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Goals for 2012

The last couple years I have found that posting my New Year resolutions here has helped me enormously in keeping focused on them so, without further ado, here are my goals for the coming year!

1.  First and foremost, I renew my commitment to stitching for at least 15 minutes a day.  All the other stuff aside, the stitching itself is the core and the reason for all the other goals.  If I stitch for 15 minutes, I am likely to keep going and stitch longer.  If I don't stitch at all today, I likely won't stitch tomorrow either and inertia sets in.  Next thing you know, your muse has flown the coop again...  So, 15 minutes a day minimum!  (Try it - this works!)

2. I will take part in Sharon B's Take a Stitch Tuesday and stick with it as much as humanly possible.  I may not push the envelope every week exploring the stitch fully, but I will attempt to at least use the featured stitch every week.

3.  I will take part in the Crazy Quilt Art Project each month on a personal level as well as serving on the committee.  I will work on blocks each month that will be put together at the end of the year.  The quilt I envision making will be a gift for DH - a sort of memory quilt of our lives together, where we have been and where we are going. There will be blocks for family members and major events in our lives, the things we love, etc.  I can't wait to start embroidering fishing lures, lol!

4.  I am going to take part in the Bead Journal Project this year.  I am not going to over commit here - I am thinking I will only be making ATC size pieces, postcards at the largest.  However, I do want to explore more beading techniques in my work and this is a good place to start.

5.  Build-a-Seam (BAS) Challenge - I commit to continuing to post BAS stitches regularly here on my blog and over at CQI for those of us who are still enjoying this challenge.  Regular posts! 

6.  I will keep my blog up - posting at least half the days each month. 

7.  I will get my Etsy shop up and running the beginning of February and keep it going.

8.  A new goal this year is to find a way to have my work exhibited at least once a year.  This is a bit of a cheat since I already have it scheduled for 2012 but I need the goal to keep it up in future years and I will need to work on it in 2012 to have it happen in 2013 so that is why it is here.  Also, since I already have it scheduled it means I will achieve at least one goal!  lol  This is also a great motivator to actually finish things - with the little show coming up in January, I have been on a "finishing frenzy" here the last week or so!  As soon as I get the camera (which disappeared on Christmas Eve) found again, I'll post some pics of what I have accomplished.

9.  I will write at least two pieces and submit them for publication again this year.  Once again, I don't expect to get two pieces published, but I would like to at least write them and submit them - that is the goal.

10.  I will continue with the cq teaching and work on both the number of classes I teach, the venues, and the quality of the classes.  I have taken a number of great classes from wonderful teachers over the years so I know what makes a good class - I just need to work on achieving a similar experience for my students.

11.  I will finish my crazy quilt Christmas tree skirt in progress in time to enter it in the Calgary Stampede Creative Living competition next summer.  I think this is the third year I have promised myself I would accomplish this - third time the charm?

12, This year I will enter at least four competitions with my stitching - that`s one every four months so it sounds not too intimidating!  It is harder than it sounds but with the "Crazy Quilts are Quilts Too"  online event coming up at Pigtales and Quilts, I at least have one scheduled to take part in so far! 

13.  I will create and give at least one item a month to charity - this will be my service project for the year. I will post pictures to keep myself honest. Some of the groups I would like to do some work for are the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) continuing with the pledge I have made to them of a quilt a month.  I am very happy that my local guild, CGNFA, has adopted the AAQI as their charity for the coming year!    In addition I'll be trying to make small things on a local basis like baby quilts and baby sets for the hospital gift shop (profits go to the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary) and knit caps for the newborns at the same hospital as well as placemats for Meals on Wheels. My local public library and the school next door to me both have silent auctions each year so I would like to donate to both of those again. There are actually a lot of things you can do locally if you look around. Even the local library is in need of book bags for the local literacy program.  Finding a place to donate is never a problem - just finding the time to make the items!

14.  I will once again re-organize my studio and try to contain my stash to that area.  It has managed to burst out again and take over the entire house so it is time to rein it back in.  This year I commit to keeping the space workable as well as getting it that way.  This won't be an easy one.

15.  I firmly believe you get out of something what you put into it so I am committing to giving my time and energy to both my local guild, Calgary Needle & Fibre Arts, as well as the Embroidery Association of Canada during the coming year. 

16.  Here I go again setting myself up for failure!  lol  I'm putting my idea of a Homemade Christmas back in my goals for this year.  I did have partial success last year and I think if I can manage to start now instead of November, I'll do better this year!  So, this goal is to make my gifts and stay out of the stores next December.

17.  I chose "journal" as my word for 2012 so I will explore it by playing with art journals (a new thing for me) as well as keeping up with the Crazy Quilting Journal Project and the Bead Journal Project.

Wow!  Okay, so that should keep me VERY busy and also prevent me from cooking or cleaning, two things I like less every year, lol.  And no, I won't be putting those particular items on my list of resolutions or goals, or losing weight, etc.  It is all about the stitching here so that's the way I'm going to keep it.  Wish me luck and if you are making a list of goals or resolutions for the coming year, drop me a line so I can check them out and cheer you on!


Comments

Gerry Krueger said…
That's a whole lot of goals... and with the fitness pal.... 9 lbs over the holidays is GREAT! Gerry
Barb said…
Those are some lofty goals....good luck with them. You are right, if you write it down, maybe it will get done. Maybe I should go through all of my UFO's and go that route? Thanks for the inspiration.
Cathy said…
Wow, you are going to be one busy lady this year! But there are areas you can double up on to get credit for two things (like TAST with CQJP) and making journals for Christmas…. Whew, I am tired just reading your list!

Hugs, Cat
Evy said…
That all your projects come true in 2012, and that this new year is of the happiest to your family!

Beautiful day

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