Crafty Android apps for Crochet

Part two of my favourite apps for my new Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablet is craft apps for crochet.

One hobby that I don't share as much here is my love of crochet. If you look at my Pinterest boards or you follow me on there, I'm sure you'll have noticed that 90% of my pins are crochet patterns. So of course the first craft app I had to share here is Pinterest. The Pinterest app is easy to navigate and with the clarity this screen gives, its easy to browse and read patterns on my tablet - my tablet is now my go to device for reading online patterns over my phone and laptop!

This next app might seem like an odd choice to include in a crafty apps list - but without this app I wouldn't be able to crochet, so I feel it is essential to this list... did you guess? It's Youtube. What would I do without Youtube?! The variety of beginner crochet videos, pattern videos and stitch videos on Youtube makes crochet seem much less daunting to me and watching others is a great way to learn. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 surprised me with a great set of speakers and this combined with my little stand case (I had to get one) makes watching videos and practicing new skills so easy.

This last app is new to me - but boy am I glad I found it. Stash2go is an app that allows you to access Ravelry with easy navigation (as you can see above) to projects, favourites and the huge library of patterns available of Ravelry. Its a shame that Ravelry don't have their own app but as someone who spends a lot of time on Ravelry, I'm happy that there is a app that provides easy and quick access.

Camera: Olympus OM-10
Film: Fuji Superior 400

50 things to make you happy...

It's been a bit quiet around here and on the photography front for me lately. I'm ok with that - exciting things are on the horizon and this blogs going on the back burner (vague I know, I'll update when I can, it's all good, don't worry) because of that. However my little blog is always here when I need it and sometimes the internet gifts me with things I just have to share - so here I am.

You all know Che right? My lovely friend Che from Indieberries? I have a small (big) girl crush on her - it's ok, she doesn't seem to mind (ha) and as well as being so creative, funny, patient with me in illustrating my blogging e-book and gorgeous on the inside and the out - Che also sells amazing products on Not on the High Street. And today's new product is the 50 things to make you happy poster. 

I love this, it is going on my wishlist (please note friends and family) and I can't wait to have a copy in my house at some point!  My favourites are - do yoga, bake a cupcake, pet a puppy (of course) and treat yourself (because of Parks and Rec, obviously).

What are you favourites from Che's poster? 

Photography is like painting...

The Cameras We Bring from Fidelity Format on Vimeo.

You've probably seen this video around already, but I love it, I really love it. I haven't picked a camera up since we got back from Porto. It feels weird. I've barely used Instagram either (other than to have a good look at other peoples photos) and my heart is aching a little knowing that I don't feel like it at the moment.

But it's ok, cos I know my cameras and films are waiting for me at home when I'm ready.

Moving my blog forward...

I often have lots of aims for this blog but I never really implement them, however last week I rather impulsively decided to set up sponsorship through Passionfruit ads. The main reason for doing this is that money is one of the main things that triggers my anxiety... and last week I had to pay my Squarespace account for the year. It's not a huge amount of money - but I forgot about it and realised that 'yikes' that's more money to spend and 'yikes' do I have that money? I did, but only just and that kind of freaked out a little.

Overall I spend about £100 a year keeping this blog up and running - £70ish (depending on the exchange rate) for Squarespace and £24 on Flickr. Add on top of that all the photos I take and that small amount gets a fair bit bigger. I would spend the film money anyway (to an extent) I imagine, but I realised that just having the money to keep my blog running wasn't enough, I needed to have definite money to keep my blog running - I do not want to stop blogging because of money.

So, here is my plan for my blog moving forward so that I can keep it running...

• Sponsorship - not many or charging a fortune, I know this is not how to make real money with my blog and my audience isn't as big as it once was, but if I can help others to promote their shop/blog/stuff then I'm happy to have adverts in my sidebar and also make a small amount a month to put in my blog/photos fund.
• My photography course. I know, I keep talking about it... but it has a name now and a plan. I just need to fill that out. I have no idea how many people will even want to take part in it, but I'm going for it! Woohoo!
• Blurb books - I've nearly finished one Blurb book based on why I love my photos, but I'm thinking perhaps a Paris one, Porto one? I don't know but there are lots of options. Is there any you'd like to see?
• Update my Society 6 with new photos.
• And that is it for now... but I'll keep thinking.

So why I am putting this all in a post?

Well first I wanted to tell you - I'm accepting sponsors now - woohoo!! Help me keep my blog full of beautiful photos :)

But also, one thing I try to maintain here is honesty... I've been through a tough start of this year mentally, and putting my blog first hasn't been on my agenda until recently, but I've come to realise that here is my happy place and I want to look after it now and try to even grow it a little, especially after last weeks money scare.

How about you? How do you plan to move your blog forward? Can you think of anything you'd like from me - perhaps more than one course (I did wonder about a specific toy camera course, but do people still use them for that? haha). Maybe some film photography ebooks - or a series of them?

I've changed a lot in the last year and I think I'm finally ready to let this space evolve with me. Hopefully you find that as exciting as I do... x