I feel as though I’ve been a little mysterious of late…
Lots of big changes and ideas have been happening on this side of the monitor and I feel as though I need to write them all down, just so I can get my head to process it all!
So, shall we start?
(I have a fresh cup of tea to my right, notes in front of my keyboard and a gentle rain falling outside. I think the timing is perfect!)
First of all, I’m not sure whether you’re aware of the fact that for almost two years I’ve been ‘unemployed’. Although I’ve been studying here, there and everywhere and I’ve been writing my blog, creating quilts and making YouTube videos, I haven’t been in a paying job for almost 24 months. And it hasn’t been for a lack of trying either! For the past year or so, I’ve been actively job searching/applying and being actively passed over, rejected and/or ignored.
So where is this all leading to, you may ask…?
I got a job! I finally, finally, FINALLY bagged myself a job!
Now, it’s nothing fancy, permanent or local (40 minute train trip into the city!)… It’s a simple casual retail job (my only type of work experience) at one of the big department stores we have here in Australia. Although it may seem simple-ish to some, it’s a huge deal for me, especially after searching for any type of employment for more than 12 months!
I start tomorrow (induction and store orientation) and then I start sharing my ‘happy retail face’ to the world again!
There’s something quite nice and strangely normal about finally having a job… It’s a calming peace-of-mind feeling that you’re contributing to society just that tiny bit more again and that you, as a whole, and your skills have some sort of worth.
I now also have peace-of-mind in building up my Savings again! Boy, has that taken a hit over the past few months!
(Luckily I still live with my parents! They truly are the best parents this girly could ever ask for!)
Next, is new University units! This semester, I’ve opted to study online at home so I could have the flexibility to work (see above!) as well as to concentrate on creating better content for my blog and YouTube channel.
I’m still on a Fine Arts Degree kind of track, concentrating more on Art History as well as Theory and Practical Arts along with Web Media and Communication.
I started two units last week, the same week I received my new job invitation, and am loving the flexibility it gives me to work at my own pace and when my mind is up to the task! (Plus it allows me to save money on travel AND I can sleep-in! No early classes for me thank you!)
So moving on from that, I’ve also been brainstorming some new ideas in reference to the content I want to create and share with you here and on YouTube.
I still want to continue with my Quilt Block Tutorial series as they are the most popular and most loved by my viewers. But I’ve also been contemplating on perhaps creating a crafting/DIY-ing type of series where I show you how to make nifty little projects, knick-knacks and thingys.
I would also like to start, maybe, filming/uploading weekly vlogs, but I’m feeling a little shy and self-conscious about that idea at the moment. Naturally, I’m a pretty quite person (introvert alert!) and I lead a pretty boring, non-dramatic and sheltered kind of life, so I can’t really envisage what exactly I would vlog about.
So I think I’m still in the very, very early planning stages on that one, but my little crafting/DIY series has a very promising future to it!
(Side note: Do you have any ideas/contributions of what I could make or would like to see me make? Tell me! Comment below or email me at 3and3quarters@gmail.com)
And lastly, I actually put a little bit of interest in my life last week (I admit, I’m not totally boring and yawn-ish all the time!) and went to see the Vivid Sydney Light Festival!
(Last week was a week of lots of things just happening!)
I made a little vlog of the night in semi-preparation for my maybe/maybe-not weekly vlog idea (which at the moment is border-lining the ‘maybe-not’) and I want to share it with you just in case you’re not really into the ‘YouTube Scene’.
Here’s a little story: The last time I went to this was 2012 and we went on a Saturday night, which was a BIG mistake! The quay-side was absolutely packed, I felt like a human salmon, swimming against the stream! I like to think that I’m a very patient person in all aspects of life BUT, when it comes to being trapped in a crowd of people, my patience deserts me and I get very irate and annoyed very quickly! Then you have to deal with people on the train home…
Yah… Nope. Not my cup of tea at all!
So this year we opted to go on Thursday night. It was a bit over cast, cold and wet but the crowds were considerably less. It was brilliant!
