Currently April 2016

 

currently - vacation edition

 

 

love your blog challenge no. 2

Beginnings

It’s always exciting to see a blank page before me. I have so many ideas that flood to my head but I’m quickly paralyzed, unable to type a single word. Too many ideas, too many stories to tell. To center my thoughts I browse through pictures and sift through stories until I find one that inspires me, that sets the spark inside me and I begin.

It isn’t always easy (and it usually isn’t pretty) yet the beginning is one of my favorite parts of blogging. Publishing and sharing the story is great but there is something about clicking away at the keys and having the story unfold before me on the page. Tweaking the words and connecting the thoughts so that the story develops into a moment worth sharing. That is the part of blogging which I most enjoy. The beginnings.

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This post is part of the Love Your Blog Challenge led by Kate from A Playful Day.

love your blog challenge no. 1

I was inspired to join this blogging challenge. At first the topic made me panic a little. Nothing really came to mind when I read the prompt: interactions & community.

So I reflected on my blog and why I keep coming back to this space. For the same reasons I read othe blogs, listen to podcast and browse ravelry I did myself returning to this space. By joining in the online community of creative types, I am inspired to create. And when I set aside time to blog I find myself reflecting on what in creating. I start to notice the little ways I am inspired each day, whether it's something I see online, a conversation, or even a quiet morning to myself.

I'm grateful for the way my blog pushes me to do the things I enjoy. When I start blogging regularly I move from thinking  10 minutes isn't enough time for a project to asking myself how much can I accomplish during these 10 minutes.

I'm looking forward to reading what others think and finding new ways and rediscovering old ways of expressing and exploring my creative spirit!

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Read more about the "Love Your Blog" challenge here

lists

I love lists. I usually handwrite my lists with pretty pens and make them very large and colorful (code for hard to miss). Today I have a very structured to-do list so I can get things done! In fact, some are complete already!

1. laundry, laundry and more laundry

2. clean the kitchen (scrub, scrub, scrub)

3. complete lesson 1 of an online class

4. finish writing report card comments

5. go to the library

6. #coffeecoffeecoffee

7. make two meals that will have left overs

8. write 2 blog posts

9. work on the puzzle

10. read a book

What's on your to-do list? 

Fiber Friday

Finishing projects seems to be the theme of this summer and that is OK with me!

In the knitting department I've been trying to finish an older project before starting a new one. In theist week I've finished a blanket for world vision (no photo), dishcloths (more later), and this raspberry colored version of the honey cowl in a cotton blend from Michaels a few years back. I love this pattern!

For my grand finale... drumroll please... 

...my fireflies rising shawlette!!!!! I feel extra excited about this one because I really took time and care to do it well, plus it looks so fancy! I really loved knitting this piece and would absolutely make it again, but not quite yet, I have a few things in the queue that I'm anxious to try.

We took a recon trip to the yarn shop yesterday (sans gift certificate so I would truly just look). I have my eye set on a golden, mustardy yellow tone after realizing ice ever knitting with that color.

I'm contemplating another shawl because they are fun, fairly simple but really satisfying, but we shall see. I took photos of potential yarns including price yardage and weight so that I could look more seriously at my pattern options and decide what's next for the needles.

I've been back on track with planning out and writing blog posts so we'll see if I can get back in a groove before fall! Happy creating!

one little word wednesday

When I decided to take up blogging again, I knew I wanted to make a real effort to keep up. Daily posts seemed way too lofty a goal, so I decided to post on the days I have the most freedom: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That seemed like a decent place to start, but I still needed to get a plan in place for how to make it happen. After reading this post I thought about my own three tips for  helping me stay on top of blogging.

1. Evernote

I have used Evernote for work and enjoy the ability to access the information anywhere. When i first started prepping my return to blogging I knew I needed to work ahead a little. I started by making a notebook called "blog posts" where I would keep anything related to the blog. Then i created a note called "blog posts idea." I mean, not rocket science. I took 5 minutes to list any possible idea for a post then narrowed in on possible recurring post topics: fiber, one little word and lists. I created a note for each and started writing. It felt so good to be able to write and save the text without having to hit publish right away. I entered right into the note any photo ideas or links. Photos and links tend to be the pieces that slow me down and deter me from blogging so i started by focusing on the writing and found time later in the week to make photo and link updates.

2. iCal

To help me stay on top of updates and to ensure I make time for blogging, I decided to use my digital calendar program.  It is a simple tool that I already know how to use (key!). I created a special calendar for blog posts only and I mapped out 3 weeks work of posts based on my Evernote list of ideas. Through this program I set reminders to alert me on my phone and computer to update posts, photos or links. I set recurring events for posts like Fiber Friday and One Little Word. It felt a little over the top when I first sat down and started entering information, but it is really saving me a lot of time. Once a week I sit down to make a general plan for future posts then during the week I have little assignments where I fill in the blanks and connect the dots. Such a great choice that is working well for me.

3. Blogger Feature: Schedule

This is the last feature that is really helping me stick to my goal. Since I try to work ahead, I am able to complete posts when I have time which is not always when I want them published.  This is how I stick to my M, W, F schedule.  I've recently added Sundays as a blog day, but I think of Sunday as a bonus weekend post. Once the post is completely ready (photos, links, labels, etc.) I select the date and time I want it to publish. It is so fun to wake up in the morning and have a new blog post from myself!

When I choose to blog I am also choosing to create and do the things I love. I'm looking forward to seeing how this model of organization works for me. Will it be my forever method? Probably not, but it's the right choice for now and that works for me!