greenolive

three days

in the life of greenolive

I worked from home on Friday and as a result the last three days have blurred into one long period of focused activity punctuated only by cups of tea, chocolate (of different sorts), eating, trips to the shop, sleeping and the occasional shower. Even though they are a blur, I have accomplished a lot. (I think my procrastination must have gone on holidays!)

Without the usual work morning routine, I got a chance to sleep in and awoke to rain, fog, wind and more rain. A perfect day for staying at home.

After a leisurely start with breakfast, blogging and cups of tea, I got down to work still in my pyjamas. (I've discovered I'm my most creative and productive while in my pyjamas, and some days I delay the whole shower and dressing routine for as long as humanly possible.) My day's objective was a conceptual map of a Service Management Framework, a new project I'm working on. Say what? I won't go into the details, but perhaps this photo will suffice.

This is how I like to work best. Low-tech. Stuff everywhere. A4 coloured paper for mapping. Index cards for taking notes. And most importantly, working out of the office.

The grey of the day was beautifully balanced by a vase of flowers I got at St Andrew's market last Saturday. I know their name, but I can't spell it and I'm too tired to look it up.

Friday night I cast on a wrap vest from a Zhivago pattern book. I've seen it made up in a mohair and also Noro Silk Garden. It's a great pattern and I've been meaning to start it for about six months. Better late than never I suppose! I'm using a Jo Sharp Aran Tweed called Dusk, a mid-grey with flecks of purple and green in it. If it works out I plan to do it in a green Jo Sharp yarn and a pinkish-cream mohair as well.

Saturday started with a trip to the shops to get things like a new lip pencil, facial cleanser and eye make-up remover. I discovered Clarins was having a special (ie freebies with purchase) and that I can't say no. Also found a lovely brown leather bag that is ideal for those days when you need both hands free. And it was reduced!

I managed a trip to the post office to mail off the greenolive goodies for the limited edition mixtape sampler.

When I got home I ended up having a three hour nap in the afternoon, resulting in an inability to get to bed at the usual time. Never mind, I knitted in bed and then sorted the piles in my workroom/studio/second bedroom until about 3am.

Sunday was even more rain and fog which meant the Mt D markets were called off. So with an unexpected seven hours on my hands I sorted all my greenolive stock, organised my market stuff, finished tidying the workroom/studio/second bedroom, took more photos when the light was right, sorted my Jo Sharp yarns, made lots of felt and ribbon flowers, sorted out my packaging issues, washed my hair and cleaned the house. Had lots of cups of tea. And a few wagon wheels, the baby ones.

I'm exhausted just remembering all this!

I'm not quite sure...

when expectations don't match reality

The mismatch between expectation and reality!

I've posted before on the importance of matching the right yarn to the right stitch. Sometimes this is not as straightforward as it might seem.

You fall in love with a particular yarn: it might be the colour, the texture, the fact that it has silk in it (always does it for me!). You're not quite sure what to make, but you know you just have to have it.

Sometime later it is retrieved from that ever-growing stash and you wonder what to knit. In my case, the fall back position is moss stitch knitted lengthways on circular needles. And while this produces a very pleasing result (you all remember that Noro scarf) it is not the stitch for all yarns. And when this happens, I unravel my knitting and start again. And again some times.

Does this ever happen to you?

Anyway, all this is merely distraction. A way of demonstrating that in my case, the situation I find myself in right now is not an isolated incident. (Maybe it's just me and my perfectionism?)

Louise Harding's Fauve yarn

I fell in love with this yarn earlier in the year and bought two balls on sale from Calico and Chintz in Auburn. Several months later I started knitting my trusty combination of moss stitch on circulars. As I drew near the end of the first ball I panicked. It was clear that two balls wasn't enough to complete the scarf. Stupidly (in hindsight I can say that!) I unravelled each and every one of those perfectly-formed moss stitches.

Hmmm, what to do? Luckily, on the next visit to Sunspun in Cantebury, I managed to secure a third ball. Suddently I had options. And not being able to forgo the moss stitch entirely (you know I have a problem with letting go), I developed a variation on the theme. Four rows moss stitch, 4 rows stocking stitch. Two balls in, I once again faced the dilemma.

I'm not sure I like this either. And I'm running out of ideas.

What do I do? Keep going and cross my fingers? Stop, and wait for one of you to give me inspiration?

If you have any ideas, let me know. But you need to be advised up front that I don't do cables or tricky lace, so don't even bother suggesting either of them!!

In the meantime, I'll put it away in a drawer and upload some more greenolive goodies to my Etsy shop!

turning over a new leaf

the cold sores made me do it!

