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Wednesday 28 October 2015

Good morning

Good morning everyone - I'm feeling bright, breezy and inspired this morning hope you are too. The reason I’m feeling uplifted is that I have made some decisions. I have spent the last few weeks contemplating where I am at, which sounds very profound but my mind has been in overdrive thinking about the way forward for my business.

Over the last few months I have spent such a lot of time thinking about the future should I be offering more workshops and lessons, should I have a website built, should I advertise more, do I need to improve my blog, expand my understanding and use of social media. In fact I exhaust myself as I seem to think a little too much and my list of things I should or should not do is immense.

What I hadn’t really factored into all of this was my health limitations, the reason I no longer work full time in the Health Service is due to my ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The challenge is that my mini crochet business has proven to be a success and a big part of how I think and function is to look at ways of improving, expanding, perfecting and refining things, hence all the brain activity.

The reason I am feeling as though a weight has been lifted is that I have decided to do “nothing” well not really nothing but mainly not to expand. I don’t have the capacity to add to what I currently offer and if I’m not careful it will have a detrimental impact on my health and well being.  My decision has been not to expand but to improve on what I already have. I don’t need a website or to advertise as I am already fully booked until the New Year, advertising could just add extra pressure for me to find extra capacity.

My aim is to improve my systems to help me do what I currently do better. I want to improve the quality of the information I share through my Blog, Face Book and Instagram. I recently went on a one day course run by Emily Quinton. Emily is an amazing photographer and she was running a course especially for Knitters and Crocheters to help them improve their photography skills, taking photos of finished projects can be really difficult. My daughter Kate had spotted the course and enrolled me onto it for a special treat. It was a great day and Emily shared lots of hints, tricks and guidance about setting up our photo shoots. The day also included help in using camera phones as well as standalone cameras to create beautiful images.

I have really noticed a difference in my images and I have fallen in love with Instagram even more, probably to the detriment of my Blog. One of the things I took away from the day is that it is much better to do something well once a week or once a month rather than producing photos or posts just for the sake of it. I used to be a prolific blogger and was posting most days. I don’t think I ever posted just for the sake of it but I did feel stressed and under pressure when I didn’t post. The problem I have since found is how to get back into posting again,

With my new found freedom I have decided that along with my Instagram which is a much quicker in the moment form of communication I am also going to blog once a week on a specific day. I haven’t decided on the day yet but it may be a Friday in future.

I have lots to share as always so thought I would just add a few images today as a way of a catch up.


busy making crochet hearts for a craft fair 
preparing for a workshop
all set to crochet a mandala 
my lovely new stool cover using one of Susan Pinner's Patterns.
a little bit of granny striping
don't think you have met Posy Clementine - my new grandaughter xxx
a new good read
a cup of coffee and Emily Quintons new book  - bliss
my new finds....to add to my prop box
still loving a spot of baking - yummy Hummingbird brownie recipe 
baby cupcakes 
shortbread  biscuits for one of my crochet workshops


 Hope you enjoyed the catch up 

            talk soon xxx




24 comments:

  1. I get what you mean. I think about it a lot too. I think you made a great and wonderful decision!!!

    xx
    Barbara

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  2. Oh thank you Barbara - I appreciate your support xxx

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  3. I always love your pictures on Instagram and Facebook :) and I totally understand what you mean, a decision to not change can be just as invigorating and exciting (and relaxing) as a decision to change. Best best of luck with everything and I agree with Barbara, if what you are doing now is great and you love it, you've made a wonderful decision :) jenny xx

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    1. Hi Jenny thank you for your lovely comments and support xxx

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  4. You can't improve on perfection / your classes and teaching skills are so fabulous / recommendations from all of us that you have inspired will always keep you busy / but don't stop your workshops or I'll be upset ��������

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    1. Hi Kate - you made me blush. So pleased that you enjoy my workshops see you for the Christmas one xxx

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  5. yes, I agree, too!!!! Wonderful decision, Sue!!!
    xxxxx Ale

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  6. I think it's great you realised that by expanding it would put you under pressure you don't want or need. I love the picture of Granddaughter bless her, I wish I lived closer to attend a crochet workshop. Take carexx

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    1. Hi Michelle thank you and I wished you were nearer too xxx

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  7. We are such kindred spirits dear Sue, from our teaching to our baking (love the Hummingbird brownies!) and so many things in between - and I made the decision to slow down my crochet teaching as well! Not easy decisions for us, but I hope you find the calm and enjoyable relief that I have. And maybe we'll have the free time to meet up one of these days...Cx

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    1. Hi Chrissie I'm looking forward to the calm - we are spookily similar in our chosen paths and interests. I have added a meet up to my bucket list for 2016 xxx

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  8. The perfect decision I've had to step back my blogging a bit due to health, you need to be enjoying it, without all the pressure, some lovely photo's that course sounds interesting, I've also become a instagram convert
    Clare x

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    1. Thank you and so sorry things haven't been to good Clare - we are both Instagram converts xxx

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  9. Very inspiring Sue. Sometimes it's hard not to feel you have to change. Embracing what you do now and looking to make it better is a positive a.d wholly sensible way to go. Keep up the good work. Have a good week.

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    1. thank you Janet - hope things are good with you x

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  10. I am glad that you have found the right way for you! That is what is most important and as long as you are happy everyone else is and will be happy too and happy for you as well!! xx

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    1. such a lovely message Amy - happy thoughts for you too x

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  11. I read your post with such interest Sue then i was taken by how beautiful your granddaughter Posy is! She looks so lovely in her crochet headwarmer. I was very moved by what you said about how much further to take your business-we can be 'victims of our own success' and it makes us feel like we need to go further and further and there seems so much to keep learning these days! It sounds like you have definitely found just the right path for yourself. xx

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    1. Oh thank you Alison, I am biased but Posy is adorable - thank you for your lovely comments x

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  12. I think you've made a great decision Sue! It's very hard to know what to do sometimes but you've got to go with what suits you and sometimes a decision to not make a change is exactly what is needed to move things forward - does that make sense! Good Choice Lovely Lady!

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    1. It does Sam, thank you for always being so kind x

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  13. Good to hear you feel more settled and found your way to what to concentrate on next :-) xxx

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    1. thank you Anna it has been a topsy turvy few months as you know, but I think my decision is the right one, but still have lots of things to sort. looking forward to one of our catch ups x

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I read them all and always try to get back to you x