Nothing quite like warm weather and breathing space to help us set good intentions, and seek inspiration to help us pull these 'feel goods' into the rest of our year.

I'll thrilled to see my instagram feed filling up with friends and family who are finding ways to reduce their waste, and have fun with DIY alternatives to everything from shopping bags to laundry detergent.  It seems the 'DIY in our DNA' is not limited to building decks and retaining walls :). We are waking up to the idea that the more we can know how to DO for ourselves, the less we need to BUY, which in turn frees up more of the time we so value for doing the things we love.

I'm feeling quite chuffed with myself for having spent the last few weeks of last year planning and preparing for classes and studio sessions, complete with learning about a new way to make things easier for booking sewing classes!

One of my goals this year was to improve my admin systems (rarely a favourite way to spend my work hours), and I'm grateful that now with Eventbrite, all the class information is consistent and I don't have to worry about missing registrations or accidentally over-booking classes! (Plus it gives people the option to pay online, saving the usual scramble to the ATM on the first night.)

Evidently, I'm not the only one getting proactive about reaching goals this new year; my classes for learning to sew are booking out right through to May!  The longer classes for helping people schedule regular sewing time each week are also filling quickly.

Last year I helped with many tote bags, produce bags, cutlery totes, and peg bags. I'm excited to see what new sewing projects will be popular this year!

A short time ago, Fi and I spoke with Lynn Freeman about fashion, waste, and the revival of sewing and mending.

Our conversation was aired on 3rd January 2019, and you can listen again via the Radio NZ podcast.