16 for 2016 December

A bit late, but I just had to do a final round-up of my 16 for 2016 targets. I was so pleased with my late surge of activity in December, that I wanted to share them with you.

Inspired by Cathy at Nanacathy, here is what I wanted to achieve in 2016, all the ones in PINK were completed in December.

16 WALKS (of more than an hour)

DONE

Once away from home in December I went on a walk nearly every day and had done 4 one hour walks within the first 6 days, hitting the target and beyond.

 

15 HANDMADE GREETINGS CARDS

DONE

Just before leaving home for my 31 day retreat I had the idea of making re-usable cards out of fabric

and some fabric ‘cards’ to send to my 8 grandchildren whilst I was away.

Here’s 3 of them

Each little pocket on the left has a favourite saying tucked into it.

14 NEW ITEMS IN MY ETSY SHOP

10 done

Certainly not as many as I would have liked – must do better!

13 SWIMS

11 done

12 GARDEN POSTS

6 done

I have no gardening targets in my 2017 list!

11 HAND MADE TOTE BAGS

Zero in 2016 – which really did surprise me – however Miss E wanted to make a drawstring bag to keep her gym hand-guards in, and we have just made 3 together

I’m keeping the one on the left to put shoes in when I’m packing a case to go away. It is also the perfect size for a wine bottle!

Miss E has the other two.

10 TYPES OF HANDMADE BEADS

7 done

I tried lots of tutorials on YouTube which I could not get to work, but I was glad to have had a go.

9 PIECES OF TEXTILE ART (started)

DONE

I went away on 15th Dec with a car laden with fabric and started creating pieces of textile art on Day One – with a month stretching ahead it was lovely to sit amidst material and threads and be able to concentrate on just that with no interruptions. I think I started at least 10 projects in December and did finish a couple which I will share at a later date.

Here is a textile tassel just to give you a hint of what is to come

 

8 MORNINGS of SORTING and STORING (4 hours)

DONE

I completed this target on 5th Dec: I was spurred on to have a tidy up before going away. So pleased to hit this particular target.

7 PAINTINGS

5 done, 2 to go

Lots of paintings in progress but just 5 finished. See them here

6 BUS RIDES using my Bus Pass

2 done

5 NEW TYPES OF EXERCISE TRIED

4 done

4 NEW PATTERNS for my ETSY SHOP

1 done

3 MASSAGES

1 done

I did have another massage whilst I was away….. bliss (a gift from my lovely daughter – even better!)…… but it was in January 2017.

2 WAYS TO HELP REFUGEES

DONE

Collecting clothing. Crocheting Blankets. Making donations.

1 NOVEL READ

DONE

‘Enchanted August’ by Brenda Bowen got me there.

0 BEADS BOUGHT

ZERO

~

Doing this review has helped me be a little more realistic for 2017 – I think!

The list is waiting in the wings. It is fun to see there are a few of us doing the 17 for 2017 challenge, even my daughter has been inspired to join in and has made a brilliant start.

 

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16 for 2016 November

Here are the targets I set myself for 2016, inspired by Cathy at Nanacathy

16 WALKS (of more than an hour)

15 done, 1 to go

Walk 14. Bere Regis

Walk15. Lewesdon Hill

15 HANDMADE GREETINGS CARDS

12 done, 3 to go

14 NEW ITEMS IN MY ETSY SHOP

9 done, 5 to go

Added a hot pink flick wig

13 SWIMS

11 done, 2 to go.

12 GARDEN POSTS

6 done, 6 to go.

The garden has had to take more of a back seat than I would have liked.

11 HAND MADE TOTE BAGS

Zero

I’m really surprised about not having made even one bag! I knew 11 was ambitious but…….

10 TYPES OF HANDMADE BEADS

7 done, 3 to go

Several attempts this month at some You Tube demos, but nothing that produced usable beads.

