Decisions, decisions, decisions...

 So, now I've given myself time to think I've made a couple of decisions.

From my list of possibilities I've decided to go with the creating idea - more specifically to start with - bags. They are something I enjoy making, quick and easy to complete and sell well. As I mentioned last time I've plenty of fabrics waiting to be upcycled or used from new. I've also got a small stock already and people who've seen them on Marketplace or Vinted asking if I have more so it seems like a positive place to start.

I've got both knitted and sewn bags in a variety of designs and sizes so building a stock should be easier than starting from scratch.

 

This isn't the only part of the business idea!

I want to record the process for each bag and write instructions so that anyone wanting to can make simple bags too! I haven't decided how to set them free into the world yet. It may be that I make them available through this blog one at a time and then build up a saleable pack for a number of them, or even make them into a downloadable ebook. I did think a 'getting ready for Christmas' theme would work - I'm just not sure which Christmas!!!

Before I can get any further I need to do some homework.

I need to know where the best place to sell the physical bags would be. Next where do I make the patterns available and how do I market them. I also need to investigate the software to make it all look good - Canva might be my way forward.

Research then - platforms for sale, creative software and marketing. Luckily I've already got a month long course in creating boards and using Pinterest from Sophie Ingleby so I've somewhere to start.

While all that is going on I can get making and produce some bags all ready to go.

Going to be a busy time .. Ahh yes, the time scheduling I mentioned in my last post.

The only real free time I have is about half an hour each morning, a couple of two hour blocks twice a week and possibly some snatches of time in the evenings. That gives me a total of about 11 hours a week.

It's going to be tight, but my idea is that, to start with, the research and computer work happens each morning. Making the bags fits into one two hour block and then listing and creating instructions goes into the other. Packaging and dispatching can be a moveable feast in the evenings as it won't necessarily be an everyday occurance.

To make sure I can access all these things I've had a long hard think about the tools I'll need. All the sewing/knitting/haberdashery/packaging stuff I need is already in the house. Sharing a laptop - especially when I want to work before anyone else is up or after they're in bed is more difficult so I've taken the plunge and bought myself a new one!

So - off to work...... I'll report back next time...

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...

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)......

Getting Together

 To finish off this month the bites return to the idea of doing 'stuff' together and being social.

As the nights draw in it's good to have some fun in company. I've mentioned playing games before, but recently we've had a couple of sessions with little outlay, no technology and time to gather with others.

Month 10 - Bite 28

A Sunday session of a numbers game which usually leads to hilarity (and a ruthlessness that I don't always associate with particular people) was a welcome diversion from TV and the (at the moment largely depressing) news.

I've also enjoyed breaking up a never-ending train journey being taught some new (to me) by a five-year-old - so you're never too old to learn or young to teach it would seem!

Just two ways of enjoying ourselves with no energy expenses...

Month 10 - Bite 29

It was nice to be able to answer a call for help from a neighbour. We live in a really friendly neighbourhood with lots of very talented and skilled people who are always willing to help - today was my turn. A neighbour has got a new printer and is having a bit of a time of it getting it up and running. In a former life I was the ICT person in school and so am used to trying to figure out how to get recalcitrant tech to do its job. So I've had a phone call to help and I'm only too happy to - I certainly owe her for the stream of dolls that keep coming my way from her grandchildren for my nieces' girls!

This give and take is a good way of saving cash between ourselves so I'm off for a cup of tea and a rummage through an instruction book and (I guess) a tussle with her router.

Month 10 - Bite 30

We've been chatting among ourselves around here about who can do what and how they can offer help. None of us want to deny work to specialists, but many little jobs, like my computer help yesterday, are almost impossible to get someone out to see to, or require booking a paid-for chunk of time for something simple from someone at a huge (or so it seems) cost. Where one of our neighbours has a profession - like the plumber across the road - we wouldn't dream of asking him to repair anything without proper recompense. However, helping each other with anything from putting up some shelves to checking brake lights on a car and saving a trip to a repair shop or paying for a worker in times like these makes sense. So it's time to start recognising the skills that we can offer each other....

