Reflection: 2015 Resolutions and Goals Revisited

At the beginning of the year I wrote the post Happy New Year: Welcome 2015 (New Year's Resolutions - Goals). I wanted to go back and see how I did, reflect on the year. What better way to decide where to go next year than by looking at the past year; and, of course, so I don't repeat mistakes and unachievable goals. Right?

My 2015 Goals:

1. Selling Handmade/ Handcrafted Items

2. Design and sell foundation paper pieced patterns

3. working towards becoming debt free

4. Buy a bigger car

5. don't skip meals

6. Sleep 8 hours a night

How'd I do?

1. I decided against the clothing aspect. I have no interest in the compliance and all other hoops to jump through in order to sell. I respect and appreciate those that do. It is too much time, money and stress for me. At least I am honest.
Do I still want to make quilts and bags to sell? Yes! Do they have compliance laws? I have no idea, and I guess it would be something to look into. But, with the new baby that probably will not take place this year.

2. I have not listed more than my Arizona Flag on Craftsy. My laptop died. We got a chromebook. Excuses/excuses... I need to work on that one some more. I still have an alphabet that I was working on, but again not something this next year, or at least immediately.

3. Working towards debt free. I have no idea how to share this with you without giving a ton of (too much, not necessary?) info. We got more than halfway there. Then, the credit cards started getting used again and... Well... That went out the window. We got back on about a halfway through the year, then stopped again because of the baby. Budgeting helps. It is necessary. We live paycheck to paycheck at this point. Is it ok? Sure. The end goal will happen. Projected time frame? 2 years. Eek. But hey, it's something. As long as we can keep things under control, stick to the budget and not stray, we can probably finish faster.

4. Buy a bigger car. How can one save up if your paying down debt? You can't. It doesn't work. You can't do both at the same time. End result? We now need a new car, thanks to beautiful baby #3 due in 5 weeks, and not much to use towards it. Oops. But, our little girl is totally worth it. I look forward to holding her, and seeing her daddy and brother and sister with her!

5. don't skip meals. I haven't been tracking it. I can't tell you how many I have skipped. I know it's a lot.

6. Sleep 8 hours a night. Yeah, not tracked. but I am usually in bed by 9 and sleep until about 5:30/6... Maybe with 1 or two wake ups in there... That's about 8 hours. I can't function without it. And I usually nap about an hour every day too. Will I keep it up after baby? we'll see...

Reflection and Application:
Somethings that I set out to accomplish were... reasonable... but not extremely realistic for me. But, Live and learn, yes? I have a list of things that I need to replace which wont happen until after the debt is paid, but at least I have learned that lesson and a lot focuses around the budget/debt aspect of goals.

I'm in the process of writing my goals for next year and trying to keep in mind keeping them SMART. I learned that in college for planning IEP Goals. You would think I would have kept that in mind for myself too. But, the more you do it the better you get at it. But, so many people reference that in yearly, monthly, daily goal setting.

I am thinking planning is a big one for next year. A way to document and track how I am doing towards goals. I need to figure out a way to measure them...

Let me hear from you!
Did you make goals last year? Did you meet them? How do you monitor your progress throughout the year?

2015: Year in Review {Round Up}

I have not posted in over a month? Things have been crazy with the holidays! Parties, my little guy turning 5, Thanksgiving and Christmas! And soon, the New Year will be here! But, I wanted to share with you your favorite posts with the top views, my favorite posts and say a huge Thank You for reading!

Your Top 10 Favorites

1. Diamond Y Blog Hop: English Paper Piecing

2. May Mystery Challenge: History Theme

3. Building a Capsule Wardrobe: Moving on to the Kids {Boys Printable Wardrobe Planner}

4. Building My Capsule Wardrobe: What I've Learned

5. Tiger Tail Tutorial

6. Mystery Challenge: Black and White

7. Girls Capsule Wardrobe Planner

8. Ethel Tote

9. A Good Pair of Jeans Aren't Sewn in a Day

10 a.Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop Berry Bunch Round Up

10 b. Boys Can Wear Pink

Oh, these were some of my favorite projects! I loved sewing/making/doing each and every single one of them! It has been such a fun year, even though I don't feel I have posted much this year due to the pregnancy.

Here are my top 5 favorites from the past year. They are in no particular order. :)

My Top 5 Favorites

Tea Party Dress

Halloween: Spiderman Themed Costumes

Over in the Forest Jelly Roll Quilt

Clothes for a Baby Shower

Thumbs Up Tee

This last one, more of a reflection on my part had no pageviews at all. It was my first time doing a blog tour on my own. It was fun. I was excited about it, but al around it didn't get much views. I ended up competing with a big time blogger running a similar type tour at the same time (which I had no idea about until after), and I had just gotten back from vacation. I had scheduled the posts ahead of time, but it made promoting the tour a little crazier than I had anticipated. 

