Catching up...

 It's been quite a couple of weeks so I haven't got to posting lately! I do have good reason though with Mum firstly being hospitalised and then re-acclimatising to being home along with decorating the spare bedroom. Still, I was spurred into action by an email reminding me about a forthcoming dental check up and hygenist appointment.

I'm not sure who scares me the most.. the dentist (he's a really nice man, but he wields all the weapons of torture when necessary) or the hygenist (who is really deadpan and issues warnings about bits of cleaning I've missed and I feel like he'll report me to some higher authority).

With that in mind I really should sharpen up my dental routines. I do all the necessary brushing, but the interdental cleaning gets a bit hit and miss. So, as part of my getting sorted with regard to health, I'm making a real effort with my mini brushes and remembering to use them every day.

Hope I get a gold star when I go to my appointments!

I mentioned a little while ago that I'd taught myself to crochet. I did start experimenting with more shaped pieces and thought I'd give socks a go. I bought a how-to magazine, but got in such a muddle with the heel that I had took pity on myself and turned the work in progress into wrist warmers instead!

As it happened there was also enough of the same yarn to make a matching cowl so win-win there!

This post is a bit short of necessity as I'm still catching up with housework, writing, planning and so on left over from the time it takes to hospital visit when the venue is twenty miles each way. In addition it's pretty essential to hang around when there's no indication of discharge and you don't want to get caught halfway home and then have to turn round and retrace your steps!

So I'm off to plan out where my writing is going, both here, on Substack and with the ebook I've started. Then sort out my old Pinterest pages into something coherent.

Just a short job list eh?

Wish me luck!

New Skills and Old Habits

 While trying to tame my craft stocks in the Getting Sorted stakes I decided to tackle some of the yarn mountain in the loft. Going up to Christmas I’d looked at some online tutorials (as you do when on task avoidance) and found some good ones on crochet.

My nan taught me to crochet when I was little, but I’ve only ever to be able to go round and round with added corners to make blankets…

There is, however, a limit to how many doll’s blankets you can make and pass on I’ve found. So, I bit the bullet and tried going back and forth instead. My first two attempts were hats - I’d show you if I’d been organised enough to photograph them! Then I moved onto a cowl with this lovely soft chunky wool.

Then it was hand warmers - 

 Think I’m (sorry about this) hooked….. I've even seen a pattern for socks - must get that...

As far as old habits go I still need to practice sorting and throwing out… I’ve started with the spare bedroom drawers.

I wish I could say that I instigated this myself but it’s down to the fact that a spot of decorating is afoot so they need moving and that would expose the amount of random stuff inside! Hey ho… tidying alert….

From this... (excuse the foot in shot!)

To this...

Sigh.. just the rest of the house to go then...

From finishing to starting..

 Okay, the finishing off is well underway so what's next?

Month 10 - Bite 24

Just so I don't get stale and revert to slumping in front of the TV, undoing all my good work, I must think of what else I want to try.

I want to carry on with the hobbies and pursuits I enjoy - and add to them...

There are so many things I'd like to experiment with and discover that the task in hand for this bite is to begin to list and research them. I've started learning Italian so the next step is required to make sure I'm better with the language for our next trip in the Spring. Then there are other crafty pastimes to explore - my crochet skills are so basic that they need some work. Then there's the music that I've ignored for quite some time. My guitar and concertina are gathering dust and certainly aren't earning their keep in my home.

On this tick list item then is the planning to see where I can commit some regular time to one or all of these to get them underway and where I'm going to find the information to polish the skills.

Month 10 - Bite 25

While I'm in finishing and starting something new mode - both at the same time - I want to look at what keeps me warm. I'm going to raid my yarn stash to make something warm. Will it be a hat, or a scarf, or a cowl, or socks? Let's return to this later and I'll show you.....

Socks it was then!

I don't want you to think that I've abandoned the 'learn/try something new' idea - I've attempted a different way of joining the heel and toe seams.

My next adventure will be into the world of crocheting a scarf - I've only ever done squares and blankets before - so going back and forth in rows could be a challenge!

Month 10 - Bite 26

Finally, I know I'll need help with some of these bites. Bite 26 is to give me time to find out where I can get some of that help. I know that my spinning group will assist and I also want to explore any courses that are free or cheap locally so that's my project for today.

