museumworker's quest to consign mortgage to history!

cha97michelle

Twinklie, i never did very much either when working. It is so hard in teaching to just survive till the hols. Do you have any craft you like?Might be a good starting point.

I want to teach myself crochet too. I have a book of gorgeous flowers to knit and crochet. Another aim for 2011.

We got our real tree yesterday too. We need to put it up later today. It was a costco one, so we got our 2% cashback on it. I'm glad we waited till this weekend as it was £25, but last weekend they were £35. Instantly makes you feel better when you save money.

twinklie

Nope I'm terrible at arts and crafts, after about 5 minutes I get bored and never touch it again! I really am just rubbish at that kinda thing.

tootallulah

I bought the flowers to knit and crochet as well, it is what drove me to take a "learn to crochet course". I made poppy brooches for the British Legion and sold them at work, though I say it myself they were LOVELY and I only made 20 and could have sold many, many more. I need to get back to sewing etc as you can't sew/knit and eat at the same time and one of my challenges for 2011 is to lose 100 lbs. I have to make a Barbie coat and a dress today, five more items to go on my last Christmas present.

museumworker

twinklie wrote: »

Wow...you lot all fighten me. You have so much stuff going on and so much energy. By the time I get home from work and walk the dog, I barely have enough energy to make my tea!! I honestly do not know how you all do it.

Don't think I'm qualified to live on your MSE street...I don't have any talents or useful skills. Maybe I'll try and develop some at some point. For now...I'll just try and keep my head above water...back to the lesson planning for the last week/first week back after the hols for me. Boo.

Twinklie- I feel exhausted most of the time too :rotfl:, and part of the plan for next year is to do less, but more meaningful stuff. I'm sure as a :money: type you have plenty to contribute to our 'street'. I am not very good at craft either - am a bad combination of cack handed AND a perfectionist! But I do think the sense of pride of making something makes it worthwhile. Hence the need for the lessons and trying new things next year, hopefully I will grow in ability and confidence. Yesterday at friend's craft session I sewed a felt robin bauble for my Xmas tree, you would have thought I'd painted the mona lisa the amount of pleasure it gave me! Good luck with the lesson planning.

museumworker

cha97michelle wrote: »

I want to teach myself crochet too. I have a book of gorgeous flowers to knit and crochet. Another aim for 2011.

We got our real tree yesterday too. We need to put it up later today. It was a costco one, so we got our 2% cashback on it. I'm glad we waited till this weekend as it was £25, but last weekend they were £35. Instantly makes you feel better when you save money.

tootallulah wrote: »

I bought the flowers to knit and crochet as well, it is what drove me to take a "learn to crochet course". I made poppy brooches for the British Legion and sold them at work, though I say it myself they were LOVELY and I only made 20 and could have sold many, many more. I need to get back to sewing etc as you can't sew/knit and eat at the same time and one of my challenges for 2011 is to lose 100 lbs. I have to make a Barbie coat and a dress today, five more items to go on my last Christmas present.

I saw that crocheting flowers book on Amazon and now I REALLY want it after you both mentioned it! I will wait until I have done my course before I get it though.

chamichelle - how is the tree looking now? A good price considering what some are trying to charge this year.

Toots- I LOVE the idea of making poppies for charity, a great idea. How long did it take you to make 20? If craft does help with the weight loss, you could start a new trend! Hope the barbie clothes went well, sounds a little fiddly :eek:! Well done on last Xmas present, I am almost there. Had last minute Amaz0n splurge last night - £85 spent on presents (and £15 of Xmas money we have received already on gavin and stacey boxset. A bit of comedy will help with my 'happier' aim I feel, and we have only seen a few on the telly). Only a few left to get now, very nearly there.

Today have finished job application for very part time census collector, I'm not sure if I can fit it in but I thought I would apply and see what the hours are like if they offer it. I'm also interested in the census, having used it for family history the last few years.

I sold another book on Amaz0n, netting about £6 after fees and postage. It was a duplicate present, another item decluttered so pleased with that! Posted about 25 Xmas cards, more left to do. Also finished another survey, only 50 points off a £10 Amazon voucher :j.

Have signed up to some e newsletters of knitting groups like 'Stitch London' that meet up for free regularly, and got a book out of the library which looks like it will teach me more about knitting through each project. They look gorgeous too, it is called 'Simple Knitting'. I just need to find a cheap wool supplier, if anyone can recommend one?

