As one might tell from the lateness of this blog, my thoughts for new year and reflections of the last has taken a bit more time than I had fully anticipated, but I feel like my conclusions and dreams were worth the extra pondering (thanks for waiting for me to get my show on the road).

First off, I'd like to address last year's list of resolutions.

I quite obviously have not opened my shop yet, and while I hope to do it this year, I'm a little glad I didn't this year. As much as I want to make a living doing what I'm passionate about, I never want to sacrifice the quality of my work for my own convenience. Last year was busy and a lot of changes happened- everything from getting my degree, driving well over 5,000 miles, getting my first job out of college, and picking up fantastic crafts and techniques to enrich my life. And yes, being too busy can be an excuse to the last breath, but I'd like to think this time was reasonable.
I did start dyeing, and I am madly in love with it. You will absolutely see more dyeing this year, and maybe all of my hopes and dreams come true I can become an indie dyer (aim for the moon, right?)
Scrap projects were also a thing last year! You were able to share in my delight (hopefully) over the honeycomb quilt I've been making with odds and ends of fabric that I fell in love with over the years, and saved a smidge for a mysterious something special that only revealed itself recently. Plus, while not published, I have been working on scrap rugs and have been secretly collecting remnants of yarn to do a Bee Keeper's Quilt!
As any sane person would imagine, I did not get through cleaning all of my raw fiber. It didn't help that I bought more of it last year. I know I have a problem, but I'm working on it, and by working on it I mean that the stairs in my home are COVERED in raw fiber that has been washed and is awaiting me picking through it. Officially I'm not allowing myself to buy anymore raw fiber until it's all been cleaned and spun, but who knows- I smell alpaca and next thing I know I have 30 pounds of fiber. It's a slippery slope.
I did do some stitch showcasing in the last year, though not as much as I had intended. I do plan to do it here and there, but I'm not sure if it will ever become a big part of my blog- I get far too caught up in finished projects.
Last but not least, last year this time I hoped that I could bring some joy into the lives of the people who take the time to read my blog. I have received so much warm and loving feedback from people I've spent my life looking up to or wonderful people that my mother knows/is family. While I'd like to think that I could have a positive impact on your lives, I'm not sure how it could ever outshine how much joy your love and support has brought me. Everyone from my mother's dear cousin to the strong and inspiring women that raised me to be the fierce and unrelenting crafter I am today has made 2017 unforgettably special. It's because of all of you that I never stay down when the going gets tough. Thank you.

As for this next year,

I do want to get my shop open. I won't ever sacrifice quality, so if it doesn't happen that's just the way it is, but I'm setting that hope anyway.
I want to keep dyeing fiber, and hopefully fabric, to make beautiful and lush colours that make all of you drool (prepare the towels now, this one is in the works already).
As unreasonable as it may be- I would like to have at least 100 honeycombs sewn together for that quilt, and I would like to make similarly staggering progress for the beekeeper's quilt. Yes this is madness, but my mother always told me that if I didn't have enough to do that I would get myself into trouble.
I would like to get better at embroidery- because it's a fabulous skill that I'm terrible at. I do love a good challenge.
THE 30 POUNDS OF RAW ALPACA IS GETTING PROCESSED THIS YEAR. I don't care if I have to become a hermit through November and December to make it happen, it's happening.
Finally, because it's a major part of why I do this- I hope this blog can bring you some joy, I feel like it's the least I can do with all the joy you've brought to me.

Stay sweet, stay crafty, and stay tuned.

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