Two Hats of the Hatathon

The first two hats have been made, using the pattern Baby Hats. I've worked both hats in blue and white. The ribbing in blue. The design is worked by knitting two rounds in white. The third round is alternating stitches in blue and white. Rounds four and five are also in white. Then it flips, and this five round design is worked in blue with white flecks. The design is maintained through the crown decreases.

Company:  Patons

Yarn: Fairytale Colour 4 Me DK

Composition: Wool

Colour:  Turquoise

Company:  King Cole

Yarn: Merino Blend DK

Composition: Wool

Colour:  Cream

Pattern: Baby Hats

Size: Newborn
Needles: 4mm

Amount used:  22g for the smaller hat and 30g for the larger one

Started:  16th September 2017

Finished: 17th September 2017

Baby Hats

Cast on 60(66)sts using a 4mm needle. Join.

Work 10(14) rounds in 1x1 rib. Then continue in stocking stitch for 15(20) round.

Crown shaping:

1. (K4, k2tog) 10(11) times

2. K

3. (K3, k2tog) 10(11) times

4. K

5. (K2, k2tog) 10(11) times

6. K

7. (K1, k2tog) 10(11) times

8. K

9. (K, k2tog) 10(11) times

10. K

11. k2tog  10(11) times

12. K

13. K2tog, 5 times. For the larger size, K2tog 5 times, K1

Either break the yarn, leaving enough to thread through the stitches and close the top of the hat, or make a 10 row I-cord using the 5(6)sts. Weave in the ends.

More Crafty Bits

Who knew I had to many ribbons?!

Today's haul is: a baking tray (from the kitchen, not my study), beads, gold thread, a box, a tapestry, ribbons, 2 balls of yarn, felt, fabric, a scarf, fleece, lace, a shoe box, more beads and cotton binding.

The vast majority of the craft materials is being set aside for donation to a children's charity. When the study/craft room declutter has finished I'll go through the items again and gather similar items together. All the little containers of beads will be popped in a bag, all the yarn will be gathered, felt will find its fuzzy friends. This should make it a great deal easier for the person who will be unpacking the box.

The end is in sight! I haven't been horrified by the amount of yarn I have. In fact, I have been rather pleasantly surprised by how much I don't have! This is probably due to the various hat-a-thons. I am, however, surprised by how much fabric I have. There's a fair few quilts in my future. For the next 15-ish months, as long as more yarn and fabric leaves the building than comes in I'll be happy.

We have some family coming over for a few days in October. My study/craft room will be finished by the end of next week, I hope. The Beloved and I will move up there during the visit. I would dearly love to have a functioning, tidy dining room too.

Digging Deep Under the Bed

I've been digging deep, under the bed, pulling out boxes of crafting materials. Day 15's decluttering are: a sewing box, sheets of plastic canvas, a notebook, a lace making kit, 2 randoms socks (not a pair), braid, stars, a key ring, a tape measure, popper,s Aida, a scarf and couple of balls of yarn.

As I'm writing this, the corners of my eyes are prickling, a sure sign that tears are not far away. It's time to say goodbye to the sewing box, a blue and white basket weave in plastic, with a soft blue satin lining. It's dirty, dusty and broken. And it's so difficult to release. I've been thinking about it for at least 10 years, but finally, I'm managed to work myself into a place where I can let it go.

About 40 years, I received this sewing basket from my beloved Grandma for Christmas. I can't remember getting it, but it has been part of my crafting life for quite a number of years. Although for the last 10 it has tended to sit of a shelf, just gathering dust. It's broke, it's old, it either needs to be replaced, or thrown out.  But, it is the one thing that connects me most to my Grandma. To put it simply, I see it and I think of her.

But, an object is just an object. It's not the box that's important, it's what Grandma taught me. I learned to knit when I was four. Everyone in my family could knit, and I wanted to learn. My Grandma had such patience, and she took me up on her lap and taught me. I remember one day I wanted to make clothing for my doll, and I asked my Mama to show me how to make 'proper hole, not the mistake holes'. She was too busy, and directed me to Grandma, who lived next door. Grandma showed me the art of making 'proper holes'.