This is what I had for breakfast on Sunday, instead of the usual scrambled eggs, fried mushrooms, toast and tea.

I've been struck down by a rather nasty bout of cold sores and was home sick for two days last week. If you don't get them you'll be thinking: how vain, she just didn't want anyone to see her big fat lip. If you get cold sores you'll be nodding your head in understanding and with empathy. In this particular case I got one cold sore and then four days later a second popped up. A double whammy that resulted in swollen glands, a bit of a temperature and lots of lolling in bed.

And since this year is about listening to my body, I decided to heed their message. You are run down, and need to eat more fruit and vegies!

This was all the excuse I needed to stock up on organic fruit and veg at St Andrew's Market. If you haven't been it's a great, slightly hippy-ish market each Saturday morning in the area opposite the St Andrew's Hotel. It's a bit of a drive, 45 mins each way, but well worth the effort. The Pommy guy we buy from is a real character and he now recognises me. I got $1 off 2 dozen eggs this week. And Mr greenolive like him because he's a fellow Englishman. As an inducement for husbands/boyfriends the hotel does a great lunch and still has that relaxed, country pub feel. In winter, everyone wants the seats by the fire. As for the kids, how about pony rides?

So with a kitchen full of healthy organic fruit and vegies, our diet has improved. We had a roast on Sunday. I've made quiche with the leek and mushys. We've had rhubarb and apple crumble. Veggie stacks with ricotta. Lots of spinach. A few juices. And a salad each day at work this week. Oh, the asparagus is just in season and is so sweet.

I'm not sure I'm eating my seven serves a day, but I am working on it!

Houston, we have lift off

finally!

You can guess what these are...

We had a rocky start, but encouraged by those of you who left blog comments, I gave Etsy a second chance on Thursday.

Perhaps Etsy was having a bad day last Monday. I think this must have been the case, because when I resumed the listing and loading on Thursday things went quite smoothly. Maybe I was having the bad day? Anyway, during the second attempt I was using a different browser (Firefox) and had changed all the image extensions to lowercase jpeg.

The weather was still crap, but because I was home sick with a killer dose of cold sores (if you don't get them you won't understand) I was able to photograph the Pieced Fabric Things during daylight hours.

That mean there was nothing stopping me listing everything, and sending the shop out into the world. And waiting for the money to roll in. (What, it doesn't roll in?)

Oh, in case you are wondering: http://www.green0live.etsy.com

PS: Sorry to my secret admirer for outing her.

PPS: And thanks to Lucinda and Anna for being my first two Etsy purchasers. If you were here right now I'd give you a big hug!

I have a secret admirer!

Can you believe it?

In the space above there should be screen grab of the Etsy page that shows who "hearts" you. But I can't remember the mac shortcut for the screen grab and I'm too impatient to wait for Mr greenolive to come home and help me. Its 9.15am now and he's not back til 4.30pm! So instead, you get a photo of another heart, one from the Love Quilt!

Some of you are already aware that Etsy and I didn't get off on the right foot. But, being the determined Taurean I am, I decided to persevere. And I think a good night's sleep had something to do with it!

So, imagine my surprise when I logged-on before 6am the next morning to discover my one listed item (a green Stripy Thing in case you were wondering) had been viewed 28 times AND that two people had already "hearted" my shop! Wow! And this was less than 12 hours after I had created the shop. And while I'm lurking in the Etsy shadows, without anyone knowing the shop name. Just imagine what could happen when I open for business!

One of the people is listed as a secret admirer. Thank you whoever you are! I wonder why they don't reveal themselves? Are they too shy? (I know its not my mum or anyone in my family because they don't even know what Etsy is!)

I think I'm going to like this Etsy thing. And its not true what they say about first impressions - they can be changed!

PS: it dawned on me that the folk at Etsy might automatically add a secret admirer as soon as a newbie lists their first item in their shop. Does anyone know if this happens?

Please don't tell me that's the case 'cause I'm basking in the feeling that I have a secret admirer and I want to believe they are real. You know, like, "yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."

um, I think I need an extension!

Very crappy photo of a new Pieced Fabric Scarf shown as evidence of the poor light on Sunday. Not good for Etsy product shots!

Right about this time (9pm on Monday night) I'm experiencing that sinking, panicky feeling we have all experienced before.

The one you feel when you slowly realise that there is no way humanly possible to meet the deadline. For the assignment, the report, the school project, the sewing project... or the Etsy shop.

And, everything that could go wrong, does.

Like the overcast skies on Sunday that meant product photos were out of the question.

Like the lack of clear instructions on Etsy, designed to make setting up your shop and listing items as quick and pain-free as possible.

