Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Resolutions, revisited.
I discovered my list of new year resolutions while trawling through the contents of my old laptop the other day, and thought it might be interesting to see how I'm doing with them so far. Here goes:
Write more letters
I’ve not written as many as I’d hoped, but certainly more than last year. 6/10
Keep note of interesting/difficult/hilarious customers and incidents
Again, not as in-depth as I thought I would, or as frequently, and have lost some due to the notes being on tiny bits of paper, but overall I think I’ve kept track of the best ones! 8/10
Make a book of beautiful and inspirational shops & places
Haven’t even thought about this one yet, let alone done it. Maybe next year? 0/10
Visit National Trust properties
Have been to two, one more than once, and plan a few more before the year’s out. 6/10
Catalogue my books onto LibraryThing
I had such high hopes of doing this when I’d moved in – maybe by the end of the year I’ll have managed it? 4/10
Set aside time once a month to update LiveJournal
I haven’t actually even been to the LJ site in the last three or four months, so I think I can safely say I won’t be using it in the foreseeable future. In my new happy state I don’t need it to vent so much and I don’t find it as user friendly as it used to be – my friends’ posts don’t seem to be easily available as they used to. 0/10
Take more photos
Inadvertently, yes – mostly due to the weekend in Bath and needing to photograph DF stock, but yes, more than I’d expected to be able to. Still rubbish at uploading and filing them though, and definitely need to upload some to the Youthnet Flickr group before the end of the year, or there will have been no point offering my services. 6/10
Blog once a week
Not quite once a week, but more regularly than I expected. Plan to improve this before the end of the year. 5/10
Meet up with some ROC members
First meet was CAE 2010 which was, for me, an incredible success – next meet is bank holiday Monday and I think that’ll be just as good. 10/10
Go to at least one live show
Went to one in Northampton on 3 January and haven’t made it to a single one since – may have to re-enter this resolution in the next show season. 10/10 for the one live show as it was 90 miles in ice and snow in a RWD car, but 1/10 for failing to attend any others this year.
Rescue my belongings from storage/take a road trip in a van
My stuff is no longer in storage! Admittedly there are a few bits in the living room it would be really nice to shift soon, but I have all my things back and I did one solo road trip in a giant red van called Velma, and another one to London in a smaller van with Julia. Almost exactly how we planned. 10/10
Start & attend a craft club, or join a knitting circle/club
Joined Kitsch at the outset, have missed a few meetings but I love it and have even provided them with a book club! 9/10
Knit something
Hmm, so far not so much, I have patches for a blanket and plans to crochet some amigurumi animals, if that counts? 3/10
Make presents & cards for Christmas and birthdays 2010
Ok, so this one I’ve failed miserably at, I’ve not even managed to send cards to most people for their birthdays. Next year will be the year. 0/10
Get Folksy, Etsy & Misi shops up & running
Folksy has some items for sale, Etsy shop exists but has no listings and I’m not even registered on Misi. 2/10
Go to at least four craft fairs as an exhibitor
Having been accepted to Hylands monthly fair, starting in September, I have a fighting chance of achieving this before December, assuming all goes to plan! 6/10 so far.
Rescue and upcyle found objects & things from charity shops
Bangles, vintage buttons, rescued clothing & scraps of lace – I’m on the right tracks! 8/10
Learn to use resin and/or silver clay
This isn’t going to happen till I have more money & time. 0/10
Make an item of clothing
Hmm, may need guidance from Lou on this one. I have however made a patchwork wall hanging and two cushions. Halfway there?! 5/10
Collaborate on something artistic or crafty
Chloe’s tree charms for my bracelet sort of count, but I’d love to do something bigger that counts as an actual project. The Bibliocraft exhibition also sort of counts. 5/10
London days
I can’t actually remember the last time I went to London. Epic fail. 0/10
Reinvent wardrobe/chuck out stuff I don’t wear
I did this quite effectively during the move, but would love to add some more eclectic stuff to what I own & wear. 7/10
Bake a cake for work
A giant cake, ginger biscuits AND brownies. And it only took till my year anniversary of being here! 10/10
Make cupcakes
I’ve definitely done this this year, and brought them to work too, but I’m not sure I’m a cupcake kinda girl now I know I can make proper big cakes! 9/10
Do the 50/100 book challenge & keep it up
Hit my 103rd book last night so definitely a success. 10/10
Visit Stonehenge
So near, yet so far. Not yet, may have to sneak to next year’s list. 0/10
Do the long overdue trips to see friends around the country
Sarah G, Ian, all six of my uni girls, Toria – doing much better than I expected this year! 10/10
Remember birthdays
Oh god, let’s not talk about how many I’ve forgotten. 0/10
Make jewellery etc for Ali & Jo’s weddings
Yep! Made a bracelet I wore to both and had a valiant effort on customising my mini hat fascinator 9/10
I'll review again in December/January, when I'm writing my list for 2011!
