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1st to 24th December 2024
Seasonal sort-out and mini project
A fun series of small things to do this December to reset and create a little space (on our desks and in our heads!) and begin to think about our creative plans for the Christmas break and beyond.
There’s a last gasp mini project, too, before it’s time to turn off the sewing machine and hang up our stockings.
In a nutshell, it's doing some of the stuff we should probably do more often...but don't
the tiny things that can make a big difference - because anything is better than nothing
getting some quick and easy wins, for that smug feeling of achievement
enjoying a creative moment to prove you can still make a mess AND tidy up afterwards
dreaming dreams AND facing reality: getting real with the things we thought were a good idea for our fantasy future
Having a little bit of fun with scissors and a gluestick to round things off and set the scene for 2025
pretty things can emerge from messy messes!
is never short of an idea or project?
Do you have ALL the...
Materials and threads and stuff?
Books, tutorials and videos?
Projects, scraps and offcuts?
Miscellaneous-might-come-in-usefuls?
Are you great at starting, but not so good at finishing?
Always flat out busy, with lots of competing demands?
Have a really hard time letting go of stuff? It might be useful!
I’m exactly the same!
I love saying yes!
I love learning new things
I'm inspired just by looking at colourful fabrics, threads, beads, buttons...
I can make something out of the smallest scrap - so how can I throw any away?!
People with all the ideas are also busy people. "We'll tidy up later!"
But sometimes it can all get a bit....too much. Even thinking of all the possibilities can be overwhelming!
Apart from cut ourselves some slack?
For the 24 days of Advent, let’s spend a little time together, and get some stuff sorted out.
We can't do it all (boo!) but we can do a little. And a little can make a lot of difference.
I don't know about you, but when I know someone's coming over, I can do a month's worth of tidying up in about 30 minutes. Which is why all the tasks in this little 'Advent Adventure' are things you can do in less time than that!
a time to pause
to consider those Works in Progress and UnFinished Objects, that teetering book pile, the overstuffed cupboards and drawers of fabrics and those reels of thread that seem to multiply over night, and create a little calm - in the studio, and maybe in our heads, too. Phew!
Then, we can feel ready to relax and enjoy the festive season - and be all set to get back to it in the New Year.
Here’s what I suggest…
Every day in Advent, I'll send you an email with a short video and a description of the day's task.
For the first 8 days, we'll do a little bit of tidying and sorting. Nothing crazy, we're not tackling it all and I promise to be gentle!!
For the middle 8 days, I have a little creative project for you (it isn't all tidying😅)
For the last 8 days, we'll have a last sort through, and start to look ahead - what do we want to create in the new year?
Most videos are less than 10 minutes and you can always play them x2 speed if you're in a rush!
A few are a little longer as they include some machine embroidery instructions for the mini-project - so if you already know what you're doing, you can skip those bits!
1 December!
The emails will arrive at 9am GMT every day until 24 December.
No problem! As long as you sign up before the 24th of December, you'll be able to rewatch anything you've missed: I'll send you a link so you can log in and rewatch any video at any time, until the end of January.
Totally fine: it's a busy time of year!
I've tried to make each day's tasks really easy, and short - even 5 minutes can get something done, if that's all you've got.
If you need to skip a day or three, just carry on when you can. Everything's available until the end of January.
Apart from about 20 to 30 minutes each day, you'll need:
Planner, calendar or diary for next year or paper/notebook
Maybe some Post-it notes or similar
Glue stick, pencil, pen, scissors
A piece of stiff card or even foamcore - about A4 size.
A few old magazines, brochures, catalogues that you don’t mind cutting up
For the mini project you’ll need:
A sewing machine (or you could adapt things for hand embroidery or even paper collage)
Some fabric scraps, bits and bobs you’ll have lying around
A little Bondaweb (Vliesofix or WonderUnder) fusible adhesive
A piece of felt and/or some small pieces of cotton (e.g. calico, old sheet)
Machine threads and some hand embroidery threads/floss
Maybe some sequins and a button or two?!
Some thin card, or a few blank greetings cards or gift tags
Usual sewing kit
Gluestick and/or UHU-type glue