Two years after the Make and Mend Challenge

From unsplash (Kelly Sikkema)

Another year has passed, the second one after my really strict "Make and Mend" challenge. But why keep track of the things I purchase for myself? 

- Because after publishing the post about the purchases the year after "make and mend" (ie a year ago), I was really shocked, how much I had bought! Lots of fabric for "fun sewing projects" and I counted 21 items I really didn't need at all (the *-things). So that is nearly 2 things a month that I didn't really need. In my defence: I did wear/use most of those clothes/items. But still. The most dispensable items were probably the bracelets I hardly wear. And two bras that don't really fit perfectly. A few other sewing projects with stuff i didn't really need... which puts me in a bit of a conflict - I really like sewing clothes, but there is the point, where all of our wardrobes are saturated...! I didn't even manage to make what I intended to make... that is a bit annoying.

So I decided to collect another year and see, how I am doing... 

What I bought

6 tank tops
2 t-shirts black
4 pair jeans shorts (two different sizes, I went a bit up and down size-wise this year...)
1 pair of Marlene trousers (summer trousers)
1 sports bra

2 eye shadow base
1 mascara
1 pair of glasses (proper ones, not sunglasses)

2 books for work
1 backpack (doubles as work bag)
6 pairs of compression socks for work

(*)7 pairs of ballet slippers (I dance every week, they were on offer so I bought a few more than actually needed right that moment...)
*2 bras (I have a "bra thing" obviously...)
*1 shrug
*2 eye shadow
*1 pair of shoes (that broke 20min after wearing them?! The PU faux leather top came crumbling  off!! that was the price for buying shoes I didn't need... at least I was reimbursed)
*1 book on baking (french pastry...)
*2 pairs of dancing shoes (second hand)
* hotfix stick and black stones for it


fabric for
- 2 pairs black trousers "jeans cut" ( Ginger Jeans, corduroy)
- 1 pair summer trousers (linen viscose mix)
- children comfy pants (christmas presents!)
- comfy pants for myself
- 3 t-shirts
- test fabric for leggings, shirt, a dress
- sequined fabric for 2 dresses

What I made

wool felt ball decoration
3 comfy pants for children (Frida by Milchmonster)
1 comfy pants for myself (Mama Frida by Milchmonster)
Jade skirt (by Paprika Patterns)
2 Sequined black Tango dress (own pattern and adaption of Twister Dress by apfelblüte)

What I mended

6 Tops (ok... I just shortened the straps)

Bikini Top Child No. 2
adjust Marlene trousers
woolen pullover (MOTHS!)

What went out
4 tank top (holes, fabric washed superthin)
7 t-shirts short and long sleeved (weird deodorant bobbles that won't come out in the wash any more  and holes)
2 Shirts I stopped wearing and really won't wear anymore
1 pair of shoes (the ones that basically broke after 20mins of wearing them, first I wanted to cover them in black glitter, but it would have meant to first brush/scrape off the entire surface of faux leather (because it was crumbling off and would not be a good base for anything) and then invest in lots and lots of black glitter and glue... and I just couldn't see myself wearing black glitter loafer sort of shoes... really...)


* marks things I didn't really need...

Mobiles, Software and Batteries

I am so annoyed with technical "Progress" at the moment. I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 mobile which works fine, I've had it for years. Apart from a new battery and the eventual restart, it didn't need anything. But now, slowly but surely, Apps don't recognize my mobile anymore. The model is not "supported". Or they are getting slower and slower to the extent, that I can't use them any more. So despite the fact that I don't really want a new mobile and despite the fact that technically it is working ok, it seems after so many years you just can't use them any more without getting annoyed. I mean - I am not trying to get to the moon with it or anything that really required advanced technology. I am just trying to use a wheather app and an online family organizer.

