Catching Up

 I feel like I've been chasing my tail a bit.. In fact I thought I'd been away from here a lot longer than is actually the case, it's still too long though..

It's been quite a time of it of late, various 'stuff' both stressful and enjoyable and sometimes both at the same time!

With a final big, fabulous family happening at the weekend a chink of light has appeared in the timeline of getting stuff done. We were all involved in some hefty work  to prepare my sister's garden for the celebrations - hence the bunting. It was initially not so much for decoration as to cordon off part of the newly dug project. I was, though surprisingly happy with it.

SO now it's time to catch up. As usual I've done myself a mega, impossible to finish list that looks quite like all my posts from soooo far back. I even re-read the one about helping my friend to get cleared up after her husband ran off with the au pair. I was about to embark on one of my 'hit every area at once' campaigns when I paused over my morning espresso and read.

I can't even remember the name of the article/book I was reading. It was one of those 'get yourself sorted/declutterd/organised' ones. This, however, was in 52 steps. On reading the first part of it I recognised myself starting, once again, with 'I do that already' or 'that's a simple step' hit me with another so I can do it quicker. This suggested a slower pace. A get one thing in place before you move on.

I know - there's lots of advice like this, but I'm usually pretty efficient in completely ignoring it!

This time I'm trying to rein in the rush for outcomes in order to make it sustainable.

I'm going to do the same with my catching up.

I've realised I can't write or make or create when my brain is chock a block full of urgent things that need to be done. I also know that my brain can't clear itself if my surroundings aren't orderly. This means I need to start right back at step minus one to get life back under control (cue hysterical giggling). 

First I'm onto the 'set one task a day and don't attempt anything else from your list until that's done'. At the moment it's working.... My first task was to take my impossible list and prioritise those items that are both urgent and important to complete this week. 

So far I've caught up with the washing, started trying to eat from the freezer to empty it for defrosting, completed the finances (Monday was payday so that's one thing I always do) and nearly finish the ironing (that's next once I close the laptop). I also wanted to restart my SubStack and this blog as a way of focusing my brain forwards.

Phew! Will this plan work? Who knows? it's worth a try 

so onwards and upwards - I'll let you know next week how I'm getting on and what I'm planning to do next - planning is top of the list for the weekend!

I know I can get my focus in - I  made bunting after all.. well I was particularly pleased with that. It was both urgent and important at the time - I had  not, however, realised that it would bring something meaningful to the table.

Having decided on bunting it couldn't a)take a long time to do as time was tight and b) cost a lot either. On looking at the general fabric stocks in the loft (clearing that will take a lot more time and far better focus - but I have plans) I found a number of items that were the right weight and content. There were a couple of the toddler quilt covers that my sister sorted out from her airing cupboard as the children are now well past the toddler phase and a school uniform dress that all three girls have worn. Both of these weren't in a good enough condition to sell online so had been parked in the fabric stash to make 'something' rather than be thrown away. Then there was some of an old skirt of my mum's and curtains from our old house and finally some of the fabric given to my sister when she moved that I made into garden bench seats.

In my ribbons basket I found a number of lengths of bias binding from old projects, some ribbon I bought for next to nothing in a sale with no idea of what to do with it and a streamer of multi-coloured ribbon from a circus twirly thing that one of my great nieces had thrown out. I set to with the pinking shears to cut triangles then sewed then onto the ribbons and binding.

Lo and behold bunting for the family celebration with the added advantage of the fabrics telling a story in  a way. Bunting with real meaning - meaningful bunting... now there's an idea ... or perhaps not I can feel the tug of a distraction away from my catching up project. Still, I'll hold that thought - meaningful bunting for parties, weddings, end of term balls, birthday celebrations.... nooooooo - I'm almost off again.

Come on Susan, focus, focus, focus.... we'll see!

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...

Getting it Sorted - Healthwise!

 Okay, it's been a while - there's reasons for that  - I won't go into all of them. suffice to say that just when I thought I was back on track and ready to go into what the doctor has agreed to (no pills for a while - hooray!) I got shingles so was derailed a bit.

Anyway, I've only got a short (3 month) window to get my blood pressure and cholesterol in check or I've got to seriously consider the doctor's request to take medication. 

It's easier said and done as stress is apparently playing a big role, but I'm going to give it my best shot!

Obviously the first port of call is my weight. Don't get me wrong. I'm not humungously (is that a word) in trouble here. I had been doing well, dropping a stone and a half, when the doctor first put me onto blood pressure tablets. The weight then stopped dead and exercising got more and more difficult due to the side effects of the two tablets we tried! Now I'm off them it's time to really concentrate on slimming down.