Naturally, joining a group of like-minded people should be fun and supportive - I also think groups like this gathering together has got to be good for the energy bills! After all, we'll all be using one heat source (not just the hot air of our conversations either) by not using all those individual homes during our time together.

Most of all I'm looking forward to the fun bit (oh, and the tea and cakes that such courses/groups excel in!).

Warming up

So as the night's are drawing in and the bills are going up it's time to look at preserving the heat we've got!

Here's my next few attempts at doing just that...

Month 10 - Bite 3

Having got used to lowering blinds and drawing curtains in the daytime during the hot weather to keep the sun out and the rooms cool, now we'll be doing the same at the other end of the day! By using the sunlight during the daylight hours to heat our home, from now on the blinds and curtains need to be closed as the temperature drops in the evening to keep the warmth in.

Month 10 - Bite 4

We love the flexibility of the internet controlled thermostat and heating system that's been in for a year now, but have got used to switching the heating off when we're out to come into a cosy home. That's not going to happen this winter. As long as the property doesn't get too cold the heating won't get fired until we're in. The inconvenience of keeping outer layers on until we switch the thermostat up and the house warms to a reasonable temperature in minor compared to the savings it'll represent. So from today that's it, no driving back home and turning it all on half an hour from home.

Month 10 - Bite 5

Back to the wardrobe and drawers for me today. It's time to sort out my jumpers and cardigans. I've got some 'nice' ones I wear out and about and some 'comfy' items that are only for indoors. One or two I've spun from pure wool fleece are really warm and I rarely wear them. Why? Because it's always been so easy to turn on the heating and wander around in a t-shirt! This is a habit that's got to go too. Once I've got the woollies sorted today then it's out with the light gear, on with the cosy stuff and no to too much heating.

Month 10 - Bite 6

It takes a lot more energy to heat a room than it does a person so the task in hand to tackle next is the search for our warm-you-up items. Somewhere around this place we've got hot water bottles and oat filled cushions or pads that take little to heat up and keep warm for ages. Once I've tracked them down and double checked they have no leaks (!) they can be employed in the evenings to stave off putting the heating on.

Month 10 - Bite 7

While on the search I need to explore what's in the ottoman in the bedroom. It's a treasure trove of goodies that don't really have a place anywhere else. I'm sure there are some really warm blankets nestling in there so it's time they came out and went on the beds and in the lounge for snuggling into during the colder evenings.

I may even start making some from my wool stash rather like those I made a while ago....

Phew - with all that searching around I'll get quite a bit of heat up from the exercise too.....

A sign of the changing season

 Month 9 - Bite 28

Just recently there's been the usual round of fairs, goose fairs and carnivals that proliferate locally at this time of year. Many have ancient roots and most are only just making a comeback after the great lockdown and its aftermath.

I had a lovely time with my spinning group demonstrating at a local fair near to where we meet and it was good to get back to showing all comers how we convert fluffy, tangled stuff into useful items with wheels, looms, needles and so on.

It did make me think about a lot of the odds and ends I've still got stored in the loft that need using up so today I'm starting to make a list of how I can turn some of them into Christmas presents to save them going to waste and me spending money when I don't need to.

There's also a number of crocheted squares up there I know that will come in useful for one of my ideas for next month, so I need to track them down.

Month 9 - Bite 29

While concentrating on not wasting, recycling and such it occurred to me while I was emptying the bin that I'm wasting far too much time, effort, paper and printing ink when using the computer. I don't need most of the things I print off and even then I should be using both sides of the paper. For instance, I changed credit cards and renewed some insurance lately. I was about to click on print when I noticed one of the documents ran to 17 pages. It's been emailed to me so I can keep a digital copy, I've saved it to my portable hard drive too and I can access it through the company's website - so why was I printing it? Pause over the button time. We're pretty good about using scrap paper for notes and lists, but there's a lot still wasted so today's the day to track down where I don't need a hard copy and start the habit of not printing anything unless it's really necessary.

