Before we get too far into January, I want to post about my goals for the year. But, before I do that, I want to recap 2016, just to remind myself that it was, in fact, a productive year. Cause sometimes I forget all that I've accomplished when I'm so stressed about all the projects I want to finish.
In last year's post I made a lot of goals. I'll copy it here with notes on how I did even though it isn't pretty.
Recap for 2016:
- Publish more tutorials on blogs that pay for content (I TRIED, BUT FELT TOO BUSY TO ATTEMPT MORE)
- Finish at least two major projects that have been sitting on my shelf for too long (THIS RECENT FINISH WAS ONE)
- Get rid of projects that no longer interest me (MAYBE ONE OR TWO, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER)
- Add listings to my Etsy shop until I have at least twenty different items (I ONLY ADDED TO NINE)
- Learn how to take great product photos (FAILED, AT LEAST FOR MY SEWN ITEMS, WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE POOR RESULTS ABOVE)
- Learn how to block print a proper pattern repeat (AFTER TAKING THE BLOCK PRINTING CLASS, I HAND-STAMPED MY OWN FABRIC)
- Submit something to a magazine (I SUBMITTED A COUPLE SEWING PROJECTS, BUT IT WAS MY STITCHED NOTEBOOK THAT GOT MY NAME IN PRINT)
- Apply to and sell at local Holiday craft fairs (I APPLIED, AND WAS ACCEPTED, TO PATCHWORK SHOW IN OAKLAND, PLUS I DID TWO OTHER SMALL EVENTS)
- Restart the stitching group I began in the Summer (WE MOVED, SO IT NEVER WORKED OUT)
- Make new connections to local artists and makers (I TALKED TO A COUPLE PEOPLE AT PATCHWORK SHOW AND THE OTHER EVENTS)
- Take another workshop to learn or reinforce a skill (FAILED)
- Develop another kit ( or series of kits) for kids (WEAVING KIT!)
- Streamline my sewing studio by getting rid of unused or unwanted tools and materials and organizing what's left (MEH. I WON'T SAY I SUCCEEDED, BUT I GAVE IT SOME EFFORT)
A few other noteworthy occurrences include:
- I won awards at the fair for my stitched sheep and fabric memory book
- I finished my third English Paper Piecing pattern
- I started sewing a quilt with my mom
- I started (but didn't even get close to finishing) a quilt sampler
- And I did a few sewing swaps of varying difficulty
Okay, I feel a little better now that I have posts to prove I made progress on my goals. Not as much progress as I would have liked, but I'll take it. Now for this year.
Goals for 2017:
- Submit at least one sewn project for publication in a magazine
- Take a sewing class to learn or expand on a skill (and I know just the place!)
- Develop and design another kit in my Maker Kits series (an idea is already in brewing)
- Finish my son's porthole quilt
- Begin making the "On Cloud 9" quilt pattern I designed (no, I've never shown it here)
- Figure out how to more efficiently sell my stock of items, either at craft fairs or on the web
- Finish another EPP pattern for "publishing" in my Etsy shop
- Find a way to sell my patterns through other sewing shops
- Organize my sewing supplies
- Do more small swaps
- Make stronger connections to local makers
- Learn about color balance settings on my camera so I can take better photos
- Learn how to be a sewing teacher
- Find teaching opportunities in the area
That feels like a good list. Short enough to seem doable, but long enough to last the whole year. Yep, that's about right. Most of these are things I've been wanting to do lately, so I'm glad I have it written down to keep me accountable when next year rolls around. Wish me luck!
