Friday 16 January 2015

Intentions for 2015

Definitely not resolutions, which I don’t make, because I never keep. Intentions feel less restricting, less set in stone and I don’t feel like a failure if I don’t keep to them. They’re just ideas for a path to follow, but it doesn’t matter if I stray into the woods.

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Reading ~ There are lots of reading challenges around the internet, some have a very specific list of books, others are a particular number to complete in a year. I wanted something that was open to interpretation and a friend posted this one on Facebook, which looked good. The bonus being she has set up a “Reading Group” page, where we can share the books we’ve chosen to inspire and encourage each other throughout the year. It’s for 52 books, which I know I won’t read in 12 months. Instead I’ve set myself a target of 26 and I’ll combine categories for the books I choose. First up is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It’s over 500 pages and a Pulitzer Prize winner to boot. I’m enjoying it very much so far as I did her previous novels.

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Crafting ~ Card making is a given. I have to come up with around six card ideas and a 3D project every month, for classes and, of course, the cards I need myself for friends and family. Sometimes I can combine the two, which is handy.

I played around a bit with Project Life last year, but didn’t really find a way to make it work for me. I think it was possibly the 12x12” page protectors. They seemed a bit daunting, having not scrapped in a long time. I’ve now got some pages in a 6x8” format and will give it another go.

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I’m looking forward to putting my Friendship Quilt together this year. I’ve been looking online for possible sashing fabrics, but I think it’s something that I need to see “in the flesh” to make a decision. I originally thought white or cream, but some blocks have one in the background and some the other. Now I’m thinking a silvery grey, like the fabric I used in Amy’s block.

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I went a bit headlong into dressmaking last year. Starting with a simple skirt, great, then realising it needed lining and not being sure how to approach that. Moving on to a fairly complex dress and coming to a halt with the zip and how to finish off that centre back seam as neatly as the others. There are so many great sewing blogs out there and it’s tempting to want to make everything you see, but there’s no point if a. it’s beyond your current skills and b. it’s not something you would wear in real life.  With that in mind, I’m going back to the simple A line skirt pattern. This time making it in a lightweight denim, which won’t require lining. I just need to get a finished garment under my belt and stop faffing!

Blogging ~ Three posts a week, a monthly tutorial and the return of SIPIDI! I hope some of you will join me with the last one.

I think that’s enough to be going with. There is a lot of change on the horizon this years. Mocks begin for my boy next week, followed by the real thing in May. He has offers from three of his four choices so far and hopes to get the grades to go to university in September. At the same time my girl will be sitting her GCSEs and she is hoping for a place at Art College. New directions all round. My main intention will be to keep us on an even keel through it all. Anything else will be a bonus.

Do you have grand plans for the year ahead? I may have seen them on your blog already. If not, then point me in the right direction in the comments.

16 comments:

KraftyKaren said...

No resolutions or intentions - I've started off the year feeling very overwhelmed and still have a lot of uncertainty going on with the changes in Mr Ps job which may or may not happen in February or April or who knows. I am finding this rather paralysing at the moment. I am not commiting to any real challenges - I will do what I am able to do and what I fancy doing. I am still very committed to my fundraising work so that will take a fair chunk of my crafting time. Will definitely be doing some stuff for your SIPIDI challenge!! And of course I have so many crafting UFOs - would like this year to actually finish one of them - maybe the quilt that has been progress for over 10 years now or the butterfly cross stitch afghan that was also started almost 10 years ago. Good luck with your intentions and have a fun busy time with all your family xx

Sandra said...

All great intentions for sure. I'm hoping for a creative year too and I think blogging about it certainly helps keep it on track.

I'm hoping to do more reading too and joined Goodreads

alexa said...

You have lots of stimulating and creative ideas for the year ahead - and given all the things you produced last year, there doesn't seem any good reason why all these intentions won't be realized :).

Unknown said...

Great intentions. My goals for 2015 are still in the draft post. I better hit "publish" before this year is over...

scrappyjacky said...

I like the word 'intentions'....good luck with them.

ForgedinPaper said...

Intentions is such an apt description I'll have to remember it as I'm not good at resolutions either.
I'm reading The Secret History for that challenge as my book I've had for ages but never read. I'll never read them all but I am aiming for 24. I thought I would read The Goldfinch next. Will you let us know what you think of your book choices?

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Fiona, love the idea of Intentions rather than resolutions. Intentions sounds like something you want to do, resolutions more like something you HAVE to do, like it or not.With you on the readingh, I live for books. Always have. Must have read thousands over the years.I do read a lot, and quickly too.I'm hoping to join your SIPIDI theme this year, give me something to keep pushing myself forward with. Getting overwhelmed too easily at the moment. Hugs, Shaz xxx

Sian said...

It's exciting to start off a fresh year with some plans. I'd love to see you finishing that skirt: I'm guessing that's the one with the biggest sense of achievement at the end of it, maybe.

Best of luck to everyone in this big exam year!!

My not so simple life said...

Love your intentions :) Will def join in with SIPIDI! Just need a reminder every now and again lol

Alison said...

Great intentions Fiona.....I'll try to join in with SIPIDI, xx

Jo said...

Your intentions sound great x

Susanne said...

Nice post - best of luck on accomplishing so very much. Let me know how you like the book, I just received a copy as a gift.

Barbara Eads said...

I think your plan for the year sounds totally do-able. Even if you don't accomplish them all, you'll have a few things under your belt. I never set goals regarding books. I am an avid reader, but the number of books is irrelevant. Just read what you enjoy. Trying to reach a certain number may have you choosing 300 page books rather than the thousand pagers! By the way, The Goldfinch could have been a hundred pages less---in my opinion!!

Cheri said...

Great intentions and well planned. I'm still working through my plans for the year.

Miriam said...

Intention sounds so much more positive than resolution. My main intention is not to overwhelm myself, my word is Enough I am hoping that between them I will have a productive but stress free crafting/blogging year.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Great list of intentions. I'm setting a different art/craft based intention each month to focus on. January was sketching. February is scrapping. I hope to figure out where each of these fit in my creative life. I'm looking to blog 3-5 times a week.
Rinda