Month 9 - Bite 30

Time now to look at that revised spending list started at the beginning of this month. It needs to be compared with the one made at the beginning of this process. A number of the items just don't seem to appear now - through the season in some cases, but largely through the slimming down of spending that became a habit until I didn't miss them. One item that seems to have crept back in is the occasional hot drink out. I'm allowing myself to keep that though as it's a particular treat rather than a regular routine and I do enjoy it a lot. I also tend to use the 'sit down with a drink' time to plan or think things through and it's been truly valuable, especially when deciding on what to do next, including a new project for next year!

And so onto Month 10!

Theme for a party...

 So this little collection shows how our family's fevered brains come up with themes to make simple parties with the same ingredients varied and different to each other...

Month 7 - Bite 15

Choose a colour and go for it.. a red party or an orange party for example - it might mean everyone turning up wearing the colour or decorations made to fit the theme or even all the food matching the chosen hue! It can be a bit mind bending, but it's great fun too. Oh and the joys of cooking cakes with food colouring or hunting down juices and drinks in the right colours.

Last year my niece went for a gold party. No, we couldn't push the boat out as far as golden presents, but with sequins, foil curtains and so on it was a special day. 

We do recycle lots of the decorations and table dressings though in an effort not to be wasteful - on which subject you may have noticed in a previous post a huge 60 decorated and used on a party table - well, that's about to reappear this week at my mum's 90th! See what I mean.

'Dressing up' our parties like this may mean lots of effort and brain stretching, but largely keeps some of the costs down as the value is in us all being together (pandemic allowing) and having fun, not splashing the cash necessarily.....

Month 7 - Bite 16

Now here's a practical one that's been used when a big job needs finishing.

A working party is always helpful if something like planting and digging or stripping wallpaper is required. By getting all the hands available on board you can cover a lot of man/woman hours of work and enjoy yourself at the same time. It makes the tasks go quickly and saves on having to get in extra, paid for help. All that's needed is some music, the right tools (especially if the workers can bring them and save on buying new ones) and some refreshments.

On one previous flat move my niece and her husband were simply moving a few streets from one flat to another. They got their friends round to a grand moving party and then furnished everyone with plenty of pizza to enjoy together once the job was done. Much cheaper than a removal firm, even if the sight of them walking the bed and mattress through a shopping street was an unusual comedy routine for the Saturday shoppers!

Month 7 - Bite 17

Then, of course, there are the 'make it' parties. These are great - exploring the brains and interests of those around you who can show how to create something or to pick up a skills - or just gathering a group of you together with a pile of materials and going for it. There's something quite liberating when you try your hand at a craft session with others who are trying it for the first time. Whether it's beading or weaving or, well anything really, just pitching in and having a giggle while you attempt a creative explosion leads to plenty of chat and discussion.

It might be that you all bring along a kit to finish or gather up any odds and ends of crafting leftovers to reduce the cost.

Or that you're all making something with a purpose. When I was in the classroom we did have some craft parties that were to make items for the summer or Christmas fair. Or a group yarn effort can lead to the fun of yarn bombing. At the moment the post box round the corner from here is sporting a fabulous knitted scene.

Or there's always the traditional quilting bee or blanket making session. As long as it's a group of people having fun, and probably a little wine, it's classed as a party for me!

Month 7 - Bite 18

And finally, for now, there's the foodie parties based on a particular country. It doesn't matter which country, as long as everyone enjoys the menu. Of course, it's not just the food, whether it's Italian or Mexican or Chinese or Caribbean or ..... the table and setting have to be right. 

Printing photos or making up collages from travel brochures add to the atmosphere, as well as food mats made from travel pictures and music too, naturally. Speaking a bit of the language relevant to the meal, if only to say 'please' thank you' or 'this tastes great' helps transport you to another place. 

Don't forget the menu describing each dish and decorated appropriately (that's where children are very useful) to add to the feel of the occasion.

There's also the possibility of a slide show cast onto the TV of photos of a visit or a streamed programme/film based in the particular country so that you can all feel immersed in the idea of being somewhere else.

Bearing in mind that you would be buying the ingredients for a meal anyway, this sort of party doesn't need to cost the earth either!

Onto the party ingredients next time.......

A relaxing, crafty end to the month...

I know it's been a long time getting to these final posts for Month 5, but a rather lovely holiday got in the way!

Actually it's provided plenty of new ideas, especially for Month 6, but more of that later.

