Knitting is good for you...

Well, so a recent newspaper article said.  For two main reasons; firstly as a stress buster and secondly as away of keeping the brain active for older knitters. Relaxing some of the time I agree but not when struggling to learn or following a tricky pattern.

Our own research told us that newbee's often find knitting stressful; they told us that they want simple but not making endless doll's neck ties or small squares for charity blankets. In response the Nesta kit came to be. Simple to do and room for tension variations with easy to follow pattern but the result must be good enough to use, Nesta is just that. The pretty cushion would grace any decor and the process build confidence, as promised crafting without tears.

Nesta is named after a very talented lady, wife of a Snowdonia sheep farmer who transformed an ancient ruin of a large slate farmhouse into one of the most sympathetic and stunning restorations I have ever seen. The cushion would have fitted in a treat with its natural tones, so reminiscent of the sheep they farmed high on their Welsh mountain.

Rosie 

Creative Director SIO

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

© Gail Johnson - Fotolia.com

SIO Tips no. 48: Freshen up outdoor furniture

Making seat pads for outside chairs; use oil cloth cotton to enable you to wipe clean plus it's hard wearing. Lots of fab non shiny and soft oil cloth fabrics available.

SEEKITOUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time.

Hot under the collar - we can cool you down

Five fab recipes for you to try.  Easy, quick, affordable and fab - you can add alcohol to suit or just enjoy a refreshing cold drink.  No need to wait for a party simply keep a refreshing bottle ready in the fridge.  Nice change from cartons of orange juice....

Cold drink #1 Plastic bottle, ordinary lemon squash & water, add dash concentrated lime juice + push in a sprig of fresh mint. Chill in fridge - easy, low cost & yummy

Cold drink #2 Tonic water, unscrew, pop in two ripe sliced strawberries and/or two raspberries, screw up tight and chill well - relax & enjoy 

Cold drink #3. Plastic bottle, 1/3 pure apple juice, 1/3 water, 1/3 pineapple juice + lemon grass stick slit & slightly crushed, chill well - sweet & simple

Cold drink #4. Plastic bottle, 3/4 ginger beer (not ale), 1/4 pure apple juice 2 slices of root ginger slightly crushed and a splash of concentrated lime juice - chill well - packs a punch

Cold drink #5. Plastic bottle, 2/3 cloudy lemonade 1/3 peach or apricot juice (sold in cartons in the supermarket chilled area) and dash lemon juice - chill well & dress class with a sprig of mint - cool passion

Enjoyed then why not like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter so you never miss out on these useful fun bits of information.  For discounts and updates on our lovely craft and homeware products you can always add your name to our newsletter mailing list.  Relax over a cold drink and decide what to do........

  SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

HOLIDAY MESSAGES & OUT OF OFFICE

Hi Janie here again with another guest blog - thanks SIO for letting me revisit you. Business advice from someone who knows; 35 years of helping and running businesses means I've seen most mistakes and learnt so much.

Out of office messages are often overused or ill thought through giving out negative messages about your business. Are you an emergency Doctor or offer instant response? not many are, so why tell your clients every time you slip out of the office?

Do you value your customers? If you do then why do so many auto holiday out of offices messages say otherwise? How many times do I see messages that say I am away having a lovely time! So this says to me firstly customer service is shut, second reinforces the message that I am not on holiday having a nice time like my supplier. So in one sentence you have possibly annoyed and depressed your customers; not the best idea.

Of course you need to have a holiday or leave the office to visit clients or suppliers but think before you turn on the out of office. Think is it necessary? is the content helpful to the reader? Am I honestly managing customer expectations? On top ask yourself does it sync with my other messages such as answer phone or web based statements? Don't just rely on the standard, personalise it, especially the subject line.

Also be honest, will you check email while away anyway?  If so what need for any message or perhaps something less dramatic such as 'due to a busy meeting schedule over the next two weeks email replies may take a little longer than normal, up to 36 hours. All you should do is think it through and put yourself in your clients shoes.

Lastly if you work from home and this is well known or obvious from your web site then be careful about advertising the fact that you are away. Criminals can read too!

Common sense is all it takes, when did you last look at your business through your clients eyes, it might be worth doing. 

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

Colour Inspiration

Ever brought a piece of clothing or an accent piece for the home which simply is impossible to match or contrast to? Well you are not alone.

So often colours grab our attention only to cause us matching headaches down the line.  

Nature is the place to find answers to that; our gardens are now a riot of colour, the crazy mix of colours together, colours you would never put together but they work. 

A great way to get inspiration is to take pictures of your garden, local park, or favourite outdoor place.  Take pictures through the year so you have a running commentary on all seasons and therefore many colour ways to consider. You do not have to be a good photographer as long as the pictures reflect the colours correctly. That is enough as it is only for your private design scrap book.

When faced with a colour issue; refer to your book. What would nature put together? Important to note that in nature it is texture and colour, not just colour alone that makes a fabulous combination really work. 

Light is also important, the same paint can look three different shades in the same room due to the light. So, experiment with swatches, tester paint pots, wallpaper cuttings and items you already own to ensure you have just the right shades to make that sensational look.

Nature has it right, it is brave and wild in its choices, so it could be the best place to start when trying to match the impossible.  

Collect your pictures all year as you may well want summer or autumn colours to look back on even in the dead of winter. 

Bonus is if your pictures are ok, well why not frame one or two and create your own art for your home.

Rosie

Creative Director  - Seek It Out