A new year means it is time for new goals and resolutions! I always spend the last week of December reflecting on what went well in the past year and what I want to work on for the upcoming year. This blog has really helped me keep track of my crafting goals and the progress I have made. Often I find myself scrolling through old posts saying, “Oh I forgot about that project!” So I am grateful for the reminders.
This is also my sixth year choosing “one little word.” Past words include: Nourish (2015), Flow (2014), Acceptance (2013), Mindful (2012), and Relax (2011). 2016 will be the year of calibrate for me! Calibrate is defined as, “to determine, check, or rectify the graduation of (any instrument giving quantitative measurements),” and “to plan or devise (something) carefully so as to have a precise use, application, appeal, etc.” This year I want to calibrate my crafting/homesteading, considering carefully and thoughtfully why I am working on each project. I have a big goal to “not purchase anything” in 2016 (see below), and so calibrating what I currently do have and use is important for this year. Calibrating also makes me consider giving up certain tools or crafting methods that do not bring me joy. I look forward to further considering how this word will impact the year!
2016 Goals:
- Use what I have (or for the negative version) – do not purchase any new crafting supplies this year.
It sounds crazy and ambitious, I know. But I have been working up to this one. Usually something like a big event or big move limits my purchases, but I do not have that this year. I do have too much stuff though, that is clear. I have so many projects I could do each year that do not get done because something new grabs my attention.
Rules for this goal – I can purchase something IF it completes a current project. So, if I piece together a quilt top and I have no suitable backing fabric, I can purchase the backing fabric. Or if I run out of thread, I can purchase thread. But I cannot wander up and down the aisle of Joann’s throwing extra things in my cart. Or shop online and add a kit because it will get me free shipping. Or buy a new book for inspiration. Absolutely not. The one exception for buying something brand new will be when we travel to Peru in March. That is a once in a lifetime type of deal – if I want yarn or fabric from Peru while we are there, I will get it!
My friend Janelle said (something like), “But this doesn’t have include tools, does it?” Yes, yes it does. I already have a lot of great tools that need to be used. New tools are usually what gets me into a crafting purchase rabbit hole. Which also means no requests for gifts that require purchases. A dear friend wants a hat in neon green? It has to wait until 2017. Or I can make you a lovely hat out of any shade of purple (seriously, I have so much purple). So there it is – no new crafting supplies this year.
- Keep track of my fiber, fabric, and yarn stashes.
I complete this goal every year – tracking is easy after years of practice. It is staying ahead of my stashes, or using more than I brought in, that I struggled with in 2015. Hence the first goal!
- Finish my wedding quilt before our two year anniversary.
This goal by itself helps explain part of my first goal! How have I put other quilts and sewing projects in front of this project? Gifts for kids is the main reason. But not this year. This year I piece together this wall-hanging quilt and hang it in our hallway so we can enjoy it.
- Finish my t-shirt quilt.
For the record, this was also a goal I made in 2013. Yes, 2013. Another project that is for me that I keep putting off. All of the t-shirts are cut. I “just” need to finish interfacing to get to the fun part of organizing the blocks and actually piecing it together!
- Can three new recipes this year.
I have been canning fruits and vegetables for the past two years now and have made apple pie filling, cherry syrup, cranberry conserves, salsa, blueberry pie filling, and dilly beans. This year I want to try three new recipes, which could be fruits or vegetables. I have plenty of books on my shelf to choose three recipes from.
- Cook freezer meals at least once a month.
I love pulling a freezer meal out on a busy weeknight and enjoying the home cooked meal. It gives me more time for crafting! So I want to commit to doing a set of these at least once a month – whether it is just a couple meals or larger groupings.
- Schedule time for crafting.
This sounds like a vague goal, but I know what I have in mind. I am going back to a paper planner for 2016 instead of solely relying on my Google Calendars. I chose a Planner Pad because of their three tier system. I can create my list of to dos at the top, turn them into daily activities, and then schedule the time below. I am currently completing my first week with the planner and I love it so far. Instead of just having a long list of to-dos, I was able to schedule them into the day. I LOVE checklists, crossing things out, gold stars, etc, so this works for me. Scheduling the actual time to work on a project that is in the back of my mind will really help me balance out my goals for this year.
That is the list for 2016! I did not make any specific gardening goals this year. I know it will be a busy spring as I train for my first half marathon and travel internationally for the first time. Somehow I am sure I will fill my summer up quickly. I am looking forward to a wonderful 2016 filled with lots of crafting and homesteading with calibration! Come back to the blog to stay updated!
Where Caitlin Shares Her Craftiness 