Firstly it's kick-started something that I've wanted to do for a while that'll give me the topic for the last Bites for the month...

Month 5 - Bite 30

While we were away I spied this great piece of yarn-bombing/installation art at the Rome International Tennis. The crocheted octopus models brandishing their tennis rackets was a fantastic piece of work. 

My Nan taught me to crochet when I was small and I got quite adept at going round and round in circles and then progressed to a large square/rectangle for a bed cover. The edges got a bit out of alignment, but on a big blanket it didn't really matter. 

Over the years I've tried to make small squares, but they always seem to 'lean out' at the corners!

So my final free bite for the month is to spend some time on the internet to find some easy to follow tutorials to improve my skills. 

I don't think I'll get as skilled as the talented Beth from Mind Over Hook (see link for her Etsy shop or visit on Facebook or Instagram @mindoverhook) who made some lovely headbands for my nieces' children, but I'll give it a go!

That brings me to the additional mouthful which is definitely connected!

Bonus Mouthful 4

So having found a simple to follow set of instructions for crocheted scrunchies I was reminded of some presents I did last year which have led to requests for more.

I needed some small presents for our Christmas celebrations and decided to make the girls a collection of hair slides and decorations. 

Time to repeat the process ready, not just for Christmas, but as a handy stock of stuff for birthdays, impromptu gifts, party bags, etc. that can be ready to hand for little or no cost (especially as scraps of fabric and leftover yarns are never in short supply here!).

The bags were simple and quick to make (thank you online videos) so I'll do some more.

Then onto the contents - here's my stash so far.. The crocheted ones were from the tutorial I found and the fabric scrunchies were originally created from another online video.

I still want to do some hair slides - I've seen a great clip on social media where they are made from a rectangle of fabric tied into a pretty bow and then tied onto a hair elastic so that's next. And finally there'll be some hair clips prettied up with fabric and buttons like some I made before. 

I might even get adventurous and make some headbands too - I'll post them if I get that far!

And now onto Month 6.....

 

The Best Laid Plans....

 

It was all going so well with my plans for the blog when I managed to sabotage my own efforts. Yes reader, I put myself out of commission with a momentary lapse of concentration.. I shut my thumb in the car door! It's only a little car, it's only one digit, but wow what an effect! I never really acknowledged quite what an impact such a simple injury would have. The making had to stop and I couldn't even write for a while, still enough! I won't bore you with a photo of the offending thumb - it's made quite enough people turn seedy looking when I've shown them - so onwards and upwards...

One thing I could do while incapacitated was search out what I already had. I've shown you my stash of mini presents in a previous post and some of the kits I found awaiting completion. This time I raided my craft stock to find what was lurking, in particular in the yarn and fabric line. These are some of my treasures:

We've also been switching the contents of the kitchen cupboards around after finding the one nearest the oven wasn't a good idea for some of the tins in there (don't ask about the curdled rice pudding or the rancid anchovies - just don't). One or two spice packs were a bit out of date - no good for eating, but possibly for a pot pourri? Well I've put them in my Christmas storage box (I think I may need a second or a bigger box).

What have you got lurking around that you could utilise?

The process made me think about the type of presents that have been most memorable over the years. We all know the stories of small children who happily unpack their presents and then spend ages playing with the boxes. In fact, my great-nephew enjoys unwrapping so much that one year he re-wrapped all his presents so that he could open them all over again!

The presents I remember more than any others come from when I was little. One birthday I came down to find, not only a copy of Cliff Richard's L.P. 'Summer Holiday' (okay age showing), but also some bunk beds for my dolls. Dad had made the bunk beds, mum had sewn sheets from an old pillowcase and my Nan had crocheted bedcovers. It stands out, even now almost 60 years later, as one of the best presents I've ever had.

So with the yarn there are doll's blankets to be made ready for the Italian littlies who spend hours dressing, undressing and putting their 'babies' to bed along with some new outfits. (If you want to try these and haven't knitted or crocheted before I can recommend the internet for great 'how to do it' videos - blankets in particular are ideal starters as they can be really simple and quick to produce.)

