Have you seen the resolution link party going on at Quilting Jet Girl? Yep, it’s right up my alley! There’s nothing I love more than planning and dreaming about the year ahead, and how I’d like to learn, grow, and improve! So that’s why the time between Christmas and New Year’s is one of my favorites. I make tons of lists — and try to get everyone in the family to get as excited about it as I do (note: it doesn’t always work!). This year, we came up with an overall theme for our family. It’s not quite the “one word” theme as suggested by Gretchen Rubin, but on that same order. For 2015, that theme is Kindness: To Ourselves and Others. I also made a 2015 Bucket List of sorts — things I’d like to try this year. Places I’d like to visit, events I’d like to attend, things I’d like to see or do. Some are for us as a family, some for date nights, and this quilty list is just for me!
1. FMQ. It’s time to tackle this beast. I’ve been a chicken about it for a while (this was on 2014’s list, too! oops!), but I’m hoping 2015 is the year to face the fear.
2. Curves. This is another one I really want to get a handle on. There are many designs in my mind that I’d like to be able to execute once I can sew a curved line. I’m hoping Rachel’s Curves Class will be my ticket to becoming a curvy goddess! (wink, wink!)
3. Paper Piecing. I started tackling it this year — a few of my bee blocks and BOM blocks were paper pieced. I’ve got the gist, but I still get confused and will put a piece on backward or not cut it big enough to cover the template!
4. Public Speaking. Wait, whaaaa? How’s this quilting related? Well, at my local guild, I’m heading up programming for the year. And I have to announce the projects for the meetings. Not only do I stress about having to do it, but I know for a fact, I am terrible at it! I am so nervous that I forget important details, I stumble my words, it’s just a debacle. I’m not sure how (so if you have any tips, I’m all ears!), but I’m going to get this under control!
5. Slow Sewing. Over the holidays, we had the chance to slow things down. In doing so, I picked up my abandoned embroidery project and realized how enjoyable hand-sewing can be! I’d like to try a full cloth quilt like this, maybe even an appliqué project before the end of the year!
6. Charity Sewing. Even though I’m a part of do. Good Stitches, I’d also like to make at least one charity quilt on my own, to be raffled off at my sons’ preschool fundraiser.
7. Inspired by Art. I’d like to start a series here to explore different project ideas that are inspired by modern artist. Similar to my pillow project.
8. Attend a Retreat. I know it would be a sacrifice for my husband to watch the kids for a weekend while I was away, but I would love to have the chance to sew uninterrupted for a weekend while learning from others.
9. Make a Quilt for my Sister. I’m thinking something with Carolyn Friedlander’s Doe.
10. Start Holiday Gifts – In June! Maybe then I can actually finish on time!
11. Make a List of People I’d like to Meet. And then do everything I can do to make it happen.
12. Write a Pattern. This one is low down on the list because I’m not sure I’m ready for this to happen, but I’m hoping I will surprise myself with growth as the year progresses. A year is a long time!
13. Host a Giveaway. This scares me the most. Again, maybe as the year goes on. . .
14. Take a Drawing Class. I need help with my doodling! I’m looking at this Lisa Congdon class on Creative Bug.
15. Take a Painting Class. I’d love to learn about color using a different medium. There are Paint n’ Sip nights at a local art store here in town, so if I could get a friend to join me, I think it could be a blast!
And there you have it folks! If you stuck with me for all 15 then you are truly a friend, and I’m counting on you to hold me to it! I like to take out my lists once every few months to reassess/see how I’m progressing. So hopefully we will revisit the list sometime at the end of March and I’ll have a few notches under my belt!
And now, it’s your turn. Are there things that you hope to work on in 2015? I’d love to hear your plans — both sewing and non-sewing related! Happy New Year to you, friends! Have you seen the resolution link party going on at Quilting Jet Girl? Yep, it’s right up my alley! There’s nothing I love more than planning and dreaming about the year ahead, and how I’d like to learn, grow, and improve! So that’s why the time between Christmas and New Year’s is one of my favorites. I make tons of lists — and try to get everyone in the family to get as excited about it as I do (note: it doesn’t always work!). This year, we came up with an overall theme for our family. It’s not quite the “one word” theme as suggested by Gretchen Rubin, but on that same order. For 2015, that theme is Kindness: To Ourselves and Others. I also made a 2015 Bucket List of sorts — things I’d like to try this year. Places I’d like to visit, events I’d like to attend, things I’d like to see or do. Some are for us as a family, some for date nights, and this quilty list is just for me!
1. FMQ. It’s time to tackle this beast. I’ve been a chicken about it for a while (this was on 2014’s list, too! oops!), but I’m hoping 2015 is the year to face the fear.
2. Curves. This is another one I really want to get a handle on. There are many designs in my mind that I’d like to be able to execute once I can sew a curved line. I’m hoping Rachel’s Curves Class will be my ticket to becoming a curvy goddess! (wink, wink!)
3. Paper Piecing. I started tackling it this year — a few of my bee blocks and BOM blocks were paper pieced. I’ve got the gist, but I still get confused and will put a piece on backward or not cut it big enough to cover the template!
