A New Year, a Glance back, and Continuing the Challenge!

Happy New Year to ya!!!! Wow, can't believe we're already 8 days in. I'm SUPER excited about the new year because I know it abounds with new opportunities. I feel pretty invigorated and motivated!

I probably shouldn't feel this way considering the fact that I have not sewn in a couple of weeks. That's right, I haven't sewn in quite some time. It just doesn't even seem right that those words can come out of my mouth. I haven't sewn a stitch in over 14 days. I'd probably  be depressed by this if I weren't being EXTREMELY productive in other areas of my life. I actually spent the last couple of weeks organizing my life. I organized my house. I mean I overhauled it. I downsized tremendously. Got rid of clothes, shoes, furniture, and other items and turned them over to Goodwill. And then I went on a bit of a decorating spree. I LOVE my home---everything is SO pretty and I'm nearly finished decorating!!! Now I just have to do an overhaul on my sewing room and I will be good. It's amazing how relaxed you feel when your house is in order.

With my home in great shape, I'm ready now to get my sewing plans together for the year. But before I do, let me take a quick glance back at last year's progress. As you know I'm all about my 10,000 Hours Sewing challenge. I didn't re-cap the last few months but I recorded my hours and I'm still very much driven to reach my goals overall 10,000 hour goal--which will take several years to accomplish. My goal last year was to try and sew 1000 hours but I fell a bit short and only ended up with 881. Well that's ok. I hope to make that goal for this year. Despite not hitting my numbers I did manage to make the following:

14 Dresses

2 Tops

1 Pair of pants

1 Velour Jumpsuit

3 Strapless Jumpsuits

2 Dresses for my Daughter
1 Dress for my Goddaughter

1 Ball Gown

I have to admit that my 2 favorite pieces were the formal dresses:

Gala Gown

Daddy Daughter Banquet dress

And believe it or not, I'll have to make formal gowns again for the same events this year. I can feel myself salivating already!!! So it's time to look forward. There's SO many things I want to get done this year and I'm working on my plan right now. I really won't be able to begin sewing on my plan since I have to leave for a 2 week research trip for work at Barrow, Alaska on Friday (I can't believe it's my 4th one).  But you better believe upon my return I'll have a solid plan and will be "ready to sew up a storm"! And not to worry, although I'll be away, I've still be blogging and I'll be doing much sewing related reading. I've got to keep racking up those sewing hours!

I'm looking forward to having a great year!!! I'm planning on sewing and achieving new goals which I can't wait to share.  I hope you'll stay on for the ride. So once again, Happy New Year's--from my family to yours! Here's a parting shot of my family's New Year's photocard pic.