Grandma showed me many other wonderful things - how to make pancakes, and ice cream, how to do 5000 piece jigsaws.  Grandma taught me the importance of listening. One day I was bursting with news, and ran into the dining room, "Grandma, Grandma!" I shouted. Grandma was in the middle of doing the accounts for my grandparents' business "One minute, Pet, and you can tell me all about it." And, sure enough, within the minute, she had finished what she was doing and was able to turn to face me. "Yes, my dear, what is it?" When Grandma listened it wasn't just any old listening. Like the knitting, it 'proper listening'. When she listened I felt I was the most important person in her world. She put down what she was doing, she smiles, and she listened, really listened. There were encouraging noises, little gasps when appropriate, and often an exclamation of 'Well! Would you believe it!"

Put a little broken, dusty sewing box in the bin is never going to be able erase those memories.  The gifts Grandma has given to me are part of who I am. 

How to Kill Your Husband

I hate the sodding menopause. Too hot, too cold, too grumpy, too sad, too old. Too many white hairs, too much of me. It's just too much!

And don't get me started on hormones! Just don't!

There are times when you are overcome with sadness. There are times when rage just wants to consume you. There's times when a simple act can set your teeth on edge, and there's times when you just want to kill your husband.

Now, I'm an intelligent woman. During my childhood I read every Agatha Christie novel, many times. I've watched every episode of Bones, Castle and Monk. I know many, many ways in which people can kill, and many, many, many ways they can make mistakes and be caught. I most definitely don't want to be caught.

My first idea was very quickly dismissed. It was simple - a knitting needle rammed right up the nose. But that would be so messy. It would definitely ruin my needle and my knitting.

At a friend's wedding a few years back, the best man said to the bride during his speech, "Congratulations, you are sitting beside the person most likely to kill you." This resulted in much laughter, but it came to mind today. People are most likely to be killed by someone they know. As the 'grieving widow', I would be the prime suspect.

Without warning, the Hitchcock film 'Strangers on a Train' came to mind. Two strangers want to "get rid" of someone and whilst on the train they talk about "exchange" murders, so neither will be caught. There would be no connection between the murder and the murderee, nothing to connect them. The idea was appealing. Where would I find a person who wanted someone killed? ... Would I be able to kill a perfect stranger? It's oh so easy to want to kill someone you know, an overbearing, obnoxious, self-satisfied someone. But a stranger?

Perhaps it might be better to go kayaking at Port Erin? We could take out a double kayak. Then when we were out a good distance, I could start rocking the boat, and capsize. As a novice kayak-er, this would not be terribly suspicious. Then, when we are in water, I could clamber up on to his shoulders and drown him.

I'm a much better swimmer than him! I could swim to the kayak and hang on for dear life, shout and scream... 

Sod it, that dislocated shoulder a few years ago! It's going to put kayaking right out of the question.

(pause)

Oh! Speak of the devil! Here he comes!

(pause)

Oh, a cup of tea, Earl Grey, hot, with lemon... a gluten-free shortbread biscuit... and a gentle kiss on the forehead. (sigh)

I love that man.

Trueheart's Quest

Sitting astride his mighty warhorse, Tuergar Trueheart, an Elvish mercenary, rode back towards the city.  He had been riding for days, four days to get to Roriskstead, and now four days back. And that wasn't counting the days he spent in and around that little village, learning all he could about the Hegna the Witch, and then tracking her, and setting in motion his cunning plans that lead to her defeat. 

Trueheart was an excellent horseman, as are all Elves. But, his tall, slender frame was gently slumped in the saddle. His braided hair fell in caresses around his shoulders, all a deep dark rich brown, except for the single silver lock robbed of all pigment by the splash of blood from a basilisk. Trueheart wore a studded leather jerkin, and dun-coloured woollen hose. He was no longer an Elf on a mission, but a warrior returning from battle. This quest had taken time, energy, and the life of his companion, Simon the Simple. It was with a very heavy heart Tuergar turned his face to the citadel.

It was time to return to the city and claim his payment from the Dynast, Arik the Delegator. Arik had been a mercenary herself, but on the death of her mother, she had inherited her enormous fortune, the result of quest to capture a dragon's hoard. From the sea to the far mountains, Arik was the ruler of all. Although no longer a mercenary, but she put her training to good used, and put out quests to competitive tendering. Trueheart's tender had been 999 pieces of gold, a single coin under his rival's bid.