9 PIECES OF TEXTILE ART (started)

6 started, 3 to go

My goal is to create a textile book for each of my grandchildren and one for me. I have been using some African prints to create covers and pages for my 3 grandsons. I am loving this textile project as anything goes and I can try out all sorts of ideas. Lots of components have been made and I’m excited to see where this will take me in 2017.

8 MORNINGS of SORTING and STORING

6 done, 2 to go.

Trying to sort out all my different craft projects into some sort of order is an impossible job. As fast as I sort one area another becomes chaotic – I give in!

7 PAINTINGS (or other pieces of art)

5 done, 2 to go

Collected from the Thames foreshore, the pieces are fixed with Sugru – it works I’m so delighted!

6 BUS RIDES using my Bus Pass

2 done, 4 to go

I’m so disappointed I didn’t get to do these rides, I had such plans.

5 NEW TYPES OF EXERCISE TRIED

4 done, 1 to go

No new ones this month. So far I have tried Pilates, Belly Dancing, a Dance Class, a Zumba-like class. I enjoyed Belly Dancing the most.

4 NEW PATTERNS for my ETSY SHOP

1 done 3 to go

At last! I have put a pattern on Etsy (and Ravelry and Craftsy)

3 MASSAGES

1 done, 2 to go

2 WAYS TO HELP REFUGEES

My darling daughter, as a birthday present to me made a donation to one of the charities I support – I was SO thrilled with that present.  It so perfectly hit the spot! ❤

I also collected items of clothing and blankets to be sent to Syria, loaded up my car, one dark and stormy morning,and took them to a lovely woman an hour away who sorts, boxes, weighs and labels items ready for them to be loaded on containers for Syria.

It is not as much as I would like to do but it is something.

1 NOVEL READ

DONE!

Hurray! ‘Enchanted August’ by Brenda Bowen got me there.

0 BEADS BOUGHT

Zero

~

In September the year seemed to stretch ahead, now suddenly it’s December and I know I will miss many of my targets – however it has remained a great motivator and a way of checking in with what I really do want to do.

I feel truly blessed to have 3 children (with partners), 8 grandchildren, 2 siblings, 5 nieces and nephews, and an 88 year old Mum and this takes up more time than I account for in my expectations of myself and what I want to achieve in my own personal arena. My family take precedence and other things fit round them, I wouldn’t have it any other way. However there is a need to keep this in good balance. As I get older, and so does everyone else, the tableau of priorities changes on a daily basis, flexibility is the key – life happens.

I’m thinking carefully about 17 for 2017!

To recharge my batteries I will be taking a month’s retreat soon and so will not be reviewing 16 for 16 at the end of December. Blog posts will be at a minimum until late January as I go into hibernation in the quiet of the year.

Still

Golden November

Fairy song through mellow mist

Caught by cheeky elves

Joining with Cathy and RainbowJ for our Photo Challenge Prompt of STILL

and

Ronovan’s Haiku Challenge, prompts: GOLD and SING

On Sunday I went for a walk in the footsteps of my ancestors up Lewesdon Hill, which is likely to be the highest point in Dorset (or is that Pilsdon Pen?)

It was a very STILL November day and a gentle mist hovered over the top of this ancient hill fort. Especially noticeable after of our recent fierce storms. It was hard to choose just one photograph, so have a wander with me.

This is my 15th walk of more than one hour, only one more to go to fulfil my 16 for 2016 challenge.

Joining in with Cee’s Which Way Challenge, so many paths to the top to choose from.

an air of misty magic

Also posting on the Facebook Page ‘Sunken Lanes and Historic Curiosities’

Then back to the New Inn in Stoke Abbott for the most delicious roast beef and Yorkshire pudding I have had in many a year – lashings of gravy and generous portions of perfectly cooked fresh vegetables, the cauliflower cheese mmmmmmmm! – a perfect treat.

One of my forebears opened this pub in 1895, and with his wife, there they brought up their 13 children and ran the pub for over 20 years. The pub still holds it’s character and I love to think of my relations sitting by the inglenook and supping a pint of home brew.