Write more letters
I’ve not written as many as I’d hoped, but certainly more than last year. 6/10
Keep note of interesting/difficult/hilarious customers and incidents
Again, not as in-depth as I thought I would, or as frequently, and have lost some due to the notes being on tiny bits of paper, but overall I think I’ve kept track of the best ones! 8/10
Make a book of beautiful and inspirational shops & places
Haven’t even thought about this one yet, let alone done it. Maybe next year? 0/10
Visit National Trust properties
Have been to two, one more than once, and plan a few more before the year’s out. 6/10
Catalogue my books onto LibraryThing
I had such high hopes of doing this when I’d moved in – maybe by the end of the year I’ll have managed it? 4/10
Set aside time once a month to update LiveJournal
I haven’t actually even been to the LJ site in the last three or four months, so I think I can safely say I won’t be using it in the foreseeable future. In my new happy state I don’t need it to vent so much and I don’t find it as user friendly as it used to be – my friends’ posts don’t seem to be easily available as they used to. 0/10
Take more photos
Inadvertently, yes – mostly due to the weekend in Bath and needing to photograph DF stock, but yes, more than I’d expected to be able to. Still rubbish at uploading and filing them though, and definitely need to upload some to the Youthnet Flickr group before the end of the year, or there will have been no point offering my services. 6/10
Blog once a week
Not quite once a week, but more regularly than I expected. Plan to improve this before the end of the year. 5/10
Meet up with some ROC members
First meet was CAE 2010 which was, for me, an incredible success – next meet is bank holiday Monday and I think that’ll be just as good. 10/10
Go to at least one live show
Went to one in Northampton on 3 January and haven’t made it to a single one since – may have to re-enter this resolution in the next show season. 10/10 for the one live show as it was 90 miles in ice and snow in a RWD car, but 1/10 for failing to attend any others this year.
Rescue my belongings from storage/take a road trip in a van
My stuff is no longer in storage! Admittedly there are a few bits in the living room it would be really nice to shift soon, but I have all my things back and I did one solo road trip in a giant red van called Velma, and another one to London in a smaller van with Julia. Almost exactly how we planned. 10/10
Start & attend a craft club, or join a knitting circle/club
Joined Kitsch at the outset, have missed a few meetings but I love it and have even provided them with a book club! 9/10
Knit something
Hmm, so far not so much, I have patches for a blanket and plans to crochet some amigurumi animals, if that counts? 3/10
Make presents & cards for Christmas and birthdays 2010
Ok, so this one I’ve failed miserably at, I’ve not even managed to send cards to most people for their birthdays. Next year will be the year. 0/10
Get Folksy, Etsy & Misi shops up & running
Folksy has some items for sale, Etsy shop exists but has no listings and I’m not even registered on Misi. 2/10
Go to at least four craft fairs as an exhibitor
Having been accepted to Hylands monthly fair, starting in September, I have a fighting chance of achieving this before December, assuming all goes to plan! 6/10 so far.
