Creating my way to Success

Top Ten Time Management Tips

Over the last couple of weeks I feel like I've been sliding away from organisation to chaos. There are so many different things I want to be doing with my time - but I don't feel like I'm getting any one of them done satisfactorily.

So I thought it would be good for me to take a step back and look at how I should be managing my time better to achieve more and be more satisfied at the my day. I know what I should be doing - but just need reminding of it sometimes!

1. Write a list

Having tasks on paper helps you to remember them and you can also see them being checked off as you work through them.

2. Prioritize

Make sure the important tasks get done first - not just the easy and fun ones!

3. Just do it!

Deal with things like emails straight away - don't just add them to the 'to do' pile. Don't procrastinate!

4. Have fixed task times

Work expands to fill the available time. Decide how long you have for each task and stick to it. Be sensible with this and flexible enough to cope with finishing some tasks a little under schedule and some a little over.

5. No background distractions!

Make set times to check email, facebook, twitter, pinterest - don't just have them running in the background constantly which would mean you get distracted by every new comment and story!

6. Stop!

Take breaks, have a snack, go outside, have a walk. Even a few minutes can refresh you.

7. Let the phone ring

Sometimes you need to ignore that ringing and concentrate on the task in hand. I go on the principle that if it's an important call they will leave a message - or call back. Think of it as if you're driving and can't answer!

8. Keep your workspace tidy

When this is a mess - it's just another task to add to the to-do list. Keeping things organised and clear helps you see clearly what needs to be done and so makes it easier to do it!

9. Know the best times of day

Understand what tasks you do better at what times of the day and schedule accordingly. For example, for me, the light in my sewing room is better in the morning than the afternoon, so I'm far better to sew in the mornings!

10. Accept that there is unfinished business

Some tasks can be totally completed - others, like housework, gardening, answering emails...are never-ending - or unfinished business. Learn to accept that some of your tasks are daily, ongoing and never completely finished!

Phew! well - now I just have to follow my own advice and get back on track!

What do you find helps you manage your time ?

Do you use any of the above strategies?

Do you have any more to add?

Jill

Swimming frog mascot

This week I haven't made a new tutorial myself - instead I tried out someone else's!

This cute little froggy was made using the lovely simple stuffed frog prince tutorial and template from Lil Blue Boo.

So why make a frog?

Well next month, we've been asked to join in a fundraising 24 hour swim at our girls' school. I've been asked to do be the 'creative manager' as it's to be made as fun as possible with lots of decorations for our team tent etc.

The swim manager suggested we name our team a froggy kind of name, so I thought I'd try out a little frog and add some goggles to start us off.

I think he's pretty cute - he is green by the way - just the light and the photo makes him a bit blueish!!

I thought he needed longer legs so made him a friend:

So I could make several small frogs or maybe I should go for one GIANT one ?

Any suggestions, or froggy decoration ideas would be very much appreciated!

Jill

Hermes inspired bag in My Creative Space!

I've been busy working on a new bag pattern this week. Here's how the first one turned out:

I was inspired by a bag I saw a couple of days ago on internet

Mine isn't quite the same - but I do like it! And it cost a lot less than the Hermes version which is set to sell for nearly $2million!!

I've still got to work on the details - the handle particularly isn't quite right yet...

But that's the fun of pattern making - solving those tricky problems and finding the best way to explain it all!

Jill

Pet Bed Tutorial - anyone can sew this in just 5 steps and 15 minutes!

We don't have a pet - but my daughters love their cuddly toys. They asked me recently to make them little beds - so modelling them on ones I've seen in the junk mail catalogues, I made these simple ones. Well my elder daughter (aged 8) actually made the bigger one herself! They really are easy!

Here's how:

Step 1.

Choose the size you want the bed to be, and cut a paper circle that size.

(We used kitchen plates and bowls to find the right sizes for our animals). Then use this to cut a circle from your fabric.

Now you have to use your maths skills!!

Don't panic - it's EASY! Grab a calculator!

Remember π from school? Well here's your chance to use it!

You need to know what the length of the outside of your circle is -

(this is the circumference)

To calculate this use 2πr

Or put in simpler terms 2 x 3.14 x the distance from the centre to the outside of your circle.

So fold your paper circle in quarters and measure the straight side.

This is 'r'

So for my one here, r was 11cm, so the length around the circle was 2 x 3.14 x 11cm = 69cm

Add an extra cm to this to allow for seams and cut a rectangle of fabric this length and as wide as you want the padded tube at the edge of the bed to be. For this simply loop a piece of paper around to make the size you want and measure that.

