Sunday 22 June 2014

::Thoughts:: Review, Remove, Reboot, Repeat

As I write this I'm sitting on the couch its 12:30am. I was trying to sleep but I had too many thoughts swirling around in my head…

I'm a hoarder. An information hoarder. I consume information. I consume too much information. I don't create as much as I want because I spend so much of my time consuming blog posts, email subscriptions, Pinterest, Facebook, self help books… you get the idea.
I have user accounts for heaps of platforms that I don't even use.
I subscribe to emails I don't read.
I have a bunch crazy information on my hard drive.
A jumble of digital documents that don't make sense to me let alone others.

I have become a 'me too'-er.
That's not the real me.

I spend way too much time on my phone.
I spend way too much time on the internet.
I spend way too much time not doing useful and productive things.
   The things I'm passionate about.
   The things dear to me.

I consume in other ways too, I have a lot of 'things'. I'm not at hoarding levels or anything. I just have a lot of 'stuff' in my life. I have a lot of wasted space in my studio, in my house. I envy those that are amazing organised and efficient and streamlined.

Consuming so much information is a good and bad thing. It means I know a little about a lot, but it also means I'm not doing the things I want to do. The things I need to do.

I'm going through a strange phase of my life right now.
I'm between jobs. I have been for over 6 months.
That is really hard for me to write.
I'm going through a bit of a 'block' in my life right now.
I feel like I'm on the verge of big change, but I'm too scared to change things; To purge things from my life that don't bring me joy.

I'm afraid. I don't know what I'm afraid of.
No, that's a lie;
I'm afraid of losing memories.
I'm afraid of regret.
I'm afraid of...failure.

I'm a thinker by nature. I start my sentences with "I think"… a lot.
It's probably why I'm an information hoarder.
I also read a lot because I have this weird idea that reading about something is the same is doing it.
It's not.
I plan. Plan, plan, plan.
But I don't take the next step.
Action!
Self discipline is not my strong point.
Excuses are easy.
Then I feel bad.
Then I'm a mess of disappointment.
Another broken promise to myself.

Don't take this as me being incredibly self-critical.
I'm reflecting.
Just getting thoughts out.
Maybe you can relate.
Maybe you can't.

I want to streamline my life.
I want similar things all in the same place.
I want to keep a promise to myself.
I want to only expose myself to people and messages that resonate with me.
I want to be present.

So steps forward. What do I need to do to get back to a place where I want to be?
NEED to do to get to a place where I'm content.

Review
Do I use it?
Is this useful to me?
Do I get anything out of it?
Does this add to the life I want?
Does this bring joy into my life?
Have I used/looked at this in the last year?
But what if I want to use it in future? - Get over yourself. Things are replaceable. Time, relationships and clarity are not.

Remove
If the answer is no to all - GET RID OF IT.

Reboot
Set some boundaries.
Establish some routines. At the very least a morning and evening routine.
Get some systems into place. Steps to follow.
Decide on my destination. GO! The journey will take care of itself.

I must journal in the evenings. Get it out on paper so I don't end up thinking it when I'm lying in bed.
Do planning on paper. No way to open a new browser window.

Use a timer. Track where my time goes.
Slow down. Who am I racing?
Speed up. Stop wasting time on things that have no tangible reward.

Repeat
Accept that this is not going to be a perfect process.
Understand that I will have to do this again.

There is not such thing as perfect balance, there is only juggling.

Hmmm. A bit of stream of thought for a Saturday night.
Very much a departure from my usual posts, but maybe that's a good thing. Shake things up a bit.

Can you relate? How do you overcome 'blocks' in your life? I'm interested to read what you write. Leave a comment.

Until next time.

Lets connect

Thursday 5 June 2014

::Sewing::FO:: Two-Tone Colour Block Scout Woven Tee


~Inspiration~
During the Kollabora Scout Woven Tee sewalong I stumbled upon this fantastic tee. I'd been toying within this idea for awhile when the The Monthly Stitch Sew Double Challenge was announced. I wore my first Scout Tee at least once a week during the warmer  months and I wear my knit Scout Tee at home and to bed during the cooler months. I thought it would be a fitting  candidate for a sewing double challenge.

In the end I didn't get around to sewing it up in time to post to the monthly stitch. Although I did manage to slip in a sewing double post about my Hollyburn skirt. I actually made this before I made my Grey Skating Lady dress.

~Pattern Adjustments~
I traced off the pattern I had used in my previous scout tees (lengthened by 3 inches and size 16 on top and 18 on bottom) and modified the pattern buy cutting across the front and back pattern pieces about 1 inch below the armscye. I wanted to make this as simple as possible so I decided to avoid cutting through the armscye and sleeve so it was less work.

~Construction~
The top and bottom for the front and back were sewn together. Sleeves were sewn in flat after joining the shoulder seams. The sides and sleeves were sewn as one, trying to line up the seams crossing the body pieces. Neckline was finished with bias tape as facing and sleeves and waist were hemmed.

~Pattern~
Modified Grainline Studio Scout Woven Tee

~Materials~
Left over poly cotton poplin fabric from my first S2444 dress and the M5591 skirt I made mum (the grey fabric wasn't pre-washed so we'll see what happens after a few washes). I chose a lighter colour for the top in an attempt to balance out my pear shape. I think it worked, but I think having it so close to my face washed me out. You'll have to tell me what you think.

~Changes I made this time~
• Traced a graded version of the pattern I have used in the past
• Modified pattern for colour blocking

~What I Like~
• It's a loose airy fit and will be good to wear next summer or with a long sleeved knit
• I like where the line between fabrics falls

~What I Don't Like~
• The seams puckering
• I'm not sure about the colour choice



~Changes for Next Time~
• I think using a different fabric might help with the puckering problem - maybe a a smaller stitch length
• Perhaps use a patterned and solid fabric next time
• Perhaps try a back opening with buttons like the inspiration tee

~Numbers~
PatternScout Woven Teed - Used before$0.00
FabricIn stash - left overs from previous makes$0.00
Notions Thread - in stash
Bias Tape - in stash
$0.00
$0.00
TimeAbout 1 hour to trace and adjust pattern
About 1 hour to press and cut fabric
About 5 hours to sew
7 hours (* $16-ish Australian minimum wage)
$112.00
Total
$112.00

~Final Comment~
As soon as I finished this top I put it on. This was a great way to experiment with colour blocking and modifying a pattern. It will be interesting to see how the fabric changes with wear. This is going to be an 'everyday' wear top I think and I'm sure I'll get a heap of use out of it.

Have you been inspired to make something recently? Where do you get you're inspiration for your projects?
Leave a comment below, I'm interested to hear where others get inspiration.

Until next time,


Let's connect