Rescue and upcyle found objects & things from charity shops
Bangles, vintage buttons, rescued clothing & scraps of lace – I’m on the right tracks! 8/10
Learn to use resin and/or silver clay
This isn’t going to happen till I have more money & time. 0/10
Make an item of clothing
Hmm, may need guidance from Lou on this one. I have however made a patchwork wall hanging and two cushions. Halfway there?! 5/10
Collaborate on something artistic or crafty
Chloe’s tree charms for my bracelet sort of count, but I’d love to do something bigger that counts as an actual project. The Bibliocraft exhibition also sort of counts. 5/10
London days
I can’t actually remember the last time I went to London. Epic fail. 0/10
Reinvent wardrobe/chuck out stuff I don’t wear
I did this quite effectively during the move, but would love to add some more eclectic stuff to what I own & wear. 7/10
Bake a cake for work
A giant cake, ginger biscuits AND brownies. And it only took till my year anniversary of being here! 10/10
Make cupcakes
I’ve definitely done this this year, and brought them to work too, but I’m not sure I’m a cupcake kinda girl now I know I can make proper big cakes! 9/10
Do the 50/100 book challenge & keep it up
Hit my 103rd book last night so definitely a success. 10/10
Visit Stonehenge
So near, yet so far. Not yet, may have to sneak to next year’s list. 0/10
Do the long overdue trips to see friends around the country
Sarah G, Ian, all six of my uni girls, Toria – doing much better than I expected this year! 10/10
Remember birthdays
Oh god, let’s not talk about how many I’ve forgotten. 0/10
Make jewellery etc for Ali & Jo’s weddings
Yep! Made a bracelet I wore to both and had a valiant effort on customising my mini hat fascinator 9/10
I'll review again in December/January, when I'm writing my list for 2011!
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Monday, 2 August 2010
Bourne Mill, Colchester
So yesterday was a typical lazy Sunday till my parents phoned and said they were going to see Bourne Mill at 2ish and did I want to join them there. It's in Colchester, I could hardly say no because of the long drive!
So I did, and it was unexpectedly beautiful! Mum has all the decent pictures on her camera, but here's a quick one I took of the weir and the trees surrounding the water that drives the wheel... you'd never guess the place is surrounded by houses these days!
Am quite impressed with the quality considering it was taken on my phone, too... not so much impressed with my composition though, I need to work at that :P
So I did, and it was unexpectedly beautiful! Mum has all the decent pictures on her camera, but here's a quick one I took of the weir and the trees surrounding the water that drives the wheel... you'd never guess the place is surrounded by houses these days!
Am quite impressed with the quality considering it was taken on my phone, too... not so much impressed with my composition though, I need to work at that :P
Saturday, 24 July 2010
books, reading and suchlike
I’ve been thinking for a while it would be nice to challenge my reading habits and see if I can discover something different to add to my regular reads. Working in a library obviously gives me endless inspiration, and my desk is piled high with bits of paper on which I’ve scrawled the names of books & authors I’d like to some day read.
However, when it comes to choosing books to take home for the weekend, or dipping into books at lunchtime, there’s a definite pattern of what Sharon calls ‘fluff’, i.e. undemanding chick-lit, fantasy and young adult fantasy.
So inspired by the Reading Group Toolbox which I’ve been working with in recent weeks, I’m going to use some of their game suggestions in my own reading, and then blog about the results.
Ready… steady… GO!
PS I'm up to 85 on my 50/100 books challenge 2010, and have numbers 86 and 87 on the go simultaneously! :)
However, when it comes to choosing books to take home for the weekend, or dipping into books at lunchtime, there’s a definite pattern of what Sharon calls ‘fluff’, i.e. undemanding chick-lit, fantasy and young adult fantasy.
So inspired by the Reading Group Toolbox which I’ve been working with in recent weeks, I’m going to use some of their game suggestions in my own reading, and then blog about the results.
Ready… steady… GO!
PS I'm up to 85 on my 50/100 books challenge 2010, and have numbers 86 and 87 on the go simultaneously! :)
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Seriously, where does the time go?! I made a resolution (yes, another one) to update this and the Ducking Fabulous Diary at least weekly, and to add to the Almost-Librarian whenever relevant things happened, and yet this hasn't been updated since 5th July...
I'd say I have no clue where my time has gone, only I know exactly where it's gone... building bookcases, sorting out boxes, an exploding laptop, washing and driving backwards and forwards to pick up all my last bits from home.
However, the flat now feels properly like home, Jules is coming back on Saturday night, I hope she likes the stuff I've done with it! I haven't hung much more art, thought I'd wait at least for the living room to see what we both feel like :)
In work, everything's insane but good, we're just so very very busy!
In photography, I picked up my camera today for the first time in absolutely ages... this is something I'd really like to get back into properly, I miss the whole process of taking photos and the community on TP (I feel another resolution brewing, how dangerous that could be!).
