'Dry January'

It's now 18 days since my last Coke. My eyes have been trained to simply glide passed those little bottles and cans of loveliness.  The more Coke I drink, the more Coke I want to drink.  However, when I stop drinking it the desire dwindles.  

I have been wondering if the same might be true for crisps.  If I don't eat them will my desire decrease?  It seems there is some truth in it.  This month I'm concentrating on 'No Coke', but I've also had a week free from crisps.  Me thinks that next month I will make into a 'No Coke, No Crisps' month.

I've done this before, and the weight gently slid off me, little by little.  This new year feels like a good time to make one healthy change each month.

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In other news, the first two projects of 2015 have been completed!  The first was a new small shawl for myself, and the second a hat for charity.  Last year many hats were made, and it was a great way to use up stash.  I don't know quite what happened, but my stash seems just as big this year.  Actually I do know what happened.  I bought yarn to replace it, and was given yarn as gifts.

This year is a Cold Sheep year.  I am not buying yarn.  Everything will be knitted from stash.  The only exception will be if I am commissioned to make an item.  They will need to provide me with the yarn.  

Day 6 and going strong!

My health isn't the best at the moment, and I'm very tired a great deal of the time.  However, I'm still 'dry' - no Coke has passed by lips since the turn of the year, and I managed to avoid yarn shops.

French learning has taken a bit of a back seat whilst I am unwell, but as this is a year long goal, I don't feel I have to be doing it each and every day. 

Today is the day we started taking down our Christmas tree and decorations.  It's also the day when I start putting the sitting room to rights again.  

I've tried to be sensible and tackle jobs that are achievable within my limited means to expend energy.  It's good being able to get one area done, and know there will be time (and energy) tomorrow to expand the area of 'domination'.  My  plan is to get one area into the state it should be, and each day expand a little whilst maintaining what has already been done. 

Day 2 and the Resolutions are still in place!

French has been spoken, exercise taken, no yarn bought and no Coke drunk.  This is going well.  I am fully capable of sticking to my resolutions for a day.  It might be an idea to make daily resolutions. :o)

The sweater for H was restarted last night.  This is based on a short-sleeved top she saw in a charity shop.  She loves the pattern, and most of the design.  The brief was to make one in a greeny blue that would reach almost to the knuckles, and fit nicely.  H is a crafter, designer and maker.  She understands what is possible, and what her Mammy is capable of.

To keep the shaping consistent on both sleeves I am knitting them at the same time.  The yarn is Scheepjes Stone Washed. It is a cotton and acrylic mix and feels very lovely.  The colour is Green Agate, and it was bought from Deramores.

 

Welcome to 2015

A very warm welcome to 2015.

There have been many changes in my life of late, but the great majority of them have been tiny, incremental changes.  They have lead me to a happier, healthier me, and I so want this to continue.

This year I have made a few New Year's Resolutions.  The first is to re-learn French and the second is to be healthier in 2015 than I was in 2014.  

There's also a 'cold sheep' challenge - I will not be buying any more yarn until Easter.  I wanted to say 'this year', but that seems to be far to big a challenge.  I know I can last until Easter, and then, I hope I will be able to continue it on until the summer.  There are two exceptions to the 'no new yarn' rules.  The first is that if I need more yarn to complete the sweater I am making for my daughter, I will buy it.  The second is that yarn can be bought for commissions.

The last resolution is to have a 'dry January.  This challenge was orginally not to drink any alcohol during the first month of the year.  That is no challenge to me at all as I don't drink alcohol.  However, my consumption of Coke has increased greatly over the last couple of months.  My version of 'dry' means 'No Coke'.

And with that, I'm off to do a bit of cycling. My health has improved year on year these last couple of years, and I want it to continue!

 

"Stained Glass" Windows

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. 

A tidier, non-exploded house

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. 

Crazy Knitting Lady?

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.

Monthly Goals - October

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.  

Monthly Goals - September

Last month I set some goals for myself:

Knitting:

• finish the current project, a knitted jacket
• finish Christmas socks for Mam
• make a fish hat for Daughter #2

Craft:

• transform old kitchen stool into toadstool
• use fabric paint to make a Christmas present
• to finish chicken pin cushion (1st Sept)

Quilting:

• learn applique (2nd Sept started work on it)
• learn quilt-as-you-go technique
• use the technique to start a quilt 

Home:

• keep a tidy kitchen (managed mostly)
• maintain an almost empty laundry basket

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!  

Poppies for a friend and colleague

A friend and colleague is about to leave our little island home.  She loves poppies.  With this in mind, I made this card for her.

The Growth of a Sunflower

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.

A Peg Bag for Jack?

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. 

A Crafty Day

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. 

Lemon Swiss Roll

3 eggs (at room temperature)

75g sugar

75g plain gluten-free flour

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.

Little and often!

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: Wash the dishes

Mini-challenge: Wash the dishes.  If there's not many wipe down a few surfaces and do a bit of tidying in the kitchen.

Mini-challenge: Clean the kitchen floor

Mini-challenge: Fill a bucket with hot soapy water.  Dip and cloth in the water, and wring it out.  Wash the floor.

Mini-challenge: Declutter the sofa

Mini-challenge: Declutter the sofa.

My sofa turns into a little nest, with all sorts of stuff close at hand.  And it looks a mess!  Time to make it look like a sofa again.

Mini-challenge: Five minutes in the garden

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.

Mini-challenge: Stop Procrastinating

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.