A few weeks ago I had a chat with myself about Time Management and I decided that I really need to take a different approach to managing myself. I have an awful lot of balls to juggle these days, and in order for me to continue to feel happy and upbeat it's essential that I keep on top of things. What this basically means is that I need to alter my natural free-floating tendencies and create a little more structure to my days. Yes, a little more organisation and structure would be very good for me, I decided. Just a little, nothing too harsh or stifling. This structure would allow me to carry on doing the things I love (and the things I am committed to) but in a less chaotic, flighty way.
My first priority was my studio. Last year I spent a lot of time wishing that I could be here more, yet even when Little B started nursery in September I somehow could not find a way to make it happen. Well not on a regular basis anyway. I realised that I needed to re-think the way I work my days, and make my studio time happen. Plan it. Organise it. Create time for it. So I decided Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings, these would be my Studio mornings. It might not work out, but I am at least going to give it a go.
Yesterday was the first day of my new Structured Week. Day one. I dropped Little B at nursery, dashed back home to do a few quick jobs, then it was straight down to the studio (and it really is down, it's a steep hill and I ran) for two hours of happy time. Having a studio above a café is absolute heaven I have to say. It means I can kick start my morning with a really fantastic Grumpy Mule Latté, which gets things going rather nicely. So yesterday morning, emails flew out and I wrote notes (yes, I really did! This is the New Me!) and it was all very productive and fun.
After a while I tired of the wordy words and decided to make the most of a gorgeous sunshiney spell. I pulled my chair right into the patch of sunlight and settled down for some happy hooky work.
The joy that I feel when I work on my poncho is pretty immense. I get to play with colourful stripes (oh, those colours!), work with gorgeous yarn (mmmmmmmm, cashmerino!), and I get the most marvelous, precious thinking time too (ooooo, buzzy-buzz-buzz brain!). I think about all sorts while I'm methodically creating those long rows. I write mental blog posts, I think about recipes and make menu plans. I dream up holidays and outings, and all manner of creative projects. It all goes on you know, all those dreams, ideas, plans, thoughts, feelings, projects and activities, jumbling and tumbling over each other while I work my rows.
Every so often I have to force myself to stop. STOP!! Stop all that mental dreaming, planning, scheming and creating, give IT a REST! I nip downstairs and order up a second coffee, then settle back down and force myself to concentrate on the moment, the here and now. Coffee. Sunlight. Colour. Calm. That's better.
Back to my stripes. My hands are cold so my wrist warmers go on, and I spend the rest of my studio morning alternating between hooking and leaping up to take photographs of hooking. I ponder my poncho and wonder a) how big should a decent poncho be? and b) will I actually have enough yarn to make it much bigger? The rows are ginormous now, really long and yarn guzzling.
I put it on to try and get a feel for it, and think it does maybe need another few inches, then a wonderful border of some description. I really do want to get it finished asap as I am still bloomin' freezing in the evenings sat at my desk (ie right now) and I really, really, really want to get cracking with my Winter Wreath while it's still winter.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) is another Studio Morning, so I shall go full steam ahead with those rows.
xxxxxx
Edit to add :: Grumpy Mule is a fantastic coffee, for those of you that asked!
Awesome studio space Lucy, and a fantastic poncho. My wife loves ponchos but has never made one, so I'm going to show her this post, thanks.
Posted by: Benjmain | March 21, 2017 at 03:51 PM
Wow it's like a dream! Good luck with it, you work so hard!
Posted by: Claire | June 02, 2014 at 11:55 AM
I ran into your blog by accident, just browsing, looking for crochet projects. Your homey pics and wonderful use of color took the chill off an uncharacteristically cold winter in Texas. Refreshing to see your love of home, family, and art. Mick
Posted by: Micki Sandell | February 27, 2014 at 05:56 AM
Love seeing all the things you make and the colors you use!
Posted by: Renée | February 10, 2014 at 05:39 PM
So glad your time is going on so well and you´re making the best out of it. Love your pictures, inspirations and well... pretty much everything :P
So, go on with it, and don´t forget to have fun. It is YOUR time, not duty time ;)
Posted by: Kareen | January 20, 2014 at 05:01 PM
i love your studio Space Lucy...seeing your blog inspires me to pieces thank you! I dream about having my own little spot someday...i see you have the dutch book haken en kleur, dont you just love it!!
Posted by: heidi | January 20, 2014 at 02:03 PM
What a wonderful new schedule - coffee, hooky time, "business time". You studio looks wonderfully cozy and inspiring!
Posted by: Liz | January 18, 2014 at 05:15 PM
Me gusta mucho lo que haces. Te sigo! puedes ver mi nuevo blog: http://mamaquehaces.blogspot.com.es/
Posted by: Ana | January 18, 2014 at 10:34 AM
What a wonderful blog. Enjoy your posts very much.
