life moves on...

So Knit 1 Bike 1 is a success! The book has been published (get your copy at www.createwithfibre.co.uk ) the exhibition opens 14th oct 2016  at the borders textile tower house in hawick, Scottish borders. Being away for ten weeks alone and by cycle changed so much and things have been changing ever since.

We have been de-cluttering and i realised how important it is that i grow food. So this summer we grew lots of it and had many WWOOFers (volunteers with worldwide opportunites on organic farms). Not that we have a farm, but seriously growing veg in a suburban, vertically challenged garden qualified us as wwoof hosts.

 I am focusing on what is important. It can be hard to figure out what that is and has taken a year to re-focus and figure it out.  Change is hard.  Turns out i want to live on a lot less again and to work part time so that i can get out on the bike more. We did that when getting out of debt but our motivation was less thereafter.  Now it is more again and it feels good.

So here is our progress to date:

• Hubby has sold a lot of tools etc from the garage. Loads more space
• We have had gardening volunteers and grown lots of food.
• We have sold the caravan and a vehicle and vehicle a campervan
• My tiny studio space now has amazing shelving and space to actually work in
• I have been steadily assessing my clothes and have even less than before
• I bought some additional,  very lightweight camping gear including a stove 
• Create With Fibre has grown and i have help with admin etc
• Our daughter is assistant weaver
• Hubby re-designed the website and has helped with the business too
• we decided to stay put after years of wondering whether to move house
• This has led us to become more engaged with the area where we live
• And the ongoing project is to simplify still further

And here's the big news - 

We have decided to offer simplicity and downsizing mentoring and to have people stay at our home for workshops and retreats. They will be bespoke and we hope it will often be just a couple of people coming to see what we do. So if that is you and you want some help to re-design your life, get out debt, and look at work- life balance, get in touch mail@createwithfibre.co.uk 

A new adventure - Knit 1 Bike 1

As some of you will know, I am setting off to cycle round Scotland on 29th June this year.  I will be knitting and crocheting what I see on the way and the whole thing will result not only in a book but an exhibition of the work I produce.

On the way, I will be meeting lots of people and delivering wee talks about the trip and FREE mini workshops on knitting and crochet.  I hope to include details of other textile artists around Scotland in the book. 

The itinerary is coming along nicely and can be seen on my Create With Fibre blog.  Do follow my progress on the Create With Fibre blog if you can...
I have started a Kickstarter funding campaign and have a month to raise the funds to enable me to write the book and carry out the necessary work for the project.  Here's hoping!  Meanwhile here are a few photos. 

My 12 year old Brompton folding bicycle - i am cycling round Scotland on it.  Brompton have re-furbished it and it will go on a bus if i get stuck.

Me on the bike, taking a break to do some knitting.