New Years' Resolutions and Blogging Goals

Before the month of January completely disappears, I thought I would share some of my New Year's goals and resolutions. These are going to sound very similar to last year's goals so please forgive the redundancy! So here we go!

Sewing/Blogging Related

1. Buy less fabric and use more from the stash. It can be soooo hard not to dash out and by more fabric when you want to start sewing something new. Really, who can resist a good fabric sale?? I give in to temptations which is why I have so much fabric. Not that I'm complaining! I do know for a fact though that for three of my up coming sewing projects I already have the perfect fabric in the stash so that's a good feeling. If I dig around I'll most likely find the perfect buttons, etc. too.

2. Sew more practical items that will be worn more often - i.e. blouses, pants, skirts. I really enjoy sewing dresses but I find I just don't wear them that much on a daily basis. I need items I can mix and match.

3. Get my sewing room organized! OK, I know I said this last year but since our move to the new house I've had to start over creating a good workspace.

4. Sew one thing that's truly amazing, even if it goes against resolutions 1 and/or 2. I think we all have a few dream projects. :)

5. Get a handle on that pile of UFOs! So far this month I finished an 18th century crewel embroidered stomacher that I started, errrr, a few years ago. I'm making good progress on a 1930s/40s blouse using left over material from my 2014 Sew For Victory dress. I also replaced the zipper in my Fan Print dress so now I can it  again!

6. Start a tangible sewing journal where I can keep notes about each pattern and project. There are lots of great suggestions/tutorials on the web for these. I looked at many of them then created my own using Word. It will be very useful to have a notebook of some sort that I can keep with my sewing books and refer back to.

Blogging Goals

1. Continue to improve my blogging skills. i.e. better pictures, more details, etc. It's hard to believe that Emily's Vintage Visions is four years old now!! (My blogging birthday was January 3rd. I think this calls for a belated celebration, yes? Special birthday post with a giveaway perhaps? I need to do something!!) There are so many amazing blogs out there and there is always something more to learn!

2. Write up posts on some of my past sewing projects. I already have a couple drafts started. There will be lots more 18th century sewing projects. Including the crewel embroidered stomacher I mentioned.

3. New series of posts - "Behind the Seams" posts that show the details of some of the vintage and antique goodies in my collection. This was something I intended to do last year but life just got so busy. Fear not! It will happen in 2015. I have already started photographing some of my favorite pieces and have even started drafting patterns for a few of them. The first two blogs I have planned will detail a 1920s black silk dress and an 1860s bright blue silk waist/corselet.

A few Life Related Goals

1. Do more things that make me happy even if they seem silly. Correction, especially if they are silly! Things like playing croquet with with friends using pink plastic flamingos and a stuffed hedgehog... Yes, this is a thing. :)

2. Dress in a way that makes me feel good about myself. It's time to start working more vintage into my everyday wardrobe.

3. Clear away the clutter. It's time to really go through and get rid of things. Cori and I are both collectors and things just seem to find a way into the house.

4. Eat better and be more active. Because I have a desk job, and even though I say these thing every year with the best intentions, I really need to be better about it

5. Spend more time outdoors and more time with friends.

So there you have it! What are your goals for the New Year?

2014 - Year in Review

2014. What a busy, busy year it was. It went by so fast as each year seems to do. There were some big changes, lots of new friends, and many great memories. Overall I'd say it was a good year despite the major stress of wedding plans and buying a house. Here is a quick recap of my sewing projects, events and other fun things.

 2014 Sewing Projects

Events and fun things in 2014

I started the year with a simple and fun sewing project making aprons using fabric and buttons from the stash. Next I made a 1940s dress using Advance 4199. I listed the dress on Etsy and it sold in a flash which was very exciting!

Spring was a busy sewing time for me. I made a blouse using McCall 5623 to go with my aviatrix outfit for the GBVS's 1920s White Lightning Ball. In April I made this dress for the Sew for Victory challenge. Once that project was completed I began working on the Breakfast at Tiffany's Dress for my friend Abby to wear for her senior prom. Then it was time for another birthday dress for myself. I'll be continuing the tradition this year too. I already have a pattern and fabric in mind. It's a color a don't normally wear so I'm pretty excited about it.

Somewhere in between finishing Abby's prom dress and my birthday dress I managed to complete two outfits for our June trip to Reading, PA for the Mid Atlantic Air Museum's big air show and WWII reenactment. I made a blouse, slacks, and a dress. For that same event I also had the chance to wear a new to me vintage dress. I call it the "fan print" dress. I really enjoyed wearing it but will need to replace the zipper before I can wear it again. We have big plans for the air show this year. I can't wait!

The "fan print" dress. Cori and our friend Cameron debut their 1940s LADP impression at the Reading Air Show

In July my friends and family planned an amazing vintage inspired bridal shower. I also attended a polo match with friends, went to the GBVS's second annual 1920s Roaring 20s lawn party and a 1920s themed beach party. So much fun! In August my friends kidnapped me for my bachelorette party which turned out to be a trip to Star Island for the Gatsby on the Isles event.

At the end of September Cori and I closed on our new house and moved in. Two weeks later we got married. Craziness I say!

I participated in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Dress, hosted by Joanna of Dividing Vintage Moments, and got a chance to wear this very pretty vintage dress. I purchased the pattern for the November Swirl Dress Sew Along but never ended up making the dress as I was feeling very uninspired by the fabrics on hand. I took part in two Secret Santa gift exchanges. The first was hosted by Jessica of Chronically Vintage and the other by Beccie of Sew Retro Rose. They gifts I received are wonderful and very thoughtful! Thank you ladies!! I ended 2014 with a masquerade themed cocktail party at the new house.

My favorite sewing project of 2014 has to be the Red Birds Dress. Everything but the thread was vintage and came from my stash. McCall 5724 was one of those pattern crying out to be made but it was waiting for the perfect fabric and notions to come along. As surprising as it may sound my least favorite sewing projects were my wedding and reception dresses. It's difficult to enjoy a project when you are working under pressure. (I do have blog posts in the works for these two dresses, I promise)

Projects I wish I could redo or want to go back and alter? If given the chance I'd remake my wedding reception dress. The dress was made literally days before my wedding and I really didn't take the time I should have to properly fit the bodice.  I'm not likely to wear it again any time soon so it's very low on my list of things to do. I would like to alter the bodice of my Violets and Blue and Purple birthday dress. I love how it turned out even if it's a little big. 

Favorite blog post? Vintage Holiday Decor - Vintage Tree Bling. I haven't really done many tutorials on my blog but hope to do more in the future. I had so much fun taking pictures and decorating my little Christmas tree. Shiny things!!

2015 promises many good things and exciting projects. I have several sewing and life related goals for this year but I'll share those in another post. Thank you all for following along with me! Best wishes to everyone for a very happy 2015!