Memorandum Monday - A list of Firsts and Lasts

Sian over at High in the Sky asked “have you done anything new this week?” and I had to smile, because that is the very reason I have not posted here recently or visited blogs that I follow!

I have spent SO much time learning how to do new things that time disappeared and weeks have gone.  Is it February so soon?! 

But before I mention the new and the firsts, let me mention the old and the lasts:

Project 365

I just checked, I have taken a photo a day since 2010.  

Is it really that long?!  

Rather than feel bad about loosing momentum I think I should give myself a pat on the back instead, because that is something to celebrate and be proud of.  The only reason I am having a rest is because my photos are in such a mess.  Due to lack of time I stopped organising them into folders at the same time as downloading them from my camera.  This means I have hours and hours of work now to tidy up. It makes finding a photo hard when I want one in particular and it is something I need to prioritise.  And I will.  One day. 

Meantime I don't want to increase the strain by adding more photos.

Tree Following

Last January I decided to take monthly photos of 2 local trees. I enjoyed this but I have other things I want to do, so no more tree following this year. I will visit them though and enjoy the seasonal surprises and change.

Design Team Member

For the past 18 months I have been a member of the That Craft Place MDF design team and I decided it was time to step aside so that I can focus more on developing my own business and ideas. I enjoyed my time as a team member and it has been exciting watching Lisa grow from a small shop owner to TV presenter.

So - what about the new?

FIRSTS:

Number one has to be submitting accounts on line for the first time.  And of all the new things I learnt and have done recently this has to be the most taxing. No pun intended!

For weeks I fretted over figures, puzzled over questions I did not understand, and checked my entries again and again. And then because something didn’t figure I got a friend to check some more!  Five hours later we sat back, wiped our brows, and punched the air. Then we went down to her newly opened micro pub and celebrated with a glass of real ale.  This visit was another first for me.  Lack of time has prevented me going sooner.

Another new - I bought a Fitbit.  I hoped it would motivate me to move more and improve my sleep routine. It's like big brother watching what time I put my book down or pick up mobile up to check for messages when I should be sleeping!  Or rather, it would be if it worked. Sadly I have one of the faulty ones. 

So, another new:  an hour online learning how to reset it only to have it disconnect once I thought it was all sorted.  Urgh!!  

But a positive outcome was learning how to take screen shots to send the online technical support.  It seems I opened the website rather than the app which is why I couldn't find the button I was asked to press.  Okay - I KNOW I am not techno savvy!  But at least I now know how to take screen shot successfully and I've done that lots more since. I'm like a child with a new toy!

Talking of which, I also have a new computer.  My old one struggled through the second part of last year and 2015 will be remembered as being techno challenging. I installed Windows 10 on my laptop last year, however, there are lots of other changes when you transfer information from an old computer to a new. Thankfully I have clever son who is my life saver for anything technical and he spent hours tweaking and setting it up so it felt familiar again. Frustratingly my computer automatically upgraded yesterday and it has upset some of the settings. I sigh as I move on....

I mentioned earlier that my photos are downloaded to my computer. Often I choose some to print and then put them into small hand made books as a way of sharing and enjoying them. But I took over 4,000 photos when I went to the Shetland Islands last year, far too many to choose from and to print. So I decided to try something new. I would have my photos printed into a physical book using PhotoBox, and here it is! Fresh from the print!

I have a blog post planned but let me just say that learning how to create a book in this way was not easy for me!!  Oh no!

There have been other new experiences and learning, but I'll jump straight into my other main achievement:  MailChimp!

As some of you know, making hand made books is one of my passions and I love to share what I do.  I have been running workshops for the past year or so and I was keen to be more organised this year. And so I went on a days training course, learning how to use a new programme that would help me to send newsletters in a more efficient way.  Well, to start my laptop had a more up to date download of the programme than the tutor or other students in the class. That meant the lay out and functions were slightly different. Also, this was completely new to me - others had already used it for a time so had some familiarity with the design and how it works.  There's nothing like jumping into a deep end and not knowing how to swim! In fairness the workshop was advertised for beginners, but most of my learning took place when I got home. With my son close at hand!  It's not a programme he has used or seen before but he is able to transfer what he knows, and sometimes I could do this too.  Long story short - my son helped me with the initial set up then I spent several days learning how to create a newsletter and mailing list. Woohoo!!!!  My newsletter was launched this week and I am celebrating another achievement and first! 

