Whew!! It’s been a busy first week back. THANK YOU to everyone who has been so kind in welcoming me back to work. It really does help. 💖⠀
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Let’s talk about efficiency. One thing I have been trying to do this week is come up with some ways I can save time and streamline my processes. I have come up with a few new policies and procedures that I think will help me make the most of my limited work hours. Honestly, these are all things I should have done a long time ago. My time has always been valuable, but there’s nothing quite like racing against a nap clock (unreliable and of varying length) to make me realize just how much time I used to waste!⠀
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The first item has to do with the amount of time I spend checking and responding to email. I’m sure a lot of you feel me on this - the more frequently you check and respond to emails, the more people expect you to be constantly available. I have decided that I will put aside time once a day to check/respond to emails, and that’s it. Of course there will be exceptions (like if I am working on a pattern for you and email for clarification on something of course I’ll be looking for your response!) I can feel the freedom already! ⠀
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The other two items have to do with invoicing for my tech editing clients: ⠀
1. I used to prepare and send invoices as soon as a job was finished. Going forward I will be batching invoices and sending them once a month. So if I finish some editing work for you in any given month, you’ll receive the invoice for the work during the first week of the following month. ⠀
2. I am implementing a late payment fee. Payments are due within 7 days of the invoice date and late payments will be subject to a weekly 10% late payment fee until paid. It’s not often I have to chase down payments, but when I do, it takes time away from other work I could be doing!⠀
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Have you got any other time saving tips for me? What do you wish you could spend less time on, in order to focus on the more important stuff? Leave a comment below!⠀
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#kniterations #twitter #techeditor #techediting #lifeofatecheditor #techeditorforhire #techeditorsofinstagram #thegrindisreal #selfemployed #creativeentrepreneur
I’m back!!⠀
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It’s been a great 6 months (!!) relaxing with my little sidekick but the time has come to get back to work part-time and join the ranks of all those working mammas out there! ✊⠀
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I took a lot more time off than intended (and thoroughly enjoyed it). At first, the prospect of going back to work was daunting. Not only have I been enjoying the time "off" (ha ha), but I've been keeping busy accomplishing some personal tasks that had fallen by the wayside while I was pregnant and miserable. Also, going back to work is a milestone and a sign that my little guy is growing up. Sigh. I'm told that's just parenthood but it doesn't make it any easier. I'm so fortunate that I am able to work from home and continue to nurse and spend time with him. I'm also fortunate that his naps have gotten to a place where I can even entertain using the time for something other than eating or sleeping (that month of 30-minute naps was EXHAUSTING).⠀
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For now, I am focusing on ramping back up the tech editing side of my business, because it's easy to break the work up into manageable chunks and plug away during nap times. That said, I should have some new designs coming down the pipe soon, too!⠀
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My tech editing schedule for August is already full (😱) and I am now booking into September, so be sure to get in touch ASAP if you'd like to reserve a spot!⠀
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(The best way to keep apprised of my tech editing availability is to get on my mailing list (link in bio). At the beginning of each month, I send out a designer newsletter that contains tips for designers + my availability for the upcoming month. Spots usually fill up within a few days of my newsletter going out!)⠀
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#maternityleaveisover #kniterations #twitter #techeditor #techediting #lifeofatecheditor #techeditorforhire #techeditorsofinstagram #thegrindisreal #selfemployed #entrepreneurlifestyle #creativeentrepreneur #solopreneur #techeditingtuesday #knitweardesign #knitdesign #knitdesigner #knitweardesigner #knitweardesigners #knitweardesignersofinstagram
Hateful/intolerant comments will be deleted without notice and commenters blocked/reported.
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I am still on mat leave but thought it was important to voice my support for the brave and firm stance @hi.ravelry has taken against Trump. .
However, though what Ravelry has done is important, I know I owe the community more than a trite acknowledgement.
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I haven’t been participating much on IG since the birth of my child in Feb, but I have seen what’s been going on. I have been, all too quietly, scrolling, reading, following and unfollowing. I have been feeling uncomfortable and examining why, but until today I hadn’t made a statement of my own. Besides the occasional shared post or story, I’ve been silent. It’s not enough and I’m sorry. I’m sorry it’s taken the involvement of a giant like Ravelry for me to finally speak up.
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I realize my incredible privilege (as a white, cis, Canadian woman) has allowed me to choose silence, and that silence is incredibly harmful. I apologize and promise to do better.
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Many BIPOC and allies have been working for months to bring attention to the racism and discrimination in our community, and it’s these people who have paved the way for Ravelry to do what they’ve done. They’ve done an incredible amount of work, bearing the emotional burden of educating us, calling out not only obvious acts of racism, but those in a place of privilege who stand idly by. Able, by virtue of our privilege, to stand idly by.