The travel, the quest, the mighty battle, and the death of his friend had left a deep weariness in Trueheart's bones. He wanted to drink mead in a snug little tavern. He wanted to watch the serving women dance their intricate waltz around the tables, delivering food, collecting empty tankards, and keeping out of reach of roving hands. He wanted to sleep in a bed once more, rather than curled in a blanket on the ground beside his horse. He wanted this journey done. 

Along the valley, Trueheart rode, and circled around a hill. Rising up before him, he saw the shining city, gleaming white marble. A few more miles, and a tankard of mead would be his.

Ahead lay a high stone bridge, spanning a narrow, but deep river. A furtive movement near the bridge caused Trueheart to be instantly on the alert. An Orc! A creature with a fearsome reputation. 

Trueheart grabbed his sword and charged at the Orc. Borgog turned to face the horse and rider, ducking at the last moment. Trueheart’s sword hit the stonework of the bridge and flew out of his hand. The Orc reached up and dragged Trueheart from the saddle. Together they fought until Trueheart reached out his hand to push the Orc off the bridge.

(pause)

The dungeon master clears his throat. "Hold on a minute. Roll the dice to see if your character is strong enough to push the Orc over the parapet." The D20 rattles in the dice box, and it is flung out onto the table. A one! 

The corners of the dungeon master's mouth twitch almost imperceptibly. "One!", he says, with a smidge of glee. "Instead of pushing the Orc off the bridge, you lightly caress his back. He is uncomfortable. The Orc reflexively reaches out to crush your larynx in response." The DM scoops up the dice and rolls again. "One!, this time with more than a hint of glee. A tiny cackle escapes his lips. "The Orc gently strokes your hair." 

(pause)

Years and several critical failures later, Tuergar Trueheart, thinks back to how he met his husband, Borgog, Scourge of the Thundercaves, and chuckles. A different time, to be sure. He goes back to weeding their vegetable garden.

-----

I came across a wee story on the interwebs about Trueheart and Borgog. It was just the bit from 'reached out his hand to push the Orc off the bridge'. It felt like the conclusion of a story, not a story in itself, and the names seemed the wrong way round.

Never having being part of the Dungeons and Dragons crowd I didn't know what might have happened to Trueheart and Borgog before their chance meeting on the bridge. Over lunch today, I probed The Beloved and The Younger Offspring and built a scenario based on their responses.

More Stuff say "Bye Bye"

A large box of papers have been decluttered! These were papers boxed up when we moved into this house, 10 years ago. The box had not been opened!  A few of the papers should be kept, but the rest have been ditched. 

In addition to this, the following have said "Bye bye": needles, buttons, felt, fabric, ribbons, elastic, number stickers, skirt, trousers, and a music system. It turned out I hadn't quite reached the end of the books in my stuff, and a few books are leaving too.

More Books say "Bye Bye"

Bye bye books. It's so easy to accumulate books, and then fail to sort through them from time to time. I think that's my study cleared of books I no longer want. But, there another unopened box, possible from our move here 10 years ago. I should check that box and made sure.

30 Day Declutter Challenge: Day 12

The declutter today is mostly books, with a tape, CD and DVD. This takes the total for the month to 78. Some of these items are '1 book' or '1CD', and others are 'fabric'. This can mean 4 different fabrics, each over a metre in length. It's not an exact science. At its core it's a way of decluttering, not stock taking.

At some point, I need to start tidying! The Elder Offsrping's stuff is tidy, but I'm having problems working out how to categorise my crafting materials, and how to store them.

I think I need boxes for 4ply, double knitting and 'other yarn', and also patchwork cotton and 'other fabric'. It would be good to get my knitting needles, crochet hooks and patchwork templates gathered in a central location.

