when giving presents or bags for each household to try and remember who gave which to whom the year or two or three before!

                                       

Month 12 - Bite 7

This particular box deserves a bite all of its own.

It's been going back and forth for a number of years. At first it was from my niece to me for a birthday when she filled it with bath bits and treats. The following year I returned it to her so she could fill it all over again. Then we moved on to vouchers to fill up my e-book. That was when my sister took it over and so she fills it each birthday and Christmas with a selection of goodies and after each celebration I return it to her for the next time!

                                 

Month 12 - Bite 8

And onto the other 'gift wrapping'. I found some origami pages online a year or so ago and by downloading free wrapping paper designs and printing them I can now make up some small gift boxes ready for little treats.

                                  

Month 12 - Bite 9

I also watched an online tutorial for making drawstring bags. Last year I made one or two so this year I'm using some of the fabric I got in the sales in January to make some more.

Month 12 - Bite 10

Enough of the wrappings! Onto the presents...

First up more makes using the sale fabric. Little fabric storage boxes - thank you online video tutorials!

 

Month 12 - Bite 11

Once again the fabric and tutorials come to the rescue with these rather clever bookmarks...

 

The joy of these is that they are light and slim so don't I won't need to pay much for posting them....  One or two of my friends and I swap little gifts like this - either decorations, coasters or the such like each year that fit into the letter or (at the most) large letter category. We usually send handmade things and try to think of something new each time so these fit the bill beautifully.

I've sent them mounted on photos of one in use on a book page as with the third photo above.

Month 12 - Bite 12

On the subject of posting - I need to check the last posting dates to make sure I can use second class posting to get my cards and presents to where they need to be (especially with the strike situation this year)...

Month 12 - Bite 13

One of the collections I made earlier in the autumn was of leaves. This was for a special project. I used them to make leaf prints and used these to illustrate a calendar for a nature loving friend. 

I matched each leaf to a month - mind you it was a challenge with some months. 

Where there was a simple shaped 'growth' - the acorn cup for October's oak print or the seed 'wings' for September's sycamore I printed that too...

Month 12 - Bite 14

And so onto decorations. Not the shiny expensive shop bought stuff, but the handcrafted (and extremely cheap in most cases) ones...

Firstly I'm returning to those craft kits that I found languishing in a box. The first was so quick and satisfying that I don't know why I left it so long to get on with it!

Month 12 - Bite 15

I've sewn quite a lot of these over time. They are quick and simple (and have sold really well at Christmas Fairs in the past, but these are just for us).

 

Month 12 - Bite 16

This one is folded rather than sewn - I'm making some extras so that next year they can be attached to card to make more Christmas Cards!

Month 12 - Bite 17

While sorting the decorations I found a number of these plastic baubles that were all faded and flaky so I'm recovering them with strips of spare fabric!

Month 12 - Bite 18

These are for wrapping as mini wreaths to hand from the tree...

Month 12 - Bite 19

More for the tree - some wet felted balls with added beads and bells from chocolate treats!

Month 12 - Bite 20

Remember those pine cones I collected?

They've been dried so that they open out and I'm ready with some ribbons and sparkle to glue gun them into hanging decorations.

Month 12 - Bite 21

This one I've been trying to get around to for ages! I saw it in a magazine last year and just had to have a go..

The idea is to use up some more of my yarn scraps making pom poms (a very soothing exercise) and then tie/sew/glue them to a polystyrene hoop to create a fluffy wreath with embellishments of ribbons, bells, small felted balls - you name it get it in there.

Month 12 - Bite 22

Just finishing off a scarf and socks for my sister and that will be that!

I know they look odd like this - once the heel is knitted in they turn out more like these!

That's probably enough for one post - a bit rushed, but done thus far.....

Sorry - looks like there'll have to be one final, final post for 2022 before it's done.....