handmade one rainy sunday afternoon

Monday at work was a no good, very bad day. I've always loved my job, it pays so little that I am back living with my parents but I considered that a reasonable trade for a job that I enjoy so much, where I am treated with respect. That all came crashing down on monday, and now I am looking for a way out.

I am impressed though, six months ago this situation would have left me a ball of depression unable to function for a fortnight, before I just gave up and accepted that my life would be shit. Now, I was sad monday but by the time I went to bed I was excited about the possibilities I could see for the future, and couldn't wait to get on with it. That's a hell of a change. I must be doing something right.

For the last six months or so I have been doing a lot of reading around minimalism and digital nomadism - the idea being that if you don't want or have much stuff you are free to work from where-ever you are. Most of the blogs I read are implementing this by living on the road, or on a beach in indonesia, but if I could manage it it would mean I wasn't tied to living near somewhere I can find work - I would be free to find myself a little cottage somewhere and as long as it had an internet connection I could be anywhere.

One of the blogs I have really enjoyed is Ash Ambirge's Middle Finger Project. She has written a book called 'You don't need a job, you need guts: Combining Passion + Self + Business Through Digital Entrepreneurship' and it's out today. I am very excited. I already know that her writing is informative and engaging, and from the previews the content looks like it'll take me where I want to go.

"You Don't Need a Job is targeted at beginners who are interested in digital entrepreneurship, but do not have a web presence yet, are just getting their web presence off the ground, or have a web presence, but an ineffective one.

The book teaches philosophy, guides readers on what kind of digital business to start based on their interests, teaches the principles of running a business online that's based around them, and then goes step-by-step through the process, including tools, tips, tricks & the various ways to finally start making MONEY. Finally, the book ends with my own story."

Sounds like just what I need.

That surfing trip I took was amazing. I expected it to be challenging, phsyically because I have only been active for a couple of months and mentally because the whole thing (going abroad, living in a tent, being with a group of people I don't know 24/7) was so far outside my comfort zone. I expected to be rubbish at it. What I never expected was that it would be so much fun.

And this post got long, so I cut. ( Read more... )

I am ridiculously excited about the new season of Doctor Who starting on Saturday. I am going to huddle on the sofa under a blanket, eat crumpets and be transported.
To get you in the Who mood, check out this tale I found on one of the space blogs I read, it's pitch perfect.

When I turned my computer on this evening it whirred briefly like everything was normal then just stopped.
I have taken bits out, done everything I can think of, no joy. Will consult liz at work in the morning - she knows about pc repairs.
It might finally be time for a new computer.

I'm thinking it might be time to try a netbook. I really don't have room for the big old desktop, so if it does need replacing something smaller would be sensible. And I can always hook a netbook up to a monitor I presume?

I would want a decent battery life, solid state harddrive and something tough if I am going to carry it about. Does anyone have any recommendations? advice? brands to avoid?

I am collecting links here to various quilt patterns and tutorials that I want to make.

It might be a good idea to follow the mod sampler quilt along first.

I have the sudden mad urge to hand sew a hexagon quilt. I am going to use t he same yellow, orange, red and green fabrics that I am going to buy on Saturday for the mod sampler quilt along. Going up to london fabric shopping. Last night I started sewing a brown and cream one for Kat that I have started in a couple of lightweight cottons left over from Alex's quilt.

First up is the Crazy Old Ladies' Whimsey Playground quilt. Their version is made with Soiree by Lila Tueller for moda. I want to use that first to figure out how it all works, then I fancy making a version for myself with green and white prints, maybe some yellow in there too. I also have to find a child to give the first one to - I think it's a bit old for Chloe - maybe Victoria's eldest would like it? Or Chris' daughter.

These two quilts made with Laura Gunn's Lantern Bloom are fabulous, I love this fabric and both quilts look do-able. I can't decide which I prefer so I think I'll make both. Actually, I think I prefer something like this (and just bought a fat quarter set to make it with).

Oh Fransson's Clothesline quilt looks fun, and I already have a half dozen or so old flannel shirts that I bought with the intention of turning them into a quilt. This might be the project that they've been waiting for.

I've been looking at mini quilts lately - I couldn't see the point and then I saw this.

Next I need to make a cushion for Ericka.

We were talking about owl fabrics; I have these and she asked for a cushion.









I quite fancy trying to make something like Oh Franson's owl blocks, using the greens and oranges from Jens patchwork cushion.

ETA: I think we have decided on a patchwork of crazy log cabin blocks like the one in the third picture here. Now I really wish I'd kept more up to date with my OU course because all I want to do is get started on this cushion, but I have an assessment due in a fortnight and I haven't even looked at the books since the last one, so that has to be done first.

I am going to keep a list of all the projects in my to do list.

For me

make this sunhat, just in case the sun comes out again this summer. Also Amy Butler's Blue Sky hat for mum, and maybe this while I'm at it. Oh, and this as soon as the pattern is done.

weekend sewing shirt from red muslim, modified

make a bag - finish planning it, buy the oilcloth and lining fabrics

Make the Whimsey Playground quilt, first in Soiree as pictured, then a green and white version for myself.

make the corset, bunny and quilt for starters from the Alabama Stitch book that arrived today (21-07-09). Must start collecting old t-shirts for these.

For others

Jen wants a patchwork cushion

Ericka wants a cushion using owl fabric

Ewen wants a quillow

Dan wants a beanbag He's gone of the idea

make as many of these zipper critters as I can manage from the fabric sample book dad bought home. Just as soon as I remember to buy some zips. I want one, I think Liz'd like one, and I have promised at least one for Chloe.

( I have the house to myself for the long weekend, and a big list of things that I want to get done. )

The big question today though is this: Doctor Who tonight is on at 6.45, Primeval is on 6.15 - 7.15. Which do I watch live? Should have been Primeval.

I feel bad because my old one is amazing - sat in a cupboard for 30 years and started back up no problem, but it only does a straight stitch.

So I went researching machines on saturday and they had one in my local sewing machine shop that does button holes, zig zags, various stretch stiches and it overlocks, all for £130.

They didn't have many of them and it seemed like too good a bargain to pass up.

It's not as pretty as the old one, but it doesn't weigh a quarter as much.

Bank holiday weekend, some purple muslin, the shirt pattern from Heather Ross's new book - let's see if I can do this.

My sister likes to bake, and my neice likes to help. She is not quite two, so by helping I mean throw flour around!

So Kat asked me to make them matching aprons. I am needing a new embroidery project, so I decided to embroider them.

I used the Krazy Kitchen patterns from Sublime Stitching.

They took ages, but I am pretty happy with the way they turned out. And by ages I mean, I finished Chloes on Christmas Eve on Kats sewing machine! It was pretty nice actually - her husband was out and our parents took the baby to the farm, so we spent a lovely afternoon - me embroidering and her in the kitchen. Very domestic scene.



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