November Craftings

Youth's Socks
Started: 17th October 2017
Finished: 1st November 2017

Fancy Sleeves
Started: 2nd November 2017
Finished: 3rd November 2017

Gift Bags
Started: 16th November 2017
Finished: 16th November 2017

Gift Bag
Started: 17th November 2017
Finished: 17th November 2017

Week 48: CDs and DVDs

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #48: CDs and DVDs

Tuesday: Declutter entertainment center

Wednesday: Declutter music collection (CDs, tapes, MP3s, etc.)

Thursday: Declutter movie collection (videos, DVDs, etc.)

Friday: Declutter and organize music and movies in car, digital devices, etc.

Saturday: Declutter kids' music and movie collections

Sunday: Organize and properly store family movies

All already done.

Low FODMAP Diet

My tumski is not a happy part of my body when it's been given gluten or high levels of dairy (mostly, but not exclusively lactose). For the last 8 years or so, I've been living gluten-free and dairy-light. This has brought serious benefits to my health and life. However, I feel it's not all it could be. There's can still be bloating and serious windy-pops, from the top, and also the bottom. 

The FODMAP diet was proposed and researched by Monash University, Australia. It was initially designed for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome to reduce symptoms like gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, pain, diarrhea, and constipation. It has since been recommended to others who have digestive problems. FODMAP and elimination diet, and after three to six weeks, the high FODMAP foods are gradually re-introduced. 

My plan is to start it in the New Year, but try out various recipes and ideas before then. The biggest challenge for me will be saying "No" to onions and garlic. They are in so many meals I make. But, it will be good to find out what is problematic, and what is fine. 

The very good news is I can eat chicken, rice, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, corn, strawberries, raspberries and grapes. I can survive on this for quite some time, and I did when I had shingles. It was then my digestive problems became apparent. 

It all feels rather positive. I'm working towards a healthier, happier me. 

Fancy Sleeves

Fabric: Star Trek: Next Generation

Composition: 100% cotton

Size: Medium

Amount used:  60cm plus M&S white shirt

Started:  2nd November 2017

Finished: 3rd November 2017

It has been a family tradition for the guys in the family to have a good white shirt with an interesting pattern on the sleeves. Over 20 years ago I made the first 'Fancy Sleeves' for The Beloved - Winnie the Pooh. The idea is that when worn with a jacket the sleeves remain hidden. Then when the jacket is removed the full glory is revealed. 

The Elder Offspring asked for one for her boyfriend, and this Star Trek fabric was selected. A Marks and Spencer's shirt was bought, and then the sleeves unpicked, along with the plackets and cuffs. The fabric from the sleeves was used as the pattern for the replacement sleeves, and the shirt re-assembled.

(The chances are very low that the recipient will see this post before his birthday, but I'm taking no chances. It is scheduled to be posted after that date.)

As I was hand sewing, I kept apologising as I stabbed their heads. 

Week 47: Purses

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #47: Purses

Tuesday: Clear out trash from and declutter purse

Wednesday: Clear out trash from and declutter wallet

Thursday: Make plans for eating leftovers

Friday: Declutter briefcase, work out bag, diaper bag, etc.

Saturday: Declutter purse/handbag collection

Sunday Declutter fall decorations

I'm not into handbags. I've maybe about four, and that's it. They don't become repositories for the crap of the world, and get cleaned out regularly.

It took me a few moments to work out why I needed to make plans for eating leftovers, and I don't. It's Thanksgiving in America, but just another normal Thursday over here. Leftovers are popped in a plastic dish, labelled with contents and dated, and frozen until needed. 

As for autumnal decorations, I'm not sure. Normally, we decorate for Christmas on the last weekend before Christmas. This year, that is Christmas Eve, so we will probably put up decorations on the 16th-17th. November is still autumn for us, so I suspect I won't make winter decorations until after Christmas.

Buying Stuff

Over the weekend, I received a 20% discount voucher for Marks and Spencer. It's a place I regularly shop, and rubbed my hands together in glee. Yesterday,  I realised today was the last day I could use it. It needed to be done today, or not at all.

The Beloved dropped The Younger Offspring and me off on his way to work this morning, and we started shopping at 8.45. It's a very good time to go shopping. No one's about at that time! I had a mental shopping list, socks, bras and tights. The Offspring saw a rather lovely sweater and I picked up a stocking filler too. The best bit was when I found a gift voucher in my wallet and the total was reduced by a further £15. 

I'm very pleased with what we have. However, it feels like I'm in a 'let's buy, let's buy lots of things!' mood. This is not a good place to be. Stick to the list! Buy intentionally, not on the spur of the moment. 

Meeting up with Yarnies

At Yarnies today, I learned a little bit about the Japanese way of wrapping presents in fabric, (Furoshiki). This is the simplest style, wrapping a cuboid in a square of fabric. 

