I’ve had a few days to think about my resolutions for 2015, and I am fairly confident that the list that I have made is achievable, will help me with some de-cluttering, and will help me towards crafting greatness! My theme for this year is rather important.

Moderation

The overall goal is moderation in all things, financial, emotional and material. Basically, spend less money, try to control my mental health a bit better, and have less stuff by the end of the year!

Resolutions for 2015

I reviewed my resolutions for 2014 in the thread on the Resolutions Monthly group. I was not particularly successful, so I’ve tried to do my best to make this year’s manageable.

1. Go cold sheep – no more yarn, roving or fabric until 1st January 2016. Caveat: if I travel to new places I am allowed one sock’s worth of souvenir yarn.
2. Improve crochet – I will be making two crochet snowflakes per month from “100 Snowflakes to crochet”, and will end up with 24 at the end of 2015!
3. Run a half marathon – scary stuff. I will sign up to one when I’ve researched which ones there are.
4. Finish hexipuff quilt – this has been going for more years than I care to remember.
5. Sew at least 50 quilt hexagons together – again, I’ve had this project on the go for many years and I want to finish it.
6. Knit 12 in 12 – a pair of socks for each month, using “Knitted Socks: Over 25 Designs for Fab Feet and Cozy Toes for the Whole Family”.

   

Inspiration

I’ve been inspired by a number of people through the latter end of last year, going through to this year.

The crochet stems from me wanting to learn to handle my hooks a bit better. It will also help me with getting rid of the stash! Martine from iMake ran a crochet-along using this book last year, where they crocheted 3 per month. I did not go along with the CAL at the time as I was not very organised this time last year – but she says it really helped her skills with a hook, and I am inspired! She is doing another CAL this year: find out more here. Here are Martine’s thoughts on the snowflake CAL:

I started the SnowflakeCAL because I knew it would challenge me – I only had basic crochet skills and I was keen to learn more. Participating in a CAL is the ideal way to develop crochet skills as you have the support of far more experienced crocheters if you get stuck. It’s also a good confidence builder when you realise that you are able to help people too! The SnowflakeCAL not only helped me develop my crochet skills, but it has really made me fall in love with crochet. Previously, I’d been 90% knitter 10% crocheter. Now I’d say I am about 50/50.

– Martine Ellis, iMake

John and I also did a lot of listening to Commander Chris Hadfield a few days ago. We enjoyed listening to his thoughts on setting goals and going for it. This is from his book:

“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you, and start moving your life in that direction. Every decision you make, from what you eat to what you do with your time tonight, turns you into who you are tomorrow, and the day after that. Look at who you want to be, and start sculpting yourself into that person. You may not get exactly where you thought you’d be, but you will be doing things that suit you in a profession you believe in. Don’t let life randomly kick you into the adult you don’t want to become.”

– Commander Chris Hadfield

I’m planning to do a transcript of the talk he did with the Guardian – it can be found on the Science Weekly podcast here. Some incredibly inspiring stuff – especially when one considers the possibility of running a half marathon.

Over the last few months I have been trying to get rid of ‘stuff’ and it has felt very, very good. I figure that if I do the same with my stash, I will rejuvenate my crafting. That’s what inspires the cold sheep bit – I do not want to be at al greedy, and am trying to become less focused on material goods! I know a lot of crafters who take a big stash as a point of pride, and I was one of them. I have reached a point where I want to appreciate what I have, instead of never thinking I have enough. So that’s that!

I also wanted to say a quick something about the podcast: I had decided that I was going to do bimonthly episodes, and even announced this. Having considered some advice from some great people who know who they are, as well as realising how much my mental state affects my ability to sit in front of a microphone and then edit for half an hour, I realise this is too much. I will continue podcasting, but the episodes will just fit in with my schedule so that the other things that have to happen first can be as stress-free as possible.

That’s all for now, I think I’ve talked enough! Have you set yourself New Year’s Resolutions?

Much love,

Corrie xx