Tips for Winter...

27 October 2019|BOATLIFE, WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS, WOOL & YARN

There is no denying it… Winter is upon us. The clocks have changed, Summertime is officially OVER and with it comes the prospect of long, dark evenings ahead. I feel this season even more deeply by living off grid, immersed in Mother nature but the thing that sustains me during this slow time is my craft and desire (a need even) to make and create. So reliant am I on this approach to Winter I worry for people who don't have a hobby or a means to create. This leads me to thinking, how can I help people to 'find their thing'.  If you need some suggestions and would like to find a winter sustaining hobby here are some things you could consider.

Using your hands to make and create keeps them off the unhealthy distractions… phone, food, fags or booze…. There is some truth in the old saying Devil makes work for idle hands. Find an activity to keep your hands busy.

What do you want to make? Think of all the possibilities….art, music, clothes, stories?

What do you like to See? What pleases you? Colour combinations,  monochrome, shape, patterns, how things fit together, how colours contrast.

What do you like to Feel? What is pleasing to the touch?..... Soft and yielding, rigid and strong, wet or dry? 

I know for myself I like the feel of spinning silky fibres feels. I like the challenge of finding the perfect colour combinations and how they tessellate into beautifully colourful blankets.

Whether it's whittling wood, painting pots, strumming strings or winding wool there's something for everyone and absolutely nothing that can't be learnt from YouTube videos.

So please, do some searching and try things out. Take a class or just teach yourself at home. But I can promise that having a creative activity that you can lose yourself in for an hour or so a day will help you through the dark times.

Do get in touch to share your ideas and tips or if you just need some suggestions.  

Happy hibernating folks x

Blankets are great for winter nights. Fun to make and keep you warm at the same time.

The Story So Far

5 October 2019|BOATLIFE, SCHOOL LIFE, WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS

Roughly two years ago I left a job that was making me feel miserable and unfulfilled. It was a rather spontaneous decision which left members of the family a bit thrown off course and we did have a bit of a wobbly time. But, I decided I was not going to stress about it and let the Universe show me the right path. 

A friend suggested a job at a dear little school working 1-1 with a young Autistic boy. It was less hours and less money but I thought What the Hell and checked it out. After visiting the school to chat with the Head I then had one of the worst migraines ever, which meant I was unable to prepare for other interviews I had lined up for the following a week. I decided this was A Sign so took the job thinking I could supplement my income with Woollycraft Workshops and selling my hand crafted wares.

What I discovered during my two years of working with my new friend was an aptitude, skill set and love of supporting non-neuro typical children. I also discovered the only part of my so-called business I actually enjoyed was the making....I was useless at self promotion, I found selling at markets stressful and I struggled to 'put myself out there' . I liked sharing my skills and tools doing workshops but found it hard to get the word out and attract enough participants.

As the two years progressed my hours increased and the time spent on my 'business' decreased. I had also joined the wonderful Wiltshire Mighty Girls, helping run afterschool clubs empowering our next generation of young women find their confidence and their voice in what still appears to be a male dominated world.

Then by the end of the last academic year my friend was due to move onto a specialist autism unit much better suited to his needs, I was looking at finding another job.

Cue another wobbly time. I was tentatively offered some hours to stay at the school which left me with the quandary of staying somewhere safe and familiar or moving on to pastures new.

Again the Universe came through with a possible role at the autism unit my friend was moving to. I went for it and got the job and I'm now a month into my new role.  I have to say I LOVE IT. The unit has 29 primary aged children all with the same diagnosis but all different and wonderfully unique. I love how everyone's characters and quirks are accepted and I really do agree with Greta Thunberg when she calls her Asperger's diagnosis her Super Power!

So, for now, Woollycraft has returned to an activity that soothes my Soul. An activity that helps me process an often challenging day, a chance to just make the things I love for the people I love. I no longer have to worry about monetising my creativity, I can just enjoy it but I shall continue to create and share my creations as when I feel like it. 

Boat life continues as usual...