And the fabric stash has already begun to yield items - bags for all of the children to collect their Christmas stashes! These are just rectangles of fabric stitched together on three sides. The tops are turned over and stitched to give a neat edge. For the handles fold strips of fabric in half lengthways and press. Open these out and fold them back towards the centre fold and press again before stitching along the open side (this will give you a nice, neat edge). Then finally sew them, evenly spaced to the top of your bag. (I always stitch an 'x' shape over the join for strength.)

That's probably enough from me for now. I want to talk about memorable experiences too and how to parcel them up as presents, but perhaps next time?

Stay safe.....

I'm Baaaaack!

It's been a while, but at last I'm back (or baa-ck) with the blog.

So much has happened that if I were to begin filling you in I'd be here till midnight - so I'll just carry on as if I've never been away and try harder to keep up to date. That includes rejoining Handmade Monday and enjoying all the other posts there each week....

I finally gave in to sense and said goodbye to my first wheel... 

I was sad to see it go, but there's not really room to keep everything and I use my travelling wheel more so it's gone off to be used by a really nice guy who farms alpacas.

I've finished one or two patchwork-y pieces.

The first was a recycling project... The front here is made up of old felted jumpers

While the back is old worn out t-shirts...

Finally here's the crocheted mini wall hanging that I started ages ago.

It's now got a starring role on display! It's Exmouth Festival this week, so I've put it in the exhibition at the Blackmore Theatre - part of the Exmouth Art Trail. I've also got some bags, a couple of sari silk wall hangings and a felted picture down there. I'm stewarding at the end of the weekend so I'll try and get some photos to add....

More news soon.... I promise it won't be such a long wait between blogs this time!

Enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend.....

School's Out!!

Okay, I know I said normal service was resumed, but I was away again last week so the post sort of fell by the wayside....

Still, now it's the end of term I can catch up (a bit)...

It's been nice to have some 'kick-back' time and just watch the grass grow - well I would do, but up until a day or two ago it wasn't. Everything around here had gone a sort of straw yellow with the sun, but recent showers have definitely perked things up. Here's the (rather grainy) view from our garden/sun room before the rain.

 

 

A lovely view (when you block out our neighbours' bungalows by squeezing your eyes - and ignore the telegraph pole) to drift away while having a coffee and pretending to read!

 

The sun has also worked its magic on the pots and plants around the garden. When I was young dad would fill the house in the autumn with all the geraniums he was saving. They all lived on the landing on top of the tallboy and reeked of that rather distinctive geranium smell which I hated. Funny isn't it, that now I can't imagine our garden here without them!

 

 

 

Just yesterday Graeham called for me to come quickly as he'd spotted a little visitor in the garden... We regularly have cats and foxes, we've also had a frog on the front door (actually sitting on a projecting piece so that when you open and shut the door he looked up rather enjoying the ride!) and a pheasant strutting along the road outside the bungalow, but never a bunny! This one was very small and looked rather lost - hopefully it made it to a place of safety.....

 

So what else have I been up to other than relaxing and gazing out of the window? Well, I was up in Kent working at my old school for the end of term. It coincided with Mum's birthday so I stayed at my sister's place and we went our and enjoyed a meal at the local tapas bar. And Juds also gave me the mirror that I made last time I was there. We both played for a while sticking our shells on - mine's the one on the left. I just need to varnish it, then.. not sure what to do with it, or where to hang it!

 

 

Other than that I've tried to get myself into finishing a couple of blankets that I started - as you can see this one hasn't got that far! Mind you, it's a lot further than the baby blanket I have started, frogged, restarted, frogged... and so on about four times... Now I've stopped knitting it and started crocheting instead.

 

 

 

Oh yes, I got to spinning too.... I'm having to tear myself away from the lovely Shetland fleece that I'm spinning and try to discipline myself into concentrating on the alpaca that still sits there looking accusingly at me - perhaps next week when I go to the spinning group I'll get the drum carder out and attack it full on to speed things up!

 

And I've read, and played tennis and eaten cake.. all that and the holiday's only just started!

 

Right, action - I have got teachers' notes to write on Carrie's War, still I reeeaaallly need to just pop over to Handmade Monday to see what everyone else has been up to. Task avoidance I hear you say, hmmm now if that was an Olympic sport I could truly be a champion!

 

 

If 7 days make one weak (!) what can a fortnight do?

Back again!

It's been a funny fortnight - not much to show, but lots going on...