If you would be interested in receiving a copy of my newsletter and finding out more about what I have planned please let me know!

Thanks to Sian for prompting this post. What have you done that is new or a first?!

TREE FOLLOWING - December 2015

Another month has passed and it is time for my final Tree Following post this year:

THE LONDON PLANE:

The leaves have now all fallen,

and just seeds dangle like Christmas baubles.


The ivy has had a growth spurt. Popular at Christmas time, I wonder if it feels invigorated.

Looking down there is more signs of life with fungi nestled around the base....

violets spreading ....

and first signs of flowers peeping through. 

What a wonderful way to end my year of visiting this tree.

 THE OLD OAK

 

This tree has just a few leave left hanging.

 



And buds. Lots of them....

There's not much sign of new life around the roots of this tree.  Though you never know, some of the acorns that fell may find some where to root themselves and grow. I hope so.

 

During these dull winter days the oak might not have violets to add a splash of colour but it does have lichen.   Bright green  with tiny mustard coloured cups.  It hugs these old gnarled branches and adds character and appeal. 

 

And so my year ends.

12 visits and 12 posts. More photos and memories than I have shared here. 
 
This started as a photography project that I hoped would motivate me to be more active and walk more; to take pleasure in simple things and be more observant. I achieved that. And I enjoyed the unexpected too, such as:

Discovering wild violets grow during the cold winter months. I never knew that!

Being invited inside an old property that is undergoing major redevelopment. I learned this centuries old building was originally built using old beams from barns and that during the war a bomb fell in the field causing structural damage to the roof. If this building could talk it would have many stories and I love that someone else appreciates old buildings because rather than knock it down when it's timbers became tired and it had stood empty for a couple of years they have beautifully restored the building and given it new life. I have enjoyed watching this.

I discovered that alpaca's live in a nearby field. The leaves on the trees provide cover and they are not easily seen, but walking pass rather than driving allowed glimpses through the branches during winter. I saw them again yesterday and it bought a smile.

I enjoyed seeing the project through and wondering each month what changes I might see. At the moment I am not sure if I will continue this project into a second year. I need time for reflection. But what ever happens I will continue my walks and visits to the London Plane and the Old Oak, because I have grown fond of these two trees.
If I could decorate these them they would be sparkling with fairy lights and tinsel in way of celebration! Thank you to everyone who has followed with me. 

TREE FOLLOWING - November 2015

Last month when I went to take photos of the two trees that I am following I had a surprise, because they showed little sign of seasonal change.  Other trees nearby had autumnal leaves and some had started to drop.

And just four weeks later there is a noticeable difference. From this:

THE LONDON PLANE. 

To this:

Some of the leaves are on the ground

This one I bought home.  I loved the colour and plan to wax it. Others I collected to use for printing.

 At the foot of the trunk the violets are getting bigger.  A couple more months and they will be in flower.  I still remember how they made me smile during the cold winter months.


And looking up you can see the seed pods.  There was none on the ground, it looks like they may be there to stay for a bit longer.

 Then I walked down to THE OAK.

Last month this tree also had green leaves.

 What a difference this time

Though the leaves I found were lovely colours.  I bought some of these home for printing too.

The only thing that looked fresh and green was this moss, growing on the trunk.

Next month will complete my one year Tree Following.  I don't think I will continue after that although I will often visit the trees as I have enjoyed watching the seasonal change. Maybe it is time to do something different... do you have any good ideas? 

 

Do I have any posts that you enjoyed and would like to see more of?

And I don't mean within the last few weeks, I mean all posts. Do any stick in your mind? Do you have any favourites?  I'd love you to tell me!

 

My 30 Day Blogging Challenge is nearing its end and I will be looking back on what I have learned, liked, and want to change.

Thanks for popping by today, it's great to have your company.

TREE FOLLOWING - October 2015

I went for a walk today to take photos of the two trees that I am following.  On the way I saw beautiful coloured leaves and signs of autumn approaching. I wondered what change my trees would show...

And I had a surprise! 

THE LONDON PLANE.
The leaves on this tree are still bright green!


