Creative Goals - October

Is anyone else a bit freaked out that  it's already October? It's like I blinked and three months just flew by. On a positive note September's goals were completed except for one scrapbook layout, which wasn't a priority. I also completed quite a few charity projects as well as helping out with labeling and, packing of last months preemie items ready to be delivered.

Let's look at goals for this month,
Scrap the boys challenge
Jot mood board
Jute crochet basket
Market bag
6 birthday cards
Start Christmas lists

Time permitting as many charity projects as possible.

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

June Creative Goals

So here we are 6 months in and 6 months to go. Have I been hitting all my goals so far? Not by a long shot, but I am ok with where I am at. The next 6 months is where it all gets super busy though with Christmas at the end of it and the extra craft projects needed to get ready. Lets see how I go.

How did May go? Not good at all, but I did predict that so its all good. I did get a little better towards the end of the month so perhaps June will be better.

What are June's goals?

3 x birthday cards
2 x birthday gifts
Scrap the boys
Jot Mood board
Baby shower gift
Finishing gifts for nieces baby due end of the month

Doesn't sound like too much does it? Lets hope not.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Taking stock - May 2016

 

 

Making : A few more crochet baby shower presents

Cooking : Spag Bol for diner, not very exciting but easy and fills them up.

Drinking : Coffee, much needed today

Reading: The Pact by Jodi Picoult

Wanting: A weekend away with hubby to just relax and do nothing

Looking: at a basket full of projects that need finishing

Playing: whatever is on the radio

Enjoying: A long chat with my mum

 

Wondering: How long before it all explodes like it has done before

 

Watching: Reality TV shows

Hoping: to reach all my deadlines

Needing: to re organise a few areas of my house

Following: my favourite blogs and instagram accts

Noticing: the changes outside as we transition into winter

Thinking: how I need to worry about me more

Admiring: The new yarn I brought

Sorting: my wardrobe, moving summer stuff to the back and the winter gear forward.

Getting: ready for a big birthday

 

Disliking:being made feel like I don't act the way I should

Opening: those dreaded window envelopes

Feeling: right now cold.... I need to put something warm on

Snacking: yummy vanilla slice made by the lovely Margaret

Helping: anyone who asks usually

Thanks for visiting

Lis :)

Wordless Wednesday

Feeling a little under the weather this week, will hopefully be back feeling good soon. Meanwhile here is a little sneak peek into some of the crafty projects I've got going on.

Please feel free to share any projects you are working on at the moment.

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Blog planning

I have had this blog for a few years now and to start with I would just do posts when I had something to share. Since I got a bit more serious with my blogging I've struggled with my planning of posts.
I have plenty of ideas and things to share but working out when to post or how often and how to organize all those ideas is my issue.
I've tried a few different ways and scolded through Pinterest and Google looking for ideas. I love the idea of a yearly calendar up on the wall but don't have the wall space to do this.
Towards the end of last year I Came up with a simple monthly calendar that seemed to work so I'm gong with it again this year.

I have an A5 folder that I have use and found a calendar that I as able to split up and put in the folder.  I have gone through the whole year and using washi tape masked of the days I won't be posting. I decided Monday, Wednesday and Friday's will be the days I do post.
I then used plain washi tape to add in all the post ideas.

 

The washi tape is good because it removes easily for when I'm certain that I'm posting or if I change my mind and need to move it.
I'm sure there are many more ideas out there that I did t find but so far this is working so I'm sticking with it.
How do you organise your blog planning?

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Lets get organised - family planner

At the start of each year I like to get myself organised, purchase my calender and planner and have everything I already know is happening written in.
I'm still very old school and use a planner rather than my phone, I think it has alot to do with if i write it down I tend to remember alot of it. It is also sitting open on my desk where I can see it everyday which I like.
Choosing the right planner has always been the hard part for me. With adult kids all having so much on that I need to be aware of as well as mine and Johns activities, makes it a juggle to fit it all in something.

In the past few years I have gone with an A5 day to a page planner and it sort of worked, but last year I noticed there was alot of waste, most days the pages were pretty much empty.
So this year i wanted to go with something different. After looking at alot of different planners in stores - I don't tend to buy one online as I like to see it and make sure its what I need - I purchased an A4 monthly planner.  It was important for me that the weekends have a decent amount of writing space as this is when the most of our activity's take place.
It has a monthly calender at the start of each month and then a week to each opening which so far has been perfect.
 

 I always write up all the birthdays for the whole year and any other events that I know will be happening at the beginning of the year, that way I don't forget about them.
Then usually will fill in each month with other things as they arise.
So far I am liking the new format but only time will tell as to if its better or not.

Do you still use a planner or have you updated to your phone?

