So… it’s Monday! Hope yours are off to a good start! Mine was a little weird, in that I got up, showered, got dressed, went to work, and… found that no one else was there. Apparently I missed the memo that we’re not working today… sigh. On the plus side, I now have a bonus day off, but I had a nice productive start to it (went to the post office and mailed about a zillion packages, have dinner already going in the slow cooker, WHAT?) which NEVER happens on a true day off, so it’s kind of win-win!
Since I have extra time today, I thought maybe I’d share with you some of my goals for the new year. You know, I used to do really long, detailed lists of New Year’s resolutions, but I chronically underestimate what I’m capable of, sign myself up for too much, cry buckets, give up, and feel terrible about myself. So, while I’ve kicked the vicious cycle of resolutions to the curb this year, I’m still feeling a bit more contemplative than usual because, like a few other bloggers out there, I’ll be turning 30 this year (duh duh DUH!). I’m a naturally unorganized person who’s interested in lots of things, so I tend to bounce from one thing to the next as soon as something shiny captures my attention. I’d like to be a bit more intentional and focused so I can feel a little more responsible and grown up about the ways that I use my time, money, and energy. So I’ve put together some goals and projects I’d like to do, to help myself work with a bit more focus and productivity without putting myself under tons of pressure. I’m focusing on sewing stuff here so you won’t have to be too bored with my personal crap.
Making-related stuff I’d like to do this year:
- Take advantage of great resources by making patterns out of the Colette Sewing Handbook and the BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook instead of letting them collect dust on the
bookshelfheap of books exploding out of the bookshelf - Finish my UFO’s (just a couple, really, mainly McCall’s 5995 and my Aidez sweater)
- Become more comfortable with making pattern and fit adjustments
- Make something for Man Friend!
- Organize my sewing space and fabric storage area
- Try my hand at the Clover trousers (eek!)
- Become more comfortable sewing knits
- Make something with buttons and buttonholes instead of being a big chicken!
- Sew and knit things that I actually need and will wear, including tops I can wear to work instead of dirty old t-shirts and a cocktail dress that’s appropriate for work parties, instead of “OOH OMGEEZY THAT’S SO PRETTY I NEED IT NOW!”. I made a few things last year that were great learning projects, but weren’t things that I will get a ton of use out of, so I’d like to be a bit more practical this year.
- Follow along with Gertie’s bombshell class and make myself a fine couture hot ‘n’ spicy dress
- Keep the Seamless pledge!
- Stash-bust, baby!
- Oh, and revamp my blog! I’m not the most tech-savvy, but I’d like to spend some time on the design of the site so it’s a little prettier and more user-friendly. 🙂
So yeah… I guess I should take advantage of this unexpected time off and tackle the rest of my organization projects! Unfortunately, this guy is not motivating me to do work:
Oh, hai, I'd love to help you clean house! Wait, now? Oh, now isn't good for my schedule.
What are you guys up to today and this week? Oh, don’t forget to stay tuned– I’ll draw the winners for the vintage giveaway tonight!
Ginger Makes... 
Way to go with the resolutions list. In a totally uncharacteristic move, I decided not to make resolutions this year. I’m not even making a “to do” list of sewing projects. What can I say? In my old age, I’m living dangerously! I’m sure glad you signed up for the Seamless Pledge – the more people on it, the better the support network, no?
Your dog is adorable. We’re getting a German Shepherd puppy at the end of February and I can’t wait… I have all that shedding to look forward to 🙂
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Oh my gosh, a puppy?!?! Eek!!! That will be SO FUN!!! German Shepherds are particularly sweet puppies– my aunt raised them when I was a little girl and they are so cute and smart! You’ll have to share lots of photos with us!
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Awesome post! I think a lot of us are re-evaluating and trying to be more intentional (or maybe I’m just seeing more of it because I’m reading more blogs of like-minded people!) I’m feeling those same contemplative feelings as I get closer and closer to 50 (DUNT DUNT DUUUUUUUUUNT! ACK!!) Hard to say when one becomes grown-up — I think I was more grown up in my ’30s than I am now, LOL!
Puppeh is a-dor-a-ble!!!!
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Heeheehee, I know what you mean! I’m trying to not blow the whole milestone birthday thing out of proportion and freak out about how I don’t have my life together! It’s so funny– I’m starting to think that there’s NEVER a point where you feel like you’re a grown-up!
