Well Happy New Year and howdy to 2016. I am excited to what you will bring! Hopefully it will be good!
Sometimes I wonder why I write down resolutions and put them out there on the web. I really do. What is the purpose? Why do I feel the need to do so? I don't know but I think it makes me want to complete them more. At least that is what I have said in the past. Again, I aim high and if I high 1/3 of my goals, I will be happy b/c I do have work goals as well as personal goals. You only see my personal goals. You will see some repeats again in the list.
So if you have not noticed, but I did give the blog a face lift. I love peacocks and one day at the National Zoo I got some fabulous photos of the peacocks there. They were walking around and I think a feather fight was going on, and we could walk right in the middle of it. It was beautiful and scary at the same time. But I got some fabulous pictures, and hence they have made their way to my blog. And the pink is gone, I just want simple. That is all I want lately, simple, no bells-and-whistles. I have been meaning to update this blog for over a year and one night I got my act together. :) So hello peacocks!
1. Try something new. What- I don't know but I always want to challenge myself and try something new.
2. Complete a craft kit (bonus points if I do more than 1).
3. 200 things for charity! Hey let's see the bar high!
4. 12 Refashions. That is just 1 per month. Seems reasonable.
5. Buy no more fabric. Unless it has peacock feathers on it. Ok that seems like a silly excuse. LOL Or it is for a specific project like a Halloween costume or a special event. I think special occasion is fine. I just really need to get this stash tamed. Like really bad.
6. Finish the beta of T25 and start CIZE beach body workout plan.
7. Finish all of my bellydance DVDs (I know I am laughing to myself).
8. Get rid of more of my things and use up everything I have. What I mean by this is something probably many of us girls experience, we tend to get things on sale and stock up. Well at least I do, I like getting things on sale. What then happens is everything piles up. There are cabinets and drawers full of lotions, creams, body washes, etc, because it takes longer to use things then what my brain thinks. I mean do I really need that much eyeshadow? Especially when it doesn't stay on my face? So I want to spend the beginning portion of this year using up everything and only buy when I am about out. Also, I want to get rid of things I just don't use. Let's see how long it takes!
9. Read more books. Science or not science. Most likely they will be science related because I tend to be drawn to things where I can learn something and apply it to my work. I can't stand romance books, I get so bored and I feel the female leads are weak. It just is not my cup of tea. But I would like to read more! Goal is 5. I got some cool books for Christmas from my boyfriend.
10. Use up all the stuffing and fusible fleece I just purchased. Thinking I would have more time to sew this year I wanted to sew more for charity with making stuffed animals and bibs. That didn't really happen and I have a bag and a huge box (like 10 lbs of stuffing, the box is huge!!!). Sew (ha pun totally intended!) if I sew things for charity I should use these things right up!
11. Take a trip and go somewhere. I feel as if I don't take enough trips. I should try and go somewhere.
I know many of these things seem pretty similar to what I set the previous years. But my life also revolves around work and sewing. :) We also don't have any kids.
Here's to needing less, giving more, using up what I have, sewing, and getting my sewing stash under control!
Here's to 2016!
Cheers,
Lauren
Showing posts with label New years resolutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New years resolutions. Show all posts
Friday, January 1, 2016
Thursday, December 31, 2015
2015 (in blog) Review
Wow another year has gone by! Just wow! It amazes me. Looking back I feel like I worked a lot and didn't spend a lot of time doing crafts and sewing. I wanted to sew more. That didn't really happen.
I will say that while I did not sew as much as I wanted to, I DID get rid of a lot of things. I did a lot of refashioning last year (see 99 refashion challenge) and I had a lot of clothes. Too much clothes, so I have been on a purge and then purged again. And then during my Christmas break, I purged yet again more things. It is so freeing to not have so much stuff. According to my boyfriend, I can get rid of more. But hey, baby steps.
Let's recap my post from the beginning of this year (and laugh), all of my comments are in RED
For this year, I want to continue to get rid and use the stuff I have. Also a LOT of sewing. I really want to get this fabric stash of mine down. Also this is a blog about sewing ;) Well I think we all know how this turned out... I didn't sew very much and the stash did not decrease- it increased! Sigh... Craftsy had a sale, blah!
1. Continue the RTW Fast
I enjoyed it so much this year that I want to continue. And well frankly, I just don't spend that much time shopping anymore. It is not that hard of a stretch.