Like the fact that Mac users have it tough in the computer world. (For some reason Etsy doesn't like my photos while Typepad and Flick aren't so discriminating.)

Like the fact that you can't "save" a listing if you are mid-way through the 5-step listing process.

Like they fact that I put the wrong price on the first item I listed.

Like the fact that I'm just too tired after a day in ITIL training to concentrate properly.

So, rather than make a bigger mess than I already have, I'm going to stop, go to bed and come back to it tomorrow. Hopefully things will go better then.

Jodie left a comment saying it was a steep learning curve. She isn't wrong. I wonder if I could pay someone to do it for me?

kind of on track

to meeting that self-imposed deadline!

Evidence that sewing of Pieced Fabric Scarves has been undertaken. Just not completed!

Slippage of 24 hours is not too bad. Is it? I am making real progress.

I'm sure you remember (it was only a few days ago), that I promised to get my Etsy shop up by yesterday. (I did say Saturday, but what I really meant was this weekend!)

There's so much you have to do to get the shop organised. (I can feel another list coming.) Why doesn't anyone (ie, you girls out there with a functioning shop!) tell us newbies just what's involved?

You have to write a bio, think about pricing, postage costs, how will you describe your things and which photos will do them justice? It's rather a lot. (I think I need to do a mixtape column, don't you?)

The very friendly Lady at the Olinda Post Office gave me these, said I could open a local business account and that I could knock on the door at 7.45 to drop parcels off. She doesn't open til 9am for other people! That's the living in the country difference for you.

And then there are the insecurities: Will anyone buy anything? What if my stuff is too expensive? How will anyone even know I have a shop?

But I shall press on. After all, some of you very stylish girls out there have expressed interest in greenolive goodies, and I'm not making it very easy for you to part with your cash! You are being rather patient with me, and I am thankful and grateful.

So, the revised timeline is today.

And, being the ever-sensible type (the curse of eldest child) I've decided my time today is better spent finishing the etsy shop than sitting at the market with the threat of rain and the dinstinct posiibility that I won't make a sale!

So, I hope you don't drive up to Mt D today just to see me . If you do, I'm awfully sorry.

pretty in pink

at least I thought so!

Yesterday I felt like a walking advertisement for greenolive. I wore a favourite pink DJ's merino cardi with another favourite, my rich brown wool Sportscraft skirt.

(I have Aunty Shabby to thank for the skirt. She is a keen shopper and often convinces me to buy something out of my comfort zone. The skirt was one such purchase. It was in a price range I don't normally visit. And made of a very fine wool that I was sure would emphasise my curves. But she WAS right. I've got the skirt in brown and black and just wish they would do an olive green one!)

And, 'cause I was feeling very girly and it is Spring after all, I accessorised with a pink flower and one of my Entangled scarves. (Actually, now I think of it I might have unconsciously been channelling Hannah, aka Summer Pickles!).

The flowers are a new-ish design, born out of necessity. I had been using seed beads for the centre of the flower but kept finding that each bead's diameter varied. Each time I threaded a bead onto the sewing needle I would wonder, would this one slip over the eye or not? When the success rate became one in three or four beads I gave up. That's when the button centre was born. And, I think I prefer it.

The Entangled scarves weren't a big hit with you guys when I first introduced them. But having road-tested a few now I have to saw they are lovely. The individual strands curl around your neck and fall nicely, each moving as you move. They are very light yet still warm, and look a bit dressier than a normal scarf. Using five different yarns means that each scarf can match and blend with a variety of outfits, giving you lots of options.

I predict they might become a popular greenolive design.

Or they could, if I ever get that Esty shop opened!!

procrastination

sometimes I am my own worst enemy

What I should have been doing...

I haven't told you this before, but sometimes procrastination paralyses me.

Procrastination: v. postpone action

Or rather, I distract myself from doing what I should be doing by instead indulging in overly sensate activities. (Such as going to Bunnings at 1pm on a Saturday. Then spending two hours in Spotlight buying wool and fabric on sale. And waiting in that very long and slow line at the fabric cutting counter. With the ditzy assistants who can't concentrate on serving customers as fast as humanly possible.) I blame this on my INTJ-ness. When we are in the negative state, ie when stressed, we indulge in sensate activities.

Distraction: v. 1 draw away the attention of. 2 confuse, bewilder. 3. amuse, esp to divert from pain, etc.

What I was doing instead.

If you are a greenolive regular, you already know all about my INTJ-ness. If you aren't, check out the Wikipedia page or you'll wonder what I'm going on about. I've just re-read some profiles, thank goodness I'm not a drinker otherwise I'd be drinking rather than going to Spotlight!