The nuts are beginning to ripen....

 and the ivy has crept higher...

 

At the bottom I spotted a little hole.  I wonder who lives here?

 

And looking up I admired the textures and colours of this bark. It has such contrast and looked beautiful on this sun dappled day.... 



 

 

 

Down the road is THE OAK.

 

This tree also has green leaves....

 

but there are other changes....
Remember the broken branch that has hung suspended all year?

Well, it has finally falled off!

And so have the acorns, leaving none on the tree and the ground underneath littered.

And I couldn't go without a photo of this spider web. 



 

I wonder what change I will see next month?  

 

I am always sad to see the end of summer but this is softened by my love of autumnal colours - sometimes they just take my breath away. And I know in some parts of the country and world they are even more spectacular, so I hope you are enjoying beautiful colours where ever you are, and whatever your season. 

 

I am linking in with Lucy over at Loose and Leafy.  Sadly Lucy has had problems with her computer and has decided to hand over Tree Following. But the good news is that it will continue! So thank you Lucy for coming up with this idea and for inviting others to join you with monthly posts and I will be back next month with more photos.  Thanks for popping by and if you want to find out more about tree following there are details here. 

TREE FOLLOWING - September 2015

It's time to share this months photos. First,

THE LONDON PLANE....

looking up you can see blue sky and green leaves. 

But look down and there are first signs of autumn....  just one or two brown leaves have fallen and the husk from a shell.  This must be from last year as this years are green and still growing.



 

Also at the bottom are violets.  After a long rest and little change these plants suddenly show sign of growth and freshness.  As much as I am sad to see the season passing the thought of these beautiful purple flowers to come gives me something to look forward to.

The ivy is still winding its way up the trunk.  It's growth was cut back earlier in the year (see my previous post) but it continues to take hold.  I wonder how far it will reach before it is lopped back again?

 
And my final photo shows some interesting lichen and texture. As a mixed media artist I liked this natural effect.

The Oak

Despite it's forlorn state described in my introduction this tree has done well over the year.  It's leaves are still green with no sign of change yet....

 

In fact there are still buds

 and acorns are growing fat. Some show signs of splitting.



On the floor I was pleased to see so many acorns, I hope some survive and grow into trees and I bought some home to plant, to give them a helping hand.  

And like the London Plane, the oak also has lichen, an artist's palette of colour and texture. 

 

Thank you for popping by. I'll be back with more photos next month and you can find out more about tree following here. 

 

I am linking in with Lucy over at Loose and Leafy.  

TREE FOLLOWING - August 2015

It's time to share this months photos. There are a few small changes. First,

THE LONDON PLANE....

Each month I check out this ivy. I remembered it being quite tall and thought it would be higher by now.  So I looked back.

 

This was the ivy in April....

 

And in January...

 

I had not noticed that it had been cut back in between.  My attention must have been drawn to other things. And that explains why it hasn't reached the height I expected. I know this tree is managed and cared for, so it is no surprise.  I wonder when it will be cut back again?

The leaves make a lovely silhouette against the sky.

Sadly the horse chestnut that grows next to the London Plane and intertwines branches has developed a disease on the leaves.  Luckily my tree looks healthy. So far. Perhaps this disease is specific to the horse chestnut?

 

You can see the violet leaves in the grass and around the base of the tree. There are no flowers of any kind this month.

But look up and you can see pendulous seeds. You can't see flowers but according to Wikipedia they are hidden inside:

'The flowers are borne in one to three (most often two) dense spherical inflorescences on a pendulous stem, with male and female flowers on separate stems. The fruit matures in about 6 months, to 2–3 cm diameter, and comprises a dense spherical cluster of achenes with numerous stiff hairs which aid wind dispersal; the cluster breaks up slowly over the winter to release the numerous 2–3 mm seeds'.

 I remember seeing the  empty shell in January:

 

 

 

 THE OAK...

While I have been away the field has been cut...

 

and cleared.  Just stubble remains.  And the dead branch.

 
But new shoots still emerge...

And baby spiders wait their time....

There are clusters of acorns, of different colours and size...

A bit like this lichen really.....

 

Thank you for popping by.  I am linking in with Lucy over at Loose and Leafy.