Exercise has always done it for me. Particularly running!

Sadly, due to work on our seawall my regular ParkRun exploits sort of ground to a halt as my knees object to running on sand. Along with some time pressures it all got put to one side. Luckily the ParkRun is back to it's usual route, my shingles (let's not go there) have gone and I can grab back my Saturday mornings for this week!

I still get to tennis, but the doctor also wants more strength training. I used to go to dance and martial arts fitness at our local sports club. The class times no longer fit in with what I can do so I was in a bit of limbo. I haven't renewed my membership till I work out if it's worth it just to use the swimming pool - time has been my enemy again there. So, as I had a good time during the pandemic with online classes I've decided to restart those. The package I've picked also has some quick start programmes to try to get you into the swing of it quickly. I did start the initial one until the shingles got in the way. The plan is to begin again at the end of this week when the diary is a bit clearer.

I'll report back on this first element next time - along with my eating plans - I'm still working that one out as the summer is a really busy time for family birthdays and there's just far too many temptations for success. Next week will be a good time to examine how to adjust my willpower there!!!

The other thing that's well and truly slipped has been my making. I haven't got to my spinning group in ages and I've been too tired to concentrate in the evenings. I did manage one or two bits though...

Birthdays mean cards and mini presents so that gave me the kick I needed to get these done...

 

I've also managed to keep up my SubStack contributions. I did think that was going to sink without trace as well as so much other 'stuff'. Then I thought I could keep my weekly posting going by being a bit kinder to myself and readjusting my expectations. For August I'm sticking to a photo and a quick message to go with it to give myself a rest from the pressure of regular longform writing till September.

How's that?

Now I've written it all down I feel like more's been moving forward than I originally thought - hooray!

I'll let you know how it all goes.....

Sorting for the Holidays...

 I felt bad about getting behind again with posting. I seem to manage to get my Substack musings posted on time, but somehow the blog suffers. I think it might be because I tend to let random thoughts flood the Substack pages, while I feel the need to stick to more of a brief here. Am I right to do that? I don't know. I just know that they feel like two different animals to me and I'm happy with that, so I'm carry on and crave your indulgence!

I opened this blog to find that I started a couple of posts, photos and all, so it seemed daft not to complete them and publish, rather than starting again from scratch. This isn't just laziness or some form of eco-writing recycling, honest. I am going to stick to the focus I wrote about last time. However, there are some mitigating reasons...

Firstly we're off on holiday for a few days next week. That means that although I've done the groundwork on the Etsy shop that I was talking about, it's not the most sensible thing to stock it and then go away so I can't do anything about any orders that I might miraculously get. Secondly, the next area for me to focus on is health. 

I've made a whole load of appointments - feet, high blood pressure review, dentist and was going to pat myself on the back about those, but nearly every one has a knock on which needs exploring further - so they'll keep until after the follow ups and the holiday so I can explore in depth. So for this post and the next I'll use up the drafts I've discovered, which, happily, are linked to the holiday anyway.

To begin with I have finished a bit of making - my creative streak has been on hold of late with one thing and another. It's been confined to watching the Great British Sewing Bee - (OMG I have to try making one of those scrap fabric bags.. I'll let you know if I ever find time to do it. 

Still, here's the project I've finished... hooray.

One of the ladies I play tennis with has a holiday let. She's regularly having to refurbish and refresh the fittings and has of late asked for a hand with recycling the old upholstery into cushions. This time she asked for some cushions, but also wanted a draught excluder too. I've never tried that before so...

Here's the cushion (nothing fancy, just a straightforward envelope design).

And the draught excluder just before I sewed up the final seam.

As it happens it was a real recycling project as we were throwing away a feather pillow that had split and it was the perfect filling for the draught excluder. I think I've just about finished clearing all the loose feathers up - they go everywhere. You can't see them here as I made an inner 'sausage' to contain them within the gingham cover.

With holidays nearing I did have a good look at my make up - not that I've got that much, but some of it is a bit old and really needs disposing of.

It was frightening to see how old some of it was. Not good for my skin or eyes, those items are now in the bin. I don't tend to think of the use by dates on toiletries and cosmetics. I should, I know, and perhaps that explains some of the irritation I've been getting when wearing old mascara!

With a much reduced stock, and all the brushes washed and dried I feel much happier about packing it ready to go away..

Now I'll need to move on to all those mini samples I've got - bet they need sorting too!

