2011 A Year in Review

This year has been a year of creation for me. I have spent hours upon hours letting my creative self soar – something I have rarely allowed myself to do.  This year marks the first time in my life when I stopped following sewing and quilting patterns and started following my gut.  It has been incredibly liberating. I have made my own knitting and crocheting patterns for years – easy to do when you make a knitting mistake and end up liking that better than the original design.  Sewing though, was so much scarier for me. Cutting fabric has always seemed so final to me, like there is no going back. Knitting…I could just rip out my stitches and start over – no wasted materials or money, just time.

I learned this year that if I cut something and end up not liking it that I can hold on to that fabric and save it for a later project – ie. Bottled Rainbows.  I now view scraps and “mishaps” in a whole new way.  I also learned this year, as I mentioned earlier, to follow my gut. I know what I like and if I listen to my inner voice odds are everything will work out just fine. This is something that I have learned in both my crafting and personal life. Trusting yourself and your instincts is so important and I am so glad that I figured that out. It is so much more fun to sew now. I am not afraid.

I have a few goals for 2012. I am going to list them in no particular order with no real timeline in mind other than to do them at some point this year.

  • Make several more dresses for Anne (I won 4 patterns from Hopeful Threads by Lily Bird Studio and I really want to use those patterns!)
  • Learn to use the serger my mom gave me
  • Practice FMQ and attempt to keep up with the challenges over on SewCalGal’s blog
  • Publish at least 2 patterns
  • Turn the 3 quilt tops that I have already finished into quilts
  • Do more handmade gifts
  • Play More!!!

Do you set yearly goals? How do you hold yourself accountable? Better yet, do you hold yourself accountable?

NOTE: Don’t forget, I am one of the bloggers who is going to lose Google Friend Connect in March 2012, please take a moment and follow me via Bloglovin’, Facebook, RSS or networked blogs.  You are important to me and I want to be able to stay in contact with you!  Check my side bar for all the best ways to stay in touch after GFC goes bye bye!

About Melissa Dunworth

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This entry was posted in 4th of july quilt, baby quilt, bottled rainbows, cobbleston road, Easter Basket, felt basket, felt flower, flag quilt, halloween, handmade gift exchange, monkey business quilt, mystery quilt, pillow case, table runner, whirly gig pillow. Bookmark the permalink.

7 Responses to 2011 A Year in Review

  1. Debbe says:

    I take each day as it goes, if I sew, I sew, if not I know my time was spent loving my kids. They don’t stay small forever and I have less than 2 years before my youngest starts school. That will be when the real fun begins for me 🙂 !!!

  2. Staci says:

    Isn’t it fun to look over all the things you have done in just one year?
    I am a goal setter all year long, although New Years Resolutions are not my thing. Each month I do plan out things I would like to accomplish, and obligation things like bee blocks that must be done. But I don’t let my list get in my way. If inspiration strikes, I am all for following it wherever it may lead. Thankfully quilting fabric and patterns don’t have a “use by” date!

  3. Miki says:

    It has been a great year. I want to encourage you to continue to follow your quilting instincts. Enjoy the process of creating your own unique pieces. I look forward to seeing what you create in 2012.

  4. Lisa L. says:

    You are so talented and creative, and I am SO happy that you are following your gut and creating your own way. It has already taken you such great places! I have a few sewing/crafting goals for the year, but my goal is to tackle school this year more than anything else, besides loving on my babies of course! 🙂

  5. Lindsay says:

    Some great goals for 2012, and lots of fun sewing over the past year! I’ve set some similar quilting goals myself, and would love for you to link up at our year-end link party at http://www.craftbuds.com/craft-buds-2011-year-in-review-link-party. 🙂

  6. Elizabeth McDonald says:

    This is a terrific, inspiring post! I love all of your finishes, and they are twice as nice, knowing that you followed your instincts to get them! I do not usually set yearly goals, but I have many unfinished quilts, so 2012 will be the exception! I am going to finally start my blog, and I am going to finish a minimum of a dozen quilts this year, at least one a month. I cannot wait to get started on finishing…

  7. Michele W. says:

    Melissa – I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished. Your grandmother and great grandmothers would also be very proud of you. You are sharing what you learn and that is a gift that can keep on giving!

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