me + my boys: I'm getting my first tattoo

Hey it's, Julie here,

I hope you've managed to survive the week so far, it's now time to sit back with a cuppa and scroll down to enjoy the latest updates in the Clever Poppy world this week!

In today's email:

5 steps to master the lazy daisy
A gorgeous example of "Get Cosy"
My new tattoo ideas!
My sleep revelation
In my world: wheat bag season

On the Blog...

Have you ever wondered how to work the Lazy Daisy embroidery technique?

This technique is one of my favourite beginner stitches. It's a very sweet technique used on a variety of petals, leaves and flowers. It's a slight variation of the chain stitch technique, where you use individual chains to create shapes.

If you'd like to learn how to work this technique on your next embroidery pattern, head on over to this article over on my blog and I will teach you in an easy step-by-step guide.

GO TO BLOG

What have our makers been up to?

How gorgeous is our new 'Get Cosy' finished embroidery pattern that Sacha shared in our makers group?!

She said: "This was challenging. So many fiddly bits but I loved the challenge and leant a lot." She also mentioned she was struggling to get consistent lazy daisies, so I recommended she pop on over to our embroidery foundation course where I go over these in more detail. Honestly though, I think she did an amazing job!

What's inspiring me on the creative front...

I have booked in for my first ever tattoo later this year, and I'm equal parts excited and freaking out! If you want to see the style I'm going for then check out my Pinterest board here – I'm sure you won't be surprised when you see the theme.

Something you might find helpful

My Sleep Revelation

I've always thought of myself as a 'night owl' and I function quite well getting work and life admin done in the evenings. Which means I've always gone to bed late, and felt like this was justified due to my nature. Can you relate? Well, the truth is that I actually feel SO tired when I wake up usually, especially if the kids have needed me in the night (which thankfully is a rare occurrence these days). And I feel like I've been hearing a lot lately from my nutritionist friends and mentors, that sleep is pretty key to burning fat (say no more!).

So, for the last 2 months, I've been working on trying to get to sleep by 10pm. How? We've made it a rule not to press play on a new episode of a show if it's after 9pm. I do my bed time routine earlier in the evening, and make sure I'm sitting down to work on my latest project by about 8pm. These little tweaks seem to help a lot. I'm not going to lie, I've found it hard, it's still a work in progress, and I feel like it's cutting off my well-deserved 'me time' (which tends to happen once the kids go to bed). But you know what? The fact that I'm waking up feeling fresher and more full of beans is actually becoming worth the effort! I honestly feel so much better the entire day when I've got in some solid hours of sleep this side of midnight. So I thought I'd share this in case it helps you too.

Shop Spotlight...Get Cosy

This is a winter inspired pattern sure to keep you busy this winter season (for those that live in the southern hemisphere!). Doesn't it just make you want to curl up on the couch all warm and cosy with a cuppa and start stitching?! It is suited for those wanting to challenge themselves to the next level with embroidery, or if you are already quite confident in your skills and looking for something to dive into.

It is quite a detailed little piece and would be perfect as a gift, or a beautiful decorative piece in your home.

You can either grab the pattern kit (which comes a printed copy of the pattern, fabric, display hoop and thread bundle), or the digital pattern (if you are sorted for supplies).

Get Cosy Pattern Kit

$51.90

Buy Now

Get Cosy Digital Pattern

$14.90

Buy Now

In my world...

We've all been back to feeling 100% in our household this last week, thank goodness! So we've been able to dive back into the school, work, gym, activities routine. It might sound like the daily-grind, but being stuck at home with bugs really makes you appreciate the usual routines in life. The weather has become so cold (my tolerance has really diminished since my days as a scarfie in Dunedin haha!). But I love embracing the winter season, so the feather quilts are on the beds, I've added some snuggly throws to the sofa and the kids have a wheat bag at bed time…which leads to: 'Mum, can you heat it up?' and 'Mum, it's got a bit cold.' And 'Mum, where's my wheat bag??'. Lol I'm not sure how long the wheat bags will last before they get permanently 'lost'.

Have a great week, and either get cosy or send some warm vibes down our way.