Focus, focus, focus

 I know I've been trying to get sorted by attacking things in s small steps, random kind of way. Up to now it's been fine, but I'm just getting in a sort of muddle. 

While we were on holiday I took this photo from behind a fountain. It sort of sums up where my head is at! I'm standing in a shady sort of place, peering out at the sunny, organised landscape beyond with a watery obstacle getting in the way....

So, what to do about it. Well, I've decided the only thing to do is to focus.

There are a number of areas I've been hitting on and making a bit of progress, however the time has come for more of a concerted effort.

This week I've been concentrating on clothes. After my last post about selling on those that are no longer in use or refashioning them into something else I paused to empty and sort out all my drawers and wardrobe. I've had everything out and found not one, but two empty drawers for all those unwanted items (and those from the rest of the family) as I list them. That having been done the clothes for recycling into other things are nestling in the loft with the craft stuff ready for when it's time for them.

I will get a chance to organise those bits a little as I've got Sunday to myself, but by and large I'm focussing on getting rid of the surplus first.

There were also a few odds and ends of non-wearable stuff knocking around. There aren't enough books/CDs/DVDs at the moment to make up a box to send off so they have joined the 'sales' drawers. Finally I discovered a box of greetings cards that I'd made over time. Before they can be added to the 'sales warehouse' I need to explore how to sell these. 

I know my sister and I are planning on a craft stall nearer to Christmas, I want though to slim these down sooner if possible. So, it could be time for me to stop prevaricating about my Etsy shop. Grab the design brief by the throat and get on with it....

So, although I've not posted for a while, this is a short and sweet one as I'm about to attack my Etsy shop and get it up and running properly. Once it's sorted I'll be back and who knows I might even manage to organise a link to it so you can see how far I've got!

From One Thing to Another

 It’s nearly time to go away! Yes, the tennis has started in Rome, we’ve got our tickets and there’s only a week left now. It’s been a difficult one to look forward to this year. Leaving behind what’s going on at home with Mum, and that meaning that my sister doesn’t get a holiday at all (not really any break in her day much either) leaves me feeling guilty and yet very grateful that I’m getting the chance.

Sorting my clothes out ready to go has shown me once again that I have far too many that I’ve been holding onto for no real reason. This dress I got when I was working and travelling a lot. It doesn’t crease, packs easily and is really comfortable. I don’t need it now though and as I’ve already been retired for seven years it’s not so new either.

Having had success with other items for the family on Vinted - that’s where it’s going - along with a selection of others that look great, but that are no longer any use to me - or even fit….

There are some clothes though that, having done good service are past their best and are no good for their original purpose.

This skirt is one. 

It’s a lovely,soft, reversible skirt, but has catches and worn patches so can’t be worn. A leisurely scroll through Instagram led me to some simple mini bag patterns and voila…

This is one from the reverse of the skirt and there’s another of these and two from the main body of it! Now I just need to find the patterns and time to turn some of my other cast-offs from one thing to another!

I’ll let you know how it goes!

Yes, We Have No Bananas..

 When I first taking some snaps for this Getting It Sorted train of thought I took a photo of my breakfast choices. Among them was this..

Yes, I do like bananas and was happy when I read about the health benefits for the heart of the potassium they contain. However, since that long phone call with my doctor they're now only making an occasional appearance. It seems that the potassium rush has to be balanced with the effect on my cholesterol levels! There are times when it all the advice feels a bit complicated to steer round. So, bananas are only allowed immediately before exercise. I can have them on Saturdays (before ParkRun) and Thursdays (as I play tennis early) so I'll have to be content with that. I can, however, indulge in apricots and get my potassium kick from them!

The other culprit in my breakfast that I've already touched on is porridge. Again a big surprise as I thought I was doing the right thing with it. Luckily I'm a fan of Greek yoghurt and according to the doctor that's okay - along with the chia seeds and berries (or apricots). Phew!!

On a creative note - I did finish the Valentine's card..

I was quite chuffed with it - some thought now on a 7 year old card. I can't find one for our March birthday girl. The other seven year old was easy - she loves unicorns and princesses and I found a card with them both. The March one though... unless I can find a kick boxing pianist on a card I'll have to create something.....

I have also been putting away some of the Christmas makes and finishing off some that weren't done in time - they'll be all ready for next year. 

 

These were really easy.. double sided squares with a line of stitching across the corners. Then a ribbon through the channels created, joined and decorated with beads and voila! gift bags, jewellery pouches, call them what you will...

So now I'm off to get my Substack offering for this week done - all about my inability to just do one thing at a time.. until next time...

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 - 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 - 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.....

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.....