Please leave a link in the Comments for us to share in your STILLness

Next Week our prompt word is CREATION

Very apt as we have just created a new list for your enjoyment for next year – we hope to be able to show it to you next Tuesday. 😉

 

One hour Autumn walk

My friend and I walked from Bere Regis car park, through woods,

up to and along Black Hill

past old quarries

past sun-shiny gorse bushes with dense spiders’ nests

along the ridge

down into deep dark sunken lanes

and leafy paths thick with leaf mould underfoot and dappled light ahead

through the village of Shitterton.

(Joining in with Cee’s Which Way Challenge)

The footpath goes between those two cottages.

and into the Drax Arms for my birthday treat, a scrummy Sunday Roast – Thank you lovely walking friend! ❤ (my birthday is on Friday, 11th)

Rounding off the excursion with the obligatory visit to the church, which is huge and full of amazing wooden carvings and this rather sweet sign by a gravestone

A boy named Joy! How delightful.

Home to a glorious sunset …

….. time to light the fire.

Wishing you all a snug evening. ❤

 

Paint Party Friday

The second completed painting in the Beach Clean Art series – yes, I’m now confident there will be a series!

‘Beach Clean 2’

Acrylic paint, rust and fishing line.  8″x 8″

I love the rust pieces and some deserve a place of their own – the found fishing line, which comes in all sorts of colours, is perfect for attaching bits and pieces.

The painting started out like this – the one top right

one of this group of backgrounds I did back in July

~

I was blown away by the wonderful response last week to my cry for help. I can’t express how immensely grateful I am to all of you who joined in the discussion. It really did help so MUCH!!!!!

Are you wondering how the painting looks now?

Well it has been sitting on a table in my sitting room for me to look at several times a day and I have tinkered with it many times. Taking everyone’s comments into consideration really helped to concentrate my mind and consider all the elements that were brought to my attention – what a gift you all gave me – really!!! Here is last week’s post – Help!

And here it is now – nothing has been fixed yet.

Already as I look at it I know I will rearrange the turquoise rope at the bottom when I fix it, but I think it is nearly there. It just needs to sit a few more days for me to be sure.

The title will be ‘Beach Clean 3‘

Joining in with Paint Party Friday…..

…. and completing the second of 7 paintings for my 16 for 2016 Challenge

 

16 for 2016: June

These are the targets I have set myself for 2016, inspired by Cathy.

16 WALKS (of more than an hour)

7 done, 9 to go.

One in June: I pondered whether to include my 4 hours spent wandering round the Cerne Abbas Open Gardens and although this was not a straight walk, I ached the next day so I decided to add it. Cheating? Hmm – only me to judge that one – that’s what I love about this challenge!

A few other walks in June but none over an hour – I thought this challenge was going to be easy to fulfil – must get a wiggle on in July!

15 HANDMADE GREETINGS CARDS

11 done, 4 to go

I made 2 more in June – both using Duck Tape and a Dymo for retro lettering. I think this is super funky, although I’m not sure my 68 year old friend did! The other card is for Miss E, I wonder what she will think.

14 NEW ITEMS IN MY ETSY SHOP

7 done, 7 to go

I added 4 wigs in June. It was a relief to finish these 4 wigs which had been sitting in the W.I.P.s box for far too long.

13 SWIMS

9 done, 4 to go.

One done in June. Gardening takes over a bit at this time of year.

12 GARDEN POSTS

6 done, 6 to go.

I’m keeping up with the EOMV posts and enjoying recording how one border develops through the seasons.

11 HAND MADE TOTE BAGS

Zero

10 TYPES OF HANDMADE BEADS

6 done, 4 to go

6 in June! Hurray! At last I’m off the starting blocks with this challenge.

I have made six types of bead – 5 using Fimo, one using scrap paper and thread.

9 PIECES OF TEXTILE ART (started)

3 started, 6 to go

I have made a start on this appliqued bird. It might go in one of the books or be a stand alone work depending on how it turns out.

8 MORNINGS of SORTING and STORING

3 done, 5 to go.