I have about 2.5m of the embroidered fabric, and about the same of plain. My plan is to make as many large squares as possible, and use the remnants to gift bags. 

When a friend was showing the technique to me, she explained people are much less likely to want to keep a square of fabric than a gift bag. She finds gift bags are often kept, but fabric squares and handed back.

Fabric Gift Bags

Work has started on fabric gift bags. The idea is to cut down on wrapping paper, but so far people have received gifts in fabric bags have said "Do I get to keep the bag?" and they say it with such a look of "I promise to be good, and use it!" that I haven't had the heart to say 'Sorry. no'.  Ah well, as long as it's being used. 

Sewing with this fabric was tad problematic. Every time I stitched through someone's head I apologised. "Sorry Jean Luc. Sorry Deana, sorry Geordie ..." It helped me to think of it as cranial acupuncture.

The second of the gift bags is being posted later, and I don't have any expectation of getting it back. The next batch, I hope to use for Christmas, and keep them at least for a little while.

...

And another one.

Dining Room and Hall

Today's To Do list is very short and simple. It will not take much time. This leaves more time for working on the Christmas wall hanging.

I'm trying to get into a regular routine of dealing with cleaning. I've been finding it easier to do a big blitz rather than having a regular schedule. My suspicion is that a regular set of tasks will keep the place looking better more of the time rather than the highs and lows of blitz cleaning.

To Do

put laundry away

dust piano and shelves

wipe table

sweep floors

straighten shoes

go shopping

Ta Da!

write shopping list
write list of irregular cleaning tasks

wash laundry
dry laundry

Bathroom and Loo

Whilst cleaning the bathroom this morning, I was pondering. Why am I spraying cleaning fluid over the bath? It hasn't been used since the last time it was cleaned, nor the time before that, or the time before that! Why am I not just dusting it? And if I'm continually dusting something that's never used, why hasn't it been decluttered?

The bathroom is going to be redesigned in the next few years. Will the bath be disappearing? We have a downstairs shower room, and it is used every say, but the bathroom, which is beside the bedrooms, is used for to wash hands and teeth. It's also the location of the linen cupboard.  Wouldn't it make farm more sense to have a room people really want to use? A lovely big walk-in shower would be far better for us.

There's actually enough space to have a bath, walk-in shower, sink and linen cupboard. This might be the optimal solution!

To Do

put towels away

Ta Da!

clean sinks and surrounds
clean bath
wipe window ledge
put out fresh hand towels
wash loo floor
wash towels
vacuum carpet

dry towels
wash dishes
wipe work tops

Today's To Do and Ta Da!

Tuesdays are bedroom days. It's time for a bedroom tidy up.

All of my 'to do's are 'ta done'!

Ta Da!

change bed linens

wash bed linens

straighten beside tables

change towels

dust bookcase, bedside tables, blanket box, chest of drawers and mirror

wipe window ledges

empty bin

remove clutter

empty bin in loo

mop kitchen floor

make fish pie for dinner

wash laundry

dry laundry

send cloth badge to Helen's daughter

put away laundry

make brownies

Week 46: First Aid

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #46: Medicine & First Aid Kit

Tuesday: Dispose of expired and unused medications

Wednesday: Make sure have adequate first aid kit contents

Thursday: Organize and safely store rest of medications

Friday: Declutter and organize liquor and wine cabinet

Saturday: Declutter unused musical instruments

Sunday: Declutter key ring of excess stuff

Medicines and First Aid kits were attended to in October. 

I only have one bottle of alcohol - whisky for feeding Christmas cakes. The Beloved has some wine, and perhaps beer, but it's up to him to decide if anything needs to leave. As a family, we consume very little alcohol. I suspect most of it is in the form of coq au vin, or chicken in cider.

Our instruments are played regularly. The piano was put into the dining room whilst the house was being built. To remove it would require the piano to be taken to bits, the window or newel post removed.  Even if it is only play whilst the Elder Offspring is at home, it stays.

My keying has a metal fob, and the front door key. Minimal, and effective.

A 15 Minute Day

After last week's illness, I thought I had recovered and many plans were made for today. And, nope! It ain't gonna happen. This needs to be a simple, easy day, a 15 Minute Day.

My day will be split into 15 minute segments. The first 15 minutes will be spent working, then the next will be time for rest. At the end of a rest period a decision will be made -  'back to work' or 'rest a bit more'. It's a way of getting stuff done whilst not ending up as a quivering little exhausted mess on the floor.

So far, I've put on a load of laundry, swept the rear vestibule and the kitchen floor, and popped last night's dishes in to soak. Hold on, a To Do/Ta Da list is looming!

To Do<
wash floor
make chocolate brownies
Ta Da!
wash a load of laundry
sweep rear vestibule
sweep kitchen
wash dishes
wipe work tops
dry laundry
wash sink
clean oven
wash bin
send birthday card to Dad
order birthday present for Dad
put away dishes
plan dinner
tidy sitting room
fold laundry
wipe appliances
put away laundry

For a 15 Minute Day, along with a migraine, I'm really rather surprised with all I have managed to fit in. Also squeezed in was some sewing, making the Christmas tree quilted hanging for the dining room.