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

2015 - The good the bad and its over

Wow another year gone, its pretty cliche to say that it flew by but I feel like it really did. It was a pretty up and down year for our family but the good I feel outweighed the not so good.
A little trip down memory lane of what our year was like.

We started the year of with everyone taking bets on who would be the first hospital visit for 2015 (everyone expecting it to be Daniel) they were all wrong it was John. Dan had a minor car accident and although his car suffered damage he didn't.

We celebrated Australia day with the obligatory BBQ and game of cricket, the footy season started and there went our weekends. Both boys playing together this year with John in charge of keeping all 3 teams fit and healthy again.

There were coffee and craft dates and the odd (ok many) thrift store trips. Over the year there were 3 funerals of family and dear friends which is always hard.

Perhaps the biggest event of the year was the birth of our first grandchild, gorgeous baby Chayse was born and we were smitten.

John had a trip to Tasmania to help his dad move into a nursing home, Jay got a new job and then later in the year was made full time. He also got his licence which meant no more ferrying boys around for me!!
Jayden had his last doctors visit after a 13  year journey and was deemed ok to be drug free.

We had to move house which was no easy task during the middle of footy season, Josh entered his first strongman competition and came first!

John worked the Uni games again this year getting softball - a few more years and he will almost have covered all the sports!
There were birthdays to celebrate, trips to the beach and fishing as well as a few camping weekends. Josh and Ash moved to the Sunshine coast which was sad but exciting.
I took my photography skills a little further than just footy games this year doing a few formal photo shoots and a family one.

We had a lovely Christmas celebrating with all the family and especially out little mans first Christmas. My baby boy turned 18, I am now officially the mum of all adult children.
We finished the year celebrating with Christine and her family at the RSL.

Sp whilst we had a few not great moments the year was filled with lots of great family moments and always lots of love.

Hope that you all had an a amazing new years and that 2016 is everything that you want it to be.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Taking Stock - October 2015

 

Making : Sophies Universe Blanket
Cooking : yummy dinner to feed my hungry boys
Drinking : water
Reading: The Pact by Jodi Picolt
Wanting: a job
Looking: at photos I want to get printed
Playing: silly ipad games
Deciding: on how to deal with things
Wishing: The weekends were longer
Enjoying: having weekends free of footy
Waiting:to see if an application was successful
Liking: playing in my art journal
Wondering: how long until we can get Johns dad to Qld
Loving: my family
Pondering: too much, need to learn to switch off
Considering: moving again (yes I know we just moved)
Buying: lots of fruits and veggies - I love summer weather
Watching: The X Factor
Hoping: for calm and everyone getting along
Marvelling: at how easy it can be to just make something yourself
Cringing: over the actions of some
Needing: exercise and a lot of it
Questioning: nothing really just going with it
Smelling: lets just say I live with all males....you work it out :)
Wearing: shorts and a tank
Following: the journey of a friend holidaying in my home town
Noticing: how many people forgot they were taught manners
Knowing: that soon it will be ok
Thinking: of family going through tough times
Admiring: how she copes with just herself to rely on
Sorting: out all my yarn
Getting: ready to start making Christmas gifts
Bookmarking: crochet patterns
Coveting: new summer clothes - and a slim body to put them on
Disliking: having family live so far away
Opening: that new jar of coffee
Giggling: with hubby about little things only we get
Feeling: like its going to get better
Snacking: on fresh strawberries
Helping: a friend move house
Hearing: lots of birds chirping outside my window

And here’s a blank list for you to copy and paste so you CAN join in…
Making :
Cooking :
Drinking :
Reading:
Wanting:
Looking:
Playing:
Deciding:
Wishing:
Enjoying:
Waiting:
Liking:
Wondering:
Loving:
Pondering:
Considering:
Buying:
Watching:
Hoping:
Marvelling:
Cringing:
Needing:
Questioning:
Smelling:
Wearing:
Following:
Noticing:
Knowing:
Thinking:
Admiring:
Sorting:
Getting:
Bookmarking:
Coveting:
Disliking:
Opening:
Giggling:
Feeling:
Snacking:
Helping:
Hearing:
Let me know in the comments if you ‘Take Stock’ too?




Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Are you a List maker?

Sometimes when I mention that I make lists I get laughed at or asked if I have a bad memory. My memory is ok But I find that making lists just helps me keep track of everything so much better.
I have lists for everything from my daily to do list, blog post ideas, crafts projects I need to make and the all important wish list!

Some my say I'm a little OCD with my lists but it works for me. I have them all in a planner on my desk where I can flip through them daily. I have to admit that crossing items of the lists when I've completed or accomplished it is a nice feeling too.
Do you make lists?


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

September Creative Goals

Its that time again where I set all my creative goals for the month ahead. August was a bit of a non event for creative goals with the move and unpacking, but I did get a little crocheting done of a night.
I have a few birthday's coming up that I need to make gifts for and I would like to get a bit of a start on Christmas gifts!