Ta Ta for Now xx

Christmassy Thoughts

19 December 2018|BOATLIFE, WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS

We are now well into the darkness of Winter and life afloat does allow it to be a time for slowing down, quiet restfullness and introspection. I can mostly avoid the bright lights and bustle of Christmas. Maybe it's the long(ish) walk from the car (and civilisation) to and from the boat that aids this process. This morning I saw a Barn owl glide past as we exited for the school run, and on the return I spent a few moments watching a cormorant sunning itself high up in a tree. 

But it is still very easy to get caught up in the frantic-ness of Christmas. Dashing about, mostly shopping, to the soundtrack of This is Christmas in EVERY.....SINGLE.....SHOP !  And as each year passes I am feeling less and less inclined to join in with that. Thankfully my children are grown and I'm past the stage of needing to make it magical. Now we can appreciate our time together, eat and drink together, and generally slob about, and for that I'm very thankful.  Love and appreciation can be shown in the currency of homeade mince pies and all the nice things.

As the shortest day approaches I wish you all a time of restfullness. Have naps, go days without getting dressed. Go out for walks but also don't underestimate the power of NOT going out for a walk. 

Christmas is a time for indulgence so I urge you all to indulge in Rest.

Seasons Greetings and Happy Solstice Everyone :-)

The Eight of Pentacles

31 October 2018

The woman decides to express her artistry by painting a golden pentacle upon a silk canvas. As she works, she loses herself in creativity's flow; she feels blessed as she draws upon the talents given to her by the Divine Feminine. Symbolising the golden circle of contentment the woman has created through her focused and honorable labour, an arc of seven pentacles appears over her head, like a golden rainbow depicting the material rewards of Lakshmi.

 (The Goddess Tarot - Kris Waldherr)

It is the time to bring my creative work to the market place.

I shall be at the Bath Artisan Market this Saturday where I hope my endeavours will be positively received.

I am a little nervous so have spent my Half Term week preparing and crafting and resting. Tonight I shall light a little Samhain candle and hope for fair weather. Dry and cold enough to make people yearn for my delectable Winter Woolies.  Do come and say Hi if you're out and about.

Bath Artisan market on Facebook

TTFN xx

One More Trip Around the Sun.

14 October 2018|PHOTOS, WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS, WOOL & YARN

This weekend I have been celebrating another trip around the Sun. That's 47 now.  I did all of my faviourite things...Family, Fluff & Films...

I started off with a day of inspiring, sharing and alchemising, through laughter and tears with my Soul Soul sisters...what can be a better tonic? I am grateful for my friends :-)

I then spent a morning of blending and carding with my niece. We created a soft and rainbow coloured Birthday blend full of sparkles. I spent the day spinning it into a stunning yarn...I am grateful for my skills that bring joy and comfort, and that can shared with others.

The day was topped off with visits from family and mother daughter bonding over Avengers: Infinity War (such a guilty pleasure). And all from the comfort of my little floating home...I am so very grateful for my home, my safe haven full of wool and crafts.

I quite like getting older :-)

So here's wishing for another year of growth, of gaining wisdom and of doing more of what I like doing best.

Cheers xx

Capes for Everyday Heroes.

27 September 2018|PHOTOS

After much procrastination and a little self doubt I am ready to present to the world my creations....The Cape Collection from Woollycraft.

As a life long crafter and creator I have been through many different crafting obsessions but none have been as soothing and as beneficial to my sense of well being than Spinning. Everything about it appeals to me, from the initial blending to the final yarn and I am so grateful to the Universe that I have found my 'thing'. 

In return I have made things to wrap you in warmth, a wearable hug.  Superhero Capes for Everyday Heroes.  Using yarns made from a blend of alpaca, silk and merino these capes have become my way of showcasing my yarn. 

Just lately when I've been a bit unsure of how to achieve something I have put a little shout out for help and then waited to see what comes up. Many thanks to my helpers Teff and Bing for answering that call and making this happen. I am very grateful for the encouragement. Great job guys :-)

Check out them here.

If you would like to own one of these Magical capes they will be available to buy on Etsy.  Or if you would like to commission your own personally designed cape or yarn to make your own I would be more than happy to help. Message me :-)

How do you measure Wellness?