" I don't believe it!!! "

The return of "stuffocation"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbol_of_Chaos

The return of stuffocation. Who would have though... After all my efforts to keep "stuff" out and surfaces empty and my "make and mend challenge" and getting rid of one thing in case a new item finds its way into our house. Yes. I am stuffocating again. Why? Well.... there is one room, that I've not talked about and that's been a "leftover" of the past, despite moving house and all - the cellar. Crypt of the unexpected. Doom of order. Place of no space. Area without visible floor. Yes, that's our cellar.

When we moved into the new flat in 2016, we had really tried to get rid of as many things as possible before - de-stuffi-fy. Does that word exist? If not, it ought to. But, truth is, I am a hoarder. Plus: Having children that grow and march through different development stages, leave traces. I have at least 6 boxes full of old baby clothes. Oh... and fabrics... yes, I know, fabrics mature... but you know another thing? - Some just get old and manky. That's the ones that weren't great in the first place. And then just hang around.

So: Hello 2020 and Heeelloooo, cellar! We are going to spend a lot of time with each other. Whish me luck. I feel the serious danger of disappearing forever between boxes and stuff.

Live your life virtuously!

Photo by Ahmad Odeh on Unsplash

I'm interested in what factors contribute to a happy or content life. I think I've established quite well, that I don't believe in shopping to be a safe and reliant source for happiness. A couple of days ago I stumbled across the "Six-factor Model of Psychological Wellbeing" by Carol Ryff. So thought I'd share it with you.

a quick overview http://livingmeanings.com/six-criteria-well-ryffs-multidimensional-model/ (also other interesting stuff, food for thought and inspiration for further reading)
wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-factor_Model_of_Psychological_Well-being
Further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicomachean_Ethics

Original articles:
http://aging.wisc.edu/pdfs/379.pdf
http://midus.wisc.edu/findings/pdfs/830.pdf

Questionnaire
https://web.archive.org/web/20150122104922/http://www.karger.com/ProdukteDB/katalogteile/isbn3_8055/_98/_53/suppmat/p192-PWB.pdf

Fast Fashion, Consumerism and Costumes

In Germany, people buy 60 items of clothing each year and 20% aren't worn once.


If you understand German, here is an interesting discussion about fast fashion.

https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/oekobilanz-der-textilindustrie-fast-fashion-um-jeden-preis.1083.de.html?dram%3Aarticle_id=452816&fbclid=IwAR1lmrs0uxgy0d_3atNtinwaHyC9f22eRJuqLwhXTo96Is9D9ofdjgtulV0


And what does this have to do with costumes... well, I am in a bit of a crisis with my costume sewing - while I would very much like to do some historical sewing ("Project 1908"), I wonder, whether it is not a pure waste of resources. On the other hand I learn so many new techniques and about fitting from it, that it probably does help me and maybe one IS allowed to have a little bit of a hobby...? But: Make it count! Good quality fabrics, no rushing over a project, no shortcuts.

Minimalism as a product

I really enjoyed this read:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/04/minimalism-conspicuous-consumption-class

Fight Consumerism!

Have I shared this piece of wisdom with you lately? :)

Found on google.de - From "Fightclub" (Film)

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas and ... Modern Slavery

From Guardian

So, Black Friday, Cyber Monday are over of sorts and we are ready to enter the mad Christmas shopping time. Hunting for the best price and all that.

Have you ever wondered, how it is possible, that goods that were luxury only twenty years ago are now available for a good, cheap price? (Because it seems only cheap is good , if you listen to the ads...). How can we get giant shrimps from all the way across the globe to next to nothing? Because the price is paid for you by the workers on the fishing trailers. By the men and women who are sewing you cheap jeans, harvest the cheap cotton. In other words - we are taking it out of the poor. We (the Western industrial countries) are responsible for the effect or our consumerism.

If you want to know more about it, have a look around the web - there is plenty of information around. Or have a look here: https://www.walkfreefoundation.org/

And what about Christmas? How about giving less in numbers but more in quality. Maybe homemade? Or made in your own country? You can get lovely second hand items. Or just ask your partner, if they have a wish and help them fulfill it. We all don't need this stuff, that's just standing around, cluttering our space and minds.