 So here are my creative goals for September

Sophie's Universe blanket part 10
Two birthday gifts (cant mention what they are as the ladies receiving them might read)
Jot Mood Board
Scrap the Boys
Journal catch up
Three birthday cards

After a month of hardly being creative I'm going to leave this list as is and see how i go and maybe will get more done if I'm super motivated and organised.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Roadside Murals

Most of our year is spent driving up and down the motorway to and from footy games. Ive noticed over the years that those horrible walls put up to block out noise for the residents on the other side are slowly being given a makeover.

I'm not sure whether its local councils or the state government responsible for the amazing murals that I'm seeing more and more of, but whoever it is, well done!
The artwork I'm seeing as we drive along is amazing, some very talented people out there. I hope that the trend continues and we get to see more.

Here are a few of the murals I was able to get photos of, its a little hard to snap a photo as your driving along.

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

July Creative Goals

This month is going to be super hectic with having to move houses so I won't be setting any creative goals. My time is going to be spent packing, cleaning and unpacking the majority of the time.
I am hoping that maybe some nights I can get a bit of work done on Sophie's Universe blanket, but will see how I go.

Good luck with all your creative goals this month!

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Live Action Role Play

Live Action Role Play or LARP for short, a way for adults and older teens to be kids all over again ? I must admit that before Jayden started with LARP I did have preconceived ideas about what it involved.
When he first mentioned he wanted to join (and being under18 needed our signatures) I had those "why would you want to do that" thoughts.

Jay spent weeks getting his ideas and making his own costume, turns out he can sew better than me ha! It turns out that (in this particular group) its a great way for my non sporty son to get out there and get some exercise but doing something he enjoys.

Anything that has them out in the fresh air and not stuck behind a screen all the time as well as being a fun activity they enjoy is good in my books.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Wordless Wednesday

There is alot going on here at the moment which I will share more about later, so for today another wordless Wednesday.

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

June Creative Goals

June has arrived and there is definitely a chill in the air for the first days of winter even here in Queensland. Its time to set out my creative goals for the month and report on how I went with last months.
Sadly I failed dismally with last months goals, only finishing a few of the list. I did have a couple of baby beanies and a baby blanket to get done as well as redo some of Chayse's jackets so I'm not too fussed.

This months goals;
2 birthday cards
1 part of Sophie's Universe blanket
gift for July (as yet undecided on what it will be)
Scrap the Boys challenge
Jot Mood Board challenge
2 x penpal letters

Small list this month again as we will have to be looking for somewhere else to live and packing as well as the normal hectic of footy season.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

April Creative Goals

Its the beginning of a new month and time to report on how I went with last months creative goals and set new ones for this month.

How did i go in March? Everything but one thing from my list got done! The one thing I didn't get done isn't a huge item and can just be added to this months list.
I am finding that by splitting all my creative goals into monthly tasks instead of a great big yearly one that I am completing so much more. 

Now onto the list for April, I'm going to put it out there right now that whilst the list for this month is small I do have my first grandson due in 2 weeks so the last two weeks of the month might not see much time for creating anything..

Scrap the boys scrapbook layout
Jot Mood board challenge
Mel's dishcloth week 6
Decorative journal catchup

Nice and simple list to see me thru Easter and a new baby's arrival and then back into it again next month.
How are your creative goals going for the year, are you on track?
Please share how you are getting yourself organised with us in the comments below!

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Creative goals for 2015

With a new year comes new goals and resolutions and normally I'm not one to make any resolutions (they never usually get kept) but this year i want to have a clear view of what I want to get done creatively. 

In the past I've made myself promises and plenty of lists but this year I want to be realistic about what I want to get done and what i can get done.

I'm putting it out here on my blog to help keep me on track as this is where I share almost all of the creative things I do.
I'm going to share either at the end of a month or at the beginning of a new month the goals creatively for the following month. This way i think I can stay on top of how much time I'm going to have each month and not make a heap of goals in January that come June I wont have the time for.

 I am hoping to scrapbook more, work in my art journal regularly and write as often as possible as well as make as many handmade gifts as possible. I think that its all about being prepared and planning and not leaving everything to the last minute which has happened alot in the past.

 So As January is almost over lets start of with the creative goals for February!
* Finish granny rectangle blanket by 5th
* Complete order for crochet washers
* 3 scrapbook pages
* crochet baby blanket x 2
* art journal page
* crochet baby items for baby shower

Tall order ?  Well the 1st two items on the list have to be complete by the 1st week so as long as its not too hot to crochet of a night I think I will be ok.

Do you set yourself creative goals ? How do you go about keeping on track ?


Thanks for stopping by
Lis :)