8 September 2018|WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS

I've been a bit unwell. It only lasted a few days but it was a proper splurgy gross unwell that can't been denied!  Since then I definitely feel like I'm getting over something, run down, tired, perhaps even a bit emotional at times.  All this has had me pondering...How do you know how Well you are? How do you measure Wellness?

Here's how I measure my Wellness....

When Tip top 100%  I am making and creating. I have great ideas about what I want to create and they work out. I motivated to get my kit out and start carding, spinning, weaving. I viewing the world through eyes looking for inspiration.  I am in the zone and in my flow.

When I'm not feeling great I struggle to be creative. When I try new things they don't work out or look ugly to me.  It feels like too much effort to drag all my kit out. This is a good time for comfort crafts. Knitting a simple stitch, something repetative and not demanding too much attention or thought. And if I'm not crafting at all....then that is BAD NEWS!!  I'm pretty much out of action if I'm not able to even pick up a hook or needle!

So I guess I measure my Wellness on my creative output!

At the moment I still feel like I'm getting over the bug and have just gone back to work. I'm lacking energy and enthusiasm for anything too complicated and don't feel like getting any equipment out, but I still want to make (a postive sign).  I've got some nice simple wrist warmers on my needles, a simple repetative pattern, four purls and four knits, but a new design so a bit more thought and planning is needed too. I guess I'm doing OK.

How do you measure your Wellness...drop me a line and let me know. Am I the only one that use knitting as a measuring device?!

I'm hoping I'm on an upward swing now as I have plans in the pipeline....but they can wait a little bit longer. Now it's ok to get back to my guilty pleasure of Netflix and knitting.

TTFN x x

Imposter Syndrome

19 August 2018|WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS

This week I have been mostly Not Been Able....

Not Been Able to write good things about myself in a CV...

Not been Able to bring the things I make to the marketplace...

Not Been Able to book and plan more workshops...

Not Been Able to write this post....

Instead I HAVE been able to knit, crochet, spin and boat...
And watch YouTube clips of Eckhart Tolle...And be in the Now.

Launderette knitting

I don't know what the answer is...I'm going to do some Ostentatious spinning while I ponder some more.

TTFN x

A little Holiday Reflection...

12 August 2018|BOATLIFE, INSPIRING VIEWS, PHOTOS

The Llyn penninsula.

Lobster and champagne lunch.

I must admit...one of the rare times I really notice the challenges of boat life is when we come back from some time away. We have just returned from a lovely week of catching up with old friends and taking in breathtaking views, from top to bottom of the country.  Of course you can't travel all the way to the Isle of Arran and NOT bump into other fibre loving folk...and luckily Mo our Air BnB host was a lovely lady who has inspired me to do something with my once lovely handknitted jumper that was fatally wounded in a washing machine accident!. More on that to come...for now here's some holiday snaps :-)

Island views.

Down the secret path.

Another island view.

Purposeful striding.

Coming back to dreary skies and wetness has been hard and I have been feeling a little melancholy. The best medicine for that is a couple of days of gentle crafting and contemplating what to do next with Woollycraft. 

Something is occurring so do come back soon... :-)

ETA...Many thanks to Daughter No 3 who has much more photographing talent than me

Floating Market Breakdown....

31 July 2018|BOATLIFE, SCHOOL LIFE

(Not in an emotional sense mind).

Another post bought to you after a bout of Weird Weather! And what a time for the Heatwave to break than during the Floating Market. Sadly I only managed one day of trading and admitted defeat on the Sunday and just popped along for the entertainment and a catch up. It was a shame... but many people did pop along and it was a fun day of spinning and chatting in the (patchy) sunshine.  One thing that is very apparent from the comments about my spinning from both the Market and when I'm outside my boat is "that's not something you see very often". 

One such admirer was a young boy, I forget his name, but he was only 4 and about to start school after the holidays. He was very facinated with my wheel and spent a good chunk of time and concentration just watching it. He also had lots of questions about why and how it all worked. It was brilliant, and I loved it. In the end I asked him what was it about watching the wheel that he liked..after a think the answer was...."I like things with cogs....". We agreed that he would probably go on to build many brilliant and wonderful spinning wheels, amongst other things.  I do hope his new teacher is aware of his love of cogs, and wheels, how they work and what they do because they will be his tools to learn, and having them available will contribute to his enjoyment and wellbeing during his first experiences of school life.