4. Public Speaking. Wait, whaaaa? How’s this quilting related? Well, at my local guild, I’m heading up programming for the year. And I have to announce the projects for the meetings. Not only do I stress about having to do it, but I know for a fact, I am terrible at it! I am so nervous that I forget important details, I stumble my words, it’s just a debacle. I’m not sure how (so if you have any tips, I’m all ears!), but I’m going to get this under control!
5. Slow Sewing. Over the holidays, we had the chance to slow things down. In doing so, I picked up my abandoned embroidery project and realized how enjoyable hand-sewing can be! I’d like to try a full cloth quilt like this, maybe even an appliqué project before the end of the year!
6. Charity Sewing. Even though I’m a part of do. Good Stitches, I’d also like to make at least one charity quilt on my own, to be raffled off at my sons’ preschool fundraiser.
7. Inspired by Art. I’d like to start a series here to explore different project ideas that are inspired by modern artist. Similar to my pillow project.
8. Attend a Retreat. I know it would be a sacrifice for my husband to watch the kids for a weekend while I was away, but I would love to have the chance to sew uninterrupted for a weekend while learning from others.
9. Make a Quilt for my Sister. I’m thinking something with Carolyn Friedlander’s Doe.
10. Start Holiday Gifts – In June! Maybe then I can actually finish on time!
11. Make a List of People I’d like to Meet. And then do everything I can do to make it happen.
12. Write a Pattern. This one is low down on the list because I’m not sure I’m ready for this to happen, but I’m hoping I will surprise myself with growth as the year progresses. A year is a long time!
13. Host a Giveaway. This scares me the most. Again, maybe as the year goes on. . .
14. Take a Drawing Class. I need help with my doodling! I’m looking at this Lisa Congdon class on Creative Bug.
15. Take a Painting Class. I’d love to learn about color using a different medium. There are Paint n’ Sip nights at a local art store here in town, so if I could get a friend to join me, I think it could be a blast!
And there you have it folks! If you stuck with me for all 15 then you are truly a friend, and I’m counting on you to hold me to it! I like to take out my lists once every few months to reassess/see how I’m progressing. So hopefully we will revisit the list sometime at the end of March and I’ll have a few notches under my belt!
And now, it’s your turn. Are there things that you hope to work on in 2015? I’d love to hear your plans — both sewing and non-sewing related! Happy New Year to you, friends!
Wishing you a year of quilting kindness. And I hope you are able to tackle FMQ. I enjoy it a lot.
Thank you so much for linking up! Your 15 thoughts for ’15 are great. I also really like the theme of Kindness for 2015 as well. I wish you lots of quilty progress and success, and I hope that this list inspires you throughout the year. 🙂
Love your list! I would be happy to give you some public speaking tips. I’ve been leading my guild for a year now, so I’ve gathered some thoughts on the topic. 🙂 Definitely get into FMQ for sure!!
Jess, I will definitely take you up on that! Any advice you can offer would be welcomed! Thank you!
Giveaways are fun, and easy when you do it through the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway day. Lots of traffic, and fun new friends!
Retreats are so worth it! I hope you get to go on one. I’ve only done one, but it was wonderful and I hope to do another soon.
Love your list! Does #11 mean I may answer the front door someday to find you on my doorstep?!
Then she can come to my place!
Road trip to Australia!
How fun would that be?!?!
Wait, wait, let me buy a new house.
When you write a pattern, have a pattern tester and listen to what she says. =) This is an awesomely good list!
Wow, this is such an amazing list – I wish you every success with it!
I took Rachel’s curves class a year or so ago and really enjoyed it- she’s put a lot of work into it and the projects are all so nice. I’m sure you’ll love it.
I hate public speaking too – I always have a palm card with a few dot points so I don’t forget anything. I find that keeps me on track. Good luck!
I love the idea of trying to meet more people. I’ve done that this year and it’s so much fun and really motivating. And you have access to so many more people over there in the U S of A.
If you do write a pattern this year, I owe you one 😉
P.S. Are you going vegetarian this year? Really? What about bacon?? :((
I don’t public speaking either but am comfortable only in a few situations. As for the giveaways do the sew mama sew day giveaway. Simple and was really fun. I have not ever tried one other than that. Good luck with your list!
Kindness is a wonderful word choice for this new year! And so are your quilty goals. Trying new things can be so much fun! Looking forward to reading all about your new adventures in 2015! You can do it!
public speaking… keep it short but funny, be personal, tell them you’re nervous but want not to miss anything, and remember people WANT you to do well, they like you.
LOVE number 11! My word for the year is connect. It is important to share time with people after spending so much time alone creating!
I would like to take a drawing class too, but a fun one not a serious one where I would feel like a loser. I love drawing, and last year spent a good amount of time with a notebook, and colored pencils sketching what I saw. I got better each time even by myself. Try it!
LeeAnna at Not Afraid of color
Great list. I want to try the curves as well in the form of a Drunkard’s Path.
This is a beautiful list! I definitely need to embrace slow sewing and get back to the roots of quilting. I also want to work more on giving to others in the community.