Two in June

The garage has been cleared and sorted, and my stash of beads are now in order.         Before Miss E was born my daughter was making fascinators and I was making beaded embellishments and jewellery to go with them. It was fun creating bespoke items for wedding outfits. I ended up with absolutely masses of beads that have been used intermittently since and got in a right old muddle.

A happy morning was spent sorting so they are now in some sort of order – ooo that feels good!

7 PAINTINGS (or other pieces of art)

Zero (but they maybe something to show you for July – the paint brushes are out!)

6 BUS RIDES (using my bus pass)

2 done, 4 to go

5 NEW TYPES OF EXERCISE TRIED

4 done, 1 to go

So far I have tried Pilates, Belly Dancing, a Dance Class, a Zumba-like class.

4 NEW PATTERNS for my ETSY SHOP

Zero

3 MASSAGES

One

2 WAYS TO HELP REFUGEES

Zero

For now I am going to have to stick to crocheting ‘Squares for Blankets‘, but I am still on the look out for a suitable trip to make.

1 NOVEL READ

Zero

Still 2 false starts, they have to be engaging and happy – difficult to find.

0 BEADS BOUGHT

Zero

Thank you Cathy for this inspiration, it is a great motivator.

16 for 2016: May

These are the targets I have set myself for 2016, inspired by Cathy.

16 WALKS (of more than an hour)

6 done, ten to go.

Three this month – that feels better.

1. In Seaton, Devon I walked from the caravan site where I was staying with a friend, taking in the hide in the Nature Reserve and then into town and up the hill to the Labyrinth,

walking the labyrinth to the centre and out again and then walking the geological time line…..back around the Nature Reserve taking in the lake and back to the caravan for a cuppa, a crochet and a relaxing half hour of jigsaw.

The view from the caravan picture window – what a view!

2. Tyneham

A walk with my daughter and 5 of my grandchildren in one of our favourite places

3. Golden Cap

Gosh, looking again at the photos of these walks I feel so blessed to be living in such a beautiful county.

15 HANDMADE GREETINGS CARDS

9 done, 6 to go

I went to a friend’s Maypole Dancing Birthday Party – Fun!

Card for Sophie made on Festisite

14 NEW ITEMS IN MY ETSY SHOP

3 done, 11 to go

No progress made on this one in May

13 SWIMS

8 done, 5 to go.

Only 1 in May

12 GARDEN POSTS

5 done, 7 to go.

I’m keeping up with the EOMV posts. I’m enjoying recording how one border develops through the seasons.

11 HAND MADE TOTE BAGS

Zero

BUT…. I am inspired by some African fabric I found on my recent visit to London.

10 TYPES OF HANDMADE BEADS

Zero

9 PIECES OF TEXTILE ART (started)

2 started, 7 to go

8 MORNINGS of SORTING and STORING

1 done, 7 to go.

I think this is going to be my toughest challenge, I watch myself doing anything to avoid it. Prevaricate, prevaricate, prevaricate! Help!

7 PAINTINGS (or other pieces of art)

Zero

6 BUS RIDES (using my bus pass)

2 done, 4 to go

1 in May: my sister and I hopped on the bus home from the Chelsea Flower Show. She was all for taking a taxi but I persuaded her to go on the bus so that I could notch up another ride for this challenge. We were so glad we did, there was a marvellous festival feel on the bus with many from the show travelling with us.

So many of the shop windows and restaurants we passed had Chelsea themed displays which we could see from our elevated position on the bus. It rounded off a fabulous day perfectly – hurray for the 16 for 16 challenge! So many positive benefits.

5 NEW TYPES OF EXERCISE TRIED

4 done, 1 to go

So far I have tried Pilates, Belly Dancing, a Dance Class, a Zumba-like class.

4 NEW PATTERNS for my ETSY SHOP

Zero

3 MASSAGES

One

2 WAYS TO HELP REFUGEES

Zero

For now I am going to have to stick to crocheting ‘Squares for Blankets‘, but I am still on the look out for a suitable trip to make.

1 NOVEL READ

Zero

Still 2 false starts.