Week 37: Toys & Games

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #37: Toys & Games

Tuesday: Declutter toys with small parts and building blocks

Wednesday: Declutter kids' toy box or other toy storage containers

Thursday: Declutter stuffed animals

Friday: Declutter board games, card games and puzzles

Saturday: Declutter video games and other electronic toys

Sunday: Declutter kids' playroom or other area they play in

As my children are adults, it's up to them to decide which toys and games they wish to declutter, and which ones they want to keep. The only toy The Beloved and I really have is Lego, and there would be major ructions if I suggested decluttering Lego. It's in an Ikea toy box, all neat and contained. It's totally fine where it is, and it's great to have if younger people come to visit, or The Beloved decided to get a bit 'blocky'.

Stuffed animals is a slightly different matter. I have decided to keep a stuff animal from each offspring's childhood. And then there's a teddy bear given to me years ago. The Beloved has two elephants (Big Ellie and little Ellie) and a dog, Benji. They are going nowhere.

Our board games were decluttered a while back. The card games we have are played with, and I need to have a think about jigsaw puzzles. I like the idea of jigsaws, but very rarely do them.

Video/computer games - that's up to the people they belong to.

30 Day Declutter Challenge: Day 11

Leaving my study are: 3 cushions, a picture book, 3 balls of yarn, a stack of fabric, more ribbons and embroidery thread, felt and a small knitting loom. There's now two large boxes full of crafting materials, plus a large carrier bag. 

These items need to be leaving the house fairly soon as they are taking up 'valuable' floor space. The reality is the room is getting messier, not tidier. I need to see that I'm making progress. The boxes need to leave, and the decluttered items need to be taken from my study to the dining room, the place where we store stuff that will be leaving the house.

I've been finding balls of yarn that would be great for a hat-a-thon. These are being put to one side ready for October.

Tomato and Lentil Soup

Ingredients

1 onion

a little oil

2 cloves of garlic

250g red lentils

500g jar of tomato sauce for pasta

500ml water or stock

Method

Chop an onion, sauté it in a little oil. Add 2 cloves of crushed garlic, and cook for about 2 minutes. Add in about 250g of washed red lentils, and then a jar (about 500g) of pasta/spaghetti sauce (marinara in the US?). Fill the jar with water or stock, swirl it around to loosen the rest of the tomato sauce, and pop it into the soup pan with the tomato sauce, onions and lentils. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 25 minutes.

Notes

Basil leaves can be shredded and used as a garnish. A swirl of balsamic dressing also makes a good garnish.

This soup freezes very well. 

Chequered Baby Blanket

A baby blanket made of mitred garter stitch squares. It is an excellent way to use up lots of little balls of yarn. The cream yarn ties together all the different yarns. These yarns are all at least 75% wool, and are all 4ply.

Company:  King Cole

Yarn: Merino Blend 4ply

Composition: Wool

Colour:  Cream

Pattern: mitred square blanket

Size: 100cm
Needles: 2.75mm

Amount used: 

Started:  8th September 2017

The first square is created by casting on 30sts. knit back across.

1. K13, k2tog, place marker, k2tog, k13.

2. Knit.

3. Knit to 2 stitches before marker, k2tog, move marker, k2tog, k to end.

4. Knit.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there are 2 sts on needles. K2tog, cut the yarn, leaving an end to weave in. Draw the yarn through the remaining stitch to secure it.

The squares on the right hand side are made by casting on 15st and picking up 15. The left hand squares are made by picking up 15st, and casting on 15. In both cases, knit back across, and then start at the first line of the pattern.  

For the squares in the middle, pick up 30sts, 15 from each side of the squares of the previous row of squares.

The first time I made a blanket like this I left all the ends of yarn until the end of the knitting. It took an insanely long time to finish that project. I've learned I need to weave them in as I go, otherwise it becomes overwhelming. This knowledge has been transferred across into other knitting and crochet projects, I weave them in as I go. My ideal is to have but one end to weave in at the end of the knitting/crocheting. 

30 Day Declutter Challenge

Day 9's declutter didn't happen. This is the haul from Days 9 and 10. I'm still at the stage where things are grouped together. Wonder how long it will be before every individual item is being counted?

Felt, cellophane, crafting card, variegated threads, embroidery threads, ribbons, cream fabric, assorted rubbish, blanket, wash cloth, bag, sweater, rainbow scarf, red scarf, grey top, navy sari fabric, hessian, black fabric, and organza.

