Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin (shades of Listen with Mother...theme music here (Berceuse from Faure's Dolly Suite) - I do remember listening to this, but not until the early 1970s.) After that little meander down memory lane, let's get started.
Sewing
- a proper patchwork quilt (my first ever and a small one to start with)
- a hexagon cushion cover in shades of blue (I have just got some hexagon templates to help with this)
- three more pinafores - denim, stars cord and cat material (which will need lining I think, so that is another challenge)
- stretch fabric tunic dresses (my first attempt at sewing with stretch fabric)
- using jelly roll strips in some way (yet to be decided)
- Kantha embroidery kit
- four crewel embroidery kits (I seem to have quite a collection of these, but haven't actually got round to starting any of them!)
- mend toys - Panda bear and Gonga (he is the knitted rabbit pictured above in his new clothes). (Both 40+ years old and showing signs of neglect. Panda bear had holes in him and is literally threadbare in places, but I have darned what I can and patched over the holes. Poor Gonga also had many holes in him which I started to repair years ago, but got distracted by other things. He now has new trousers and a new tie. Both look much smarter and properly cared for now.)
- make a thread catcher basket (actually completed as I had the pieces all cut out, just needed to sew them up. I do like making these little fabric baskets/boxes. This is my favourite cats in glasses material, also destined to become a pinafore at some point)
Crafting
- seasonal hare decorations (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, with appropriate charms and gemstones)
- pompom wreath or two (I have actually started this and am enjoying making the pompoms. I am also trying to secure the wool threads by stitching around the wool which ties the strands together). Pompoms are such happy things - even the name sounds happy)
- polymer clay muse/icon figure (this is still forming in my mind, but it has to have jewel colours, silver, wings, positive words, a crown or halo and a serene face. I am especially inspired by Laurie Mika's work and I have her book, which is lovely. I may start with a 2D plaque, but would like to make a 3D figure at some stage)
- make a canvas with favourite floral papers in a grid of squares
- keep working on current art journal
- begin another art journal
- Christmas leaf wreath using different papers and card
Jewellery
- bracelets with sterling silver spacers, either macrame or knotted cord
- multigem earrings
- multigem bracelet
- multigem kumihimo necklace
- rainbow moonstone bracelet with sterling silver spacers (and matching earrings)
- blue goldstone knotted/macrame necklace
There will also be gardening this year, naturally, and reading. There will also be card making too. Looking at the list, perhaps it may be a little ambitious (!). Still, it's always good to have things to aim for. I will post my progress now and again and see how I get on.
I have also tried to increase my creativity so that I am doing something every day, even though it might only be something small, like sewing a button on, or wrapping wool to make a pom pom. I can watch the TV and still be making/doing/thinking about creative projects and I am really enjoying that.