0 BEADS BOUGHT

Zero

Despite being very tempted by some African Beads in the Petticoat Lane area in London. If I was not doing this challenge, I would definitely have bought some – but I have a huge stash from my jewellery making days – I must NOT buy more!

Thank you Cathy for this inspiration. I have set aside today to move forward on some of these to get them out of ZERO status.

16 for 2016: April

Following Nanacathy’s wonderful example I created a list of things I would like to achieve in 2016. The year started well with the list providing a surprising amount of motivational push. Then viruses struck and threw me off course for Feb and March.

In April my Mum (87) has been very ill and I have spent long hours sitting and crocheting by her bedside. This has been a special time for me as we have not always had a great relationship and the time spent with her has felt very healing. It means that not many targets have been met, but there is still plenty of time.

16 WALKS (of more than an hour)

3 done, 13 to go

A few walks in April but none longer than an hour, one to take my 5 local grandchildren to see the bluebells.

15 HANDMADE GREETINGS CARDS

8 done, 7 to go

2 more made in April, bringing the total to 8

You can see one of them here, and the other, a birthday card for a friend:

14 NEW ITEMS IN MY ETSY SHOP

3 done, 11 to go.

No new ones in April, I MUST add some more in May!

13 SWIMS

7 done, 6 to go

Only two this month – oh dear, slacking!

12 GARDEN POSTS

4 done, 8 to go

I’m managing to keep up with the End of Month View and this time there is progress! Phew! I’m much relieved I’ve actually managed to get the caravan moved.

11 HAND MADE TOTE BAGS

None yet. I need to know I have a day clear to concentrate on this one – it will come.

10 DIFFERENT TYPES OF HAND MADE BEADS

None yet. So many ideas but a bit like making bags, I need a clear day with nothing else in it when I’m pretty sure I won’t be interrupted.

9 PIECES OF TEXTILE ART

2 textile books have been started, 7 to go.

I have a box full of items I am collecting to put in the books. These will be little momento books for each of my grandchildren and one for me.

The link to the first one.

The link to the second one.

8 MORNINGS of SORTING and STORING

One

This is badly needed, but getting a 4 hour stretch for tidying still eludes me.

I’m reminded of this quote “by doing just a little each day, I gradually allow the task to completely overwhelm me”!

However I have asked a wonderful fairy godmother to come and help me today, so hopefully some progress will be made!

7 PAINTINGS (or other pieces of art I’d like on the wall)

None. Heck, yet another target being missed.

6 BUS RIDES (using my bus pass)

One

5 NEW TYPES OF EXERCISE TRIED

Four

4 NEW PATTERNS for my ETSY SHOP

None

In fact I’m going backwards here as I noticed a fault in one and had to remove it until I can give it a run through.

3 MASSAGES

One

2 WAYS TO HELP REFUGEES

None

I’m not sure where to go with this one at the moment.

1 NOVEL READ

None

0 BEADS BOUGHT

Yes! None!

Hmmmm! Not enough progress with my list. Writing it all out helps though. It helps me to think about what I would like to prioritise.

My biggest achievement in April was to get that caravan moved – I have been trying to get that done on and off for 5 years – what a relief.

I’m already getting a clear idea of items to put on 17 for 2017.

 

16 for 2016 update 1

I am so grateful to Cathy  for inspiring this list, it has been surprisingly motivating, and prompted some interesting conversations with family and friends. The original post can be found here.

Time for a progress report:

16 walks 

Zero

I have been on a few walks but none for more than an hour yet. The incessant wind and rain has not helped.

15 handmade cards

Zero

14 items in my Etsy shop

One

My first item: a white wig

I was trying out a new pattern and this one came up a little big for anyone wanting to where it as a Chemo Cap, so I am selling it a bit cheaper than it will be sold when I have the pattern created to perfection.

It would be fine on a head with hair, or on a man who wanted to wear it for fancy dress – the ghost of a Jane Austen character perhaps?!