Fuchsia Bookmark

This is another unfinished project that has been finished. The top two flowers needed to be stitched, the little strip of purple border added and the backing felt sewn in place.

I've absolutely no idea when this project was started, but it was finished today! It is the first Christmas present I have made this year. My Mam is a fuchsia lover as well as a book lover. It will be prefect for her.

Dennis the Menace

Company: Sirdar

Yarn: Country Style DK

Composition: 75% wool, 25% polyamide

Colour:  Black

Colour:  Red
Composition: 45% Acrylic, 40% Nylon, 15% Wool

Pattern: raglan sweater 

Size: 18 months
Needles: 3.5 and 4mm

Amount used: 120g

Started:  3rd July 2009
Finished: 26th January 2010
Really Finished: 8th September 2017!

I have absolutely no idea why it took me to long to sew on 4 little buttons! But, no guilt, no blame, no excuses. It's finished now!

Guilt-free Crafting

Today's unearthing included a cross stitch bookmark of fuchsias. My Mam loves fuchsias, so I'll finish it and send it as part of her Christmas present. On Monday, I found a Dennis the Menace baby/toddler sweater that was just needing 4 buttons to be sewn on at the neck. Tuesday saw the unearthing of the buttons, and as soon as I sit in my crafty corner I'll sew the buttons on!

A little nagging thought has been niggling away at the back of my head. It wants me to feel guilty over all the materials and projects that I have bought or started and have left forgotten in a box, or hidden away. I have decided, "Sod that!" I'm not going to feel guilty. I'm simply going to declutter and dispose of the things I don't want. Some things like the fuchsia bookmark and Dennis the Menace sweater will be finished and given away.  

Life's too short for regrets of this nature.  Far better to put emotional energy into other things, like being kind and compassionate, generous, loving etc. Sod guilt!

New Kitchen Utensils

My lovely new kitchen utensils have arrived! My set have black silicone rather than grey.  Ooh lovely! I have been trying to find new utensils since I received my Le Creuset skillet two months ago. The skillet has a non-stick coating, and metal utensils are a bad idea. The skillet is used almost every day, and I want to ensure it lasts a really long time.

The new utensils have been hung on the rack in place of the metal ones. Two of the large metal spoons have been moved to the utensils drawer - they will be great serving spoons for the dinner table. The rest have been popped in a cupboard. If they don't get used by the end of the month they will be leaving the house.

30 Day Declutter: 45mm rotary cutter blades, 2 door plates, 2 cross stitch patterns, Lopi knitting patterns, paper and general clutter, and yarn.

Tomato and Bean Soup

Ingredients

1 Tsp oil

1 onion

2 carrots

2 cloves of garlic

300ml vegetable stock

800g (2 cans) of chopped tomatoes

400g (1 can) of baked beans

1 tsp dried basil

Method

Finely chop the onion, carrots and garlic. Add the oil, onion and carrots to a saucepan and saute for 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 2 minutes. 

Add the chopped tomatoes, baked beans, stock and basil. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Card Making?!

I am at a loss. Why do I keep finding card marking supplies when I declutter? I don't make cards, so why do I keep finding packs of white cards all ready to decorate? Ah well, the Children's Centre will benefit.

At Day 7 of the 30 Days Declutter Challenge, things are going well. In the earltydays of the challenge, I tend to declutter larger, group items and count it as one item. By the time Day 30 arrives every single item is counted individually. 

Today's declutterings are: a large box of fabric, a child's dress-up tunic, a bobbin holder, a box of crafty bits (including card making stuff, various craft kits and a container of paint brushes), a jigsaw, large playing cards (12x18cm), and a load of old cards, magazines and stationery. 

She'll be wearing purple pajamas when she comes

Six items today, four from my study and two from the clutter in the upper hall. Gone are a basket of dried up craft paints, a jar of sequins, the Elder Offspring's computer (hard disks removed), a rustic Christmas star, white fairy lights with added poof, and a pair of purple satin pajamas. The pjs were given to me at least 10 years ago. They didn't fit then, and they don't fit now. But, they are lovely pjs and are perfect for a charity shop.

