My 2020 plans

Here are my plans going into 2020... 2020 Make Nine Here are my make nine plans: Freya Sweater by Tilly and the Buttons Toucan t-shirt Shawl Mila Dungarees by Tilly and the Buttons Dressing Gown using Butterick 5189 A men's shirt (not decided on pattern yet) Slipper Boots (free pattern by Tilly and the Buttons) Trousers Art of Knitting throw Other plans Learn to draft a trouser block (going to a locally held class) Mend textile items at home which need fixing Successfully make any items for special birthdays coming up this year Keeping track of my progress and achievements I decided that this year my day job and hobbies would collide in the form of this spreadsheet - the my makes spreadsheet!  At the end of 2019, I realised that I couldn't remember a lot of the makes I had achieved, particularly gifts as I no longer had them, so this year I am keeping track. I am going to gather data on various aspects such as whether it's a gift or not, what type of project, how long it takes and the cost, if possible. Watch it on the vlog I discussed my plans in a bit more detail over on the vlog: https://youtu.be/Pxz1beeCKb4

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Crafting with a chronic illness: my experience with Ankylosing Spondylitis

I thought it might be useful to share what I have found helpful for my circumstance in case it is also useful for someone else. Everyone is different though, so you must keep problem solving until you find your own strategies.

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The 100 Day Project – 100 Days of Developing Content

Today is the start of The 100 Day Project! This year I am focusing on developing content. I have made quite a few things this year but not blogged or vlogged or even shared on Instagram yet!  I plan to remedy this during the 100 days and also log any new learning or makes along the way. There are two reasons I want to do this. First, I like having a log of my makes.  It comes in handy in particular when I want to remake a pattern, or I am deciding what to make others for Christmas and Birthdays (so I don't end up making the exact same thing again...!) The second is to promote an appreciation of handmade items.  For many of us, this manifests in pursuing a craft or crafts as a hobby.  For others, it can be demonstrated in acquiring items which have a story or they know more about its production and maker. What you can expect to see from this project over the 100 days: More blog posts! Pattern Reviews Progress on my #2019makenine Me Made May Other plans More about how I make items on my Etsy store More Vlogs! The content will be similar to the blog posts but geared towards anyone who prefers video media and a slightly more spontaneous approach More stock I have not made a lot of stock for my Etsy store in recent months and I have sold out of my most popular item. More information on how items are made I think it is important to show how much effort goes into producing makes - both as a hobby and as an Etsy seller.  I will be looking at ways to highlight this over the 100 days. If you're interested in my journey, wish me luck and follow along on this blog, the vlog and/or Instagram!

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Welcome to the Clobber Creations YouTube Channel!

Many people find it hard to listen to themselves on a recording and I definitely fit into that category!  Unfortunately, I was never any good at acting at school, and even when I worked in a call centre, my supervisor used to mark my calls down for being flat!  It used to be awful listening back to calls with customers, but at least there were no graphics to accompany the awkward voice.

Youtube is a different matter!  While I’m intrigued by the background elements – setting up the microphone, lighting, focusing the camera… I try to avoid talking or appearing on it.  However, I’ve reached a point where a few busy projects have come to an end and my partner is nudging me in the direction of video. (more…)

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15 minutes closer to goals

Sometimes, I get home and sewing is the last thing on my mind.  I'm still struggling to unwind from the day's activities, I know I have day-to-day tasks in the periphery of my mind, calling for my attention, and my energy levels are usually right down. My initial thoughts are to resist the chores, eventually do them and then go to bed zombified! However, I know that my hobbies are important to me.  in the past, I've come straight home from work wolfed down dinner and then sat obediently with my knitting project for a good few hours before opting for sleep.  Admittedly, i wasn't struggling with chronic fatigue at the time, but it was my main goal at the end of a hard day's work. Over the last few weeks, 15 minutes has been my target.  15 minutes of knitting or sewing, but I strive to complete 15 minutes of each.  I can be reluctant to begin, but I invariably go beyond the timer.  There are times when I do 15 minutes and I am ready to stop when the timer goes off as well.  Sometimes, you need to ease a habit back into your life when your energy levels are taking over your day to day lifestyle too much. I gave this approach a go when I read Scavenger Annie's post on 'Sewing for pleasure, sewing for pain'.  I admired her decision to take her time making the Tilly and the Buttons' Coco top by setting aside 20 minutes a day over 2 weeks.  I have a different chronic illness, and I often find it affects my energy levels.  Setting a timed session helps me to stop before I get too tired. 15 minutes doesn't feel like that much, but with 15 minutes, I have completed a short sleeved knitted cardigan I have avoided for years.  I have returned to another knitted project.  Admittedly, I had to unravel a few days of knitting last night when I realised why the sleeves were coming out too long (I'd read the wrong increase pattern for the size I was making) but it still feels like progress.  It feels like an element of control has been reigned back after a couple of bumpy years. Elise Joy Daily Goal Tracker It's only been a couple of months, but I've achieved a fair amount in knitting, sewing, yoga and reading.  While the 15 minute timer has worked wonders for a threshold, one other strategy has helped and it's Elise Joy's Daily Goal Tracker. I am a big fan of the Elise Gets Crafty Podcast, and was intrigued when she offered a free downloadable daily year tracker for 2017 in her newsletter.  Her tracker is great because it is a simple indication of the days where you did or did not complete or do part of a goal. All of my trackers (yep I went with 4!) are general habits I wish to develop this year.  They do link to goals, but they are…

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