2012 - End of Year Round up.

I can't believe how quickly this year has flown, it only seems like yesterday I was thinking about all the things I wanted to do this year and we have reached the end of the year.

There were 4 things in particular that I wanted to complete this year:-

1. Make a Chanel Jacket - I actually made two and one of those was from a beautiful Linton Tweed.
2. Make a Bra - Thanks to my lovely friend Sigrid I have made many bras now and love making them so doubt I will ever by a RTW bra now.
3. Sew a pair of jeans - During our sewing weekend in Margate in October, some of my fabulous sewing friends helped me fit my jeans muslin resulting in two pairs of jeans which I absolutely love another RTW garment that will not be bought again.
4. We can't forget the 10 shirts I made my D Mike during the year which won me two beautiful prizes, my designer handbag and a voucher from Vogue Fabrics which I still need to use.  There is more shirting fabric in the stash so I can continue making them for him.  I have also signed up for Pam's Craftsy class The Classic Tailored Shirt, to see if I can pick up any more useful tips.

In addition to the aforementioned, I have now added mens underpants to my repertoire having made 4 pairs now, so I will continue to make these for him together with the shirts, and fleeces.  Hmmmmm what next.  Well I confess to saving a pair of trousers from one of Mike's old work suits which I would like to unpick and use as a pattern to see if I can make a pair for him.  lets see, but it won't be this year.

I have met quite a few new sewing friends this year, which would never have been possible without the wonders of cyberland - Those of you I have met in person, or have placed regular comments on my blog have now become dear friends. You all give me inspiration and support for all the things I do be it  work, sewing, diets, grandchildren etc - you all know who you are and for that new friendship I thank you.

So what for 2013?  Well this is already going to be a very very busy year for me and here is a list of some of the things that I need to get done:-

1. lose at least 14 pounds by end of February - I am getting Married on the 18th May and want to look my best for the big day.
2. Make my wedding dress - it is no secret that I want to make an Art Deco inspired wedding dress - I have lots of ideas of what I want, but I need to see how my diet goes, try on a few RTW dresses in February (to make sure the style I like suits me) and then start working on my muslin.
3. Make 6 bridesmaid dresses.
4. Attend another quilting course - this has already been booked and its just before Easter!!!!! Yes I can already hear you saying "how on earth does she think she has time"? Well a friend really wanted to go on one and I agreed to go with her.
5. Make a quilt for my daughter's baby which is due 2 days after the wedding.
6. Make a bag - there are some wonderful versions out there.
7. Sew up my sued purchased over a year ago into a jacket (no's 6 & 7 can prob wait until after the wedding).
8. Consolidate my little cottage and Mike's property and get one larger property, large enough to accomodate our ever growing family (we will have 5 grandchildren by the time we get married) however some of original plans are harder to achieve than originally thought.
9. Hopefully arrange another sewing get-together with all my friends we had such fun last time, and I think there are one or two others than would like to join us, so I think we will need a bigger house for the next one!

I don't think I should commit myself to anything else right now, tempting as it is.  This is going to be a huge year for me, and to say I am going to be a little bit busy, undoubtably flustered, and probably out of my depth too, is probably an understatement.  I haven't even mentioned that my boss has a new boss who is sure to have her own ideas on how she wants thing to be in my department, which is bound to include more work for me.

I want to give all my followers and those of you who have commented on my blog a HUGE THANK YOU - All your comments mean so much to me and I always look forward to reading them.

We are having a nice quiet New Years Eve in tonight (my idea of bliss) but whatever you are doing I wish you all a Happy New Year and let me raise a glass to many more hours of sewing in 2013.