At church we have had the same display for a number of years. I suggested we could have something different, and was asked "Are you willing to do it?" People were surprised when answered in the positive.
Card frames were made, and a sheet of clear cellophane placed on it. Then the children from Junior Church added squares of coloured cellophane on top. They were attached with a re-positional spray adhesive. Another layer of clear cellophane was added to keep it all in place. Then the black paper silhouettes were added.
Many people have made favourable comments. One of the members of the congregation has expressed an interest in doing a silk painting for next year.
Whilst I haven't been blogging about the mini-challenges, I have been continuing to do them. Slowly, bit by bit the house is getting tidier and de-cluttered.
Recently we had a gas leak and needed to empty the under stair cupboard. This cupboard had not been fully emptied by the previous owners, or the one before them! They had left 'useful' things like tiles (3 sorts), laminate flooring, cork matting, random bits of wood, and lots of emulsion. We have had a massive clear out from that cupboard, the hall and the front porch. Lots of things have found new homes and some things have gone to be recycled.
After this huge endeavour, it's back to the dining room and bringing that room into good shape.
When I think of house was just before Easter, I am amazed at the changes. It feels so good to have so many good spaces, and that we are able to maintain them to a reasonable standard.
Last week, my
joints were in serious 'whinge-mode' due to the bad weather. A beautiful purple lace scarf was draped around my neck and shoulders, fingerless gloves in 'blue jeans' kept my wrists warm, and rainbow socks resulted in toasty ankles. Sadly, it mad me look like 'crazy knitting
lady'. One person suggested that I had been 'yarn bombed'.
This winter might be just the time to make some wrist warmers/fingerless
gloves and socks in neutral colours. Then I wouldn't look like I had
dressed in the dark. The plan starts with fingerless gloves in black. When they are finished, I'll make some matching socks.
I didn't meet many goals for September, although I did manage to accomplish a number of other things. Some of these things included keeping up with the Mini-Challenges, re-starting at choir, going to the Embroiders' Guild, starting the renovation of the dining room, significant tidy up of daughter's room and a general improvement in my health and stamina.
This month, my goals are going to be kept to a minimum, and there will be a 'It would be nice to do'.
Craft:
finish the knitted jacket
finish the sunflower quilt
paint the duvet cover
make progress in the dining room
keep going out and meeting people
That's my list of things I want to achieve this month.
It would be nice to:
knit some hats from stash
start a Christmas quilt
empty the laundry basket
keep up with a daily exercise program - at the moment it is 10 minute on the bike, 10 weighted lifts whilst lying down, 10 standing lifts and a daily incrementing number of full squats.
It was lovely last Sunday when an older friend saw me sink to my knees to pick up something, and then just rise again. Straight down, straight up. She was amazed by it.
And, I have managed to do two things! I have been doing other things as well, but, I'm sad I only achieved two of my goals. The kitchen has mostly been kept tidy, but the laundry basket overflows!
So far, I have made three quilts. The first was a incredibly simple - squares and strips. The second was made from denim and fleece and was a single bed quilt. The latest completed quilt was a quilted table runner for my parents' golden wedding. With each project I have learned mover about quilting and techniques.
For September, I decided to set myself some goals and learn some more skills. On my list are appliqué, hand quilting and free motion quilting. My first attempt at appliqué was on the pumpkin peg bag, and I learned a great deal. After watching tutorials by Jenny of the Missouri Start Quilt Co onYouTube I was inspired to have a go at a Dresden plate block
But, instead of using lots of different fabrics, I wanted to use the design to make a sunflower.
You can buy Dresden rulers in shops and on-line, but I wanted to make it NOW. By using the 30° line on my quilting ruler, I was able to make a Dresden sunflower. Normally, the Dresden pattern calls for 20 'petals'. Using a 30° angle has reduced this to 12 petals on my sunflower.
The yellow petals are made and sewn, and I'm just about to start work on the brown centre of the flower. All of the bits were laid out on the backing fabric, and that is when I realised the background is too dark and too fussy.
The colour balance on this photograph is off. The yellow is a lovely, vibrant yellow, and the greens for leaves and stem are good mid-greens. However, this photograph does make it easy to see that the blue background is too close in saturation to the greens. Something softer and more background-y is required.
Today's bit of craftiness has come in the form of trying something new. Given the number of crafty things I have done over the years, this is my first attempt at appliqué.
