I’m on the final proofread of the novel. Can’t quite believe I’ve made it this far. Finding the right copy-editor and proofreader is essential. No matter how many edits I’d done, there were still things I’d missed, not just with punctuation and grammar but also with clarity of thought at times. All of these layers add to the process of birthing this book into the world so that I feel confident it’s the absolute best piece of work I can…
Last night’s darning project – the arm in one of my thermal vests. I called my sister and was like – oh gawds I’m here drinking tea mending my thermal vest HOW OLD AM I? ?? I’ve had this vest years, it’s a merino wool blend from trusty M&S.All I could think of last night was the old adage, A Stitch In Time Saves Nine. This is because I didn’t mend this months ago when the first tiny holes appeared…
I enjoy blogging about my day-to-day life in this tiny-home-on-wheels, about how we navigate living in a tiny space and the ways in which we’re trying to live a more authentic life that fits with our ethics. It a space where I share my mistakes and failures as much as the successes and dreams because this is all just part of life.Recently I’ve been writing about clothing which has generated some lovely conversations so I thought I’d share some of…
Making more of my own clothes, and mending those I have, changes my attitude to these things in ways I can’t really explain. I’ve loved fast-fashion in the past – being able to walk into a store and buy something I might only wear a handful of times. Everything just got chucked in the washing machine regardless – then eventually out to a charity shop. Andy bought a pair of Hiut jeans recently (I didn’t because I have enough jeans)…
Bedding has been an interesting dilemma in the van. This is the third duvet set in just over three years. The first one came with us from the house but soon shredded at the top (where our current one has also torn). We stripped the old one into rags and patches and bought a cheaper one, which also shredded, and in the time since then we’ve vowed not to buy cheap cotton products wherever we can help it (if it’s…
Since we’ve moved into the van I’ve discovered a love for visible mending. There’s something so beautifully therapeutic about taking a garment that’s no longer wearable and stitching new life into it. I’m no expert, and I’m also not holding myself up as any paragon of virtue where clothing is concerned: I still buy the odd thing in the sale, and don’t always remember to check the provenance of clothes I buy. I see this mindset as a more long-term…