Resolutions or Something...

 

All images taken by me & posted to my Instagram.

We're over a week into 2018 and I still haven't quite found the words for my first post of 2018.

I'm not sure what it is, but the words aren't really flowing. I can't think of anything remotely inspirational or wisdom-filled. 

Maybe it's because I'm in the middle of a myriad of instructional words (I've been batch drafting several patterns and now I'm at the write all the instructions phase) or it could be because I'm really trying to stick to my Word of the Year, which just happens to be Content.

I often find myself reaching for the next thing, rather than enjoying the current thing. Whether that's in my business, or personal sewing/knitting projects, or the house & garden etc. I always find myself wondering, what's next?!

And I guess that's part of life - nothing is ever done until it's done - but it's nice to bask in the things that you enjoy, in the moment, rather than overlook it while waiting for the next one. Which is where Content comes in. 

Being content with what I have, where I am, what I am doing. Not constantly wanting or wondering or wringing my hands because I haven't done something I told myself I was going to do (like write the first blog post of 2018). Being happy that I've done what I could in the time I had, that not everything is going to go to plan (and nor should it, really) and that at the end of the day, I am just incredibly lucky to do what I do and have what I have and it's really up to me to take the time to enjoy it.

So, rambling (slightly incoherent) blog post aside, I hope you all had a lovey break and are looking forward to a great year. I have some fun things up my sleeves that I've been happily working away on, so while I might not have any words of wisdom for you, I'm content with the fact that I'll make up for it over the coming year.

xx

J

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Short & Sweet - A Me Made May Special

  

All photos taken by me & posted on my Instagram.

Knitting - The Boothbay Cardigan. It's chilly here you guys!

Sewing - Juniper cardigans and Laneway Dresses.

Cooking - roast chicken and veges.

Drinking - Coffee.

Learning - About boobs, hehe. More specifically, how fascinating it is to fit different bust sizes. My next pattern has multiple bust cup sizes within it, so it really has been an interesting journey. Let's hope it doesn't all go horribly wrong...

Hoping - I don't get sick again.

Wanting - more time in the day.

Enjoying - crisp morning walks down to the trampoline.

Collecting - leaves.

Listening - to rain.

Watching - bad reality T.V and The Halcyon.

Smelling - wet autumn leaves.

Wondering - how the chickens got out. We were going to let them out of their rather large (for that matter) run for the winter, but they escaped a few weeks ago. I'm just not quite ready for the season of 'poo on the door-step' just yet. Oh well... it's just chicken poo...

Wearing - My new dress pattern, The Laneway Dress. Sign up to the newsletter to be the first to know when it's ready.

Grateful - for cosy winter fires and computer back ups. The big computer I do most of my pattern work on decided to fry it's hard drive on Friday morning. Ugh.

Loving - Mary Reynolds. I discovered her recently and am slightly obsessed. Her book is currently winging its way to me.

Buying - fabric for samples.

Baking - Savoury muffins (with a twist). Note - make sure they're actually cooked next time.


Plus, it's nearly Me Made May! Ummmmm... tomorrow.

If you're not sure what all the fuss is about, you can read Zoe's post here. If you want to get involved, we've lined up some lovely prizes for each week of May including a beautiful prize pack from Miss Maude and SewBox.

'I, Jen of Jennifer Lauren Handmade, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one me made garment each day of the month and take a photo. I also endeavour to finish one knitted garment by the end of the month'.

I know I failed fairly miserably with the whole 'taking a photo everyday' thing last year, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to give it a good go again this year. And yes, finishing a knitted garment in one month? For me? It's a big call. But hey, go big or go home, right?

Or... just stay at home and knit.

Or, you know, buy that last ball of wool you need so you can finish your OWLS jumper. That'd do it.

xx
J

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Short & Sweet - February Days

Knitting - Winter mitts while I wait for another ball of wool to arrive so I can finish off my Owls. Rookie mistake = not ordering enough wool.

Sewing - All the Juniper cardigans.

Cooking - meatballs. On the way home from playgroup last week, I asked Oscar what he wanted for lunch, he said meatballs. Meatballs it is, dude.

Drinking - white wine spritzers and pretending summer is here.

Learning - Alternate Cable Cast-On, it's so pretty!

Hoping - Oscar gets better soon. He's been sick since the weekend and while the cuddles are lovely, I want that happy little boy back.

Wanting - all the indie yarn. Seriously, just all of it. Thanks.

Deciding - what to knit next? What to sew next?

Enjoying - the sunshine & impromptu walks down to see the diggers at the bottom of our street.

Collecting - avocado pits. Natural dye, here I come.

Listening - to bees buzzing while we dig in the sandpit and make sand castles.

Watching - Land Girls. Those 40's overalls.

Smelling - summer roses in the garden.

Wearing - Ivy pinafores. I don't think I've worn much else these past few rainy weeks.

Wondering - which sewing pattern designs to work on next.

Admiring - how much talent this creative community has and how willing people are to share and give advice.

Grateful - for lovely emails from friends, even though we've never met. Both new, out-of-the-blue notes as well as ones from old friends.

Loving - quiet evenings.

Feeling - all over the place.

Buying - more wool.

Baking - zucchini bread (with half the sugar & how ever many cups 2 grated zucchini's yield - don't squeeze out the water!) with zucchini picked fresh from the garden.

xx
J

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