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 :)

Comments

Much Needed New Winter Robe - Vogue 9232

Last spring I chucked my 20-year-old bathrobe, giving me no choice but to replace it come winter. Granted, I never took it to Mongolia, so it only got worn when I was home in the US. But still. For summer I made several light weight robes, but I knew I liked the style of my old RTW one. When I saw reviews for Vogue 9232--on PR (all 3 of them), I knew I'd found my pattern. Interestingly enough, the pattern is actually for a caftan-type dress; but all 3 reviews were done up as a robe. Sham's review in particular had great tips. On a trip to Colorado Fabrics in early summer I spotted a beeeuuutiful pink sweatshirt type fabric. The outside is more like a thick knit and inside is dreamy soft. And it's baby pink! Which is hard to tell in the pics as we in Colorado have had lots of rain and no sunshine. And OK, I'm no photographer. But seriously, this is like stepping into a pink cloud. ...

Travel Duds

As I've probably whined/stated before, the trip to and from Mongolia involves about 30 hours of travel spread over 3 flights, Incheon Airport, South Korea the long leg being 11-13 hours. For almost 10 years I've resisted wearing anything closely resembling sweats. I know, I know. Call it an anti Ugly American thing. About 5 years on, I had to ditch jeans with any kind of buttons on the back. Finally, the knobby seam joint of the back yoke got to me. Never mind having to unbutton midway through. Sigh. I finally caved into wearing comfy pants (hereafter referred to as Happy Pants) on the long leg of my international flights last September. These were made up in my favorite yoga pants pattern, Laura Lounge Trousers (I'd made 3 pair for Pilates already :) by Maria of Denmark (her Kimono Tee pattern is another one of my go to's!). In purple stretch velour. Still, I couldn't bring myself to hang out in the airpo...

A Stitch Sisters Kimono for Dubai

My husband had meetings come up quick in Dubai and of course I tagged along! We were going to be there a week and I wanted a lightweight kimono-type pullover for the pool and getting out of the shower. I had snagged a gorgeous white linen/cotton (guessing on this) here in UB that was perfect. My inspiration came from Lisa's over at Lisa's Carolina | Handmade . I'm not good at pattern drafting and this was a quick FREE measure and cut tutorial of Stitch Sisters--find their Patternless Pattern Link here . I'm so happy with this! It basically took me an afternoon. The directions are great--and they include 5/8" seam allowances--yay!--as I wanted to turn under and top stitch them since I don't have a serger here. I left off the ties. Shapeless worked for this. I also raised the neckline by about 1.5" The neckline was a little trickier as I didn't have any bias on hand and there is no "running out" anywhe...

Scenic Route

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