This interaction reminded me of why I love, so very much, working with young children. Finding out what grabs their interest and making it available to them and then watching them do the rest. Play is the work of children and I'm very lucky to be able to play along side.  It was a moment that made getting cold and damp, lugging lots of heavy stuff around, and not really making much money all the more worth it. 

But of course its school holidays so time to think of alternative ways to put food on the table. My next challenge I've set myself is to find a way to market and sell a number of bespoke and unique garments that I'm being to stockpile. The primary reason being it gives me the perfect excuse to make more. It'll be another learning curve and getting out of my comfort zone I expect. I'll do a bit of spinning while I try and figure it out :-)

TTFN x

School is OUT for Summer!

19 July 2018|SCHOOL LIFE

That's it!!  All done...another school year completed. I have offically broken up!

The rhythm of my life told in Terms.

To all my wonderful teaching comrades who are still at the coal face of education ... Enjoy this time ... enjoy your children. Reflect and rejoice in how far they've come in the last 12 months, enjoy the colouring in and watching films. Sing and have a dance. The End of Term is a special time for everyone, kids and staff alike. We had a disco to Gloria Gaynor and Wham! today as way of a musical interlude :-)

And to all the Wonderful Parents out there who may be feeling a little daunted at the thought of six long weeks...don't be.  Enjoy lie in's and not having to do packed lunches, enjoy not having to find a PE kit and feeling bad that you haven't read or done spellings.  

Rest, relax, sleep, we are ALL exhausted!

Here's to a Summer of making dens out of blankets, painting, making slime, picnics in the park, sleep overs (preferably at other people's houses), go crazy with the loss of routine and throw rules out the window. Get bored...get really really bored....

So that in a few short weeks (that will be over before we know it) we will be ready for the comfort of a routine and the challenge of times tables. We will be ready for those shiney new shoes and slightly too big uniform...we need the room to grow.

The rhythm of life...lived in Terms.

Happy holidays folks...stay tuned for more Woollycraft happenings x

Weird Weather

6 July 2018|BOATLIFE

It's been a while since I last blogged, in fact not since we were experiencing wierd and unexpected snow events . Apologies if you were keeping up, I had website issues and perhaps a little loss of confidence and and committment to what I was doing! Anyway, those blips and have been overcome and here we are again....only this time in the grip of the opposite end of the weather spectrum...HEATWAVE!!

One of the first and most common questions asked of boaters is "doesn't it get cold in Winter?" to which the answer is "Yes of course it does, even more so if it's a cold winter!" . But the coldness can be easily dealt with by sticking another log on the fire, adding an extra blanket, knit another jumper. 

Trying to create some shade.

What people rarely ask is "doesn't it get hot in Summer?" . And yes "IT DOES!!" . We are essentially living in a metal box....and that makes staying cool considerably harder.  All our windows and hatches are open to let the breeze work it way through (if there is one) and all the curtains are closed to keep out the Sun. But on the plus side we have ooodles of power to charge appliances and even run Henry the Hoover so have clean floors if nothing else :-)

Sun trying to sneek in.

One thing that doesn't change come snow or heatwave though is how much water we have, and I am as careful as ever about what I do with it. One of the things I like about living on a boat is how it keeps things a bit more real for me. I have a decent sized water tank, I think it holds about 400ltrs. Followers of my social media may remember the upheaval caused by this leaking. 400lts lasts us about 2 weeks, we can supplement that if we really needed to but that would require someone cycling to the nearest water point with containers (fyi water is heavy!!). To fill ourboat tank means a boat journey, a round trip lasting anything from 2-4 hours. So we have access to water for which I'm very grateful for but it requires effort, planning and time. 

So, if the next time you're watering the garden or filling the paddling pool for the kids and you find yourself wondering about where the water has come from, or will there be enough to last the Summer, that will be a little bit like being a boater. I may not be able to offer passers by glasses of water but I could charge their phones for them x