Nope! This ended when I needed something for an event and fast. I could have sewed but with little time this did not happen. I opted to purchase some nice things, like sweaters and pants. I just can't make those, and I live really close to Ann Taylor Loft and when they have sales, just wow. So I broke
2. Make 1 thing from each sewing book. I am bringing this back from last year. And if I don't use them, it is time to part. NOPE>>>>>>> Nothing. I don't even want to talk about it. :(
This is almost comical, the answer is no.
4. Sew through my scraps, make for charity. Goal for charity is 300!!!!! Yes, setting those sights high. But in all honesty, a quick sew bib, counts as 1. I am aiming for bibs, dolls, dresses, shoes, and maybe stuffed animals. And really, that adds up fast. Bibs themselves add up fast. And I purchased a bolt of fusible fleece last year in hoping I would have more spare time but I did not.
Well I got halfway... 150! Wahoo. That is impressive. So impressive, I needed another bolt. I haven't used all of it, but I got another one. Yay! I will award myself 0.5 points.
5. Sew through my fabric. Get it down to 1 suitcase. For reals! I have been saying this for a long time but then I got that Groupon to G Street Fabrics and discovered their discount wall. OMG it is heaven. But I got cool fabric. I was doing so well until that groupon and an insane fabric sale at Hancock Fabrics. Who can pass up wool that cost normall $27/yard for 2.97? Seriously!!!!! also decided to not put a number on it but I will still keep track. And I am still a member of MGAM (make a garment a month). So minimally I should make 12 things for myself. That is easy and less stressful.
Um no, I have more. But I will give myself 0.5 because I did sew 12 things for myself.
6. Sew something for my boyfriend. I have always wanted to try out a men's pattern. It is worth a try. He is alwayswhining complaining talking about how I never try sewing for him.
Boom! Yes! I have not blogged about it yet but I have sewn 2 things for him now. I have made him 2 simple mens tshirts that actually fit his really broad shoulders. The first one was a muslin. The second one I just finished and it is fabulous. He was so happy. +1 point for me!
7. That darn T-shirt quilt of mine!!!! It is no longer an option... it is a must! Bonus if I sew one of my quilt patterns I purchased with a gift card I was given...
well I have sewed the blocks together and began the back. I have not finished it yet b/c I am a big chicken. I big, fat chicken. only 0.5 points to me, at least I got some sort of nerve to finish it. The quilt is HUGE, quite like a beast.
8. Finish 1 craft kit, most likely the irises latch hook.
Yeah nope.
7. Get rid of 1 the bling/sewing stuff boxes. I have boxes of hem tape, hem lace, bias tape, piping. Not to mention all those beads and sequins.
Oh yeah, I got rid of more than 1! It was like 3-4, I forget. But I had to since I um, err had more fabric. Sad. But +1 point for me.
8. Get the coverstitcher to work and behave. So far I have not been successful.
Big fat chicken over here. I have no idea why that machine scares me. I tried to find someone to pay for their time and have not been successful.
9. Read another book for fun. But also read 3 science books.
+1 Boom done!
10. Sewing goals: shorts, pants, coat, pintucking, shirring, circle attachment, try and use all of my sewing feet. I am still putting together this list.
nope, nope, nope, nope.
11. Get my Refashions down to 1 bag. I decided last minute to stop putting numbers to my sewing and just roll with it- the biggest thing I need to do again with everything I have in my current stash- doable.
nope, I actually inherited some cool things.
12. Make it through 1 round of T25.That is 10 weeks of cardio madness.
I have almost finished alpha so 0.5 points to me.
13. Finish going through all of my bellydance DVDs. I am sort of embarrassed I didn't finish this last year. Where did the time go?
yeah no but in all fairness I am not dancing.
14. Try something new and different. Anything! I may be strong enough for trapeze soon. Thank you aerial yoga!
This girl got on a Segway for a tour and DID NOT HURT HERSELF. It was sort of crazy but then I was a natural on it. I would love one but I have stairs so that will not work! +1 points!
15. Complete my sewing videos I purchased on craftsy. Again, it is going with the theme of using what I have. (Just finished 1 of them- wow totally fabulous!!). There is a total of 18! Eek!!
I have done 4 now. Not even half.
So let's round up my total.... I have 6.5 points out of 15, actually that was not that depressing. 43.3% completed! Yeah! I am actually surprised that it is that high in # because I was really sort of depressed about everything I did (not) sew.
I will say that I did support more independent pattern makers and I have more patterns from small businesses and not something I can buy from Hancock Fabrics. I have found they fit better and I don't play the guessing game with the Big 4 pattern makers.
I actually sewed 48 things this year, some for me and some for others. I did 12 refashions total. Still impressive. If only I didn't take in more things! Sigh.