Liberate yourself from Minimalist Thinking!

Photo by Catherine McMahon on Unsplash

2 years of Make and Mend and "active Minimalism" are over. And while I really enjoyed the conscious decision-making and reflecting on purchases and researching consumerism and its critique, it is now time to say good-bye to this challenge. Why? Because living a challenge the whole time makes it less enjoyable. I don't want to force myself into something the whole time. I've done it for 2 years and now I want to see, whether I've learnt to live it.

The thing about my ban on consumerism and "just shopping" is - it is still "there" in my mind. And frankly speaking - I've had enough of it now. Because I have too many more things to do and see now. I haven't got time for this whole shopping stuff any more.

Thinking about Minimalism is still thinking about stuff! How mad is that?!

So now it is "goodbye Minimalism" and "welcome life" !

The End of my Second Year of Make And Mend

Finding the middle way. 

So my second year of Make And Mend is over.

I will now officially stop the challenge for myself. It was a superb exercise that came at the right time in my life to make some thorough changes. But now as I've not had such a hard time to stick to the make and mend challenge rules but am really living it (at least most of the time), it must be time to let go of the strict rules. Which I already did. 

The challenge was meant to be an extreme way to help finding the middle way (I really recommend looking into this buddhist concept) in times, where overconsumption is the rule rather than the exception. To some people it comes natural to live outside this pattern, some have been brought up this way. Some are forced due to financial reasons to change (some don't and go unhappy or run up debts...), some choose a different way because they see that happiness does not lie in shopping trips and money.

For me, it was a combination of a lot of factors and I am happy that 2 years of Make and Mend worked. Sometimes I still find it hard to resist something "pretty". But then again... that's normal. The 2 years of consciously not spending on "luxury" items (or at least trying to) were good for me. Now it is time to live the new attitude that I think I have acquired. To also consciously give in and buy the "pretty thing" every now and again. Not as a rule. To appreciate that luxury. Theoretically even those pretty things should have some sense and not just be "stuff" that will be thrown away. I am curious what the next year will bring.

But before this new year starts, here is a review of the past 12 months.

We have spend quite a lot on the garden and DIY stuff (because we like to make things also with the children) and this year of "make and mend" was also the year of unexpected bills. So. But having the car fixed was definitely cheaper than buying a new one. :)

* this star indicates items, that were not necessary at all. I could have been stricter on myself.

What I bought for myself

- pack of 6 knickers

- pack of 6 pairs of socks (socks seem to disappear...)
- pack of 3 pairs of socks (where HAVE those other socks gone?!)

- 4x make-up/foundation (it's really amazing, how much make up/foundation I bought this year...), one of them the wrong colour - FAIL -

- 1 tub of loose powder (replaced empty one)

- 2 mascara (replaced empty ones)
- 3 eyeliner (replacement of empty eyeliner, 2 of them smudged so badly, I had to throw them away - FAIL-)

- 2 eye shadow tubs (replacement of empties, shell colour and brown, both matte)
- 2 new lipsticks (replaced empties)

- 2 pure linen jersey shirts dark blue*

- 3 cotton tank tops black*

- 1 pair of black leather boots (christmas present)* 

- 1 knitted waistcoat (sooo cosy...)*

- 2 bandeau bras (which turned out to be uncomfortable...) . -FAIL - *

- 3 wire bras*
- 4 triangle bras*
- 2 eyeshadow palletes* (rarely used but very very nice)

Handcraft connected

- a book on knitting (kate davies "yokes") (second hand) and 3 of her knitting patterns via ravelry download

- a crocheting pattern for a red riding hood cape, multisize (ebook)

- a book on making waldorf dolls (ebook) #

- a book on making bendable dolls (with wire inside) (second hand)

- a book on making lanterns (second hand) #

- a book on making christmas decoration (second hand) #

- christmas window transparents shapes to trace (pdf) 

- a book on making window transparents (pictures) #

- a book on window transparents (rosettes)