13 different types of bead

Zero

I am going to swap this with 10 swims as I have now joined a Leisure Club so swims should be easier. And 13 different types of beads was always going to be a bit of a stretch

I have tried one sort of bead as seen on You Tube using plastic bottles, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01x5SKNMPpg

but sadly it didn’t work for me, maybe it would work with thinner plastic – more experimenting needed.

12 garden posts

One

I just squeaked it in yesterday, click here to see it.

11 bags

Zero

I have not made one myself but I am very proud to show you a bag that I helped Miss E to make as a Christmas present. She chose all the fabrics and made all the design decisions. I was her studio assistant, helping with a few techniques. We both learnt a lot. She became very confident on the sewing machine and I am now able to leave her to get on with machine stitching by herself.

 

10 swims  

Five

I am upgrading the Swim total to the 13 slot as now that I have joined Highlands End Leisure Club I know it is going to be very achievable.

The wonderful spin-off is that I can take guests and so these swims have become social events as well.

9 pieces of textile art

Zero

I’m excited and nervous about this. I will be using some precious vintage material given to me many years ago. I have booked into a 3 day textile art workshop in March, hopefully this will give me the inspiration and courage I need.

8 mornings sorting and storing

One

I have decided that a morning is 4 hours – say 9am til 1pm

After a couple of false starts I have managed one morning.

7 paintings

Zero

Elusive Trope suggested I put some dates in the diary for painting – a great idea.

So I have booked myself on a Lino Cut workshop with friend and artist Hugh Dunford Wood in February in Lyme Regis. It’s easier to fix something away from home – so often other things crop up if I try to set aside time here. I know Lino-Cuts are not exactly paintings, but I’m thinking I can stretch my ‘7’ to include any form of picture I make. In my mind I will create a collage which will include painting and lino-cut prints – we’ll see where the inspiration of the workshop takes me.

6 bus rides

Zero

I have downloaded the local bus timetables, and wait for clearer weather.

5 new forms of exercise

Four

I’m most thrilled, excited and proud of this one!

a) I have joined a Belly Dancing class on Thursday evenings HaHaHaHahahaha!!!!!! Hilarious! My grandchildren giggled uncontrollably when I told them and went around the room doing what they thought bellydancing might look like shouting out “A belly dancing Granny????!!!!!!” and then rolling on the floor laughing. 

b) I tried a session of Pilates. I’m sure it did me good coz – oh! the aches next day!

c) One session of Dance a Day. I found this regular group on a Dorset Dance website. I did enjoy the session, but it was more about stretching and moving quite slowly. I want more of a workout.

d) A 5 minute walk away in our village hall, there is a one hour class every Monday that mixes dance, zumba, aerobics and pilates. Perfect way to start my week! Love it! 

So already I have tried 4 out of 5 new forms of exercise. Well done me!

4 new patterns

Zero

A pattern for bobble hats is likely to be the first.

3 massages

Zero

I need one every morning after belly dancing! It really seems to worry my lower back with all that circling and thrusting! I love it though, it is such a laugh.

I’ve booked a massage in February – oh how I am looking forward to it.

2 ways to help refugees

Zero

I have been doing some research and linked in with Bridport Unitarian Chapel, who took a group to Calais for 3 days this January.

I have also been in touch with Lee Godwin who takes blankets to refugees and we are looking at dates to see if I can go with her on one of her trips – I’ll keep you posted.

1 novel

Zero

I have had ‘Meet me under the Ombu Tree’ by Santa Montefiore sitting on my bookshelf for a few years. I’ve read and liked her books before. Just can’t find the right time for reading it though – maybe I will have to wait until I go on holiday. I think my reading time nowadays is spent reading blogs – which I love!

Do you know about http://www.librivox.org.

I heard about it on a BBC Radio4 programme, it is a free app, volunteers read all sorts of books, really there is a massive selection – I might try that.

0 beads bought 

Zero

I drove past a new bead shop in my local town without stopping! Gosh that was hard!

~

Lots of ZEROs, but I feel I have made a good start.

It’s not too late to make a list – What would you have as your number 16?