Look for post next year (har har har) on what my goals will be for 2016.
Have a safe and happy New Years!
Best Wishes,
Lauren
I will say that while I did not sew as much as I wanted to, I DID get rid of a lot of things. I did a lot of refashioning last year (see 99 refashion challenge) and I had a lot of clothes. Too much clothes, so I have been on a purge and then purged again. And then during my Christmas break, I purged yet again more things. It is so freeing to not have so much stuff. According to my boyfriend, I can get rid of more. But hey, baby steps.
Let's recap my post from the beginning of this year (and laugh), all of my comments are in RED
For this year, I want to continue to get rid and use the stuff I have. Also a LOT of sewing. I really want to get this fabric stash of mine down. Also this is a blog about sewing ;) Well I think we all know how this turned out... I didn't sew very much and the stash did not decrease- it increased! Sigh... Craftsy had a sale, blah!
1. Continue the RTW Fast
I enjoyed it so much this year that I want to continue. And well frankly, I just don't spend that much time shopping anymore. It is not that hard of a stretch.
Nope! This ended when I needed something for an event and fast. I could have sewed but with little time this did not happen. I opted to purchase some nice things, like sweaters and pants. I just can't make those, and I live really close to Ann Taylor Loft and when they have sales, just wow. So I broke
2. Make 1 thing from each sewing book. I am bringing this back from last year. And if I don't use them, it is time to part. NOPE>>>>>>> Nothing. I don't even want to talk about it. :(
- Burda Style Sewing Handbook
- Thrifty Style
- 49 Sensational Skirts
- Generation T
- Custom Couture
- Pattern Magic
- Pattern Magic 2
- Pattern Magic Stretch Fabric
- Drape Drape 1
- Drape Drape 2
- Drape Drape 3
- Little Green Dresses
This is almost comical, the answer is no.
4. Sew through my scraps, make for charity. Goal for charity is 300!!!!! Yes, setting those sights high. But in all honesty, a quick sew bib, counts as 1. I am aiming for bibs, dolls, dresses, shoes, and maybe stuffed animals. And really, that adds up fast. Bibs themselves add up fast. And I purchased a bolt of fusible fleece last year in hoping I would have more spare time but I did not.
Well I got halfway... 150! Wahoo. That is impressive. So impressive, I needed another bolt. I haven't used all of it, but I got another one. Yay! I will award myself 0.5 points.
5. Sew through my fabric. Get it down to 1 suitcase. For reals! I have been saying this for a long time but then I got that Groupon to G Street Fabrics and discovered their discount wall. OMG it is heaven. But I got cool fabric. I was doing so well until that groupon and an insane fabric sale at Hancock Fabrics. Who can pass up wool that cost normall $27/yard for 2.97? Seriously!!!!! also decided to not put a number on it but I will still keep track. And I am still a member of MGAM (make a garment a month). So minimally I should make 12 things for myself. That is easy and less stressful.
Um no, I have more. But I will give myself 0.5 because I did sew 12 things for myself.
6. Sew something for my boyfriend. I have always wanted to try out a men's pattern. It is worth a try. He is always
Boom! Yes! I have not blogged about it yet but I have sewn 2 things for him now. I have made him 2 simple mens tshirts that actually fit his really broad shoulders. The first one was a muslin. The second one I just finished and it is fabulous. He was so happy. +1 point for me!
7. That darn T-shirt quilt of mine!!!! It is no longer an option... it is a must! Bonus if I sew one of my quilt patterns I purchased with a gift card I was given...
well I have sewed the blocks together and began the back. I have not finished it yet b/c I am a big chicken. I big, fat chicken. only 0.5 points to me, at least I got some sort of nerve to finish it. The quilt is HUGE, quite like a beast.
8. Finish 1 craft kit, most likely the irises latch hook.
Yeah nope.
7. Get rid of 1 the bling/sewing stuff boxes. I have boxes of hem tape, hem lace, bias tape, piping. Not to mention all those beads and sequins.
Oh yeah, I got rid of more than 1! It was like 3-4, I forget. But I had to since I um, err had more fabric. Sad. But +1 point for me.
8. Get the coverstitcher to work and behave. So far I have not been successful.
Big fat chicken over here. I have no idea why that machine scares me. I tried to find someone to pay for their time and have not been successful.
9. Read another book for fun. But also read 3 science books.
+1 Boom done!
10. Sewing goals: shorts, pants, coat, pintucking, shirring, circle attachment, try and use all of my sewing feet. I am still putting together this list.
nope, nope, nope, nope.
