2014 Crafty Goals

I’ve spent the last few days practicing a lot of self care, taking naps when I needed to, working on some slower more meditative projects that let me just chill out, and Working The Program has done wonders. I’m still taking my time, but I’m ready to embark on the New Year. And my first order of business is always a list of what I want to accomplish for the year.

You can find the list, along with the progress bars for projects I’ve started, all year long in the sidebar over there —>

There are, admittedly, way more projects on this list than I can reasonably expect to complete in a year, but this is the way I have of keeping track of them all. Of getting them out of my head so that I don’t wake up at 3 in the morning going “Don’t forget about that outdoor sectional you want to build!!” (I wish I was kidding about that.) Here I have a record of what I want to get to that will keep me motivated when I need a boost, and keep me calm when I’m feeling frenzied.

Home Projects

• • Embroider more teatowels for the kitchen

I’ve got one set done and ready to share with you just as soon as I make a digital version of the pattern I can share with you guys.

• • Fine art beaded project

A perpetual inclusion on the list, this project is barely begun and it’s already taken me years. This one’s not going anywhere.

• • Embroidery canvas for hallway

I have the empty frame already hanging up on the wall, it needs the embroidery finished to fill it already.

• • Master bedroom makeover

This is the year my bedroom finally gets some attention. I’ve got some big plans, including…

• • Build a headboard

Not just a headboard, an upholstered bed frame with wingback style headboard.

• • Pillows for bedroom

Both shams and decorator pillows. I’ve already got the fabric waiting for me to get to it.

• • New bedside table

I need something that will protect my books from Atti the book eater.

• • Sew placemats

My dining room table is usually naked, which is super functional but also boring as hell.

• • Sew table runner

See above

• • Cloth Napkins

My friends love to tease me about not having paper towels or napkins in the house, which I can take as long as what I can truly feel that what I have to offer is better. My cloth napkins have gotten all ratty. I need to do something to maintain my sense of moral superiority.

• • Recover Cat Tree

It’s ratty. Like, I have to photoshop it out of pictures, ratty.

• • Recover Dining Room chairs

Jared hates our dining room chairs as much as the internet loves them. I found some amazing chairs at the thrift store, for 1$!!!! and they’re all stacked up in my garage waiting for me to make them gorgeous.

• • Refinish accent chairs

On that same thrift store trip I bought a couple of chairs to go in my office that ended up being too big, but they’ll be perfect in the dining room once I make them over.

• • Crosstitch for guest room

I have a lot of empty wall space in the guest room. Gotta do something about that.

• • Wall hanging for guest room

See above.

• • Mosaic for library

In the library/living room I have a couple of built in arches that are way too grand for what’s currently going on in them. I need to bring in a little sparkle with an idea I have for a mosaic treatment.

• • Coffee table for library

There is a huge open space in my library just begging for a beautiful table and some art books.

• • Recover Atti’s chair

Atti was given this awesome chair by one of his therapists, but the cover is beat. I gotta make it look respectable.

• • Beanbag for Atti’s room

I just love the idea of Atti flopped across a beanbag while he reads his books.

• • Slipcover outdoor furniture

During last summer’s outdoor makeover I picked up a couple of beatup couches that I thought would work perfectly for outdoor furniture, once I put some outdoor fabric on them.

• • Build outdoor sectional

I have a lot of outdoor space. I need a lot of outdoor furniture.

• • Finish all the WIP’s

Another perpetual project. The OCD in me is not OK with things being unfinished.

• • Create a new themed tree

Although Bear just asked me when we were going to cap this tradition…

Personal Projects

• • Jewelry Project of the Month

I can’t stand keeping a stash of beautiful things that aren’t getting used.

• • Sewing Project of the mont

Along with my beads, I’m making something every month so I can actually enjoy the beautiful things and not just hoard them away.

• • Knit Skirt idea

I am the world’s slowest knitter, so the next few things are more perpetual projects, but I’ve got a great idea for a knitted skirt.

• • Knit Hat idea

and a knitted hat

• • Knit myself a sweater

and for once I’d like to keep something I knit.

• • Finish embroidered cuff

This is my current longest going WIP. 6 years and counting.

Long Term Projects

• • Publish Novel

A solid year of sending out queries to agents, but I’m not giving up.

• • Take a photography class

I’ve already paid for this, I just have to actually follow through with it.

• • Start webseries project

Joining up with Maker Studios and becoming a Youtuber has completely reinvigorated my creativity. I’ve got more ideas I want to follow up on.

• • Read 52 books this year

It’s positively shameful how little I’ve read since Atti was born. I’m going to do something about that.

I have no illusions that the end of the year will see every item on this list crossed off. I am rather fond of sleep, after all, but just getting them out publicly and having a record of them is inspiring and feels virtuous enough that it’s almost as good as crossing something off the list.