Forward Thinking

Mr. Scenic Route is always stressing the importance of being forward thinking in the business world. I think its importance can be applied to most areas of our lives--maybe that's why God gave us seasons and weekly/monthly/yearly observances. To keep us forward thinking.

Looking back, I actually achieved most of my goals for last year! Granted, they were simple ones and I tried very hard not to set myself up for failure. Still, pat on the back.

The word I focused on was GRACE. I really tried to be open to all that God would teach me about the subject. Being SO aware of all the grace he grants me, I wanted to spread it all around me, too. I like to think that all my relationships have much softer edges to them these days.

Anyway, this year's word is LOVE. Pretty basic, huh? But, what does it look like to really live a life of Biblical love? Not Hallmark love. Not a big cosmic hug love. I'm really looking forward to all that's to come regarding that.

Primary Directive:

keep yourselves in the love of God

Jude 21

Then I have miscellaneous goals that seem to all involve learning:

continue learning about financial stuff,
classical music,

Mongolian language, &

Garment Sewing

If intentional learning is not forward thinking, I don't know what is.

I hope to do more teaching of sewing. To date, I've introduced 4 granddaughters to it plus a fabulous group of teenage girls at my daughter's homeschool co-op. Love, love, love doing this.

As a final look back, here are my sewing successes from this year! Flops get no mention-- a bit of self-love, hmm?

Simplicity 5259

Vogue 8823

Vogue 1315
Hmm, needs shorter hmm, yes?

Simplicity 2315

McCalls 6208

Vogue 8839

McCalls 6408

Simplicity 5259 Short white

Long white/cream
New Look 6053

Kristen Kimono Tee

Vogue 8750

Simplicity 9158

simplicity 5259

Hot Pattern Slouchy Vest

Well. One sewing goal should include playing with shorter hems. They sure seem shorter in real life than in pictures!

Another is to move in with Nikki so that she can take all my pictures.

The last goal is NOT to join a SWAP. This one 2013 SWAP is very tempting. Few rules. However, completing 9-11 garments by the end of April makes me sweat, given the constant international travel and having patterns/fabric/thread etc., all on the right shore at the same time. Yikes. No.

So! Into 2013!

Ready or not as it's the 4th already :)

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Made in Mongolia--Simplicity 6726

Follow my blog with Bloglovin Follow my blog with Bloglovin Let's give this blogging thing another go, shall we? I recently listened to podcast #18 at Clothes Making Mavens featuring Barbara Imodi of Sewing on the Edge that was SO encouraging. So on we go with my pretty bad photos featuring real me and my real life. We're back in Mongolia for 90 days with Randy's work. I've been tracking that over on Instagram and Facebook . Anyway, my official sewing enabler, husband Randy, made sure that I immediately acquired a second-hand machine and set up my Happy Place. Our furnished apartment has one picture on the wall and dinnerware for 6, but I have a sewing machine! I do have my priorities right. I have to say I've never been a Singer fan. That said, this little guy has really, really surprised me. There is a Singer store here in UB that is the only game in town. I got this Singer 323...

Much Needed New Winter Robe - Vogue 9232

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Stitchin' in Outer Mongolia

Today I went to the grand opening of the New Life Quilting Centre here in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Selenge (in picture #2) began this work 5 years ago in an effort to help Mongolian women find a creative outlet for relaxation as well as create community for them. Selenge, as a single mom herself, has also tried to help other single moms earn income (and self-respect) through the art of quilting. From humble beginnings in a yukky basement apartment (where the toilets above would often overflow into the Centre's space) to this wonderful new location, the Centre is a success in every way. The day drew a good crowd of foreign as well as local women--and TV cameras! I think the pictures speak for themselves! Below is the the Centre's workshop--looks like one of Santa's, eh? A better woman would have left her own stuff out...but not me! It's been so long since I shared my stuff, I cannot resist. Here are just a few of the projects I worked on in the past few months, several ...

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