- 2 books on festivities and traditions throughout the year (one of them second hand) #

- 1 book on games and ideas for children's birthdays (second hand)  #

- a magazine on Dirndl making (with patterns, modern Bavarian style)
- Dirndl pattern for kids # 

- a book on Dirndlmaking (with pattern drawings, 1980s Vienna/Austrian style, second hand)

- padding material for tailors dummy #
- 5 burdastyle download patterns (trousers and winter coat)
- ginger jeans pattern with flare extension pack #
- morgan jeans pattern
- vintage hat cones in a private sale
- a single hob (for millinery) #

Decoration/stuff*

- 4 packs incense (nag champa and goloka)

- 4 tiny vases and a normal sized one

- 2 pieces of minerals

- 2 postcard sets (eugene grasset, la belle jardiniere and Elsa Beskow calender cards)

What I made for myself (clothing)

- black ruffles skirt (material from stash)
- Otari hoodie (new material)
- self-drafted t-shirt with enormous amount of sheep on it (material from stash)
- Ginger Jeans (new material)
- Twister dress (new material)
- knickers (stash material)

What I mended

- Jeans (2x)

- tights (2x)

- woollen pullover that the moths had a go at... tiny holes though... barely visible after mending. :)

- 2 children's pullovers and trousers and leggings (repeatedly...)

- Curtains (ok, I just shortened those)

- lengthened sailor trousers, I had hemmed them just a tad too short.. that was a quick fix!
- ballet trikot for Child 1
- lengthened Child 1 trousers
- shortened straps from tank tops (had them for years... very embaressing...)

What I made otherwise

- Gretl witch as a present

- little lavender heart as a present

- Dirk the dragon (again, I wasn't happy with the first version) by lalylala

- Baby waldorf-like doll with clothes present (for KiTa)

- Waldorf-like  dolls with clothes for my children (Nora for Little miss No 1 and Aurélie for Little Miss No 2) and baby dolls also - because they begged me and I couldn't say "no" and loved the fact that they wanted something Mommy-made, and clothes for those dolls, of course

- Another proper Waldorf-like doll (40cms) for the darling daughter of a wonderful friend (the doll is called Alina now)

- Whitework embroidery picture

- lined african wall hanging (Fabric from Africa, present from my minimalist husband) :)

- lots of paper stars and paper lanterns (for us and for the kindergarten christmas market sale)

- window transparents (winter 2x, 1x christmas)

- dungarees for Child 1

- Ileana Dress for Child 1

- Vroni Dirndl for Child 

What went (from my stuff)

I sorted out a few more T-Shirts and vest tops, a light Pullover, a hooded sweater jacket, a dress, 2 skirts, 3 pairs of trousers that I never wore and/or made me feel uncomfortable when wearing (due to poor fit). They went to the Charity Shop.  One shirt I threw away - the fabric was so thin and had lots of holes it was beyond repair and even to thin to be suitable to be a cloth. Also some old socks went that were beyond repair, too. I do mend holes, but don't have many. They just go totally thin underneath and at the heel and then see through and then have had it. And some socks just seem to disappear.

What's to come:

I already know that two of my winter coats will have to go soon. One of them has holes at the armholes/wrists from wearing it so much - which makes me a bit sad because I really really like this coat. And the other one does not have the holes yet, but is about to go that way. Might still make another winter. I am thinking about copying the pattern of that favourite coat and making one myself. Also 15 years ago I have seen a coat with a really cute cut (that I didn't buy...), which I am thinking about making. It was of a red "salt and pepper" sort of patterned wool. Tweed or so.  With really interesting tiny arrow shaped pleats on the back. Cute. 

Both of my jeans (I own 2 pairs) are on the way out. I am mending them, but they are overall just on the way out. So making jeans myself really was necessairy (and I did - see my ginger jeans!)