So basically your materials are: 1 circle of fabric, 1 rectangle of fabric and some stuffing (I used an old pillow).

Phew! That's the trickiest bit done ! Now to the easiest part - sewing it!

Step 2.

Fold your rectangle in half , then pin and stitch to form a loop.

Step 3.

Now fold your loop in half, wrong sides together to form a tube. Pin and stitch - leaving a gap of about 6cm (2.5") for stuffing.

Step 4.

Now you have to pin and stitch this tube to the edge of your circle. Once again leave a gap for stuffing - the same gap you left in the tube.

Step 5

Stuff the outer tube, pushing the stuffing all the way around evenly. Then pin and stitch the opening closed.

DONE!

Now you have one cute little pet bed:

Obviously the amount of fabric and stuffing you will need depends on the size of your 'pets' .

'Real' pet beds would need to be considerably bigger than these toy pet beds - but made in the same way.

I would recommend using nice soft fabric like fleece - it won't fray and will stretch nicely with the filling in for a softer bed!

I used soft velour for these toy pet beds. You might also want to use a double layer for the base to make it a little softer for a 'real' pet!

The animals tell me they're very happy with their new sleeping arrangements!

And here's my daughter sewing hers:

For the downloadable PDF version of this tutorial, click here.

For more tutorials of things to make in just 5 steps and 15 minutes - go here.

And over 100 more free sewing tutorials can be found on

My Tutorials page

21 days to form a habit - DONE! and what's next....

Three weeks ago I wrote about being fed up with the mess in my house! To try to change this I challenged myself to keep the surfaces clear for 21 days. The theory being that it takes 21 days to form a habit - so if I could continue this for 21 days, then I would become a tidier person as a result!

Well, I DID IT!!

This is the final picture of those 21 days. Each day I took pictures of my surfaces and posted them on Facebook to keep me accountable. Thanks to all those who encouraged me along the way!

I have always been rather a messy person, so for me, this is a big achievement!

HOWEVER

It has got me thinking about what I can do for the next 21 days - trying to think of something bigger better and more productive.....

There are endless things I would like to do, plenty of things to sew,

lots of things to do around the house, fitness goals...

BUT

Since growing my blog - which is slowly becoming a profitable 'job' for me is one of my major goals this year. I've decided to fit this into a 21 days to form a habit challenge.

There are endless websites out there and great blog posts, courses and information. I've looked at many over the past year and implemented some of the suggested ideas, trying as best I can to adapt and fit them to my 'creative' blog.

My blog has grown as a result, but I want to aim higher, bigger and better! and I also want to grow my second blog - Be Our Best. For those of you who have followed me for a while - you may have seen I wrote these as my main goals for 2012 . It's now 2 months into the year, and I've made a little progress, but feel I could do more!

SO, here's my next 21 days to form a habit challenge. One that will stretch me and push me and if I can stick to it, should bring great benefits!

Each day for the next 21 days, I will actively DO something to promote the growth of my blogs. Not just read things and say - yes that sounds like a good idea - but take ACTION! I know some days I will find this hard - particularly at the weekends, but if I'm serious about making blogging profitable for myself, then I have to commit to time and effort! Of course I'd like this to become a habit - because I don't just want my blog to grow for 21 days - but to continue growing long term!

As with my last 21 day challenge, I will post each day what I'm doing on my Facebook page.

So if you're interested, or want to join me in this - then come on over to my Facebook page each day!

I have to say I'm a bit nervous about this challenge !! I've a couple of ideas - but not enough for 21 days! I'll have to work hard and research lots! But once I've committed to this - I WILL DO IT!

I'll post about this again here - in 21 days time!

Wish me luck!

Upcycled jeans to gift bag in My Creative Space

Each year I try to handmake gifts for my daughters' friends birthdays. Partly because I like handmade, but also so that the kids receive something different.

Now I know kids enjoy unwrapping their presents, but in an attempt to avoid all that wasted paper, I often try to make gift bags instead of using wrapping paper. The kids never seem to mind, and the bag becomes as much of a gift as the present!

For a party this weekend, I'd made a Pyramid Pouch , and a Personalised Rag Tag. For both of these I used material from a pair of old jeans, and some fabric scraps.

Not wanting to give an empty pouch as a gift - I got a bag of jelly snakes to go inside!

So - on to the Gift Bag.

They are really simple to make - and you can decorate them how you like.

Here's how.

First your materials:

A pair of old jeans, fabric scraps, and a rectangle of material for the main bag

(I used a piece of calico 30 x 56cm (12 x 22"), but you could use any material, any size - depending on the size of your gift and the colour and style you want the bag to be!)