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Ravelry’s involvement has triggered backlash, not just towards those who run Ravelry but towards the marginalized groups whose very safety they’re trying to protect. For that reason, it’s more important than ever to for people like me (white, privileged) to speak up. But we have to do more than declare in a single IG post or tweet that we agree with what Ravelry has done, patting ourselves on the backs for “doing the right thing”. We have to do the work instead of waiting (expecting?) to be educated. We have to speak out, create safe spaces, learn, and educate, without placing more of a burden on marginalized groups.
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Unsure of where to start? I recommend following @_unfinishedobject and reading the FAQ post on their blog.
✨New Pattern Release + 15% off with coupon code INTERCOASTAL!✨⠀
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Hi! I'm alive (barely, it sometimes feels like these days). As many of you know, I'm preparing to go on maternity leave. So I have a ton of work I'm trying to finish up, while simultaneously having a fraction of my usual amount of energy. I've had to prioritize only the Most Important tasks, so my social media presence (and consumption) has been pretty much zero.⠀
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So, please excuse me while I get way more satisfaction from this pattern release than is warranted for something that is normally a routine part of running my business! 😭⠀
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I give you: the Intercoastal hat! (swipe for more photos)⠀
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This is a bulky weight hat with a simple, geometric colourwork pattern. For the sample, I've opted for an all-Canadian lineup, pairing a hand dyed variegated yarn (@hypothesisyarns Bulky) with a solid (@estelleyarns Alpaca Merino Chunky), and I adore how it knit up. Of course, the pattern would work equally well in a subtle solid combination, or a pairing with a bit more contrast! Both yarns are currently available at @castoncastoffnl, but you'll need to hurry if you want to scoop up a skein of the Hypothesis Yarns Bulky!⠀
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To check out all the details (yardage, needles, etc.) and purchase your copy of the pattern, head on over to Ravelry (there's a link in my profile to the pattern page). And don't forget to use coupon code INTERCOASTAL at checkout to get 15% off! The discount is good until Sunday night at midnight.⠀
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Note: This pattern is FREE for all Fan Club tier patrons (those currently subscribed + anyone who signs up before the end of the month). Click the link in my profile to check out my Patreon creator page and find out more!⠀
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Happy knitting!⠀
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#kniterations #twitter #knitdesign #knitdesigner #knitweardesign #knitweardesigner #knitweardesigners #knitweardesignersofinstagram #newknittingpattern #knittingpattern #patternsale #knittingpatternsale #castoncastoff #castoncastoffnl #hypothesisyarns #hypothesisyarnsbulky #intercoastalhat #knitsharelove #alwaysknitting #knitknitknit #knitfastdiewarm #knitoholic #knitallthethings #knitlife #knitspiration #knitlove #knittinginspiration
Happy new year! My January Designer Newsletter went out this morning, and in it I included a roundup of all the previous topics I’ve covered. I hope having all these resources linked in one place will be helpful. If you're not signed up, you can click the link in my profile to see the accompanying blog post. A few highlights:⠀
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✔️ Top 10 pattern mistakes and how to avoid them⠀
✔️ Writing patterns with both charts and written instructions⠀
✔️ 10 Apps to help streamline your design workflow⠀
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This will be my last newsletter for a little while. As many of you know, I'm going on maternity leave starting next week. I’ll be back with brand new content in April or May, so if you have suggestions for future newsletters, please send them along at any time!⠀
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Happy knitting!⠀
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#kniterations #twitter #knitdesign #knitdesigner #knitweardesign #knitweardesigner #knitweardesigners #knitweardesignersofinstagram #techeditor #techediting #lifeofatecheditor #techeditorforhire #techeditorsofinstagram
Hopping on the bandwagon and posting my #topnine on my final work day (😱) of 2018!
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2018 was an incredible year of growth for my business and I owe it all to this community. Every like, comment, and pm means the world to me. 🙏
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Looks like my #whitecapsocks and #wreckhousecowl got lots of love! Pictured:
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💕Top row (L to R): Whitecap socks, Corner Brook shawl, Wreckhouse hat
💕Middle row (L to R): Frost mittens, Wreckhouse cowl, Whitecap socks (!!)
💕Bottom row (L to R): Whitecap socks (!!!), Avalon socks, Wreckhouse cowl
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#kniterations #twitter #topnine2018 #knitdesign #knitweardesign #cornerbrookshawl #wreckhousehat #frostmittens #avalonsocks