I've also decluttered some fabric from the Denim and Fleece Quilt made almost four years ago. A few items of clothing and pieces of fabric have been placed on the decluttered desk. These are my pre-sorted, stand-by, in-case-of-emergency decluttering items. They are just waiting to be officially decluttered. There might be a time when I don't have the time or energy to declutter the required number of items this month. This is my little reserve.

There was one lot of cloth I know I definitely don't want. Another piece of fabric is in 'Yes, I think I do want it', and a third is 'That would make a nice skirt'. This makes four categories of crafting stuff: keep, I think I want it, I can see a use for it, and dispose. The first and last are easy, so easy, but the middle two... Perhaps two clear boxes, they can be labelled 'declutter in September 2018', and 'declutter in March 2018'. If the fabric in 'I can see a use for it' hasn't been used by March 2018 then it will either the disposed of, or moved to 'keep' or 'I think I want it'.

Crafting Materials

My suspicion is there's three main reasons why I didn't want to start on my study. The first was the Elder Offspring's belonging were forming a barrier to some of my clutter. This was dealt with yesterday. All of her boxes are now tidily stored in one corner of the room. The second was the sheer amount of clutter, and the third how much of that clutter was crafting supplies.

In the last 8 weeks I have been to a craft shop twice. Once was to buy batting and thread to finish of the Pre-Quilt, and once to buy fabric for a brand new quilt. I realised over the weekend I needed more fabric to finish the quilt. A friend was heading in that direction yesterday and bought the fabric for me. (Edited to add: I forgot about the cone of yarn I ordered from Amazon at the weekend. That's going to be a winter sweater for me.)

My intention for the last little while has been to work from stash as much as possible, only buying new materials to finish a project. A further refinement to the plan is to take turns making a new item and finish an existing project. It looks like I need make a further refinement to allow me to create totally new projects. Perhaps:

• new project (from stash)
• finish an unfinished one
• new project (from stash)
• finish an unfinished one
• brand new project

Looking at my recent work, there's two projects on the go, flared wrist warmers and the Muppet baby quilt. The wrist warmers are being made from stash, and the baby quilt is brand new. The Sea Foam Shawl was from stash, and the Pre-Quilt an unfinished. If I finish an unfinished I will be on track. There's a little sweater I unearthed yesterday that just needs some buttons. That will work!

----

The five decluttered things have come not from my study, but the laundry! Whilst putting in some washing I noticed the shelf above the washing machine was looking rather disorganised. At one end there's paints and brushes, in the middle, cleaning products, and at the other end some gardening stuff. Saying 'bye-bye' are two decorative pots, two vases and a flower basket. My suspicion is the basket arrived about 10 years ago and after the flowers had faded the basket was put on a high shelf. The other items haven't been used in at least two years. They can go.

Study Declutter: Day 2

Whilst chatting with the Elder Offspring I found out she doesn't want her old computer, just the hard disc. The Beloved is going to remove the hard disc this week, and I'll pack it away with the rest of her belonging in my study. I'll lift the computer up onto the cleared desk, and this will give me some a way into on of the cluttered corners. This will be come the place to store the Elder Offspring's stuff.

Whilst I'm moving things around, I'll be on the look out for four items I can declutter. 

But, first things first. It's time to tidy my bedroom. ... And done! 1 minute and 20 seconds. That's how long it too me to make the bed, and tidy a few items of clothing.  Before going to be tonight, I'm going to put away my clothes and lay out tomorrow's outfit. Let's see if I can get the morning tidying down to less than 1 minute. If my 14 year old self could see me now! She would think I had been mind wiped and had my brain altered! But I do so like having a tidy bedroom.

The four items decluttered are all things bought, and unused: a handbag, curtain pole and rings, baby socks and black gloves. 

Also removed from the room: two baby cardigans, a wine bottle 'cozy' and a valance sheet. The cardigans have been washed. One was finished, and the other finished all bar buttons. The valance sheet will be cut up and used to make a pillow case for the Younger Offspring's bolster pillow. There might even be enough fabric for two! I don't know what I was thinking making a wine bottle cozy! It's being unravelled and will be knitted into a hat instead.