Conclusion Make and Mend II:

I did buy quite a lot of things for myself, mostly books on DIY and sewing. I try to get them second hand. The DIY things go on my "max 20 Euros/month budget" because it is so easy to get carried away with DIY supplies. I didn't use that budget for the jeans patterns though (I think that's called cheating....).

I was surprised how much make-up/foundation I bought. 1 of them turned out to be the wrong shade (it looked ok in the shop, but seems to turn darker the longer i wear it... might be good for summer ... i bought it in February...). They discontinued my favourite make up (nude magique, eau de teint by l'oréal), which is a real shame, that stuff was perfect as far as I am concerned. texture and colour and all. Of course I don't HAVE to wear make up, nobody does, so those expenses are argueable. 

As for the other things (the ones with the *), I have totally good reasons for them. Or excuses, which ever way you look at it. :) Like the boots were my christmas + birthday present together (we don't buy each other big gifts), and the woolly vest (hand knitted, pure wool) was half price and soooo cute and practical. And I've always wanted pure linen jersey shirts and found those as a bargain. Our summer 2017 was really hot with nearly 40°Celsius, so I thought it was a really good idea. What about those bras... yeah, well, I go carried away... I've found them mainly on ebay for just a fraction of the original price (like 50-70% off) and I just couldn't resist. I tried. I've left them sit there for weeks. The prices got even better. And then my resistance crumbled and crumbled and broke. French lace for 15 Euros including postage...

I've worn everything I bought a lot already, so nothing of it is just sitting in the wardrobe waiting for better times. (Apart from those ill fitting bandeau bras/boob tubes or whatever they are called..., which are ok though every now and again under slightly see through shirts...)

Quite a bit of money this year went into the new household (like gardening stuff, we've never had a garden before... and you just don't get all plants as a present... but we are taking it easy here,  the garden will grow in size and number of plants with each year). And things breaking (car, teeth).

And curtains (including curtain rails... it took me a year to give in to my husbands suggestion to install curtains...). Parasols also for the kids protection (which I think is a reasonable thing...) - oh, and we bought a small charcoal grill. Brilliant investment. 

Arts and crafts take up quite a bit of our budget, but we think it is worth it. We also take pride in using up whatever we can find in the cellar (or the bin...), like paper, cardboard, ... but sometimes you just need the real deal. :) 

I am officially ending the "make and mend challenge" for myself now. As you can see from the list, I wasn't horribly strict this year. Actually I think I was shopping quite a lot. Mostly books and bras. What a combination... 

Good luck to all of us to find the middle way!!

* these items are a "PLUS", not at all totally necessairy.

# means "I made something from that"

- FAIL - well... money gone out of the window I'd say...

Whatever happened to Minimalism and me?

Photo by Samuel Zeller on Unsplash

It's been quite a while since my last post on Minimalism. 

To say the truth - I think I've said about everything what Minimalism means to me. 

And to tell you even more truths: I am still working on it. I am still working on myself. And it is still hard at times. 

I am still trying to find the best way, the middle way. The Make and Mend Challenge really helped me (and so did having to live on a much tighter budget for a year). But I also have to say, being back in the "normal" way of life, with our "normal" budget, it is so incredibly easy to fall back into old patterns. 

But the most important thing is, that I live my life more conscious, more aware and I think a lot truer to myself than I did about 15 years ago. Or even 4 years ago. 

Whatever the stress, whatever the challenge. 

KISS. 

There is nothing wrong with shopping...

Mike Petrucci (unsplash.com)

Lately, a few of my friends have apologized for shopping. I feel a little bad about it, I don't want to spoil anything for my friends. I also feel a little "ok, somebody obviously thought about what I am saying and (even better) also thought about their purchase and then decided for (hopefully) good reasons to get it anyway - no matter what that old bag is saying". Well done. :)

But I thought, I'd say it anyway: Shopping is okay. Spending money is ok.

If done with reason and sense.

We live in a world that has introduced money as a means to make exchanging something of value (even if it is imaginary) easier. Because it would be so much harder to trade sheepskins, gemstones or gold. We also live in a world that is based on shopping for competence - hardly any of us can make our own furniture, kitchens, bathrooms, we don't have the material and the tools... we need people and companies who do that for us. And that's a good thing.

