Welcome 2014! January’s Sewing Challenges

I thought about recapping 2013 and all of its awesomeness for today’s post, but then decided to just jump right into 2014 with a monthly challenge and a holiday challenge for you.

January’s Challenge:

Clean up your space!
But before you do, take some pictures and get entered in Vanessa’s Clean Up Challenge!

Think your sewing space is already clean? Is it really, really clean? Are all your UFOs complete? (Those are UnFinished Objects, not saucers in the sky!) How about your machines? Are they cleaned up and ready to work this year? Do you need to get them scheduled for a spa day after all the holiday madness? No stray mittens, gloves or curling ribbon in your sewing area?

We’re going to talk about organizing this month, because it’s a new year and it’s time to start fresh. Plus, the retailers all understand our urge to clean up and helpfully put all kinds of storage and organizational tools on sale in January, so we want to take advantage of it!

What’s your favorite sewing storage or organizational tool?

January’s Holiday Challenge:

Finish those things you meant to do for the holidays or the projects you would have done if only you had the time.

Because next year you don’t want to have to put a post-it note over the name on the stocking your mom made you (decades ago!) so your kid can use it.

Did you already do ALL the things? And you’ve got it all packed up for next year? Wowzers. You are amazing. Great work, now just grab your snowflake mugrug and set your cocoa (or coffee?) mug on it while you rest.

You don’t have a snowflake mugrug??? How can that be? Okay, next week we will remedy that.

Happy New Year!

Kelly

December Challenges

December’s Holiday Challenge

Plan Ahead!
Now, in theory you’ve been following the monthly challenges and should be ready for the holidays now. But, you may find there are a couple things that you might like to add to your holiday decor or next year’s gift giving. So, this month’s challenge is to make a list! As you are putting things out or packing them away, make a list of things you want to have ready for next year. Share your list on Sewing Mamas so we can plan our 2014 holiday sewing!

December’s Challenge

Setting Goals

As you look back on this year, were there things you wanted to do but just didn’t get finished? Do you find you like the fabric shopping part of sewing a little more than the sewing part? Is there someone you’d like to do more sewing for in 2014? (Maybe you?)
As the year wraps up, find a few moments of quiet and set some goals for next year. Set goals that are realistic for you. Pie in the sky goals are great, but it’s no fun to have a list of goals that are so far from obtainable that you’ll just be discouraged by them.
One of my goals is to take pictures of everything I make AND to take more notes. Because even though I’m absolutely certain that I will remember that the shirt in the kitty fabric was from that one Ottobre issue in size ??? and I added length to the body or was it the sleeves? It seems that I don’t actually remember those things six months from now. (Or, a week from now…)

Happy Holidays!
Kelly

November’s Sewing Challenges

November. How in the world did that happen? It’s ridiculous how often I find myself surprised that another month has zoomed by.

In that spirit-

November’s Holiday Challenge

Last Minute Lucy!

This is me. If there is something that can be put off until the last possible moment, it will be. This month, your challenge is to do that one thing you were going to put off until later. Perhaps your youngest child still doesn’t have his own stocking?


Or maybe you keep telling yourself that you’ll make those holiday napkins later? That cute ornament you saw years ago and always run out of time to make? Do it this month! Get it done and you’ll feel better!

November’s Challenge

Keeping Warm
This is another very open challenge. Warm hats, scarves, mittens, socks, perhaps a sweater? How about a blanket? And if your family is fortunate not to need any of these things, I am absolutely positive someone in your community is in need of them. Someone you may not know and may never know.
Spread some warmth this month. You’ll be warmer, too.

Hope to see your work on our Runway!
Kelly

October’s Challenges

Ahh, October… the days are still pretty warm, but the mornings are chilly and the leaves are just beginning to turn on the trees here.

October’s Monthly Challenge

Dress Up!
Multiple meanings give flexibility to this month’s challenge. Create costumes for your kids (or yourself!) to dress up for Halloween. Or something for the local theatre group to use? But dress up isn’t just for costumes! Dress yourself up! Make something extra special for a night on the town.

October’s Christmas Challenge

Hostess Gifts
How about an apron, coaster set, some seasonally appropriate dish towels? Or a pretty bag for that bottle of wine? Make yourself a little stash of hostess gifts and you’ll be ready for any last minute gathering!

A cafe apron is quick and easy, one size fits most! Check out this one from lisaclarke on flickr.



This one is from SanFranAnnie on flickr. Do you think he expected to be wearing something made from Heather Ross fabric?

Coasters from cakersandco on flickr.

A pretty ribbon dresses up these coasters from Jamie on flickr.

I hope you have fun with the challenges this month! Once you’re done creating, don’t forget to share your projects on our Runway!

Happy Sewing!
Kelly