Week 36: Yard & Garden

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #36: Yard & Garden

Tuesday: Declutter gardening supplies

Wednesday: Declutter yard tools and equipment

Thursday: Declutter outdoor storage shed

Friday: Declutter front porch/outdoor entrance to home

Saturday: Declutter patio and/or deck

Sunday: Declutter broken and outgrown toys

The garden and terrace are very much in need of  decluttering. A while back I spent hours weeding between the bricks in the terrace. Two weeks of rain made the whole area green with new plant growth again! I wanted to throw up my hands in disgust. However, I want to have growing area out there next spring, and it needs to be sorted before then!

The shed has been a dumping ground. We have been clearing out bits and pieces over the last few months, but not consistently enough. A concerted effort is required.

We have no toys in the garden.

Bedroom Tidy and Study Declutter

I noticed my bedroom was looking a little messy, and decided to time myself as I tidied it. The bed is made, the towels straightened, everything is in its correct place, and it took me a grand total of 3 minutes and 45 seconds. It should be mentioned there's a few things in the hall just outside the bedroom, a glass, a pair of shoes, and a small back of rubbish from the bedroom bin. These will be dealt with when I go downstairs. My expectation is that will add about 15 seconds to the tidy time.

Given how long it has taken to do this, I think it is time to pop up to my study and find three things to declutter. Wonder what they will be...

That was tough! I really didn't know where to start. But, it started with a folder of old paperwork. The most recent stuff was over 10 years ago. The papers have been ditched. The folder and dividers have been retained. They are just what I need for the new filing system. The next item to say goodbye is a yarn swift. and the third are three sets of straight/double pointed knitting needles I haven't used in years!

A couple of shawls/scarves have been brought down and put away in the wardrobe. A little yoga pillow has been brought down too. It has a month to prove its worth, or it will be added to the 30 items disappearing on the 30th. Also unearthed is a pair of fingerless mittens about 90% done. I'm going to finish them, and make some flip tops for them.

There's boxes of the Elder Offspring's stuff up there, including her old computer. Wonder if she wants it? I think what I need to do tomorrow is get into a corner of the room, and make a designated spot for her stuff. Currently it's forming a little wall between me and my clutter.

Muppet Quilt

This is the design I had decided upon for my next quilt. It is for a baby.

However, when I went to Sweet Ginger to buy fabric I didn't quite manage it. Instead, I was taken with this one instead.

And then came the shock when I picked up the colours from Gonzo, Animal, Beaker and Kermit. This is going to be a rather striking quilt! Very bold, and very colourful.

The Pre-Quilt and Sea Foam Shawl

The Pre-Quilt and Sea Foam Shawl have both been finished. The shawl was actually finished last weekend, but I haven't had the brain power to get my tame photographers lined up to photograph it. I feel a photography session coming on.

...

The coffee table runner has been photographed.

30 Day Declutter Challenge: September

In July, I took part in a 30 Day Declutter Challenge. (On the first day, you declutter one item, two on the second day, etc all the way to the end of the month. This leads to 465 items leaving the house!) It went exceedingly well. It's time for another! Yesterday, a scarf was decluttered, and today two more have been waved goodbye. A good start.

September is the month I really get to grips with my study/guest room/craft room/dumping ground. The first three items of the 30 Day Declutter Challenge were from my wardrobe, but the rest, I'm hoping, will all come from the mess at the top of the house.

Migraine Stops Play

I had forgotten how awful it can be to have a migraine. These last three days, I have wanted to do nothing but stay in bed. It's been quite some time since my last migraine, and would be very happy if this was the last one I was to get!

Thankfully, it feels like I'm getting my brain back. I've been able to do a bit more work on the coffee table runner, but everything is still a bit too bright, a bit too loud, a bit too hot, a bit too cold, a bit too odorous... 

Tomorrow is a new day, and I'm expecting to be much more myself again.  Yes, that's it, migraines are too much of everything, and not enough of me.