I think it is lovely if you furbish you home in a way you like. If you do it every 3 weeks, maybe that's worth thinking about, but if you try to create a space with furniture and items of every day use that are good and last long - why not.

There is also nothing wrong with treating yourself to a special something - but maybe not every day?!

And most important - if you can't afford it - don't.

Yes, consumerism is a weeeeiiiird thing. :)

GREED - DW Documentary - Part 2

In case you've not found part two to the documentary from last week. :)

Greed - A DW Documentary.

GREED - DW Documentary -

My husband pointed out to me this excellent documentary.
Learn about greed and its sources and what drives humans.

The Minimalism Fraud

unsplash.com / Mark Eder

Today I've been looking around the Internet for interesting posts on Minimalism (again) and I noticed something, that really upset me. Although it didn't surprise me. After the LOHAS lifestyle, the minimalism lifestyle is the "new" thing to do. The "less is more" and "what you have should be of superior quality" thing. But it still involves buying new stuff. Which is not minimalist. At least not the way I understand it. But as I've said before, I am not really a minimalist that way. 

If you put all your files on a digital surface (books, music...) but keep buying and buying - that is not minimalism. It just doesn't show consumerism that much. 

If you have less furniture in a huge house - that's still consumerism. Especially if you throw everything out, that you owned before to refurnish with the new style. Nobody needs a huge house. Huge (empty) houses are a waste of space and energy. And a luxury item. A status symbol. Especially if they are empty. 

If you completely change the contents of your wardrobe to match that new style, if you buy new minimalist beauty products - that's still consumerism. 

When IKEA suddenly offers bicycles to be more "minimalist and eco" and H&M  group open their third line (H&M, COS, Arket) with the two latter aiming at conscious and minimalist consumers (but still consumers), then that indicates, that there is a new target group of consumers. They certainly don't do it because they want to inspire thrift and prudence.

We are stepping into the consumerism trap again. 

What I also find annoying is the "in your face" attitude a lot of self-proclaimed minimalists (one should never call oneself a minimalist, really...) when they show on their blog (where you can also buy their latest book on the topic and where lots of adds are popping up) how minimalist they live - in the 5 bedrooms house. With an extra sports rooms and an extra toys room. And a huge car. Gosh, that's all "stuff"!!! It shows again, that minimalism is only for well off people. Honestly, I don't have words for the disgust I feel towards this whole consumerism and minimalism-fraud. Everything around me seems to be about "buy-buy-buy". 

*rant off* ;)

I didn't make this up, I found this on a google picture search:

find the mistake

Interesting reads:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahweinswig/2016/09/07/millennials-go-minimal-the-decluttering-lifestyle-trend-that-is-taking-over/#dd0c69137550

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/07/31/the-problem-with-minimalism/

http://blog.cebit.com.au/how-millennials-minimalistic-buying-behaviour-is-fostering-a-new-breed-of-brands

http://winthecustomer.com/less-is-more-minimalist-marketing-techniques-for-your-company-2/

http://www.millennialmarketing.com/2010/05/millennials-becoming-minimalists/

http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/the-rising-trend-of-minimalist-marketing/

The Gift of Death - George Monbiot

Christmas is approaching quicker than we all think. Before you go shopping for "stuff" for you beloved - read this article and think about it again.

http://www.monbiot.com/2012/12/10/the-gift-of-death/

Some thoughts on my "Make and Mend" Challenge

Maybe you have heard of Jen Gale's http://mymakedoandmendlife.com/ or know of similar pages. She's inspired me to my year Make and Mend Challenge and only today I've stumbled about a comment with a question on the "no new clothes for a year" group. The comment was

"I am 9 months in and loving it. I am starting to think about when the 12 months is up and what I will do then. Part of me says splurge but that doesn't feel right or likely. What have other members done? [...]"

