Episode 26 – Farewell & Welcome

A podcast for people who love knitting, Dorset Buttons, creativity & Scotland, especially the Highlands & Islands.

Welcome to the 26th episode of my podcast – Farewell & Welcome

Thank you for listening again or welcome if you are a first time listener.

I start off chatting about saying farewell to 2019 and welcoming 2020.  I reflect on making changes, out with the old and in with the new.  I cover New Years Resolutions, goals and more importantly changing habits to achieve.  In particular I talk about one of my main goals which is around exercise and how I’m going to change my habits around this to make sure I have exercise in my life to a greater extent.

What bad habits do you want to get rid of and what new habits do you want to implement?

The Weather

Winter has arrived bringing lots of rain with it and some wind.  There’s been quite a bit of flooding and having spent time down South over Christmas it seems a lot of the UK has had the same.

I take a pause and extend my thoughts to those suffering from some of the powerful destruction of weather around the world in particular in the Philippines who have been in the path of a Typhoon and Australia where the wildfires and heat continue to cause much devastation.

Making

My making has not been great this year with repetitive shoulder problems.

To have a break from Dorset Buttons and knitting I have started a crochet project which I’m really enjoying although it is still aggravating my shoulder.  The project is Doppio Colluseum by Fay Daspher-Hughes and I joined Fay’s monthly Global Hook Up in December to help me get started with this project.  I’m using John Arbon Devonia.

I aim to include more crochet in my life in 2020 and talk about how I will make it a new habit.

I also have an update on those shawls that need blocking!

Dorset Buttons

What a year!  Dorset Buttons continue to grow in popularity and it’s great to see so many popping up on social media.

Teaching is one of my great business loves and I’ve been fortunate to meet many of you at workshops this year whether it be at yarn festivals, private tours, craft and guild groups and there are many more already booked up in 2020 which I’m very much looking forward to.

I did a lot of shows this year and learnt that sometimes I need to take a rest!

I talk about how important you all are in supporting my business.  Likes, comments, shares, purchases, recommendations, repeat business.  However small or big your contribution to my TJFrog business they all mean an incredible amount to me – thank you.

If you want to be the first to get information on promotions and launch offers for new products in 2020 then do sign up to the TJFrog Newsletter.  You can find the link at the top of the website page.

Local Lowdown

I chat about a festive Christmas shopping event that happened on Skye at the end of November in support of local independent businesses.  Late night shopping is quite an event here on Skye!

The owners of Love From Skye organised the festive event.

There was coffee!

           An opportunity to buy yarn!

The market place in Broadford looked very festive with all the lights.

Lots of treasures in here to buy!

My first visit to the Kraft Kabin.

These are just some of the businesses that took part.  It was a great festive event supporting many local independent businesses.

Skye Showcase

Finally the interview is with the co-owner of one of those local businesses who were involved in the festive event.  Join me as I chat to Fiona from The Misty Bottle based in Breakish.  And there is mention of Gin!

 

 

The Gin Wall!  A fantastic collection of predominantly Scottish Gins

The Misty Bottle has been very well supported by locals and tourists in its first few months of trading and I’m sure their support will grow even more in 2020.  It’s a great shop and somewhere I can go to build up my gin collection!

The Misty Bottle’s website can be found here and you will also find them on Facebook as TMBSkye and Instagram as The Misty Bottle Skye.

That’s it for 2019.  Many thanks for listening in and supporting me.  I will be back at the end of January.

However you see in the New Year and wherever you may be I hope that 2020 is kind to you and brings you all you desire.

Happy New Year!

Til next time . . .

Music – the music is:

Scottish Dance by Muhammad Affan and One Frog For a Prince, by Ron Patton & licensed from Melody Loops.

Bye for now.