What I’m Lovin’ in April

This month’s list crosses a wide variety of topics – I hope you enjoy 😉

1. Making Facebook more pleasant

Like [probably] everyone else, I try to limit the time I spend aimlessly scrolling {see, I haven’t forgotten my New Moon intentions!}. However, because I run social media accounts for several groups/organizations including my office {where I’m known as the “Twitter Guru” ha!}, it’s important that I stay plugged in most of the time. The best solution for me is to ensure I am using the platforms efficiently.

Earlier this month, I found an article titled How to Customize Your Facebook News Feed to Maximize Your Productivity in the latest Buffer newsletter and put the tips into practice. I’m happy to report I’m loving the results.

I learned how to…

• set my Facebook News Feed to show posts chronologically rather than just by popularity {I wish I knew how to do this for Instagram…}.
• ask Facebook to show less posts like one currently in view if I don’t care for the topic.
• “hide” that obnoxious 3rd cousin whose posts are really annoying without him finding out.

2. Smiling with people who matter to me

becoming minimalist shared this quote on Facebook the day the Hubs and I set off on our way to visit his family {perfect timing!}. I always love roadtrips together – no matter the distance – because of the time we get to share with just the 2 of us.

Spring is always a little crazy for us. Lacrosse season picks up in spring and the Hubs is coaching on weekday afternoons…along with his own hockey games sprinkled in, I often only get a few hours during the weekdays to see him. Having his undivided attention [even while stuck in a car] is something I don’t take for granted 🙂

3. Free Patterns

I found Passion and Pins via Maker Style‘s Monthly Edit newsletter then stumbled across her post: Sewing the Trends with Free Patterns.

Usually I find myself browsing free pattern lists feeling totally uninspired. As Anna Maria Horner said about a free pattern during one of her workshops I took “You get what you pay for” which is often how I feel with those.

BUT not with Katie’s list! The patterns she found for Spring/Summer 2017 are lovely!

4. Maker Style’s Monthly Edit newsletter

I mentioned it above and wanted to circle back so I can tell you how great it is. I have been loving listening to the Maker Style podcast while I sew so it’s no surprise that I love Rachel’s newsletter too. I thought I had signed up for it until I saw her post on IG and realized I hadn’t so I hopped on over immediately and am glad I’m in the know now!

Rachel gives shout-outs in the newsletter to fellow makers. I always love seeing patterns “in action” so finding other sewists making styles I am interested in keeps me inspired and I appreciate Rachel gathering them up to share!

You can read all about the Monthly Edit here and sign up!

5. Visual lines your clothes draw

My gosh! This post from Feathers Flights about why she half-tucks her shirts created a major a-ha! moment. I don’t often wear separates, but when I do I often find myself feeling so frumpy [aka: even-shorter-than-usual] if my shirt is un-tucked. I usually opt for the full-tuck {because I’m 90}, but I’ll definitely be trying the half-tuck out!

If you often take pictures of yourself modeling clothes, you will want to check out Heather’s post!

6. Me Made May {sign up here!}

For a few years now, I’ve been following along and admiring everyone’s Me-Made-May posts on Instagram and contemplating participating. Well, I’m excited to say I’m officially signed up!

Here’s the challenge I’ve made for myself:

I, Jordan Slice-Metcalfe, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May ’17. I endeavor to wear, use, or accessorize with at least one thing I’ve made with my own two hands each day for the duration of May 2017.

My pledge isn’t as creative as some of the ideas Zoe suggested, but I really love seeing the daily posts from everyone else and I wanted to stick with something I knew I could handle 😉

If you want to see my daily posts in May, follow me on Instagram!

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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}