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!).

In other words...

 

For the end of the holiday here's a couple of activities could start back in the library. One uses words from another language and the other the children's own words about their break.

Month 8 - Bite 29

Just to keep those thoughts of holidays and more exotic travel alive (even if you didn't venture abroad) how about learning some words or phrases from another language?

Our library has a selection of languages and methods to choose from - books, DVDs, online videos. Choose your medium and let everyone have a go. You're not looking to become word perfect or grammatically wonderful. The idea is for each of you to learn and remember a number of helpful phrases or interesting words.

Having started with the most basic 'hello' and goodbye', 'please' and thank you' see what they would like to be able to say. It might be that you did get away to a different land and found that there was something you wish you'd been able to say. Well, now you can try it out ready for another time.

Don't forget there are plenty of short video clips, online courses and ebooks that you could try too.

Who knows, it might lead to the whole family going even deeper into a foreign tongue and taking a course to learn more. Doing this together means you'll have plenty of people to practise your conversations with too.

Month 8 - Bite 30

Our library also has a lot of local interest pamphlets advertising some of the attractions and events around here. Have you noticed a rack like this in yours? or in the local tourist information office?

You could round off the holiday by providing the wherewithal for making brochures or scrapbooks about some of the places you've been or events you've attended or things you've done together over the break.

Pictures, writing, photos, downloaded information - they can all go into your family's very personal brochures of their holiday.

While you take the time to create these it will provide the opportunity to chat about everything you've done and to find out what the favourites were. It could be surprising to see what comes out on top. Was it the most expensive outing or the most creative day or just the longest time you had to laugh and have fun?

Take Flight

 Month 8 - Bite 27

Do you possess a kite? When was the last time you tried flying it? Today could be a day to try it out. Find yourself some space and a bit of breeze then go for it. Round here kite surfing is pretty big, it might be an option for a taster for you too. Anyway that you try it you'll find that wind and flight can be exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. All that running back and forth to launch the flight along with the concentration needed to keep it airborne might even bring about a good night's sleep!

If you don't have a kite look around for materials you have at home to make one. Traditional stick, paper and string versions have been tried and tested over the years, but you can experiment with other, free household materials. What about a plastic carrier bag with string tied to the handles and then attached to a long 'leader' length of string?

Whatever materials you choose, remember to pick them up at the end of the game, especially if the kite finally falls apart and take the bits home. No litter now!

Month 8 - Bite 28

There are, of course, some real flight experts around. There are regular bird watch and bird counts run regionally and nationally. Check out the details for a chance to contribute to the numbers of specific species.

If there isn't one running, create one of your own where you live. There will be plenty for you to spot, record and identify... another trip to the library perhaps for the information. Although you could research online too and see if you can find some audio clips to recognise their calls and songs.

Some will be welcome visitors

While others may be more annoying!

But record them all!

Look at a Book

 

Do you belong to your local library? I know around here we're lucky to have kept our library service with minimal closures, but that others aren't so lucky. To keep the service open and running we all need to our bit in using them and making sure that the footfall is high.

Month 8 - Bite 16

If you can, visit your local library. Take some time to really look around it and see what's available. Round here it's not just books on offer. There's Lego Clubs, Science Afternoons, Art Events, Speakers, Music, Computers for use, Reading Challenges, Book Clubs, Activity Packs, Table Football (yes really!), Storytimes, Bounce and Rhyme..... and more.

There are other services available online - videos, TED talks, ebooks, magazines, audio loans....

And it's all either free or at a charge that just covers materials used.

Make some notes about what's available - I'll admit that this is a little late in the month if you're following it by date, but once you get into the routine you'll be able to plan ahead. 

When I was little, a trip to the library was one of our first holiday trips so that we could register for a challenge, pick up some 'how to' books and find out what was going on for free so that we could put the dates in the diary.

For today, visiting, signing up if you haven't already and borrowing some books - one or two will do - especially activity books to give you some more ideas for the rest of the break.