It's not bad for a first go, and I was able to improve on it as I was working on the project.
There are times when a person realises they are engaged in self-sabbotaging behaviour. Last night I realised I spend far too much time playing on my computer. I get sucked into playing games and watching television programmes I don't really want to watch. This is not what I want to do.
Today has been spent knitting, and sewing. The knitting is an on-going project. Below is a Manx chicken pin cushion, and a couple of Christmas decorations.
The Christmas decorations need a little bit of gold cord (for hanging purposes) and a nice bead in the centre.
Line a Swiss roll tin with greaseproof paper and heat oven to 220C.
Whisk eggs briefly, then add sugar and whisk on high with an electric mixer for 5 minutes. All of the air that is incorporated at this stage is to give lift to the cake.
Sift the flour into the whisked eggs and fold in with a metal spoon.
Gently pour out into the Swiss roll tin, and bake for 9 - 10 minutes until just done.
Whilst hot, turn the cake onto a sheet of baking parchment and roll up tightly. Use oven gloves whilst rolling. Leave the cake to cool in the roll.
When the cake is cook, gently open up, and spread with a mixture of whipped cream and lemon curd. Roll back up again and decorate and serve.
It's amazing the difference these mini-challenges are making to the house. The kitchen is looking really tidy, and the sitting room is in need of a 5 minute spruce up, but apart from that, it's looking good too. There must be something to this 'little and often' thing. :o)
Today, I'm moving on to a larger challenge, called Un-foo your weekend. It starts off with 'strip the bed, throw the washing in the machine, and then make the bed'. Then it goes on to 'wash the dishes'. I'm feeling proud as I have already done that, along with washing the kitchen floor!
The weekend challenges are bigger, but designed to be accomplished within 20 minutes. The rule is 'work for 20, rest for 10'. It's a great way to operate as so much can be done in 20 minutes, and by adding in these rest periods you don't get burnt out.
Since having the massive pre-Easter declutter, tidy and clean in the bedroom, we have been keeping that room looking good. There's isn't much needing done there. Today the bedding will be done, a bit of dusting, and then the floor will be swept and washed. That will take the bedroom from 'good' to 'excellent'. )
Mini-challenge:
Spend five minutes in the garden. This might be weeding, picking up
rubbish, sweeping leaves, etc. Have a look at the garden and spend five
minutes improving it.
There are times when I can be the queen of procrastination.
Today, there is something I have been putting off for probably 2 weeks, and that's phone my GP for an appointment. Simple - pick up the phone and make that call! Come on you're an adult and you can do this.
Mini-challenge: Do the thing you have been putting off.
Mini-challenge: Pick up five things and put them away in their proper place.
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Stop It and Tidy Up was an animated children's television programme. All of the characters were names after commands that parents give to children - Go to Bed, Clean Your Teeth, and I Said No.
Mini-challenge: Microwave a bowl of water for 3 minutes. Wipe down the outside of the microwave and fridge, and any other kitchen you have time to do. When the timer goes off on the microwave, clean the inside of the machine.
When the children were small I realised I needed help in learning how to manage my home. My Mam used the practise of 'stuff it all in cupboards and keep the surfaces clean'. I was operating on a different model, 'keep the cupboards tidy and all the clutter on the surface'. Neither of those approaches to housekeeping is good.
A friend introduced me to FlyLady. She taught me how to tidy up, declutter and organise a home. However, I did find her a home-grown wisdom just a bit syrupy sweet for my tastes. Roll on a number of years, and I came across UfYH. 'Foo' isn't really the word they use, but I very rarely swear, and I'm such a delicate little flower...
FlyLady has a 'spoonful of sugar', whereas UfYH is much more a kick up the bum. At the moment, I am more responsive to a kick up the bum. :o) The idea is that you behave like an adult, and just get on with it!
I am really enjoying UfYH's mini-challenges. They take a few minutes to do, literally a few minutes, and there's a feeling of accomplishment. As part of the whole 'be an adult' thing, I'm going to use their mini-challenges, and also write up some of my own. The idea is when I have a few minutes to spare I can look up these mini-challenges and get something accomplished.
Fiona's partner rather liked the hat, and when I asked if he might like one, the offer was readily accepted. Instead of the girly pink and orange combination, I have gone for a more masculine orange and pink look. :o) The colours were at his request, but rather than making identical hat I opted for a set rather than a pair.
