I spent the end of 2019 obsessively beading. I wanted to make enough progress keepers to have a stash for myself and some for giving away. I succeeded. The size ranges from tiny to very tiny. I’ve mastered snowflakes, can do gingerbread houses (thanks to a tutorial from Hannah), and can make one functioning star shape for every two I try to make. I’m calling it a success for now.
I intend to continue to learn about beading. I hope to eventually be able to create seasonal progress keepers so I can easily see my progress and be festive at the same time. I think I’ll try hearts for Valentine’s Day or shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day next.
I love using my snowflake progress keeper so much I thought I would do a giveaway and share progress keepers with you. All you need to do is leave a comment with good life advice in it. It should be something that you never knew about but improved your life. I’ll mail out snowflake progress keepers to everyone that leaves advice (unless I suddenly get more than 8 comments or something crazy happens).
An example of the kind of advice I’m looking for is from my friend Kara. She once told me to shave my legs on the day I wash my sheets. I thought she was crazy, but it feels amazing, like I’m sleeping in a spa.
What advice do you have to share?
mildlygranola 
When I graduated from college, my grandmother (who had been widowed for 25 years at that point) sat me down and taught me how to make a monthly budget using a steno notebook. While my tools have evolved from the steno book, it was still a really useful lesson on how to manage money as a single woman and I still use those ideas today. Talk to your daughters about money!
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I love this one. People don’t talk about budgets or debt enough. It is so much easier to stay out of trouble if you start early.
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Let the first conscious thought each morning be something you’re thankful for, and the first words from your mouth be positive. It changes your day, as well as those around you!
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Oooh, I need to do this! The first thing out of my mouth is usually “No.” because Elliot is always asking to get up too early. I’m going to try this tomorrow. If you send me your address on ravelry (sarahjane77), Instagram (mildly_granola), or facebook (Sarah Runchey) I’ll send a progress keeper your way.
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Aaahhh!!! They’re so cute! Here’s my advice: When you have the hiccups, hold your breath while you drink ten sips of water. It has never failed me!
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I have a similar hiccup cure – I plug my ears and swallow three times. It hasn’t failed me either. I’ll be mailing you a progress keeper this week. I might even try to make a dog paw one just for Duncan.
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Oh I’ll have to try that one!
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Well, my advice was my mother’s. When someone male would complain about having to have surgery, she would say, “Try having a baby”
She had 6 . No epidurals back then. Two breech. Not fun!
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That sounds like my mom. Of course, she also said by the fourth one they just pop out. If you send me your address on Ravelry I’ll mail you a snowflake. Hopefully you will be able to use it while knitting on a snowy day.
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Buy the yarn, knit the thing, go on the trip, have the cookie. Life is short and is meant to be lived.
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Oh my gosh, that totally sounds like a tea towel or rustic sign I would buy and put up in my house. That is wonderful advice! I will mail you a snowflake this week.
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I love these.
The best advice I’ve ever received is something you once said to me: spend time with people who fill your bucket, not empty it.
I guess I’ll throw in another since repeating your own advice is kinda weird.
Advice from random old dude at a wedding, and I’m paraphrasing poorly here: when traveling, always stop and do/see the thing. You may never go back, so why miss out on it? Take the time to experience things along the journey instead of focusing only on the destination.
That stuck with me.
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Dude, telling me that the advice I gave you is the best advice you have ever recieved is a good way to get two progress keepers. You will have them waiting at my house the next time you come over to knit. Or the next time we hike. I like the random old dude’s advice too. The last time I drove home from St. Louis with the kids we took 10 hours and I was stressed. If I adjust my attitude the 10 hours might not seem so bad.
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This is great advice, both parts. I heard a similar thing, but it was surround yourself with radiators and not drains.
Also, on the 2nd advice when we went touring round Washington and Oregon we didn’t go an visit Roslyn where they filmed Northern Exposure and now I kick myself we didn’t do that as it’s soooooooooooo unlikely we’ll be back there.
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Just because you’re struggling, doesn’t mean you’re failing.
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I need to write that down and put it where I can see it when I’m down. Send me your address and I’ll mail you a snowflake. You can find me on Raverly (sarahjane77) or Instagram (@mildly_granola).
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My favourite piece of advice was something practical when I was struggling to have a clear-out of my flat:
If something is sentimental, but not practical, take a photo of it (and save it EVERYWHERE) and then get rid of the physical object. That way you still have a reminder of the special thing, without it cluttering up your home 🙂
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I like that. When I’m clearing out my house I have to tell myself that memories don’t live in things. I still have some things I can’t part with though. Send me your address and I’ll mail you a snowflake. You can find me on raverly (sarahjane77) or instagram (mildly_granola).
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I scanned old school reports and all sorts of random things when I had my big clear out last year. Great advice.
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Your bead work is lovely. I particularly like the slightly larger snowflakes, they are really pretty. 🙂
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I can’t think of any words of wisdom but have loved reading all the advice comments. And love the wee stitch-markers, you did a lovely job.
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Thank you. It has been fun learning how to bead. I love reading all the advice I’m gettting too.
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When I was leaving to go to college, my uncle Bruce told me how to avoid hangovers – before you go to bed, drink a glass of water for every glass of alcohol you drank. It works – I have never had a hangover. I feel a little bad that my advice involves alcohol, but that’s what I can think of right now.
Your progress keepers are beautiful! You are doing great with your beading!
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That is really good advice, and I think I’ll be writing it in the graduation cards for my neice and nephew this spring. I’m really enjoying beading, much more than I thought I would. Send me your address on instagram and I’ll send you a stitchmarker.
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LOL! I hope it is as useful to them as it has been to me 🙂 I’m so glad you are enjoying the beading – you are really doing well at it! I will send you my address shortly. And thank you in advance!
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