Tag: Covid-19

New Year Ritual

You may have a tendency to think you haven’t achieved enough… perhaps you are naturally pessimistic when it comes to the way you see yourself. Keeping a journal helps you count your blessings, cultivate gratitude and live by your values.

Every year I set up a new journal for myself. I have done this for three years now. It helps me document my year and reminds me of what I care about the most. Keeping a journal helps me review my values, goals and vision for the future. It has helped me to physically see how much I can achieve in one year.

Lately, I have been looking into manifestation and really have experienced the power of creating and holding a vision. I attempted Debbie Millman‘s exercise called “A 10 year plan for a remarkable life” and it was incredible!!

I used the below prompts to help me to reflect on my year and then come up with a vision. This is how you can set up your journal:

1. Thank you 2021

Say good bye to the year that has just passed, say thank you for all the moments you’ve experienced this year. A few headings that will help you to reflect on your year are:

  • In 2021 my greatest achievements were
  • Things I struggled with in 2021
  • Three words I would use to describe 2021

2. 2022 Time Line

Draw a line in the middle of the page and the months of the year down that line. List events, milestones and projected deadlines e.g. birthdays, deadlines. This will be how it would look: link 1 & link 2.

3. Passion Road Map

  • Life time
  • 3 years
  • 1 year
  • 3 months
  • 1 month

Make sure you record the date. This exercise is inspired by the Passion Roadmap Planner.

4. Start, Stop, & Continue

  • What do I want to start doing this year?
  • What do I want to stop doing this year?
  • What do I want to continue doing this year?

Example of this: link.

This will do for now, next time I will share what I do on a weekly and monthly basis in my journal to self reflect and reconnect with myself.

Remember not to get too caught up in the details, the magic is in the process. Celebrate what you have accomplished and review what you haven’t, this way every year you become more you.

Have an awesome new year kids.

Teresa xx

Part 2: Lockdown hobbies – sewing

I made a top inspired by these photos.

It is a tailored-blocky-semi-cropped-black top. I really enjoy wearing high waisted pants and thought it would be perfect with a top like this.

This took me 3 days to make –

Day 1 – Traced beloved old cotton top, cut pattern blocks and cut out fabric. Wednesday 21/7/2021

Day 2 – Attached interfacing to front and back panels as well as two back panels, hem the bottom edge. Thursday, 22/7/ 2021 – went to bed at 2am.

Day 3 – Attached the sides and top stitched the arm holes and neck holes and hand sewed on the button. Saturday 24/7/2021.

My favourite parts of this top:

  • The button loop detail!!
  • The cut of the top is flattering and goes with most my clothes.
Black thread in the sewing machine ready for sewing.

Some things I learnt from making this top:

  • I can create patterns using tops I find flattering on me – I found a cotton top that I have worn to death and found I could pair with everything.
  • French seams are worth the time invested – A work around for those who do not have a serger.
  • Pin all around the neck line and arm holes to ensure when top stitching to ensure the final result is nice and neat.
  • Measure yourself as you go:
    1. ensure the widest part of your chest is equal to the widest part of the bodice.
    2. ensure the opening around your neck hole is larger or equal to the circumference of your head.
  • My scissors tweezer were so helpful to fold in raw edges into the french seam, leaving a big lip makes it easier to tuck in the raw edges.
Black fabric.

Things that I would do differently:

  • I would extend the facing block, I made it too short and it hit me in a very awkward spot.
  • I would top stitch the neck hole before attaching the two back panels.
  • I would use this same pattern, in a summer fabric and crop up the top and add straps.

Thanks for dropping by and have a lovely day.

Teresa x

Part 1: Lockdown hobbies – photography

Here are a few photos I took the other day.

WFH Winter 2021
Barito in the making
On the window sill waiting for the sun.
Shy

I feel a stillness, coziness and a closeness when I look at them. It’s an ideal state when in winter.

They were shot with a Nikon D90 camera body and 50 mm NIKKOR (5201461) lens with a focal range of .45 to 5 metres. The aperture is 1:1.4 meaning it is great for low light. This lens is great for indoor low light conditions and shooting plans in a shady garden or a dark room. The images feel intimate because you need to be up close and personal. As it is a prime lens (ie. fixed lens) I am forced to move about around the subject. The lens is made in Japan.

I purchased the 50mm manual focus lens second-hand for around $100 at Sydney Camera Market hosted by Ultimo Community Centre. The lens slso came with a nice Cokin 0-52mm UV filer too. The markets are currently on hold due to covid, hopefully one day we can visit them again.

To understand what the above numbers mean I found this article to be helpful.

Stay safe and take care,

Teresa x