In jewellery I'm doing more fixing than making, but have finally submitted my completed application for Hylands House fair, and I'm now the proud owner of £5 million (yes, FIVE MILLION POUNDS) worth of public liability insurance. I hope no situation arises where anyone feels the need to sue me, to be honest!
In model horses, two of my favourite customs to date arrived yesterday from the exceedingly talented Chloe at Slightly Triangle, I'm very excited as one is a holy grail of a resin. Squeee! Pictures when I've worked out how to take them in this quite frankly abysmal light... energy saving bulbs are all very well, but at this rate I'm never going to get any daylight photos taken!
I had Wednesday off and discovered Dunelm Mill and rediscovered The Range - honestly, i could spend a small fortune in each shop! After being told off in Dunelm for carrying a roll of fabric around (it was an end, it really wasn't that heavy and I was being so careful not to hit anyone with it!), I got a bargainous and beautiful fabric which I later used to cover a notice board, and a little TV table, because we've not yet got a coffee table or a dining room table and the lack of somewhere to put my drink is driving me INSANE. From the Range I came back with a pastel blue non stick ladle (come on, everyone needs one), a cupcake recipe book holder (again, essential stuff), a cushion, a new duvet cover set and a pinboard. And two brushes, as Mum has nicked my decent decoupage ones.
And in between all of this I managed to fit in the Fling, which was glorious, and a camping weekend with my car club, which was equally glorious if slightly less glamorous! Was the first time I'd met most of the mr2 lot, and they're wonderful :)
Right... early start tomorrow, am possibly stupidly taking the car to work, so will be leaving at daft o'clock. Must remember to take G's necklace, my laptop, the DVDs I owe work...
I'd say I have no clue where my time has gone, only I know exactly where it's gone... building bookcases, sorting out boxes, an exploding laptop, washing and driving backwards and forwards to pick up all my last bits from home.
However, the flat now feels properly like home, Jules is coming back on Saturday night, I hope she likes the stuff I've done with it! I haven't hung much more art, thought I'd wait at least for the living room to see what we both feel like :)
In work, everything's insane but good, we're just so very very busy!
In photography, I picked up my camera today for the first time in absolutely ages... this is something I'd really like to get back into properly, I miss the whole process of taking photos and the community on TP (I feel another resolution brewing, how dangerous that could be!).
In jewellery I'm doing more fixing than making, but have finally submitted my completed application for Hylands House fair, and I'm now the proud owner of £5 million (yes, FIVE MILLION POUNDS) worth of public liability insurance. I hope no situation arises where anyone feels the need to sue me, to be honest!
In model horses, two of my favourite customs to date arrived yesterday from the exceedingly talented Chloe at Slightly Triangle, I'm very excited as one is a holy grail of a resin. Squeee! Pictures when I've worked out how to take them in this quite frankly abysmal light... energy saving bulbs are all very well, but at this rate I'm never going to get any daylight photos taken!
I had Wednesday off and discovered Dunelm Mill and rediscovered The Range - honestly, i could spend a small fortune in each shop! After being told off in Dunelm for carrying a roll of fabric around (it was an end, it really wasn't that heavy and I was being so careful not to hit anyone with it!), I got a bargainous and beautiful fabric which I later used to cover a notice board, and a little TV table, because we've not yet got a coffee table or a dining room table and the lack of somewhere to put my drink is driving me INSANE. From the Range I came back with a pastel blue non stick ladle (come on, everyone needs one), a cupcake recipe book holder (again, essential stuff), a cushion, a new duvet cover set and a pinboard. And two brushes, as Mum has nicked my decent decoupage ones.
And in between all of this I managed to fit in the Fling, which was glorious, and a camping weekend with my car club, which was equally glorious if slightly less glamorous! Was the first time I'd met most of the mr2 lot, and they're wonderful :)
Right... early start tomorrow, am possibly stupidly taking the car to work, so will be leaving at daft o'clock. Must remember to take G's necklace, my laptop, the DVDs I owe work...
Monday, 5 July 2010
expansion
In view of my vast array of hobbies & interests, I'm expanding this blog to include cookery books, photography books and any other sort of book that takes my fancy along the way...
:)
(I know, I know, I struggle to keep to the craft theme and just generally waffle. But at least this way it stands a fighting chance of being relevant!!)
:)
(I know, I know, I struggle to keep to the craft theme and just generally waffle. But at least this way it stands a fighting chance of being relevant!!)
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