I suddenly remembered, I had similar feelings when I started my own Make and Mend Challenge in 2016 and it was a sort of spiteful "you are not being nice to yourself now and pull through and when your are through you can go and indulge in shopping because you earned it and you deserve it anyway ". Funny enough, this is exactly how consumerism works. It manipulates us on a very emotional level. Because shopping really still isn't a hobby and it has nothing to do with being kind to yourself. It is just a feeling instilled in us by very clever advertising. 


Now, while I went on the Make and Mend challenge we also were challenged financially by the fact that we had decided to take nearly a year parental time and live on about 50-60% of our normal monthly income. So as it happened, I was not only very busy with tending to two small children (that said, we were all 4 of us together those 10 months!) but even when I was very very very tempted, it wasn't really possible and that was a good thing. (as I had explained in a post before, overconsumption is only possible if you have the means to do so... or decide to go into debts...)
With the time passing I noticed a distinctive change in my attitude (very much like the one in the comment above). When before I would buy something because it was cute and I could, now I look at everything very carefully and would ask myself "do I really need this?" and "don't I have something at home that serves the same purpose?". It just got much more unlikely to just go on a mindless shopping splurge. I mean, why go shopping if you already know you don't need anything and you don't really want anything you don't need...?!

I also got to know my taste in clothes a lot better and I am much more careful to only buy things that fit now. And are of an acceptable quality for the price asked. Which means a lot of the time even if I try something  on, I don't buy it.

I've actually come to a point where I don't really enjoy shopping, because I don't do it for its own sake but for a purpose - and I really don't enjoy it much to look for a pair of jeans these days, because I just don't find any, that fit me. Which also means that any time in the next 6 months I will probably have to sew a pair. But I am trying my best to mend the 2 pairs I have and that fit me well. I am even thinking about not replacing them and starting to wear more skirts. i have a few lovely skirts and dresses. Only the moths have eaten all of my woolly tights... (which is a sign I didn't wear them much, shame on me!)

I am in my second year of make and mend now and I am growing used to this attitude of "non-shopping". I still own more than enough clothes, and nothing new has really entered my wardrobe. I am starting to mend more, I am also repurposing items (like one really really cool t-shirt that just doesn't fit me.. and probably never did...). I also notice ill fit more (which is something the sewing for the 18th century caused) and I get really annoyed about uncomfortable clothes not (which might also be a sign of getting older...).

I sometimes look back and think - wow, how much time I wasted on just going shopping - all those hours... I could have read a book, I could have painted, I could have played the piano, I could have gone for a lovely walk or a run, I could have learned something new, I could have done something that is more according to the idea of mindfulness.

But then again - I had to go through this, to learn about myself and to learn how in then end this whole shopping and fashion and accessoires and home decor stuff is just empty and leaves you with more emptiness. Which is very ironical really, because it is the opposite of what adversiting is suggesting.

So, to come back to the question from that group. If you have gone though a year on not shopping at all, I think you do deserve a treat. But does it have to be a shopping splurge? Maybe you have a rough idea how much money you saved because you omitted regular shopping trips. You could visit a friend who lives further away. Or you could go on a mini holiday. Or you could treat yourself to a book. Or a membership in the public library. Or cook a nice meal for friends. Or maybe all through that year you have eyed up one particular item... a coat? A pair of shoes or boots? A necklace? A hat? Decide on one item and get it and enjoy it.

The make and mend challenge is a challenge. Which means, it is also over after some time. And that is a good thing. As I said in the post on the challenge, it is not about chastising ourselves for the rest of our lives. It is about going from one extreme to the other extreme for a limited amount of time, to eventually find the middle way (to quote buddha).

arts and crafts and waste

It's been a little quiet here lately, sorry. But I was researching something (and still am): 

As some of you might know, I have two wonderful children. Small children aged 2 and 5. And I like arts and crafts. And I would like to share this with them in a way that is fun for all of us. 

So I was looking for a book about arts and crafts with young children  - and I have to admit, i was a bit disappointed by what i found.

