Monday 31 December 2012

SPRING CLEANING

SPRING CLEANING

Clearing out the clutter....

Do you have an 'allsorts' drawer, a box of useful paperwork, or a cupboard of 'it'll be useful one day' items?  Now is the time to DE-CLUTTER.  Try being less laden with rubbish, making space for a NEW START, and with a clearer mind for this year's projects.

De-cluttering makes you feel lighter in your own home, and, as the saying goes: 'a change is as good as a rest'.  One way to look at items is : 'have I used this in the last year'? 'If not, do I really need it?' This can be applied to the contents of wardrobes, sheds, kitchens, bathroom cupboards etc. and will bring about a space and tidiness that will lift your spirits.

It takes effort of course, but once started you can soon get carried away with minimising your paperwork, books, clothes, possessions etc. If you can't do it now, pen it in a diary or on the calendar as a day to have a go.  You will be so happy with the results.

Tidy house, tidy mind - so the saying goes.  Being untidy/dis-organised does seem to bring about confusion - where did I put my keys, where's that letter from the council, etc.  You spend hours looking for something when you could have been relaxing, gardening or chatting on the 'phone. 

Organising your 'stuff' needs organising too!  First you need to look at what you need - can furniture be better placed, can drawers be utilised differently, do you need more shelves etc.  I suggest that shoe boxes are very handy for storing 'stuff'.  They are not too heavy when filled, they stack nicely, they can be labelled with what is inside.  They prevent hoarding - once the box is filled with bills, bank statements etc. don't start another box until you have weeded out what is unnecessary to keep.

Big plastic storage boxes should only be used for light weight stuff like cushions, linen, a quilt, otherwise they are so heavy with books, photograph albums, hobby stuff, that lifting and storing becomes a problem.  Two smaller boxes in place of one big box is easier to handle and store.  Quilts, cushions, pillows could be stored in plastic bags that you can suck the air out with your vacuum cleaner.  They get so much flatter for storage purposes. 

Now ladies, and gents of course, when did you last clear out your underwear drawer?  How grey are some of your knickers?  Can't you treat yourself to new ones and throw away the broken elastic ones!  We think, what the eye can't see wont hurt, but don't we deserve to look nice underneath as well as our outer clothing?

Hope I have got you thinking and you declutter even just your newspaper rack today.  Happy Sorting! 

Saturday 29 December 2012


Party Table Labels
CRAFTING IS RELAXING....

Hobbies are fun, rewarding and purposeful.  From fishing to cycling, knitting to baking, whatever you like doing can give you so much pleasure and HAPPINESS.

Creative hobbies like crafting enables you to sit down in the hustle and bustle of busy life.  It helps you to concentrate and focus, so whatever else is happening in your life right now can be blocked from your mind for a while. 

Crafting can be done alone at home in the quiet, in front of the television, on the dining room table or desk in your study area.  It can also be enjoyed in a group setting, there's usually a group in each town.  CRAFT TIME of Soul Friend Services offers chat, laughter, refreshments and equipment for two hours each month.  Novices and the more experienced enjoy each others company and produce unique cards.

For me it has enhanced my love of all things creative...  Here's some festive shortbread biscuits and mini mince pies.......

Yum!!




Thursday 27 December 2012

The Great Outdoors -

Feeling a bit sluggish after the Christmas break?  Its cold outside and there's lots to see on the television, lots of chocolates, biscuits, cake and trifle to eat up.  Your home is cluttered with cards, trimmings, Christmas wrapping paper, left over turkey, cold custard and washing/ironing.  It's dark early and its probably going to rain.  Toys to play with, computer emails etc. an easy option to pass a few hours or if you're young no doubt x-box, i-pad, e-reader, new mobile phone and other gadgets want your attention.

But just a walk or drive away is a world of wonder - upside down trees in a lake, sunshine through the trees, a lightness that can't be found indoors right now.  Pull on those boots, gloves, cosy hat and warm coat.  Go and explore your nearest park or woods.  You will FEEL SO MUCH BETTER.  The cobwebs of the brain will be blown away in the chill of the day, colour will glow on your cheeks and the energy that the GREAT OUTDOORS silently gives you will make a difference to your own energy levels.  Dozing on the sofa will come later after the fresh air invigorates you to tackle some of the clean up process.

Clearing out the clutter is also therapeutic.  Having a clear room gives you a clearer mind.  Order out of chaos is so rewarding as you can see what you have achieved in such a short space of time.  Tackle one area or room at a time and reward yourself with something other than food, drink or possessions... How about some indoor sunshine for yourself or for a friend/spouse.  It is still the season for giving....

Monday 24 December 2012

Christmas cards

Here's some we made earlier...

SOUL FRIEND SERVICES - CRAFT TIME send Christmas Greetings to Crafters everywhere. 

Sunday 23 December 2012

Writer's Block

SFS WRITER'S BLOCK GROUP is now a member of the National Association of Writers Groups (NAWG) and the Association of Christian Writers (ACW).  Fortnightly blocks of six sessions held in the spring and autumn months.  Writing for pleasure, writing for publication, writing for competitions. 

Small group, friendly and fun atmosphere, sharing of stories and poems, trying out exercises and exploring different topics. Watch this space for more news...