Move it on.

A few years ago I was working on a film in Newcastle and had the good fortune to be lodging in a beautiful 3 storey victorian terraced house with a lovely woman called Kathleen who, although retired from teaching, still worked tirelessly for the local community, had her own organic allotment, was a master recycler and had a house full of the most lovely textiles. I was on the top floor next to her sewing room where she created patchworks from recycled fabrics bought from charity shops - in fact there were piles of fabric all over the house which the many rescued cats would nestle comfortably (please don't imagine that this house was in any way dirty or shabby - it wasn't) At the time I was staying there I had not rediscovered my love of making things and remember thinking that it was rather a waste of space to have a whole room devoted to sewing - obviously I was wrong ......
The job itself was very stressful but the saving grace was that at the end of the day I was able to come back to a beautiful house and a good chat with Kathleen. Alot of the fabrics she had 'rescued' ,as she put it, from the charity shops were earmarked for some project or other that she had in mind but the rest were just there waiting to be "moved on" to someone who would appreciate it.
I took on board alot of what I had learned whilst staying in Newcastle so when I returned to Glasgow I started to recycle properly and got a composter. I had a big clear out and "moved on" alot of things I no longer needed or wanted and I continue to do this on a regular basis. The satisfaction that can be gained from doing these small things is, for me at least, enormous.
I had a massive clearout on New Years Eve - every cupboard and drawer has been thoroughly cleared - I found things that I had no idea I had and have "moved them on" to various people who might have use for them. After the massive clearout I went around the whole flat with some burning Sage (compliments of Caireen- all the way from New Mexico) and 'smudged' the whole flat. I thoroughly recommend this as a way of invigorating the energy of your environment and reconnecting to your home and the things in it.
I started to think that it would be a good idea if, rather than wait for an annual clearout to 'move on' items no longer required it would be nice to try and make a habit of moving things on as I went along. I already have a couple of magazine subscriptions that I pass on to one of my friends as soon as I have read them and she in turn passes them on or recycles them. - likewise she passes on mags to me which I pass on or recycle. So finally I come to the point. Just before Xmas I treated myself to a subscription of this new magazine.......

I have now had 3 issues and realise that although I do enjoy it to a certain extent and it does have some useful information in it, it is not really 'for me' so I would not want to keep it for reference or anything like that so I am proposing to 'move on' every issue as new and intact with patterns etc (once I have read it) to a different person chosen at random from the comment section each month. This is not a cunning way to get more comments - you only have to leave one comment during the whole of each calender month to be eligable and it will not matter if you leave one or ten as each commenter will get one chance as I will be using the pick out of the hat method! By doing this I get to move on something useful to someone who will enjoy it and the recipient will get the chance to try out a new publication at no expense - if by some chance the chosen commenter already has a subscription or has bought that issue I will contact the second out of the hat to receive the mag. I will start with Issue 1 at the end of Jan (it was published in Dec) and continue through the year until October when my subscription will run out. Hope you want to join in - it's just a bit of fun for the start of the yearx

I am also thinking about starting a book swap (craft books) - would anyone be interested? If you are like me you probably have one or two books that you have bought without really looking at it properly and now realise it only has one or two projects in it that you really want to make or you have moved onto a different craft altogether or you would like to try something new but don't want the expense of buying a new book. Haven't worked out quite how it would work - suggestions welcome!

I was browsing yesterday and came across a link to a new online craft magazine called UKHandmade  on Middle of Nowhere - well worth a look, as is the blog! It's quite good this internet thingy.

Comments

[Bella Bheag]

As I am about to embark on my very first - absolute beginner's - 'learn how to sew and teach me how to thread a sewing machine!' class later this month Suzanne, I might find these magazines a tad daunting. On the other hand if one was 'moved on' to me then perhaps I could source a supplier for an affordable and portable sewing machine. Am I getting a bit ahead of myself - the classes haven't even started yet?!

I must have a craft book or two that could be swapped - will let you know. BBx

[ginny]

Hi Suzanne,
happy new year!
freecycle is also great way to 'move things on'... we have just joined our local group and it's great to see all sorts of items being moved on thus avoiding landfill.
Alice and i share a subscription to Sew Hip so please don't enter me. (you will see a picture of her and Rufus in issue 3!... very funny and a real surprise to us!) The house and woman in Newcastle sound wonderful.

[Woo]

Well done for having a clearout.

I quite enjoy SewHip although it does annoy me a bit that it seems to be sponsored by Etsy. I did actually email them and say that they should also think about folksy.com as that is UK based.

Anyway, sounds like you're all invigorated for the New Year.

Woo.

[ambika]

How generous to offer these up. I know I'd be interested and I'd be happy to send a book in exchange!

[snapdragonjane]

Hi Suzanne - I also have a subscription to this and pretty much feel the same way about it - I'm quite happy to hand it on to someone who will use it - if you would like to draw a 2nd name out of the hat they can have my copies - if you are happy to let me know where to send it!
J
x

[susan]

Ooooh count me in for the mag! As I'm doing constant low level clearing at the moment, I'm sure I'll discover a craft book that could be passed on (but then I am a terrible hoarder...)Happy New Year x

[ness]

Hi honey

A quick message on your blog due to losing my email address book (when hard drive crashed).

I saw Grace Jones and her Hurricane Tour last night - she's in Glasgow any minute - if there's any tickets left get 'em - she is utterly fabulous!

nx