I'm also a perfectionist as those close to me know. This can be a problem as I'll mull over or hold off finishing something until I have the time to do it "right". Of course, my notion of "right" is measured by my own very high standards. I'm learning than my 70% equals another person's 100% and sometimes 70% is ok. Its better than waiting an extra two weeks for my 100%. Once again, letting go is a lesson I'm trying to learn! (mlr, Claire and Tink, don't fall about laughing if you read this!)

So, I know I should be finishing the eight pieced scarves that have been cut out and half-finished for at least three weeks.

And I know I should be setting up the Etsy shop. In the last week four sales opportunities has arisen and I still haven't set the shop up. I have started. On 18 July to be exact. But, most importantly, I haven't finished it.

Intellectually I know this, but knowing and doing are two different things.

I do this quite a lot, procrastination, putting things off. Perhaps even unconscious self-sabotage? I even asked my career coach about. But still no answer. And no strategy for addressing it. But I really am trying. If I catch myself doing it, I give myself a talking to. And I'm getting much better. Honestly. Maybe I'll gown out of it. Can you still grow out of things once you turn 40?

So, I'm giving myself a deadline.

And strict boundaries.

And measurable deliverables (PM and INTJ creeping in!)

Etsy shop by Saturday. And no more shopping for stash or making anything else unless its a pieced fabric scarf.

I'm good with deadlines and following orders. Thank goodness.

Mt D markets take two

A rather contrast-y shot of the greenolive market stall yesterday. As you can see, tent-gazebo things really define the space and create a presence. Alas, a lone market umbrella is no substitute. The igloo idea of Mr greenolive had promise, but I just couldn't face sewing approx 6 metres of fabric together to form the shade. Yet...

I think I need to redefine my success criteria. (You can see some of my day job is sneaking into greenolive's blog posts.)

Yesterday was week two of the Mt Dandenong Village market. And I think its important to tell you up front that it really is week two. Of the lifetime of this particular market. So that might explain the lack of punters yesterday plus the lack of stallees (people who have stalls). Eleven stalls does not a market make.

Week two also sums up greenolive's experience with markets. Of any kind.

Of the plus side, we have modified the market routine since last week. (Also know as continuous improvement in my day job!). We can now set up in 1hour and 15 minutes. That includes faffing by me. Something less obsessive people would dispense with. (Does it matter that the necklaces aren't colour coordinated in display? Or that the scarves aren't knotted just-so?)

We have resolved the scarf display sans tent-gazebo thing. Friday night saw a last minute trip to Ikea for mobile clothes rails and a bunch of black plastic hangers.

Onsite, the ever resourcefull Mr greenolive solved the rails-blowing-over problem (tent pegs and rope) and the hangers-flying-off problem (rubber bands).

He designed a fabulous contraption to display the necklaces out of left-over chicken wire from the nursery And in a stroke of genius I supplied the MDF lazy Susan that became its revolving base. Courtesy of Bunnings thank you very much.

So, with logistics out of the way, lets get down to serious business. As I said earlier, I think I need to redefine my success criteria. I obviously had it all wrong.

Previously I had defined market success as:
1. sales
2. more sales
3. even more sales.

Now, a more realistic list might include:
1. a dose of Vitamin D (something I'm deficient in and hard to get in an office)
2. some fresh air (ditto the office comment)
3. some relaxation (after the set up frenzy)
4. hand finishing about 20 felt flowers
5. casting on and half knitting a new scarf
6. meeting some interesting folks.

Such as the middle-age man who, while on a walk to keep fit, stopped to tell me about his recent discovery of weaving. I kid you not. He'd got a book from the Library, right on closing time, on Scottish Tartens. And he'd discovered it was full of instructions on how to weave your own. He has his own four-frame loom, bought from a woman in Heathmont via the Trading Post.

I made one sale yesterday, right on closing time. Just like last week. (Maybe I should just turn up at 2pm next week?) A blue necklace to a young girl who managed to convince her Dad to buy it as a "I love you Mum" gift. How sweet. I guess the chicken-wire-necklace-display contraption with revolving base did its job.

It would have been two sales if it were not for an impatient Jack Russell. A local girl out walking said dog was very taken by the necklaces. She even knew the names of the some of the semi-precious stones I'd used. The dog was clearly more interested in continuing the walk. He tugged at the leash, she forcefully said "stay, sit" and I anxiously watched the clash of wills. And he won out. Cost me a sale.

Aw, well, there's always next week.

Or, I could get my act together and set up an Etsy shop. In the last week the Pieced Fabric Scarf has generated two sales requests. Both from overseas. I'd better get moving then.