Happy Monday! Today I'm back to share my crafty goals for 2019.

I tried to be more intentional about my goals this year. Oftentimes I make a bunch of project specific goals and then don't feel like working on those projects. So, this time around I'm giving myself a bit more wiggle room. Hopefully that will still keep me plenty motivated! I'm also adding a section for regular crafting goals this year.

More broadly speaking, I want to make things that make me happy. I love making things for our home, so there will be plenty of pillows being made this year for sure. Making practical things is so satisfying. Over the last few years, I've made an effort to sew with fabrics that I really love, and I want to continue to do that this year too.

Sewing & Quilting Goals for 2019

 - Use up more yardage than I bring in. I'll track my yardage each month to help me stay on target.

- Make sewing a daily habit, even if it's only for 15 minutes.

- Complete one small scrap project per month.

- Finish or destash four long-term WIPs.

- Make a quilt from my chambray stash.

- Sew four new garment or bag patterns, ideally one per quarter.

- Practice a new skill (like hand-quilting, applique, y-seams, curves)

Knitting Goals for 2019

- Use up more yardage than I bring in. I'll track my yardage each month to help me stay on target.

- Finish a shawl WIP (Briochealicious, Daybreak or Hitchhiker).

- Finish a pair of colorwork mittens.

- Knit or crochet a softie.

Crafting Goals for 2019
- Complete a vintage crewel embroidery.

- Weave a table runner.

- Make wooden ornaments with the Cricut.

- Create a stash of handmade greeting cards.

I am hopeful that it will be a year of renewed creativity for me, now that our big move is really behind us. It's amazing how long it really takes to settle in to new surroundings and routines. I'm certainly feeling more refreshed than I did at this time in 2018. I plan to continue my monthly report posts, to help keep myself accountable for my goals. I really enjoy looking back on them. See them all here. And see previous year's crafty goals here.

Happy Making!

2018 in Review

Happy Friday! It's time to say goodbye to 2018 with my annual yearly review. This is actually the ninth year in a row I've been posting these wrap-ups! See them all here. Without further ado:

In 2018, I finished...

5 throw quilts.


4 pillows, 4 pin banners, 4 heat packs, a chair slipcover and a set of coasters.


8 thread bins, a sewing tool organizer, a pincushion, a sewing machine cover, and a scissor cozy.


17 lined drawstring bags, 4 tote bags, 3 sew together bags, a quilted pouch, and a checkbook cover.


4 sweatshirts, a tank, and a pair of shorts for Michael.


2 mouse softies and 2 mouse sleeping bags.


3 stockings and 1 tree skirt.

2018 Fabric Stash:
Brought in: 102 yards
Sewed up/destashed: 183.75 yards
Net: -81.75 yards 

For info on how I track my yardage, see this post.

In 2018, I knit...

1 hat.

2018 Yarn Stash:
Brought in: 1046 yards
Knit up/destashed: 186 yards
Net: 860 yards

I released a new pattern this year, the Workshop Tote Pattern (more about it here).

I shared 11 free tutorials this year, find them all here:

DIY: Sewing Room Scrap Rug


Fenced In Throw Quilt Free Pattern (Photo by Holly DeGroot.)


My DIY Thread Storage Shelf


DIY Enamel Pin Banners: New Sizes Added


Handmade Christmas Stocking Template Download


8 Tips for Precise Piecing


How to Add An Interior Slip Pocket to Any Tote Bag


Simple Steps to Great Looking Gussets


Dyeing Webbing for Custom Bag Handles


8 Top Stitching Tips + Tricks


Using Tucks to Add Structure to Your Bag
And now, a look back at my 2018 crafty goals to see how I did:

- Sew/knit with more yardage than I buy.
I'm going to give myself an A- for this goal! I wasn't quite as prolific this year, but I still ended up using more fabric than I brought in. And I brought in a whopping 70.5 yards of fabric LESS than last year, which is great too! I wasn't in the negative for yarn, but I feel okay about it. I didn't feel super inspired the knit last year, but that itch is back!

- Reduce my works in progress (WIPs), and end the year with fewer than I started with. I currently have 33 sewing & quilting WIPs.
To be honest, I did not continue to keep track of my WIPs by number, but I did make an effort to work on older projects. I finished my oldest WIP, my Wonderland Log Cabin Quilt, as well as my next oldest quilt in progress. This is a continuing effort for sure!

- Finish or destash remaining quilt tops/blocks from my book.
I made progress on this goal, but didn't complete it. I finished one quilt top from the book, and got another top basted. Getting closer!

- Make another quilt from non-quilting cotton fabric. (chambray, lawn, etc)
I made a lawn quilt and a flannel quilt this year!

- Make a quilt from my vintage sheet stash.
The first quilt I finished this year was a vintage sheet quilt! My vintage sheet four-patch quilt.

- Start a hand-work project. (EPP, applique, or hand quilt something)
I started hand quilting a double gauze Arithmetic quilt!

- Finish my Dreamin' Vintage double wedding ring quilt. This is the year!
I made zero progress on this, unfortunately.

- Finish my Fantastic Quilt Voyage. 
Another one that didn't get touched this year!

- Sew a Kelly Anorak Jacket.
I have all the fabric and hardware, but did not start it. 

- Finish a shawl WIP (Briochealicious, Daybreak, Sundial or Hitchhiker).
No such luck here either, didn't finish any shawls.

- Start knitting another pair of colorwork mittens.
I started a pair of mittens in December!

- Knit a softie or ornament(s)
Hopefully next year!


