First make of the new year

Fresh start for new year

New years Eve I decided that I wanted a fresh start, so I didn't drink myself into oblivion like I normally would do when welcoming the new year in.
So next morning hangover free I was up early and I decided to start the new year with some sewing and make a new pair of pyjama bottoms for myself, so out came the pattern, scissors, pins and tape measure, along with the piece of fabric which has been hanging over the lounge door since October.

Ready, steady, Go! 

I felt relieved that I was finally doing something with the fabric which had been hanging around the house, for nearly three months let's just say. This is my fifth pair of pyjama bottoms I've made using this pattern, it's a easy pattern to use, it has got to the point that I only look at the instructions to check that I'm turning the right amount of fabric over for the waistband and the hems.
I didn't have any problems major problems, apart from getting the elastic in a twist didn't realise what I had done until after I had sewn the ends of elastic together! Luckily I had been a bit over generous with the elastic, I'm not feeling very skinny at the moment. So now for the Ta dah! Moment.

Hopefully the first of many makes 

After that the rest of the week was spent trying to get the house back to normal and the girls ready to go back to school, my youngest daughter needed new shoes.
Last day of the holidays I did treat them I took them to Prestatyn for the day and let them play on the beach, along with a picnic which we had in the in the car because it was freezing cold!!! But they enjoyed themselves and I even managed a quick visit to Abakhan in Mostyn on the way home and I didn't buy any fabric, but I was tempted, I bought a pattern instead with the last of my Christmas money, so far so good with the no fabric buying resolution.

Freezing cold day at the beach

Let's reflect and think about new resolutions

First let's reflect on the year just gone and think about the year ahead, but first let me reflect on my resolutions from last year

1. De-clutter and clean the house properly!

Well all I can say there is that it is still an ongoing project, currently I have a clutter free kitchen, bathroom, landing and a sort of clear dining room! The rest of the house, my craft area included are still cluttered, but I have made numerous donations to the charity shops and many trips to the tip as well. 

2. Post at least one photo a day on Flickr 

Well this one of my successful resolutions I actually manged to keep this one and post at least one photo a day, I will admit it wasn't easy there were days I struggled, days when the weather was against me, or illness got in the way, and I couldn't get out of the house but I managed it.

                      Even though I did take some very random photos some days!

3. Try and make one item of clothing a month 

Well to this one I can say yes and no, yes I did make some clothing, but no I didn't make one item of clothing a month but I will say that I made more clothing than the year before. What did I make Then?

1. One pair of knickers 

2. A summer top for me

3. Two pairs of pyjama bottoms 

4. A dress

5. Two world book day costumes, the girls went as golden tickets from Charlie and the chocolate factory 

6. A pirate costume for youngest my youngest daughter 

7. And finally two Christmas skirts for the girl's 

The year before I only made two pairs of pyjama bottoms 

4. Read more 

Well currently ive got three books on the go, I haven't finished one book this year, I'm listening to one audio book, readingone on a kindle and a good old traditional book. This will be one of my new resolutions for the new year finish all these books and not start any more books until these are finished.

5. Try a new craft 

Well this is it, drop spindle haven't done it yet another one for the new list.

6. Finish off the lurking UFO'S 

Well I only finished one UFO that's the one pictured above, that includes weaving in the ends and sewing up any seams, the rest are still waiting to be finished. 

7. Do more baking 

All I can say there is that yes I did, hope to be more adventurous this year.

8. Get the garden looking like a garden 

That is still a on going project, there is a lot of work to be done, well Rome wasn't built in a day was it!

9. Try and grow some fruit and vegetables this year 

Yes, but with success and failure. I got three ripe strawberries and five blueberries, youngest daughter ate the rest before they had the chance to ripen and I only got fourteen potatoes, which is a small success. 

10. Start blogging again 

Well I did, not as many posts as I would of liked but I did and I hope to do more in 2017

Time to move on to a new year 

What are my new resolutions for this year? All of the above, but I'm adding a yarn and fabric diet to the list as my stashes are starting to get a little bit out of control, so no yarn and fabric buying, I will shop from my stash until I've got them under control.