Once you've cut your main rectangle for the bag, cut one back pocket off the jeans, and also the hem from the bottom of both legs (these will be the straps)

Next cut strips of your scrap fabric just longer than each side of the jeans pocket and around 5cm (2") wide:

Pin then stitch these strips right sides facing down along the edge of the pocket piece. Stitch 2 opposite sides first, then fold those back and pin and stitch the last 2 opposite sides:

Then place your pocket with scrap border centrally on the top half of your main bag rectangle. Fold the 4 raw edges under and pin:

Stitch this into place.

Now the decoration is done, it's time to make the bag!

I use a French Seam here - which is really simple, and hides the raw edge for a neater look!

Fold the rectangle in half right sides facing out so it looks like a bag:

Pin and stitch along both sides:

Next trim your seam very close to the stitching.

Turn the bag inside out..

And stitch down the side seams again, so enclosing completely the raw edges of the seam:

This is what your seam will now look like inside the bag. Nice and neat!

Now all you need to do is finish off the top of the bag and attach the straps!

For the top - simply turn the top edge over twice to completely hide the raw edge. Pin and then stitch.

Then take those two bottom hems of the jeans, and pin into place around the top of the bag:

Then stitch each strap end into place with a box and cross:

And there you have one finished, upcycled and reusable Gift Bag:

Complete with a nifty pocket in the front for a small card:

So here is the complete gift for the birthday girl this weekend:

For the downloadable PDF version of this tutorial click here.

How do you wrap your birthday gifts? Do you ever make gift bags? Or are you happy to use wrapping paper - which the kids can enjoy rrrripping off the present!!

Is the wrapping as important as the present...

If you enjoyed this tutorial, there are many more on

My Tutorials page

- including a whole series of projects to sew in 5 steps and 15 minutes that anyone can try!

And if you want more ideas for jeans or any other clothes upcycling projects - check out the

Clothes Upcycling linky page

which has over 600 ideas linked up.

Personalised Swimming Bags - a tutorial

Last week I made these swimming bags for my 2 daughters - and here is the promised tutorial - how to make them !

I chose to add the mesh in the bottom to allow the wet swimming gear to dry a little - and avoid smells!

Materials needed:

Waterproof fabric - I used Ripstop Nylon for one, and an old shower curtain for the other!

2 pieces for main bag 48 x 42cm (19 x 16.5")

1 piece for drawstring strap 90 x 10cm (35.5 x 4")

1piece different colour waterproof fabric for name, and fusible webbing:

30 x 10cm (12 x 4")

Mesh Fabric netting for base of bag.

(I used an old mesh laundry bag)

42 x 20cm (16.5 x 8")

NB I forgot to include my drawstring strap piece of fabric in this photo!

First you need to cut the name letters out of the second coloured piece of waterproof fabric.

Now I would highly recommend using fusible webbing to attach these letters to the main bag. Iron one side of the webbing to the back of the fabric - then you can write the letters on the paper backing and cut them out.

I was lazy and just drew the letters direct onto the fabric, cut them out and pinned in place.

Unfortunately this means the letters slip around a lot when trying to stitch them into place!

If you use the fusible webbing - you peel off the paper backing and iron them onto the main bag using a damp cloth over the letters. This holds them in place and makes it much easer to stitch around the edges in either a tight zig zag stitch or the applique setting on your machine!

Now you're ready to put your bag together!

Pin the long side of the mesh/net fabric to the front main bag base - right sides together and stitch:

Repeat this with the other long side of the mesh/net fabric and the other main part of the bag:

If you have an overlocker (serger), it's a good idea to finish off the seam edges to prevent fraying. If you don't have an overlocker (serger) you can use a zig zag stitch and trim the raw edge outside that.

You should now have a large rectangle with the mesh part in the centre.

It is a good idea to finish all four edges of this rectangle to prevent fraying. Again if you have an overlocker (serger) use this around all edges. Otherwise you could turn the edges under twice and stitch with a regular machine to hide the raw edges.

Now you need to form the casing at the top of the bag for the drawstring.

Fold down both top edges - wrong sides together about 5cm (2").Pin and stitch along the edges.

Now fold the rectangle in half - right sides together to form your bag (inside out) Pin down the sides.

When you stitch the sides of the bag together - only stitch up as far as the casing. At the top, run some stitches sideways too and backwards and forwards a few times for extra strength:

Turn your bag out.

Now it's time to make the drawstring strap.

Take your long strip of waterproof fabric.

Fold both long edges in towards the centre, then both sides in again to completely enclose the raw edges. Then stitch down the edges to hold in place. At either short end, fold the end under too to hide that raw edge.