Least Views

A Week to Beat the Heat: Round Up

The blog tour was so much fun! The ideas were awesome and I learned a lot about actually doing a blog tour on my own. I have more ideas for blog tours too and really would love to try doing some more. We shall see where this new year takes us!

Thank You!

Thank you for the memories and thank you for reading.

Measurement Tracker: Sewing for Kids

*This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission only if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. All views expressed are my own*

The Black Friday sales that have lasted the weekend has been something super incredible! I have so many things I want to get and so many things I want to sew! But, I'm constantly loosing my kiddo's measurements and I don't like having to retake them over and over and over again!

Click Here to Download Measurement Tracker

I decided to make this simple measurement tracker! Each page has room for up to 3 measurements. I decided to use this to update as they grow. Each sections has:

Date and age, height and torso, chest and sleeve, waist and hip, inseam and outseam

I keep my printed out patterns in a hanging file folder with each pattern in a manila envelope and categorized by designer. I just keep these sheets in the front (printed on cardstock for durability). You can also color coordinate the measurement and mark them on the little man using colored pencils. I think when I next update the measurements I will do that!

Perfect for all those new patterns purchased during the black friday sales this weekend!

-And-

Some of my affiliates are having sales too! Check them out as they soon end!

Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop

Their sale ends today! So better hurry and grab those patterns! I know I have a bunch in my wishlists, such an awesome feature too! Share your wishlist with a family member, or use it to keep track of patterns you want! 

GYCT Designs

Their sale ends tomorrow! No codes are necessary ad the discount gets applied when you go to check out! I really want the happily ever after dress! I know little lady would love playing dress up with that dress!

GYCT Designs is having a Holiday Sale!!

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small compensation only when you make a purchase at not cost to you. All views expressed are my own*

Our affiliate, GYCT Designs, is having a sale from November 26th - December 1st! All of her patterns are 40% off and there is no coupon code necessary! Yay! No Code Needed! 

Need some GYCT Inspiration? Here are some of the patterns I have sewn up...

Jean and Jamie Jammies

Rival Raglan

Tinley Tee

Firecracker Dress and Tunic, Holly and Ivy Party Dress, Tally Skirt

You can also check out these posts that have a GYCT Designs item sewn up!

Check out her super cute and adorable patterns here!

Happy Sewing!

Footie PJs: Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop is having a Holiday Sale!

*This post contains affiliate links. All views expressed are my own. I did not receive the pattern in exchange for the post; I receive compensation when purchases are made through the links I provide*

I have finally sewn up a pair of Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop's Happy Feet Pajamas for the little man. I like these because it will be so much easier for him to use the bathroom! Even though he prefers the full body ones with the zipper. I know, zippers are so much fun! And, just in time to share with you Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop's biggest sale of the year (stay tuned for the awesome discount codes!)

And little kids in footie jamanas (as he calls them) are so stinkin cute! Even if they are almost 5!

I accidentally (pregnancy brain! Argh!) cut a size up instead of the one that would have fit him better, but hey, then this pair will last next year too! Hopefully!

I've had several yards of this fabric for a couple years and have used it for many a gift set for babies and a thumb shirt for this guy, and I still have so much left. But these bikes are so much fun and the fabric is almost like a waffle knit so it should be fairly nice during the winter.

The bottoms of the feet have puffy paint on them instead of the grip/no slip fabric stuffs... mostly because I have puffy paint, and puffy paint is fun to use!

From now to November 30th save up to 30% on 5+ patterns "MERRY30", 20% off all and any patterns "MERRY20" and 15% off fabric "MERRY 15" (seriously love her fabric!) ... And, she now carries patterns for kids and adults! Score some for you, and the rest of the family!

head to Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop to check out everything she has!

Sew Up Something for the Kids: Momma Quail Patterns Blog Tour!

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Momma Quail Patterns! Some cute stuff over there in her shop! Haven't checked it out yet? Then you totally should! Last time I sewed up a Momma Quail Pattern was the just like papa briefcase (you can check out my post here). It just recently went through the was because of marker and coffee and other messing things that got on it... Ha! But, I digress (we love the briefcase!)...

I have to say that I am super excited that I have finally been able to forced in some time to sew up another couple of these awesome patterns designed by my blogging friend (check out her blog here)! I haven't had the opportunity to jump on all those testing calls I see her put out there because this pregnancy has me exhausted! That, and my kids measurements are not anywhere near standard! Ha for skinny mini children! But, I was determined to fit in some sewing time! I forgot how much I missed it with the making of the Halloween costumes this year. So, thanks to Dinosaur Train, Wild Kratts, and whatever else I can turn on on the tv, I have managed some time! Yay!