I'll try to get the floor washed tomorrow and make the brownies.

Christmas Tree Quilted Hanging

I saw this beautiful quilt at Quilting Digest. It was made by Material Girl Quilts. I'm going to make something similar using some of the fabric I have left over from the Christmas Tree table runner I made a couple of years ago.

All of the dark green with gold fabric was used up, as was the tree trunk brown, but I shall be using the lighter green, the swirly white, and the red border. 

Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Monday: Kitchen

• clean work tops and sink
• wipe down cooker and appliances
• empty bin
• wash bin
• wash floor

Tuesday: Bedroom

• change bed linens
• sweep floor
• put away clothing
• straighten beside tables
• dust bookcase, bedside tables, blanket box, chest of drawers and mirror
• wipe window ledges
• empty bin

Wednesday: Bathroom, Shower Room and Loo

• clean sinks and surrounds
• clean bath
• wipe window ledge
• put out fresh hand towels
• vacuum carpet
• clean shower clean loo
• wash floors
• empty bin

Thursday: Dining Room and Hall

• dust piano and shelves
• wipe table
• sweep floors
• straighten shoes

Friday: Sitting Room

• remove clutter
• straighten sofas and chairs
• vacuum floor
• dust sideboard, coffee table, and bookcases
• empty bin

Thinking of Christmas

Last Christmas we tried "Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read." and a Christmas stocking. It worked out really rather well for us. The Beloved, The Offsprings and I each had the same amount of money spent on Christmas gifts. If it wasn't all spent on these four gifts a cheque was included in the stocking.

Various gifts have been bought. Some have arrived. Now I need to get on and make gift bags, and a Christmas tree skirt. I also want to make a Christmas tree wall hanging, some quilted trees and a few Jul Tomtar. 

Wot? No Posts?

This year has been the year of my blog. I've been averaging about a post a day, and I've been rather happy with the content I've been creating. It doesn't matter to me that I'm pretty much the only person who reads it. It's the stuff I've been doing, and want to have a record of, a public diary/book.

And then, this month, it comes to a grinding stop. Some days I have been busy, making birthday presents, decluttering, cooking for guests etc. Other days, I've been doing stuff I've done lots of times before, and don't really have anything much to say about. And then, there's illness. I've spent the last two days in bed with coughs, sneezes and a brain that's too hot to think. 

A few rows of knitting have been done, but not a great deal. I'm starting to feel a little better, and very much hope that tomorrow I'll be able to do some sewing.

Week 45: Emergency Preparedness

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #45: Emergency Preparedness

Tuesday: Gather food and drink emergency supplies for 72 hour kit

Wednesday: Gather other emergency supplies into kit and store

Thursday: Create car emergency supplies and first aid kit

Friday: Create an evacuation plan and fire escape

Saturday: Place fire extinguishers as needed throughout house

Sunday: Make sure home adequately child proofed

Living where I do, the risks are very low. We very rarely get extremes of weather, although it can get a bit blowy. Storm Ophelia visited in October, and brought down a number of trees and took off some roofs. There was also some concern at high tide with the wind whipping up the waves. The Island's emergency services swing into action and restore order as soon as possible.

The other risk is a domestic fire. I think it would be sensible for us to scan in birth and marriage certificates, and store them on-line, along with information regarding insurance etc.

I have checked the first aid kit in the house and also the car. Both have been replenished and decluttered.

Our house doesn't need to be childproofed as we are all adults, but we do need to look at dog safety.

Magic Happened!

A birthday present was made yesterday (and it's killing me not to put up a photographs here and on Facebook!). I realised whilst I was decluttering my study that one of the reasons I took over the dining room was because the sewing surface in my study is a little computer desk, and it just doesn't offer the same area as the dining room table.

Whilst sewing I used the dining room table, (and here's where the magic happened), after I had finished sewing I put it all away again. the dining room is a dining room again! This is revolutionary stuff - putting things away after use. 

A few crafty things now have a home in the dining room, the sewing machine, iron and ironing board. I suspect the cutting mat will join them. Once a couple of boxes have been moved, I'll find a proper home for the iron and sewing machine.

Rainbows for a Refugee

Yarn: Absolutely no idea! It's a sock yarn though.

Pattern: Socks for a Youth

Size: Youth
Needles: 2.5mm

Amount used:  34g

Started:  17th October 2017

Finished: 1st November 2017

These socks started out life as a pair of long wrist warmers. However, they were too baggy around the wrists and were not worn. I frogged them back to a suitable place for heels and re-knitted them as socks.

Then there was a slight problem. One sock was 5 rounds longer than the other. This has now been rectified! And they are finished at last!