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Love your dog ! And your thoughts for 2012. I got the Bombshell class but I don’t think I am even nearly ready to tackle it – so I cant wait to see yours ! 🙂 There are some lovely versions made up on the old interweb. I too am going to work on fitting this year, so you must share your experiences. Looking forward to seeing your 2012 Gingermakes ! xx
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Thanks! He’s awfully cute… and lazy! I’m pretty intimidated by the Bombshell class myself– boning? A corset bodice? Waist stays? Eek!! But hey, if nothing else, we’ll learn a ton, right? And you’re right– there are such beautiful dresses that other sewists have made… gives me a little hope!
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Omg can we talk about your adorable pug?!?!? I have an old little fawn and ahhhh want a black one too! Anyway enough puppy time, I am totally hearing you on turning 30 this year and it is freaking me out, even though I’m trying to pretend it’s not. It sounds like you’ve got a lot of solid goals planned out, I’m sure you’ll have a very successful year! As for sewing things you’ll wear everyday, it’s my favorite thing to do and it’s so much more fun than when I used to try to sew all these crazy things I never wore. So exciting to be wearing your handmade thing all the time and having it fit in with your wardrobe perfectly!
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Pugs! I love them! Doug is 6, but new to me (I think we’ve had him for 6 months or so?). Now we’re addicted to them– I really want a fawn lady pug now! They’re such fun to have around!
You know, I’ve actually found a lot of your designs to be super inspirational as far as sewing cute, fun pieces that you can wear all the time! I especially liked a knit blazer you made a while ago– so simple, classic and wearable! Keep up the good work! I have a feeling that this year is going to be a good one!
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I laughed when you said you were making the Bombshell dress right after proclaiming you would be more practical this year! Depends how you define practical of course. That’s a really good list. I have a lot of things I want to make. I have more than enough patterns now so I’m trying to concentrate on making some of them up.
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I know, right? You know, I signed up for the class on impulse as soon as Gertie announced it, so in a way, I’m stashbusting! And, as silly as it sounds, I just don’t have any grown-up clothes, so when I have a cocktail party or a wedding to go to, I really have to scramble to find something to wear! But it’s a wildly impractical dress (and I’m not even sure I’ve got the confidence to walk out in something so… va-va-va-voom?).
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I love your plans!
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Thanks so much! I’m looking forward to it!
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I like your plans. I too want to sew more knits – I have found Wendy Mullin’s SEW U Home Stretch book really useful for knit sewing guidance and simple, adaptable patterns. Don’t be scared of buttonholes! i have to echo evryone else and say how cute your dog is. 🙂
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Thanks for the recommendation– I just ordered it! 🙂
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It looks like you have some great plans for this year! I’m going a slightly different route this year and NOT making too many specific plans–I recently started dating someone for the first time in a long time, so I’m trying to avoid overly pressuring myself with hobbies! But working on fitting, making stuff from the Colette and BurdaStyle books, and stash-busting are definitely on my list!
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Good for you for not making plans! It will be nice for you to be able to sew what you want to when you want to!
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Happy 2012, I wish you luck with your intentions for the year. Also, I want your dog! So cute!
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Thanks so much! Happy 2012 to you! Doug is such a cutie! He’s a lazy little guy though– he’s literally been snoozing in his chair for 4.5 hours this afternoon!
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Totally interested in all your plans! I could apply so many to me- & the fail because I get distracted!! I am interested in the Burda Style/ Colette makes, but guess what? i too have subscribed to the Bombshell course & started way back in November, but haven’t progressed very far …. I’d Love to reignite where I left off, but am also distracted by other things …
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There are just too many fun things to make! I have to confess– I just picked up New Look 6000 and it’s all your fault! 🙂 Hurray for fun distractions!
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Heya, Gretchen made the clover pants – from some sort of stretch cotton. She said they went together fast but had a weird fit. I’m terrified of pants.
I say definitely make a muslin of the pants first. (Even though I HATE making muslins… all that work, and you can’t even wear what you’ve made so that people can ask where its from and then you can say you made it. because we all know that’s #1 reason why I sew).
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Hahahaha– “Carrie’s Emily”… I love it! Pants are way scary! Just looking at the crazy shapes of the pattern pieces is enough to make you feel woozy!
And we totally sew so people say, “OMG YOU MADE THAT I WANT TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND FOR LIFE YOU PRETTY PRINCESS!”
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