Some of the books were like "you can make something from EVERYTHING". As in "use food for fun". Or a lot of expensive material was required. Or it was really mostly pre-manufactured. No real skills necessary.

I didn't like that. I also didn't like the fact that some things just looked really ... erm... not nice.

Ok, not all of the things my children make are masterpieces (incredible, I know), but I thought we could at least TRY to make something to put up on the wall and in the house. Something tasteful. Or useful. Where they learn something new and enjoy it. Don't need to buy an awful lot of expensive or wasteful material.

I again started appreciating the internet an awful lot. I can access blogs from all around the world about things to do with children on rainy days. I can access books from all around the world. Brilliant. 

So I started making a folder with things to do for rainy days throughout the seasons and "always". 

And: We now have a wall with frames to put the children's artwork (and also ours or from the family) in, which I will post about in the future, too. 

And I will also post the things we've made. It will be quite random, but such is life. :) 

You will be able to access all the ideas from the label "Ideas for rainy days with children". 

I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do!

XXX

PS: If you have ideas or links to blog from creative people - let me know!!

_______

Now, arts and crafts and waste also is a big topic in all things DIY. The amount of fabrics I have sitting in the cellar, that are waiting to be made into something, is ridiculous. Sometimes I can't even remember, why I wanted them in the first place and what I intended to make from them... and I have also lots of other arts and crafts "stuff" that I can't possibly use all at once. But it's a tricky one - if I would throw away or give away all of those materials, I wouldn't be able to revisit the project (e.g. hatmaking or silk flowers). Even if it takes years. It is also great to just be able to go downstairs for some coloured paper for the kids... But strictly speaking these are all leftovers from a time of vast overconsumption. Which makes me feel a little sad. And now... what do I do with them?

I am more careful now with getting materials and equipment. Unless I know when I need the material and want to make something from it, I am not buying it. Even if the price is wonderful and sometimes it is SO tempting.
Instead, I am using what we have stored and I am also taking pride in reusing material that we already own. E.g. old clothes. Sometimes it can be quite tricky to be a crafter and at the same time you don't want to have all the things you make - e.g. I've seen a book on making baskets out of old newspapers - brilliant idea... only... what would I do with all those baskets?
So I am trying to combine the idea of making something that we can use in the house or maybe give away as presents PLUS taking the material from what we've got at home. It doesn't always work (which is a good sign... more and more material is being used up!) but we are turning more and more to resources readily available around us instead of going shopping for arts and crafts supplies first. The amount of things you can make from leaves is incredible!

So, my aim for the rest of my "Make and Mend II" year is also, to use material that we have around us and/or in the house and make things that are of certain use. Let's see, how that works out. :) 

Waiting for something makes it more exciting.

http://www.warholstore.com/sites/warholstore.com/files/imagecache/product_full/products/39755.jpg

Maybe not everything, but he's got a point.

If you can't (or decide not to) buy everything immediately but waiting a set amount of time (1 week, 1 month) or maybe though sheer self-discipline or by setting a budget. And then you know - is it really that important to you? Is it worth wainting for? Does it get even more valuable for you?

"And what if I don't?"

Photo by Gemma Evans on Unsplash

So imagine, if you are one shopping trip or in the supermarket and you pass shops and windows and - you don't. You don't buy anything one the list. You don't buy anything impulsively.

"And what if I don't?!"

Effectively, I dare to say, nothing bad will happen. Unlike advertisements make you believe, you won't start having depression or look any worse if you don't buy the product. It also won't make you less attractive. You will stay who you are. No joke. :)
On the other hand, not buying impulsively, will have a lot of positive effects:
You will save money
You will have less clutter in your house
You will save the environment more rubbish
You will find, that after maybe a few hours or days, you'll most likely have forgotten about ever wanting that "thing".

Why not try it out - just buy what's on your shopping list of "needs" and leave everything else where it is - in the shelves. And see how you feel about owning it in a week.