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.

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.

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.

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.

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.