Our weather has been crazy with some up and down temps. Like the end of last week it was cold! But now, it's been warm! Ugh, makes it hard for dressing for the weather. That, and when we leave the house it's cold but warms up about 20 degrees unto the afternoon. The kids need long sleeves!!

For Little Boy: Jackalope Tee

For little man I did the Jackalope Tee in long sleeve. It is repurposed from a short sleeve t-shirt I found at good will. It is that thick knit that often comes with special, often touristy type shirts and little man loves it! I was originally planning on doing this and layering with something over it to remove during the day, but accidentally cut out the next size up... Ooops, but it works! Honestly, he started using it as a pullover!

For little girl: Zanzibar Shores Tank Top

For little girl I did the Zanzibar Shores Tank Top with woven panels. I added the kangaroo pocket to the front because, well, for her anything with a pocket is a win! I layered it over long sleeves and it is perfect! She loves it, though refused to pull the hood on while taking pictures! I think she is just excited about the owls.. :)

I am excited how they turned out and the kids had to wait to wear these clothes until I was ready to take pictures! Then, all they were giving me was cheese! So much cheese, and wanted to run around the yard. They were to excited to be outside and playing in there new clothes to focus on letting me take pictures! Crazy kids!

Check out these other awesome bloggers and their super fun creations!

11/16:

Sew Thrifty • Willow and Stitch • The Wholesome Mama

11/17:

Create 3.5 • Lulu & Celeste • Pear Berry Lane

11/18:

The Berry Bunch • Paisley Roots • Call Ajaire • Falafel and the Bee

11/19:

House of Estrela • Adventures with Bubba and Bug • Swoodson Says

11/20:

Rebel & Malice • Knot Sew Normal • Sew Thrifty

Plus, there is a giveaway! Three winners each get to pick a pattern of their choice! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Sewing,

Paraplu: Bartowski Slim Tie {Pattern Test}

I am so honored that I got to test the first pattern for the new pdf designer over at Paraplu!

I set out to sew a tie last Christmas season but the husband wasn't too happy that the sewing patterns that I had found weren't real ties but those ones that clasp together under the collar. So I skipped it and just bought a slack and shirt set from Walmart.

I saw this pattern test call and had to jump on it! The pattern designer blogs over at Mae & K and was one of the co-starters for the awesome CraftingCon! She is seriously, just awesome!

The Bartowski Slim Tie... Awesome!

Usually we tie the Pratt Knot on husband's ties, but for this one I had fun with the Full Windsor.

I had fun with the Holiday Fabric and cannot wait to make him at least one more. ;) Here is the back too!

And now, I'm thinking my poor shaggy boy needs a haircut... But he is so darn cute with his hair and button-up and tie!

Ah, I made a tie!

Check out the Swhetty Bettie's blog for a discount too! 15% off!

Happy Sewing!

Someone's Coming in January: The Kids Have New Shirts {Gender Reveal}

*This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission only if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. All view expressed and given are my own.*

I cannot believe that I haven't shared with everyone yet! We have an announcement to make! And I made the kids new shirts to celebrate!

Coming in January 2016 (give or take) the kids will be getting another sister! (you know...90% sure...)

We are super excited! I loved the shirt I made Little man when we announced the impending arrival of the little lady, I just had to make some for the kids this time around too (it just took me forever to finish!)

BIG SISTER * IN TRAINING 

BIG BROTHER * TRAINER

I used the Rival Raglan by GYCT Designs (affiliate links). I made both long sleeves for little man and 3/4 for little lady so the kids can wear them throughout the winter. Since it's not too cold most of the time. What was I thinking today though? Poor kids' noses were turning red!

The back has the year for her arrival. (which I thought I took a picture of, but apparently not) Since both these guys were nearly 2 weeks late, I figure January wasn't a safe bet since the anticipated date is within the last few days...

I know for sure little man is super excited, but little girl? I am not fully sure she understands. :) But I know we are excited! More and more as the days go on I think she is starting to get it. It helps that she is around babies often enough though too...

But what can I say, she is following suit with her brother...

I have been utterly exhausted. The Halloween costume sewing drove me nuts and since Monday I have had this awful cold. I'm just relieved that I finally have this done! Granted standing outside for the 10 minutes to take pictured in the odd, but nice, cold we had today probably wasn't the best idea...

And I had to have little man take a couple with the 28 week bump...

Not bad for a 4 year old...

Except maybe, being mid-sentence... Oh well!

Until next time,