The week before last was a bit scary. My youngest niece had gone to stay with her boyfriend so he could help out while her fractured elbow was healing..... in Boston.... happily enough she's home safe and sound now. She had been at the Marathon, but left before it all happened and was waiting for the lock down to finish at the end of the week so she could race for her plance, but luckily she's unharmed and safe.

The rest of the time has been pretty full on with work in trying to catch up on deadlines that some others have missed! I suppose that's the lot of a freelance really, mega catchup merchant!! Still all done now - phew. Not complaining I must say - with all the uncertainty about other people's livelihoods it would be churlish to winge....

Anyway I still want to carry on with that sorting and finishing that I started last time so here's the plan... I've dug out these kits from different magazines ( you can see how long I've been meaning to finish them by the inclusion of the Christmas card) to finish what I've started. I only wish I could say that these are the lot.. Sadly there's plenty more lurking about the place, but these three will do for a start.

Then there's this little pile of homespun that shouldn't take too long to play with....

 And of course there's always some more of these to finish...

Oh yes and there's this... My neighbour's dad died recently and in clearing the house she found some wool that her mum had stashed away. She's also found her old button box and is giving it all to me...

So, I'm making her a felted bag as a surprise with this wool from the bag she gave me and will use some of her mum's buttons to decorate it as a surprise for when she gets back from her holiday..

There - do you think all that might keep me out of trouble? You never know. Still, now I've shared all that with you l'll have to do it all, won't I?

Of course, if I get stuck for something to do there's always work I suppose. Actually, I'm looking forward to the next lot as (once again) there's some lovely books to write about... Here's the first two of the next batch..

So that's it... I know I've probably missed Handmade Monday for this week, but I'm off for a browse anyway - it's always fun to see what everyone else has been up to! (Aha just squeaked in - hooray!)

Let's see how much I get done before next week, eh?!

Hectic - yet fun!

Monday rolls around again - yet another different kind of week with lots going on..

Last week we had Graeham's brother and his wife to stay for a day or two so we had a nice stroll by the beach, lunch out and a game of ten pin bowling. Oh yes, and the 'main event' - Gillingham (Steve's team) were playing Exeter City (our team) on the Wednesday evening. The game was a good one from where we were standing, but the result doesn't really do it justice - a goaless draw. Mind you in the interests of family unity I suppose ending up all square isn't a bad thing!

Taking of squares - I think I'm cracking this crochet thing! Here's the latest additions to the pile - it's about the only stuff I've made this week, but then I suppose it has been a bit busy. I'll pop over to Handmade Monday once I've finished this post and concentrate on being inspired by those more expert than myself rather than frustrated by my rather basic efforts....

I have had some nice surprises this week too.. Roz (my sister-in-law) brought a couple of pots of her shea butter moisturiser as presents - one for Graeham and a lovely lime one for me. You only need the tiniest bit to smooth the skin and they smell great.. She makes lots of goodies and you can see them here at her website.

Then I've got one or two samples - I think this ought to be thrifty tip number 10 - ask for samples.. Here's some of those that either came in the post or were given out in shops.. I find them ever so useful especially with all this overnighting in Wales. They take up next to no room in my bag and cost nothing.

Finally I opened my bank account to check something this morning and YouGov had paid in £50! All for filling in a few surveys.. I think that has to be tip number 11... online surveys. You have to be a bit picky - you don't want to spend almost the same as you receive in electricity bills for the computer, but by doing a few here and there you can build up some nice benefits whether that's in cash or vouchers!

Work carries on with a trip to Cardiff on Thursday and the last of the first set of notes for reading books. Last week's were great and I enjoyed these two as well. Can't wait for the next batch!

 

Having visitors shows up some of your old belongings though and we've decided that these have got to go!

 

 

Not only do they clash with most of the dining room and the crockery, but they are very faded.. But throw them away.. I don't think so. Perhaps some 'distressed' bunting or padded hearts or... well I'll show you when I think of something!

 

This weekend was football again - only this time five goals went in.. four of them for us! Then a party and a quiz, phew!!

 

Sorry about the lightening tour - but now I'm off again.. just a quick whizz over to Handmade Monday and then off to Wales until Thursday... never a dull moment eh?