Totally exhausted as woken again about 4am by stomach cramps, it took me ages to get to bed too :mad:. No swimming for me today as a result.

Time for dinner (freezer surprise) - OH still not home so no idea what he wants to do about food. Am going to knit in bed with electric blanket on, it is freezing here today!

tootallulah

The poppies took me a week to make in the evenings so I am not sure how long each one took but they were quick. Honestly I've never made anything that has been so admired. People are dead impressed by knitting something recognisable.

Buy your wool in the sales after Christmas, this is one where John Lewis and Liberty are your friends rather than places to be avoided whilst carrying cash or credit cards. John Lewis have classes for knitting and advice for beginners. If you buy nice wool it is more forgiving when you have to pull it back etc plus it doesn't irritate your hands. And good wool makes you more determined to make it work. There is a lovely knitting group who meet in the Art Cafe in Liberty one night per week, they are really mixed between very good and absolute beginner knitters.

Barbie clothes are fiddly but I am really enjoying making them, they look really good, though I say it myself.

CathT

oh i love Gavin and Stacey!!

I feel rather uncreative in comparison to you all! I can't even knit very well!

museumworker

Thanks once again toots for the knitting advice. I will look up the John Lewis classes and eagerly await the sales! I've only ever bought wool from ebay or charity shops but don't always come across it and some nice wool will make a change! Will look up the Liberty knitting group too. You must put up some photos of your makes on your diary, it really would inspire me to do more.

Hi CathT - I think Rob Brydon is a comedy genius - so looking forward to the boxset! I am also not a great knitter, I can just about do a scarf, but really want to get better, hence the craft chat here!

Today I've bought some plush toys from Debenhams that come with a free ticket to either Whipsnade or London Zoo. We've been to London Zoo (and spent just under £50 :eek:), and had already talked about going to Whipsnade next year. The ticket is valid until 2012, so we now have 3 entries (and 2 meerkats and an elephant) for £13.60! Am looking forward to that family day out! Plus DD now has 2 teddys to open on Xmas day (I'm keeping one of the meerkats for myself )

The bathroom furniture has been installed in the loft (the stuff from Victoria Plumb) and I must say it looks great, not cheap at all! However, one small piece missing for shower so have to try and get that sent tomorrow (plus I'm STILL awaiting a refund from them).

I think I'm about to have to make a purchase though. I've been really struggling with the winter, and getting out of bed, I think I may have some form of SAD. Not sure if I've mentioned it before but I have had clinical (severe) depression twice before, and for the first time ever I've realised both started in winter. I'm not depressed any more, but do have bad days, and mood swings, and this winter has felt really tough. I know OH being away and the building work hasn't helped, but all I want to do is sleep and feel tired most of the time. Am thinking of getting one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-HF3480-Wake-Up-Light-Radio/dp/B003M2WWQ8/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1292357222&sr=8-16 to help get out of bed in the morning. It is £51, and I have £18 left in voucher money from work. Plus checked my pocket money and even after have paid for crochet from it I should have enough for the remaining £33. Should I go for it?

Part of my vision next year is having better mornings - I visualise myself getting up gently and earlier than now, with my clothes already laid out. Having time for a cup of tea and to check my personal email, and then get dressed and showered, and put my make up on. Leaving the house with DD with a steady walk to school. Currently my alarm goes off at 640, but I can't get up before 7 - I then have 30 mins to shower, pick clothes, get dressed, dry hair and leave house. I don't have breakfast or a cup of tea. I am always late leaving the house and nag DD more than I should. I put my make up on on the tube :eek:, yes I am one of those women.

How does everyone else find mornings?

Courgette

I'll pop back in a mo for a chat abot those lights, might be tomorrow tho. xxx

cha97michelle

Hiya

I know where you are coming from about the SAD thing, as my major bouts of depression are mostly winter things, apart from the one that started in the May after going back to work, although i find it hard to say i had it then, but not then. I think for me mine is an underlying feature to me, and i try my best to deal with it. I definitely feel better on days i get out for a walk than days where i am in all the time.

I bought myself a bio bulb from gizoo for about £12, and with about 7% cashback through quidco. I have it in a little lamp in the living room. I haven't used it at all this winter, but i did think it helped me be a bit better when i did use it. Placebo or not i have no idea.

As long as you do some research and believe it to work, then i think they have their place.

My christmas tree is looking and smelling great. It has been redressed a few times on the lower branches by the kids. :eek: It seems to be shedding a bit more too, but i can cope with wielding the dustpan and brush a bit more to save some pennies.