Month 8 - Bite 17

Gather the information you got yesterday and start planning. 

Are there any activities or talks you want to book in to or just go along to? What's coming up later on once the holidays are over?

Now's the time to start putting these into your diary for later.

Month 8 - Bite 18

Right then, break out those books you've borrowed. Are you using any of them to look up the bugs from your recent safari? What other activities are you thinking of pursuing? Share your ideas together and plan ahead to get anything you need - craft materials, cooking ingredient, you name it then list it.

What other ideas have you got?

Bug Safari

 Month 8 - Bite 15

Back outside again now.

Time to become a hunter - your prey will be small and your weapon will be a camera (phone) or paper and pencil.

Go for a walk to see how many bugs you can spot...

They might be decorations in others' gardens ..

                                             

Or the real thing in the park or your own patch...

Record what you find in some way and see if you know the name of the creature.

If you don't try looking it up online or try tomorrow's task for some help!

There are also regular surveys and counts that are advertised to help naturalists and other scientists to gauge the health of our bug (and other creature) populations. Earlier this month there was a butterfly count. It's worth looking out for them and many have their own apps or downloadable resources so that you can find out more about your hunted subject...

Of course you could also do a bug safari at home.. and I don't just mean counting spiders hiding around the place. See if you can track down images of mini-beasts on cans, covers and books as well as magazines, comics and toys. They really are everywhere.

Read All About It

 Month 6 - Bite 13

A bit of an add on this one following the previous technology post.

We have in the past had a good read of guide books before going away, just to help with planning and so that we know what we want to see. Generally they are from the library or even as freebies on the e-reader.

This time there was an added attraction in using our phones. Taking a quick snap of the legend at points we wanted to remember, or read up on later, or to refresh our memories about (especially when trying to remember where a particular photo was taken) meant that we could do this at leisure or do some further reading back at the apartment.

Another big bonus was the QR codes on most of the explanations and at many of the sites. Some were straightforward reading and information while others provided free guided tours on-site - brilliant!!

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.....

 

So where was I?

Now I know when I last wrote I talked about rethinking things, simplifying life and creating space, BUT a world wide pause on 'life as we know it' was not what I had in mind....

Every time I've sat myself down to write I've deleted my words as nothing felt serious or respectful enough to take up space.

I thought, like many others I guess, that the lockdown, stay at home, whatever this last six months gets to be called, would mean that I'd get my house in order (literally) and have time for being creative, productive and all those things. Yes, the household stuff I had in mind got done, as did the list my other half had down to do too. The garden has been tidied and sorted and plans for alterations to it made. 

Crops have been grown and harvested, jams made and all looks ship shape outside.

            

It's been great to eat straight from the garden (and not actually buy stuff!).

And with a glut of basil we've been on regular feasts of pasta and pesto 😋

Now though, I think I have to stop prevaricating and step forward ready for what comes next.

I have mentioned before ideas about the Wento project (which is about refocusing finances) and about producing some step by step instructions for creative projects. 

But each time I sit down to write about finances it doesn't seem like the right time and writing step by step instructions comes face to face with my inertia... 

I did think I ought to write about playing catchup with lost learning as I've had some fun during lockdown trying to think of active ways to make home learning interesting for my great-nephew. While I've got some ideas already sorted I'm not sure this is the forum for them so I'll have to think about that. 

Mind you at about the same time Mel, the writer of Ink Spots and Grass Stains, (who I first met many years ago when we were writing for the Scout Association) has just launched a new website about play and life,  (the link is on the right) so perhaps there's some mileage in my thoughts. The coincidence of her starting this up as I was thinking about the role of play isn't the only coincidence in our lives.... She moved to Scotland and I moved to Devon only to find that she used to live a few couple of roads away and babysat for one of our neighbours!

Oh gosh, out on a tangent again.. well the long and the short of it is... I'm not going to follow any of those threads just yet. Instead I'm thinking I'll start with (whisper it softly) Christmas... There's a method in this particular madness and it will link to playfulness, crafting, decluttering, money saving, instructions and so on... just you wait and see!