Well goodness. January is done and I am getting through the Winter!
Every year I learn a little more on how best to look after myself at this time of year and whilst I’ve done well with keeping my chipper up, I have learnt NOT to save any work until January thinking ‘oh it will be quiet then and I can get lots done’ because a) it isn’t quiet and b) I have zero energy and everything takes ten times* as long as normal.
Some things that have kept my chipper up this Winter and might help you:
Knitting in the evenings - Stitching is my thing. I love it. I am constantly sketching embroidery designs, stitching little motifs or working on a piece of embroidery. I would stitch all day and all night if I could but when it’s your job you kind of have to force yourself to have a break sometimes. I’ve picked up my knitting again and make sure that 8pm finds me by the fire with my husband, dog and knitting for a couple of hours before bed. (I can also recommend a visit to Loop London if you’re feeling in need of knitting inspiration. It is absolutely my favourite shop to visit in London - aside from Choosing Keeping. I spend aaaaages there and always come home with something lovely.)
Making Biscotti - Niki at the Cottage on Instagram shared a biscotti recipe that is super easy, uses store cupboard ingredients and is a home-baked item that lasts so long I don’t feel it urge necessary wolf down three pieces in one go (as I would with cupcakes). Revolutionary. You can find Niki here.
My Hello Fresh subscription - I love cooking but I can never think what to make for dinner. My mind goes blank. A long text conversation with a good friend over Christmas has fired me up for cooking this year. She has a big family and her Christmas menu planning is super impressive and super inspirational. (I am going to ask her to help me plan my Christmas menus this year!) She gave me a code for a free Hello Fresh box and I’ve been hooked ever since. Three planned dinners every week and I make sure that two of them are vegetarian to reduce our meat intake. Everything we’ve had so far has been lovely and our food waste has reduced dramatically. Definitely worth it you’ve been thinking about it (I know I am late to the party).
Stitch Club - Last weekend was the first Stitch Club of 2020. Previously called The Stitchery Social, we have reached a number of regulars who come each month with their knitting or stitching and we have the happiest day together. Spending time with such lovely women has been a real tonic and a highlight of my month. We are all different ages with different backgrounds but the common thread of stitching has brought us all together. The kind of stitching club that people write books about.
A lot of people have said to me how much they would like to come to one of my Stitch Clubs but the distance is too great - my advice is to be brave and set one up! If you don’t want to invite people into your home you can set a cafe as the venue and invite two or three people to join you for a coffee and bring their current WIP. You’ll soon find that there is no such thing as awkward silence where stitchers and knitters are concerned; you already have such a lot to talk about!
Books - I read like an addict and always have more than one book on the go. I usually read a hardback or paperback book at home with a separate kindle book that I can easily access on my phone if I find I am left waiting somewhere, unexpectedly. I read when stirring risottos and I read waiting in line at the supermarket. Stories I’ve enjoyed this year so far include The Gown, A Half Baked Idea, Letters to the Lost and The Penmaker’s Wife. I started The Lost Ones this weekend and I can’t put it down!
From a work perspective, we are getting through the workload. The final Seasons kit for 2019 shipped last week; I think it is my favourite of all four. I love the colours and the simplicity. Kate’s folder and artwork are beautiful - one of my friends uses the labels as bookmarks. Such a gorgeous idea and a good way to keep them to hand and admire throughout the season.
Journals are being handmade from antique linen; they take quite a long time and we have been getting through the linen stash at an alarming rate but orders are being fulfilled and we are receiving emails from delighted customers.
The Haven subscription has kicked off with a wintery Cabin in the Woods design for month one. The cover art has been revealed and kits for those will ship this week. I am really pleased with the cover art and I don’t think you have to be a Haven subscriber to stitch it. I can quite easily see it stitched and hanging in sewing rooms, living rooms and holiday homes the world over!
I am currently working on the kit for Haven month two alongside a lengthy but fun project for the alphabet sampler subscribers of 2019. Subscribers qualified for a free booklet with lower case alphabet, numbers and motifs. It is almost like writing a mini book and is taking much longer than anticipated but I am confident it will be worth the wait. I am so enjoying putting it all together.
Thanks for reading. I hope you are having a lovely winter too; savouring the moments rather than wishing the days away waiting for Spring.
Love
Nicki xx
*Not exaggerating