11. Get my Refashions down to 1 bag. I decided last minute to stop putting numbers to my sewing and just roll with it- the biggest thing I need to do again with everything I have in my current stash- doable.
nope, I actually inherited some cool things.
12. Make it through 1 round of T25.That is 10 weeks of cardio madness.
I have almost finished alpha so 0.5 points to me.
13. Finish going through all of my bellydance DVDs. I am sort of embarrassed I didn't finish this last year. Where did the time go?
yeah no but in all fairness I am not dancing.
14. Try something new and different. Anything! I may be strong enough for trapeze soon. Thank you aerial yoga!
This girl got on a Segway for a tour and DID NOT HURT HERSELF. It was sort of crazy but then I was a natural on it. I would love one but I have stairs so that will not work! +1 points!
15. Complete my sewing videos I purchased on craftsy. Again, it is going with the theme of using what I have. (Just finished 1 of them- wow totally fabulous!!). There is a total of 18! Eek!!
I have done 4 now. Not even half.
So let's round up my total.... I have 6.5 points out of 15, actually that was not that depressing. 43.3% completed! Yeah! I am actually surprised that it is that high in # because I was really sort of depressed about everything I did (not) sew.
I will say that I did support more independent pattern makers and I have more patterns from small businesses and not something I can buy from Hancock Fabrics. I have found they fit better and I don't play the guessing game with the Big 4 pattern makers.
I actually sewed 48 things this year, some for me and some for others. I did 12 refashions total. Still impressive. If only I didn't take in more things! Sigh.
Look for post next year (har har har) on what my goals will be for 2016.
Have a safe and happy New Years!
Best Wishes,
Lauren
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Review of 2011 New Years Goals
I always like to review my New Years now, b/c if I have to review them it may make me stick to them more. ;)
So I am going back to my original post and the ideas I had! If it is bolded, I completed this resolution!
General 2011: Use up what I have!!! And I did!
1. Decrease fabric stockpile by ~50% (so there is no more out of the closet).
----- eh well I have a small pile out in the closet. I am sooo close. I give myself 0.5
2. Decrease my debt 50%. +1
Yup I did! I am so proud of myself. I have enjoyed being frugal. It sucks at times but then when I open up a bill, I get giddy with excitement when I see the low balance.
3. Reduce my craft projects. This includes the following... +1
- stuff turkeys and pumpkin for mom
- snowmen cross stitch stockings (2 of them)
- lion latch hook
- light up santa cars
- penquin snow sign
-bless this house needlepoint
- advent calendar
- ADPi tshirt quilt (started and never finished)
- iris latch hook
- budha cross stitch
- cuba cross stitch (there are 3 i would love to have 1 done!)
- christmas stockings with lions (there are 2)
- felt christmas card holder
- cross stitch ornaments
ok i'm going to stop now there are so many crafts I have purchased over the years (and hence why I have so much stuff!)
8. Use up all my perfumes, lotions, candles, shampoos/conditioners, etc that I have. I actually have only 2 perfume bottles left! On last body wash bottle. 2 lotions left and no s/c hanging out in storage! I am out of candles. Actually things are pretty bare! +1!!!
9. Random goals
- run a 5K- couldn't do b/c of injuries
- use up some of my beads and make 2 necklaces (minimally)- yes!
- organize my recipes- sort of
- don't buy anymore fabric- eek um bought 3 different things
- sell some of my stuff- gave it to goodwill instead or to friends :)
- send out a picture instead of a christmas card- no got to use paper!
- get that thing that i really want :) I am not elaborating more. Guess! nope but out of my control ;)
So I am going back to my original post and the ideas I had! If it is bolded, I completed this resolution!
General 2011: Use up what I have!!! And I did!
1. Decrease fabric stockpile by ~50% (so there is no more out of the closet).
----- eh well I have a small pile out in the closet. I am sooo close. I give myself 0.5
2. Decrease my debt 50%. +1
Yup I did! I am so proud of myself. I have enjoyed being frugal. It sucks at times but then when I open up a bill, I get giddy with excitement when I see the low balance.
3. Reduce my craft projects. This includes the following... +1
- stuff turkeys and pumpkin for mom
- snowmen cross stitch stockings (2 of them)
- lion latch hook
- light up santa cars
- penquin snow sign
-bless this house needlepoint
- advent calendar
- ADPi tshirt quilt (started and never finished)
- iris latch hook
- budha cross stitch
- cuba cross stitch (there are 3 i would love to have 1 done!)
