Sunday 27 December 2020

LOOKING FORWARD - NOT BACK!

 As it heads towards 2021, like a lot of people I am hopeful of a kinder year for all.  

I am also looking forward to a more creative year.  Everything is in marked folders, plastic crates and filed.  I have a newer Laptop so am upgrading as I can afford it.  The first thing I bought was a newer Embroidery Program,  I have spent the last few days going through files, clearing out repeat files, cleaning out and filing under subjects, then types, then styles.

I also have a book next to each machine, to make notes, to write down ideas as I think of them regarding designs etc

I also ordered 2021 diaries. One for 'Dreamin of Lace' in which I need to write EVERYTHING down, so I got an A4 spiral size so I can stick things in easier.

The other is a daily one.  My memory is not good at the best of times and I am having more trouble, but have been tested.  And of course with all the things I am thinking of that I want to do next year, my head is spinning, so everything needs to be written down, so it is an A4 spiral so I can stick notes and pages to the relevant date etc.

My files and folders are sorted, named and are ready to be used, I have a complete book list of what I own, not only actual books, but also Kindle and downloaded books, and have a catalogue by subject.  

I am pretty sure I am ready for next year, and if I am lucky, I will be able to walk pain free sometime in the New Year as I am to have an injection in my back, which should make it easier to move around and hopefully mean I can drive again and the first places I am going is op-shopping, and Bunnings! 

I am looking forward to the New Year, and I wish everyone a safe, creative and fulfilling 2021

Friday 18 December 2020

A New Start

I have, over the last few months, been focusing on clearing the clutter that has surrounded me. Being stuck at home for 15 months, not able to move around much, can do that. It gave me the time to think, to decide if what I was focusing on was important, or what was just clutter. It gave me time to plan, to work out kinks, and to get down to a workable plan.  

I have too many interests I am told, but giving them up was difficult.  So I now have files and folders with everything regarding each particular interest.  Pictures, ideas, downloads - no matter what it is it is in that folder.  I then decluttered each folder and kept what was relevant.  That way I can put it out of my mind, and in the future if I want something, think of something. or find something on that subject I can put it in that file and forget about it until I need it

I typed out a list of all the books I have, including those on Kindle.

I went through my computer, decluttered and refiled everything into the same topics as I had my files. 

Now, when I want something it is all in one place! It was a lot of work, and a lot of clutter, junk, copies etc were tossed out.

I also got a heap of boxes and went through everything.  Each box was labeled and now has the stash pertaining to that subject.

Another thing that all this time has given me was ideas regarding 'Dreamin of Lace Again'

I went through all my designs, put them into subject folders, with each folder having subfolders as to the type of design it was, ie Free Standing Lace, Embroidery etc. Now when I am sewing out designs, each Machine - and I have 4 -  has its own book, in which I write down what is being done.  Each design has its own index card, with Name, Colours, and any notes about whether the design sews out ok.

It has taken me months to complete this, but just knowing where everything is no matter whether it is physical or computer means I have more time to create. Next on my to do list is to write down the paints, inks, textile mediums etc that I have, and those which I would like to have. 

Like with the subjects I will have a 'Master List' with what I have, what I want, and what I have ordered, where it is, etc.

All this came about because my memory, never good at the best of times, just became cluttered, like the rest of my things.  

So now with everything set up the way it is, I can put my hand on exactly what I want.  So here's to a great 2021, and good things ahead