In January, I wrote down some goals I have for the year. I only marked down my general goals. I didn't want to get overwhelmed! I think it would be good to expand on each of the main topics. There are very specific things I want to accomplish within each goal section.
I'll be breaking down what I want to get done for each goal over the year and posting updates.
The first goal I want to address is Sewing/Blogging.
Here's what I originally wrote:
Sewing/Blogging - More sewing and more blogging about it! I want to work on my online shop. I must do one market, or fair.
What's pretty straight forward about this goal is that I want to sew more! All the time if I can. So that's the first big step.
Here are some ways I can do that:
+Get out all my WIPs and get things finished! Like other quilters/sewists, I love to get things started, try out new ideas, and get easily distracted by all the pretty fabrics! But I also love to put the finishing touches on my work. In a lot of ways, I like it even better bc I know that this thing that I made can now get used!
+Set up trades, join swaps, get ready for markets. Just generally get more motivated to work, work, work!
+Join in. I have already joined Adrianne's (On The Windy Side) Finish Along. And I plan to join in more with the quilting community this year, both online and IRL.
+Generally make sewing, and my artistic endeavors, more of a priority and focus in my day to day life. How this will happen, I'm not sure... But I have a whole Goal dedicated to it, so look out for updates.
Along with the above, there are some new fun quilty/sewist things that I want to do or try this year:
+Print my own fabric. I have been wanting to do stamping or screen printing on fabric for a while!
+Learn new blocks. I've been taking screen shots of so many blocks lately! I have to start a pinterest board just for them!
+Do some dying. I'm so inspired by dyers (like Folk Fibers)!
I feel like all these things and more will help me sew more.
Next up is blogging. I have been trying to make blogging a priority recently. I want to blog/update more regularly and read/comment more regularly. Join in, right! I've thought of some ways that might help me blog more:
+Set a time to to read blogs, set a time to write blogs. I usually check the computer before I go into work (unless it's one of my early days). I get my coffee, check out my favorite blogs, and pet the cats. This isn't such a bad routine. But sometimes, I'm short on time, I'm also writing work emails, I'm thinking about other things.... etc... Sometimes I write something, sometimes, I don't have time. I think it would be helpful for me to make the effort to get up a little early on "blog" days, stay focused and make an agenda of what I want to get done. Maybe plan to check blogs 4 times a week, and write blogs 2 times a week, get up early on those days, carve out that time and give it the care and consideration of work (not just lazing in front of the computer).
+Comment more. If I'm reading blogs 4 times a week, I should make sure to comment at least once a day.
+Set content. A lot of the blogs I love have set entries that they write every week. I love Reading My Tea Leaves' column My Week in Objects (Mostly), Little Green Shed's Nature in the Home, and of course Kathy's Quilts Slow Sunday Stitching. To name a few! I want to come up with a few things I would like to write up every week. I'd love to hear ideas from my readers!
And the last part of this goal for me (for now) is selling. I don't make my work to sell necessarily, I make it bc I love to make it. But I like the idea of selling my quilts, sewing, and arts. One of the things I enjoy about sewing is making things that are useful. I want people to enjoy and use the objects that I make. I love to see family and friends using items I have gifted them, but I would like to reach as many people as I can!
+Update my shop more often. This is a no brainer. I have to stock my shop, and keep people updated on what's there!
+Do giveaways and collaborations. I have a few giveaways planned for this year. I am in talks with a few artisans about some work we can do together.
+Sell at markets. I have some leads on this, too. It's hard for me, just starting out, to psych myself up for this... but I have to make this commitment!
+Expand my social media network. I'll have a post about all the places you can find me soon.
So I think that covers a lot! I have a lot of plans and goals for the year where sewing and blogging are concerned, and I'm excited.
It helped me a lot to hear other peoples goals for the year. Does anyone out there have some sewing goals for 2015? Share them in the comments!!