I loved it.
(And I got to spend some quality time with my lovely mum!)
If you ever get the chance to visit Sydney, come early winter (May-June) and see these beautiful light installations illuminate out beautiful city!
And avoid the weekends!
So thanks for hanging around and reading my ramblings…
(A high-five and big gold star to you!)
I haven’t written a blog post this long and in-depth for a while!
I admit I haven’t had the energy (I’m currently battling a horrid cold!) or the time to do much sewing over the past few days.
The only thing I did last week was film and upload my Mini Double Wrench Block Tutorial and play around with some little HSTs…
Again, thanks for making it this far into my post – you’re simply the best!
(Sing along if you want to!)
Happy Sewing Friends!
xx
3and3quarters 
First of all, congratulations on your job! Man, the whole experience is nerve-wracking. The applications, the interviews, the “We’ll call you!’ speech, the sad noises your back account makes…believe me, I know.
As far as vlogging goes, you should do whatever you’re comfortable with. I think the most important thing is to be genuine, regardless of content. I love watching vlogs because of the people who make them, not because of what they’re doing. I don’t care if they’re at home all day. People at home still have thoughts and things to share and ideas they want to run by others and it’s always intriguing. Personally, I’d be a bit weirded out to take the camera with me inside a store, or something. Half of them would tell you to turn it off and the other half would stare. Maybe try it once and see how you like it?
Oh, crafting. I’m really happy I found your blog/YouTube account because I think you have really great ideas. Possibilities for future videos could include…let’s see. You could teach everyone how to make a quilted coaster or placemat and use the opportunity to sneak in some applique or reverse applique or improv curve piecing. You could film yourself trying a new pattern or technique and report the difficulties or share tips. You could do reviews on some crafty products that you own, maybe report on a specialty ruler or recommend/warn people away from some kind of interfacing or fabric pen.
Good luck with everything! Woo! \o/
– Amy (tigbit on YouTube)
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Hi Amy!
Thank you so much for your awesome comments!
Your thoughts about vlogging have helped greatly and I agree with a lot of what you’ve said. The vlogs I best enjoy watching are those that are genuine, down-to-earth and simply show ‘a-day-in-the-life’ type scenario. I admit, I too would feel weird and extremely self-conscience of filming myself outside of my house – heck, I get nervous just doing it in my own home! I think I will try it once and see how I feel about the experience as a whole! 🙂
I love the ideas you’ve put forward regarding future craft videos! I’m all a buzz to get started! It’s funny you mention appliqué techniques as I’ve been brainstorming a few possible projects revolving around it! Appliqué is one of those tricky techniques that people seem to be a little unsure of… but it is so simple to do and can be very effective too!
Doing reviews is also on the list and I also like the point you make of being honest with those hyped-up products that in reality just aren’t very good… Hmm, I’m going to have to get my honest cap on there I think!
Thanks again for your fab comments! They’ve been super-super helpful!
And, of course, thanks for watching my videos!
Amanda x
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Congrats on your new job! I have friends who have been looking for work for about the same amount of time as you have and I know how hard it is to get a foot in the door.
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Thanks!!
It was a great relief to finally receive an offer of work!
Good luck to your friends in their job search too!
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I think you should do just some everyday vlogs. I understand you apprehension though, I am an introvert as well, who lives with her parent, she requires elderly care. But I’ve also thought of making vlogs, because while I do have one very good friend I don’t get to visit with her often, so it would be a way of interacting without having to interact with actual people, haha. But you’ve already made the small leap with your tutorials. Maybe just give one a try and see how you like it. You never know, you might find it fun as well. You seem like a lovely young lady and I’m sure you have something wonderful to add to the world of YouTube with a vlog. I myself am really enjoying your channel and tutorials. You come across as a sweet, smart and lovely person. I don’t think that that is boring, we could use more of that in the world.
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Thank you so much for your lovely words of encouragement! It truly means a lot.
I’m still torn whether or not to start vlogging, but I’ll keep your comments in mind when the right time comes along! 🙂
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