Di Mill

Planning

Are you a "list" maker? Do you plan your week?

Yes - I do love a list and any tool that helps me to be just a bit more organised. Being a single parent for so many years, I found that if I wasn't organised, I just created stress in the house. I'm still nowhere near as organised as I would like to be, but I do try. I thought when I bought my iphone, I would use the calendar for appointments and reminders etc but I found that I actually get a lot of satisfaction out of writing my goals or jobs down and crossing them off the list.

I try to find time at the end of the week to work out:

• a menu plan - check the pantry, fridge & freezer first and try to work meals around what's in there already
•  grocery list
• all the jobs I need to get done - housework, yard work, errands etc
• work appointments
• budget for the week - this is one I always struggle with but I do try :)

When I take the time to plan...I achieve more, I spend less money on last minute meals, gifts etc, I waste less food as I check the pantry and fridge when planning my meals, and I'm a bit more aware of what's going on in our household over the next 7 days. Although I would love to do this every week, there are times when it just doesn't happen but I just try and get back on track the next week.

I found this post over at designfinchwhich has a great list of free downloadable lists for weekly planners, weekly menu planers, cleaning check lists, and blog planners.

 

 

So pop over to designfinch and start downloading and take some time today to plan your week. Let me know how you go! Life will always throw you curve balls that mean that some weeks that plan gets thrown in the bin...but it's great to have some goals written down and try your best to to achieve them.

Take care...Di

Tutorial - Pinnafore dress for little girl & New Toy!

I've seen photos of this cute pinafore baby dress popping up on Pinterest everyday so I thought I would pass it on to you. It is very sweet and Maggie from Smashed Peas and Carrots has provided a tutorial for you so go to her blog and print out the PDF pattern and follow Maggie's instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

I have a new toy! Actually I'm a bit embarrassed to say it's not exactly new - I've had it for about 4 years but I've never used it. It's a Wacom Tablet:

 

 

 

I found it the other day and decided to try and learn how to use it. Well it's not as easy as it looks and I am hoping that practice - lots of practice - will ensure a better result than the one below, but I thought I would give it a go anyway. I've traced one of the above photos and substituted some of my favourite fabric designs from the Northcott range: Emma.  Emma will be arriving in November.

 

 

 

floral print: 6817-23.   Pink swirl tonal: 6823-23

 

And also the Pam Kitty Morning fabric range by Lakehouse- soooo cute, fresh and perfect for our spring/summer season that we will be in when the fabric arrives in October.

 

 
 

Blue floral - LH110022-blue.   The pink/red with white circle print - LH11018-red.

So what do you think aboutmy new toy??? I'm hoping I can perfect my tracing technique and be able to bring you some fun designs where I can give you a vision of how it will look using other fabrics. If you use a wacom tablet and have any tips...please forward them to me. :) It's such a different type of eye/hand co-ordination as you are watching the computer screen and not your actual hand. I'm all for learning new skills and taking on a challenge...so fingers crossed.

Take care...Di