Considering how much time I spent working on our house this year, inside and outside, I feel really good about what I was able to accomplish. I would not describe 2018 as a smooth year for us, and it took a lot of emotional and physical energy to get through the year. I am hopeful that in 2019 I spend more time on creative pursuits! I'll be back next week to share my goals for this year.

 Goodbye 2018, Hello 2019!

December Monthly Report

Happy January! It's time for December's monthly report. See past reports here.

Figured it was about time to photograph my vintage pyrex display. Now there is just one more shelf to photograph!


I finished quite a few projects this month, most of which were gifts. I'll be sharing those soon! The day before we left to travel for the holidays, I squeezed in one last quilt finish. A alternative option for the Vast quilt from my book. It was really satisfying to get this one done!


I seem to forget how many drawstring bags I end up making before the holidays. I made quite a few gift bags this year, but also cut into this bunny fabric for a new knitting bag. It's from Noel by Cotton & Steel. I think it goes pretty well with my snowflake fabric from Curiosities.

Lined Drawstring Bag Tutorial + Lined Drawstring Bag Pattern


I treated myself to a Disney Tsum Tsum mini plush advent calendar this year. I opened each day's plush on Instagram stories, which are all highlighted in my profile (@jenib320) if you're interested. It was SO fun. I decided to make a small tree shelf to display them in, and despite it's imperfections, it worked out perfectly! I used this tutorial, but only made the top three levels and used boards that were a little narrower.


My one and only knitting finish for 2018 came in right under the wire, I finished it yesterday! This is the Swift pattern by Shannon Cook. I made one years ago (see it here), and it's my most worn hat. I think my tension has loosened over time though, because this one turned out too big. Still wearable though! See on Ravelry.


To keep myself accountable for my stash goals, I track my yardage for fabric and yarn each month. Read more about how I track here. Here is how I did in December:

December Fabric
Used up: 23 yards
Brought in: 8 yards
Net: -15 yards
Year to date: -44.5 yards

December Yarn
Used up: 186 yards
Brought in: 828 yards
Net: 642 yards
Year to date: +860 yards

Fabric wise I did okay this month. Most of the yardage I brought in was a 6 yard backing cut. It was a favorite Erin McMorris print from Noe, so I don't feel too bad about it. I finished a bunch, so that helped balance it out! Had some yarn activity this month. I finished my Swift hat, but I also stashed some yarn. It was with a gift certificate, so that shouldn't really count, right? :)


Had some good luck thrifting this month! Found a really cool huge glass bottle, some Christmas ornaments, and this adorable vintage sewing machine. It still has the price tag on it, it was originally purchased at FAO Schwarz for $12.99. So fun!


Really found some vintage sheet gems this month too. These were all found back in Cleveland while we were home over the holidays. I've had the purple one before, but I sold almost all of it in my sheet shop, so I was really glad to find another!


My sweet puffy George bunny. He is happy to be back home after traveling, he was a real trooper in the car. He's being constantly spoiled, as usual!

Have a Great Month!

Semi-Handmade Gift Ideas

Does anyone remember the show Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee? It was on the Food Network and I think it came on after Rachel Ray when I was a kid. The general premise of the show was to cook something with half pre-made products and half fresh ingredients. With limited time left before the holidays for gift making, it got me thinking about applying that basic concept to crafty gift giving.

I've pulled together some of my favorite tutorials/patterns and paired them up with ready made gift ideas. There's a mix of my tutorials/patterns as well as patterns by others that I've loved making (and giving) as well.

Make any gift a little more personal by wrapping it in a lined drawstring bag! Lined Drawstring Bag Tutorial + Easy Going Lined Drawstring Bag Tutorial

Triangular Zipper Pouches

Triangle Pouch Sewing Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar
(find my post on making other sizes here)
Pair it with: Any little stocking stuffers you want!

Sew Together Bag

Sew Together Bag Pattern by Sew Demented
Pair it with: Travel sewing supplies, hand piecing/quilting supplies, little stocking stuffers

Cosmetic Pouch

Triplizip Zipper Pouch Pattern
Pair it with: Bath set, manicure set, socks

Sewing Tool Caddy

#10 Caddy Pattern by Sew Can She
Pair it with: Sewing supplies, art supplies

Handmade pillow

Giant Vintage Star Quilt Pattern
Pair it with: Slippers, children's book, stuffed animal

Potholders

Half-Square Triangle Potholders Tutorial
Pair it with: Wooden cooking spoons, cookbook, baking mix

Small Fabric Bin

Thread Catcher Bin Tutorial by Carolyn Friedlander
Pair it with: Candy/cookies, candle, plant

Mug Rug

Scrappy Stack Mug Rug Tutorial
Pair it with: A cute mug and some hot cocoa or coffee

Enamel Pin Banner

Enamel Pin Banner Tutorial
Pair it with: A selection of enamel pins.

Open Wide Zipper Pouch

Open Wide Zipper Pouch Tutorial by Anna Graham
Pair it with: Yarn and knitting pattern, hand soap/lotion

Tote Bag

Workshop Tote Bag Pattern
Pair it with: Sketchbooks and art supplies, quilt kit

Looking for something sweet to make? Here are some of my go-to giftable recipes:

White Chocolate Check Mix

White Chocolate Chex Mix

Chocolate Pretzel Cookies

Chocolate Pretzel Cookies

Salted Soft Caramels

Salted Caramels by The District Domestic

Red Velvet Cookies

Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies by Peace Of Cake

Cookie Mix

Don't have time to bake? Consider gifting a baking mix of your favorite recipe!

Happy Making!