Week 35: Seasonal Clothing Switch

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #35: Seasonal Clothing Switch

Tuesday: Out of season clothing swap

Wednesday: Continue to replace out of season clothes with in season items

Thursday: Declutter and/or store outgrown or out of season clothes

Friday: Create inventory of stored clothing

Saturday: Declutter and organize sweaters and sweatshirts, and other cool weather clothing

Sunday: Declutter summer decorations

It's too early to be switching summer clothing for winter. There's still a number of warm days to come. When the weather changes, it will be good to pack away fine cotton skirts and light-weight trousers for more robust, warmer fabrics. There are a few items that will be 'retired' and not put into storage.

However, now seems like a fantastic time to take an inventory of my warmer clothing and check I have enough warm clothing for the winter. My suspicion is I will need new trousers and a new skirt. When I last decluttered my wardrobe I replaced summer clothing, but didn't replace the winter stuff.

My sweaters and cardigans are in a drawer, stacked vertically. This is a brilliant system for me as I can see immediately which sweaters/cargis are available for wear. They can stand up by themselves, and don't get in a mess when one is removed.

We don't have 'summer decorations', but it would be a good idea to switch things around a little, perhaps put some items into storage for a while.

Hand Quilting Takes Time

As it says in the title, 'hand quilting takes time'. Three of the six hand quilted Celtic knots have been done, and the fourth started. It take time, and a decent amount of light.

I'm been rather impressed with the Frixion pen. It writes like a ball point pen, but with heat the ink disappears. My other quilting pen is a felt tip and then ink fades over about 10 minutes. It's definitely Frixion pen I need for this project. It would be a complete nightmare having to re-draw my quilting lines every 10 minutes!

Short Stories

The Beloved and I are part of a Short Stories group. The group gathers every few weeks and about 10 people read or tell a short story. The story can be one you have written, or one you like. This next one will be the first where we have 'read'/performed. The Beloved is great at reading stories. Dyslexic little me is absolutely pants at reading someone else work. I stumble and falter, but I can tell stories.

My favourite one from last time was about a conservator at a museum. He was cleaning an old oil lamp. The story is told from hiss perspective, until billowing clouds of smoke start coming from the lamp. He grows light-headed, stand up quickly, and his world turns black. A genie pops out, and says in an exasperated tone, dripping with sarcasm, "Oh great! Another fainter!"

I've been puzzling over a story for the next meeting, and have been struggling with the 'twist in the tail' element of it all. I'm so used to making up stories on the spot that I haven't learned how to construct them from scratch. Last week, I was at a workshop, and at the start, the leader explained there are two main types of writer, the architect and the gardener. The architect plans everything meticulously, and the gardener plants, waters, watches, and prunes. The gardener sees how things develop. I suspect I am much more an architect.

I'll been looking around for inspiration, and this morning an idea popped into my little noggin. Thankfully, the idea included a nice little ending too. The story's working title is 'How to kill your husband'.

Getting Batty and Knotty

The 15th of July was the last time I bought crafting materials. At the time I made a decision not to buy anything new for 3 months, except items needed to finish projects. 

The Pre-Quilt was in need of a backing fabric, and there was the possibility of needing more batting. A trip up to my craft materials storage room (also known as the guest room) revealed I didn't have batting, but I did have a couple of metres of the light cream fabric. There is enough fabric for me to back both runners and also bind them! A trip to the craft shop solved my batting problem. I was able to buy some iron-on batting and was very pleased with the purchase. 

The plan is to machine quilt the light cream areas of the square blocks, and to hand quilt a design in the larger, sandy triangles. The Celtic knot design above will be used. The design has been enlarged to fit the area, and printed out. This has been slipped under the fabric and drawn on using a Frixion erasable pen. When the ink is heated it disappears.

And suddenly I have a problem! I can't iron on the top onto the batting as this will erase my carefully traced design. I think I am going to have to treat it as ordinary batting and pin it in place whilst I quilt, and then iron over the places with the disappearing ink. Ah well! The best laid plans of mice and bears often go awry. 

Finished Pre-Quit Top

In our last exciting installment of The Pre-Quilt, I was unsure regarding the number of pinwheel blocks to use in the runners. I have decided on 4 blocks for the coffee table and 5 for the side board.

The blocks have all been sewn together. Care was taken to ensure the red sashing matched up as well as I can manage from one strip to another. Sashing was sewn to the top and bottom of the runner. The triangles were cut a bit too large. This will enable me to trim them down and get the sizing just right.