The obligatory resolutions post - 2011

2011 - wow. I can't quite believe it's here already. I wonder what it will bring? 2010 was quite a big year for me and Matt. We dealt with some massive flatmate hassles. We moved out of a shared flat and into our own place. We did a 3 week driving holiday in America. I found out I have exactly the same hand size as Marilyn Monroe.

photographic evidence!

I got back my crafting mojo and began blogging.

I bought myself an electronic keyboard and began practising piano again. I am technically a grade 7 pianist but this time a year ago I had barely touched a piano for more than 10 years. I was afraid that if I left it any longer I would forget how to play. I'm so glad I did, I'll never be a brilliant pianist but my parents invested quite a lot of money in lessons, it seems churlish to let it go to waste!

I taught myself to crochet.

my first self designed crochet project

We have no big plans for next year so I'm afraid if I don't make some now, 2011 will end up a bit 'nothingy'. I'm the type that forgets or belittles my own achievements if I don't have them listed somewhere (ah, lovely lists). So here goes!

Sewing
This time next year I'd like to have made at least 5 items of clothing that I am happy to wear outside and am proud of. That's not even one every two months, surely even I can manage that! Number one will hopefully be the Rooibos. I would quite like to try another Simplicity 2591, perhaps with contrasting fabric on the interior pocket panels. I'll chart the progress of this goal on this blog. In the meantime I'll be perusing all the super crafty bloggy goddesses I follow for inspiration as to what the other items will be.

Life and that #1
Although I love where I work, there's a lot of upheaval planned for early 2011. I may not have a job by summer and the job itself (if it continues) will be a dumbed down version of what I already do. Sadly this probably means I'll be getting a new job in 2011 - but although I'll be sad to leave my lovely colleagues I'm also quite excited. New opportunities, new challenges - they can only be good things, right? So. Goal number 2 - new job.

Life and that #2
Last year Matt bought me a website with the intention I would set up my own little shop selling crafty things (via Etsy or Folksy). At the time I was doing lots of little cross stitches. Needless to say I never did anything with it, so this year I would like to at least get something up there. I'd like to do craft fairs too if my stuff is any good. This year I want to make up some 'stock' and at least attempt to sell it. Watch this space, you'll be the first to know if I set up shop!

Blogging
I've been a lurker for years but am only just getting in on the blogging action myself. It has kept me so motivated and the creativity flowing, knowing that I have a few lovely readers out there has made me determined to finish things whereas before I may have just left them for 6 months (Simplicity 2591 being a case in point!). I also met the lovely and talented Tilly and Karen, and maybe I'll meet a few more of you in 2011 - I do hope so. I hope I can continue to blog in 2011 and that you'll keep reading, your comments make my day.

Crochet
I learnt to crochet in 2010, in 2011 I want to turn my hand to some bigger projects. By Christmas 2011 I'd like to have a granny blanket and another larger piece finished - maybe a cardigan or jumper.

Francais 
In the immortal words of Girls Aloud, I can't speak French. Well, I sort of can, but I'm very out of practice. I have an A-Level in French and did an intermediate conversational evening course in 2005. However since then I've not been to France and have forgotten so much. And as we all know, if you don't use it, you lose it. Having had this lurking in the back of my mind for a few years, I was inspired to do something about it by Rebecca over at The Thrifty Chick. She plans to learn Italian this year and I am copying her idea of breaking it down into manageable chunks. 15 minutes French practice a day or 30 minutes every other day. I plan to do this for a few months until I feel confident with my verbs and vocab again, and then get stuck into my French literature books (with my trusty dictionary by my side).

So here we have it. My list for 2011. Hopefully I will achieve all this and more. There are tons of other things I'd like to achieve this year but I'll just feel bad if I write them all here and don't quite get there. I guess I'll return to this list throughout the year, ticking stuff off. I've loved reading all your resolution posts too, good luck everyone!

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