Monday, January 13, 2014

2014. Can you believe it?

Another New Year is here; I can't believe it's 12 months tomorrow that we arrived home in Australia.

2014

After all the Christmas hoop-la it's nice to take a step back and reflect on the past year and what might happen in the year to come.

In 2013 I had to come to terms with a few sad things:

1. I no longer live in France. Sniff.
2. I no longer have as much time to sew *grumblepaidwork* *grumbleshorternaptimes*

But of course, there's always a silver lining:

1. Australia is awesome, yay!
2. Less cheese and no baguette means my ass is smaller.
3. Paid work means I can buy fabric without guilt*

This year, I have a few plans and so I'm writing them down here to try and keep myself honest and on track.

In 2014 I will be sewing:

1. Two queen-sized quilts for our bed (finally!) One will be a bit complicated, the other quite easy. I haven't decided if I will quilt them myself... am I up for the challenge?
2. A log cabin twin-sized quilt for my daughter (yellow, of course).
3. A yet-to-be-decided twin-sized quilt for our 9 yr old son.
4. A big ol' picnic rug-type quilt
5. At least two tops or dresses or something for me to wear.

Triangles
The first queen-sized quilt underway

I will also be attempting to:

1. Free motion quilt one of the above projects.
2. Paper-piece something. Anything. I'm yet to decide.
3. Sort out this blog's design (bit of mess at the moment, sorry).
4. Write up a pattern for sale.
5. Perhaps start a newsletter.

Speaking of the blog, I know many of you enjoyed the travel posts I would put together on France, but I'm not sure if you're as interested in Australia. Here's your chance to have your say in the poll over in the right-hand sidebar. Or feel free to leave a comment.

But now, on to more pressing matters: The Pantone 2014 Colour of the Year - Radiant Orchid.

How are we feeling about this?


I have to admit I'm feeling a little disappointed because I'm not a purple person (literally or figuratively). I was hoping one of the blues would be chosen. Maybe by the end of the year I'll be feeling the love.

Right, back to the sewing I go.

I hope 2014 has started off on the right foot for you all. Have you made your own 'to do' list? Have you made it public?

Until next time, may you all have plenty of sewing time and may your bobbins never run out mid-seam!

* Guilt-free fabric shopping? Not really. Like many of you, (I see you there, trying to close your cupboards without me noticing) I have a healthy sized stash that could do with some thinning out.

Therefore: I will try to make all of the projects on my 2014 list from fabrics already in my possession.


Yeah, who am I kidding?

18 comments:

Lorna McMahon said...

Great post Kirsty! Clever 2014 layout pic! I really enjoyed seeing your goals for this year and wish you the best in attaining them!
If you are on a fabric diet, I'd like to invite you over to enter in my giveaway that begins on Monday morning! http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com

Cheryl said...

I love the queen sized quilt you are working on, the triangle blocks, the prints you picked, and of course the kitty are all beautiful.

Salley said...

A year already? Crikey.
Do all your soft furnishings have to match le chat?
....quilt looks awesome....hope you find time to do all those things in 2014!

Eva said...

oh, I love your crafty 2014 arrangement - and those Eiffel Tower scissors! Last year really flew past! I like your goals! A lot of quilts in there! I'd like to make at least one new one, as well this year. And I'd like to try foundation paper piecing some time as well. It'd be nice to know if it's for me or not. And there are so many lovely things to be made with paper piecing. And I'm with you for trying to use only stash in my projects. As for my crafty goals, I'd like to finish some WIPs and also continue making some clothes for V. I try not to make a list, though, I might get overwhelmed, since I know there's not too much sewing time.

Eva said...

and your quilt design looks gorgeous!

Marg said...

Wow is it really a year? Boy that's gone so fast. Love your 2014 pic, and I covet your Eiffel Tower scissors, don't leave them lying around when I come over! I'm not making a list although I'd like to try drunkards path blocks this year and try to be a little more consistent with my sewing time. I'm really trying to use more of my stash but sometimes the sales get the better of me.

Cath said...

I look forward to seeing your works in progress. I did write my own plans over at Bits 'n Bobs but I am doing mine on a monthly basis...I do like how blogging about it keeps you committed to plans. I would love to still read about your travel adventures....loved the French journey.
Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

Susan said...

I also love your Eiffel Tower scissors- they certainly caught my eye! Your list of intentions is great ! I have a similar but somewhat smaller one! I look forward to seeing your progress throughout the year!

Betty said...

Anything goes woth me. I loveyour photographs: you sometimes pick beautiful details I would've missed (had I been there).
That colour is anold ladies cardigan colour: yuk!

Maaike said...

Good old humorous post like I love them from you! Happy, healthy and crafty 2014 to you Kirsty. Sounds like a well mapped plan, I'm excited to follow along your sewing progress this year! Would absolutely LOVE to see travels in Australia, as if I needed more encouragement to plan to go one day :).

Even though it's been 4 months for us, I am totally with you on the mixed feelings regarding The Move. And I am trying to accept it will be like this for another while.

Enjoy Summer and the sewing!

xo
Maaike

Needle little Balance said...

Your triangle quilt will be beautiful !
I always enjoyed your travel post and have to say I am as interested in Australia as I was in France, maybe I´m even more interested in Australia because we can hop in the car and be in the Provence in about 7 hrs. Australia...not so easy. ;)

Dianne said...

I like balanced blogs so please keep up the travel posts! Good luck with your list for 2014, I am inspired in recent days by all of the bloggers publishing their goals. Who knows maybe a list would help me accomplish more as well.
My response to the colour of the year?......meh! Not a colour I would pick.

Katy Cameron said...

Can't believe you've been home nearly a year!

Good luck with the list :o)

Lauren said...

Your travel photos are beautiful and capture things that the casual observer may miss, so I love your photos of anywhere. By the way, we are finally going to France, Italy and the UK this year (my first trip was in 1980, so quite some years ago). I was wondering if you could recommend any good patchwork shops you may have visited in your travels. Funny how we change over the years. In 1980 Octoberfest was going to be a highlight, though I didn't end up getting there.

SusieDW said...

Good post. Makes me want to get my act together and set a couple goals. Thanks! Love your work!

Sara Louise said...

I think Radiant Orchid will find its way onto my toenails sometime this summer :)
P.S. I can't believe it's been a year :( x

Anonymous said...

You are a brilliant travel writer, and I'm as interested in Australia as I am in France. (I say from my couch here in Seattle in the USA.) Please post about your trips and moments, I think it's fascinating. I love your sewing, too, and your eye for color, but your travel patter is what drew me to your blog.

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

Thank you! I think the general consensus is to have the occasional travel post, so I will happily comply.

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