I also love crocheting and dabble in a bit of knitting. As soon as I pick up a hook I am calm and my mind is already planning the next project.
Posted by: Delena Johnston | January 17, 2014 at 09:51 PM
I found attic 24 in November 2013 when i was searching for a pattern for a shawl. I haven't crocheted for quite a few years but decided to make a shawl as I couldn't find a nice evening cover-up in the shops for my christmas party outfit. I have fallen in love with your blog and your wonderful projects.I finished my crocheted shawl and then couldn't wait to start a granny square blanket wholly inspired by you! You have brightened up my life. Thank you for all that you share with us.
Posted by: Jeanie C | January 17, 2014 at 08:38 PM
I would love to know which calendar you have in your studio. I know you don't answer comments, but I would really like to know this. Thank you, if you could reply to my email address I would be most grateful.
Posted by: Irene Porter | January 17, 2014 at 09:40 AM
Your blog is so beautiful, and your work is exstremely well organized. I am going all the week and wait for your blog posts, and this one, about the studio is fantastic like your beautiful works. A poncho with "Lucy-colours", I think :) Lovely.
Posted by: Unn | January 17, 2014 at 08:55 AM
Love how your studio is looking. I've not seen it since its first opening. Loving how the poncho is coming along. What a cheery item it will be to wear, x
Posted by: Cockney Blonde | January 17, 2014 at 08:01 AM
Planning is a wonderful thing if it gets you on track with where you want to be. I say that like I'm talking from experience but really I'm on the outside looking in, send me some organisation please ;-)
Your poncho is looking *amazing?* I must say, hope you don't run out of yarn but I'm sure you'll make it happen!
Posted by: Nicole | January 16, 2014 at 08:33 PM
Hi Lucy! I have been away from Blogland for quite some time and it is so nice to see how your studio has come on in leaps and bounds - it looks like a great place to work with so much scope for inspiration. I need one of my own now! x
Posted by: Bev | January 16, 2014 at 05:16 PM
Hi Lucy, when you first mentioned you had lots of balls to juggle I was thinking for a moment balls of wool, which of course you have making your studio look colourful and inspiring and allocating time to be there is such a good idea. Creativity is a funny thing though isn't it and inspiration as your blog shows can come from different sources at any time. I loved your description of enjoying the autumn trees and colours and expressing this in your work.
So I was thinking you have lots of project ideas and what to use your balls of wool for next rather than balls to juggle with family, home, leisure, creativity and both are correct so all is well.
Posted by: Janet | January 16, 2014 at 01:45 PM
That time discipline thing is tough, but worthwhile.The more you do, the more ideas come along, so it really does help work flow.Studio looking great, I wrap up to paint, full on furry blanket, hottie and fingerless gloves- sitting working one looses track of time and gets really cold!
Posted by: Kate | January 16, 2014 at 11:17 AM
Hello Lucy,
Your Studio has come on leaps and bounds, Well Done.
It seems like the perfect place for you.
How lovely seeing you Crocheting your Beautiful Poncho, which is growing day by day.
Can't wait to see the finished result.
Sending all Good Wishes To You, Shirley.
Posted by: Shirley | January 16, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Oh Lucy, I know all about natural free-floating tendencies! And with the new year and all I actually decided this morning I should go and buy an agenda! I'm done with loose notes (sticky or mental) that get lost just a bit too much, a pretty colourful agenda is my first step in getting a bit more organised :-) LOVE your poncho, and your studio is just amazing. I hope I can come and see it one day! :-) xxxx
Posted by: Nanita | January 16, 2014 at 10:16 AM
I love your studio! It looks so invitingly cozy!! Your poncho is looking fantastic!! Hugz Lisa and Bear
Posted by: Lisa | January 16, 2014 at 09:58 AM
Thanks for the gorgeous cool winter white photo's yesterday. We have 44 degrees here in Melbourne Australia, much too hot to do anything. Hoping for a cool change late Friday. Some bush fires out of control everything a bit scarily hot. Love to get some coolness.
Love cilla
Posted by: Cilla rule | January 16, 2014 at 07:08 AM
Your studio is just perfect for all your creative endeavors :0)...planning it out is very important. Even though I don't leave my cottage to go to a studio per say, I still have to plan my creative times every day... the shawl is just gorgeous! mari
Posted by: mari | January 16, 2014 at 01:09 AM
Lucy I agree that time management is crucial but creativity sometimes comes to us at the most unstructured times. A good balance is the secret and looking at todays post I think you have got it cracked! Enjoy the yarn and the coffee!!
Posted by: Sarah | January 15, 2014 at 11:11 PM
Really look forward to seeing your poncho completed, very pretty
Posted by: wendy | January 15, 2014 at 10:54 PM
your poncho takes me back to my childhood!!! Lovely stuff ... must get on Pinterest for a pattern! Happy hooky!
Heather xxx
Posted by: The Patchwork Heart | January 15, 2014 at 09:49 PM