- christmas stockings with lions (there are 2)
- felt christmas card holder
- cross stitch ornaments
ok i'm going to stop now there are so many crafts I have purchased over the years (and hence why I have so much stuff!)
I said I would be happy with 1/3 reduction out of my craft kit thing I have 16 out of 32 done! So 50% done! Half! Yay! Go me!
4. Don't buy any more new manufactured clothes for a minimum of 6 months if not a year. +1
4. Don't buy any more new manufactured clothes for a minimum of 6 months if not a year. +1
I did break 1X and that was to purchase a pair of khaki pants (on sale tho) this was only after much shopping that I found zero that fit me or were long enough. I had a giftcard tho so I really didn't spend any money.
5. Belly Dance Goals: learn 5 more dances by myself. Should I teach them to Baklava then so be it. If not then I know something that I can use when I have to perform by myself. I have many choreo DVDS so 5 is very reasonable. :) Again its this whole stuff issue.... ah!
- and get a kick ass floor layback. my standing laybacks are getting better but floor ones I am not strong enough yet to do. :( this will be the year!
- choreo sabri aleel
-choreo fan veil dance
-finish veil poi dance that I started over 2 years ago
- finish my glass dance
5. Belly Dance Goals: learn 5 more dances by myself. Should I teach them to Baklava then so be it. If not then I know something that I can use when I have to perform by myself. I have many choreo DVDS so 5 is very reasonable. :) Again its this whole stuff issue.... ah!
- and get a kick ass floor layback. my standing laybacks are getting better but floor ones I am not strong enough yet to do. :( this will be the year!
- choreo sabri aleel
-choreo fan veil dance
-finish veil poi dance that I started over 2 years ago
- finish my glass dance
unfortunately this did not happen. after breaking my back and tearing my knee. I was unable to dance for nearly 5 months this year. Then I had muscle atrophy and had to learn how to do things all over. sadly this wasn't possible. but there is always next year!
6. Career Goals +1
- get renewed- yup!
- publish 2 papers- yup 2 actually!
- get my own grant/funding!- not yet but working on it!
7. Bellydance Costume goals +1
-finish harem pants- yup
- finish black ab bra/belt set- I did and now baklava is working on some
- finish pink patchwork set- almost done!
- corset tops- we scractched these idea
- fix red costume- yes!
- make my indian sherbert costume (pink and peach fun!)- opted to make the periwinkle instead!
- pink leopard set- almost done
- sequin dot costume- sounds bad but i guarantee you its going to look awesome!- waiting
- fix black costume from ebay. working on it!
- make a sewing form for myself- i did but it busted. I asked Santa for a dress form this Christmas and I got it!
6. Career Goals +1
- get renewed- yup!
- publish 2 papers- yup 2 actually!
- get my own grant/funding!- not yet but working on it!
7. Bellydance Costume goals +1
-finish harem pants- yup
- finish black ab bra/belt set- I did and now baklava is working on some
- finish pink patchwork set- almost done!
- corset tops- we scractched these idea
- fix red costume- yes!
- make my indian sherbert costume (pink and peach fun!)- opted to make the periwinkle instead!
- pink leopard set- almost done
- sequin dot costume- sounds bad but i guarantee you its going to look awesome!- waiting
- fix black costume from ebay. working on it!
- make a sewing form for myself- i did but it busted. I asked Santa for a dress form this Christmas and I got it!
Not bad huh! I am very proud of myself here!
8. Use up all my perfumes, lotions, candles, shampoos/conditioners, etc that I have. I actually have only 2 perfume bottles left! On last body wash bottle. 2 lotions left and no s/c hanging out in storage! I am out of candles. Actually things are pretty bare! +1!!!
9. Random goals
- run a 5K- couldn't do b/c of injuries
- use up some of my beads and make 2 necklaces (minimally)- yes!
- organize my recipes- sort of
- don't buy anymore fabric- eek um bought 3 different things
- sell some of my stuff- gave it to goodwill instead or to friends :)
- send out a picture instead of a christmas card- no got to use paper!
- get that thing that i really want :) I am not elaborating more. Guess! nope but out of my control ;)
This goal was not fullfilled. but its ok!
Actually there were 9 Goals Listed... I did 6.5!!! That is 72%. This year was probably the best year when it came to sticking to my resolutions, I would have to say. Wow, I am really proud of myself.
Actually there were 9 Goals Listed... I did 6.5!!! That is 72%. This year was probably the best year when it came to sticking to my resolutions, I would have to say. Wow, I am really proud of myself.
Cheers to 2011 with less stuff! B/c it truly happened. Now to make my 2012 New Years Resolutions!
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