If “create more art” was one of your New Year’s resolutions, February’s design challenge themes will be just the thing you need to keep the inspiration flowing. Cuddly creatures, limited color palettes and a challenge inspired by Roostery’s newest product line will kick your resolution into high gear and keep you on track. Sharpen your pencils, charge up those tablets and start your design engine! [Read more…] about Announcing February’s Design Challenge Themes
New Year's resolutions
13 Resolutions for a Crafty New Year
Happy New Year, everyone! As we do every January, we’re putting our mind to accomplishing a few projects over the next twelve months, from cleaning up a craft room, adding to a me-made wardrobe or trying a new skill like woodworking. Whether you want to tackle one big idea or go for nine (we love the #2018MakeNine movement from Spoonflower designer homerowfiberco), now’s the time to create your own maker resolutions! The Spoonflower team has been thinking of our biggest maker goals for the coming year in hopes that we can all make 2018 the year of DIY—dive in and see what our resolution are!
5 Tools to Help You Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution!
It’s the New Year and you’ve got big plans: Finish that quilt that has been hanging around for the past 2 years, organize the craft room (I’m looking at you, fabric stash), finally attempt the unthinkable…zippers. Whether your resolutions are inspired by your crafting hobbies or simply a kick-start to getting back on track, we’ve got you covered with five different resolution re-starters to prevent the mid-year slump!
We’ve all been there before…frantically searching for fabric shears under a mess of fabric scraps, pattern pieces and thread and uttering out the words, “Tomorrow I’m going to organize this entire craft room from head to toe if it’s the last thing I do!” Let this be the year of the clean craft room with the help of a pegboard supply wall!
[Read more…] about 5 Tools to Help You Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution!
8 Ways to Make Your Resolutions Stick
How to ensure this is the best year yet? As we launch into January, take some time to try these fun and simple ways to motivate you to stick with your fabulous resolutions, whether you’re aiming to hit the gym, eat healthier, sew all the things, take stock of what you’re thankful for, or just find time for a little more relaxation.
- Stick to your #SewGoals with a Sewing Planner from Colette Patterns.
Sewing Planner from Colette Patterns
5 Tools to Keep you Motivated in 2015
As we come to the close of our first full week of January, the Internet is simply bursting with challenges, e-courses, printables, and inspiration to keep you motivated to achieve your goals and to keep your resolutions for this new year. Whether you're resolving to learn a new skill or to finally finish the lonely WIPs you've collected over the years, here are some tools we find particularly helpful for taking action and staying motivated as we charge right along into this new year.
1. Take a free online craft class.
The web is full of comprehensive and high quality video courses to get you started with your craft projects, especially at a beginning level. It's the perfect way to get a jump on that new skill you're itching to learn this year. Craftsy offers free mini-classes in everything from sewing a bag with Sew, Mama, Sew! founder Kristin Link to woodworking and gardening.
2. Clear your space, clear your mind with Apartment Therapy's January Cure.
It really is easier to cook a healthy meal, stretch in the morning, or start a new sewing project when your space is clutter-free and set up to maximize your workflow. The January Cure brings you daily emails for a month's worth of small projects designed to get your place in shape. It's not too late to start–you can sign up anytime and see all past assignments right here. They even have a downloadable calendar to help you plan your tasks for the month.
3. Make #WIPWednesday or #FinishItFriday part of your routine.
Pick a day of the week to focus on those half-knitted sweaters or quilt tops waiting to be basted, and post photos of your progress or, better yet, finished projects on your blog or preferred social media platform to stay accountable. Your friends and followers will be delighted by what you're working on, and their comments and encouragement can help get you to the finish line.
4. Listen and learn while you work toward your goals with related podcasts.
Make the most of time spent reaching your goals by listening to podcasts related to your interests. Maybe you've resolved to pursue your creative business idea full-time in 2015? Well as you stitch, print, and plan, put on Abby Glassenberg's While She Naps podcast to hear the valuable experiences of other makers who have gone this route ahead of you. The insight and advice to be gained by experts in your field can keep you motivated and inspired.
5. Remember that reaching your goal is a journey, with many small steps along the way.
As the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. The small actions you take toward reaching your larger goals deserve to be celebrated. Surround yourself with inspiration (find lovely free printables on the web or design your own) and reminders that even a small step toward achieving your goal is worthy.
You've made it through the first week of the new year, and we're so excited to see all that can be accomplished in 2015!
Vote For New Year’s Resolution Designs
This week we asked designers to share their hopes and intentions for the new year. You’ll love browsing these funny and thoughtful designs.
Happy Crafty New Year, everyone!
I hope everyone out there is enjoying the last few hours of 2008. Stephen and I are having a few friends and neighbors over tomorrow for black-eyed peas and collard greens, the traditional Southern New Year’s Day dinner. We’ve asked everyone to write down a resolution to drop into our resolution swap bowl just for laughs and of course that’s gotten me thinking about the whole topic of New Year’s resolutions.
I’m not the type to get all stressed out about my resolutions, personally. Yes, I make a few that pop up repeatedly over the years, mostly of the get in shape/exercise more/eat more healthfully variety, but…meh. I’m not going to beat myself up if they don’t happen. I’m a goal-oriented kind of gal so just making those plans and thinking about them is half the fun for me anyways. I’m a Type A dork like that.
But I listened to Sister Diane’s podcast on “Crafty New Year’s Resolutions” recently and while she made this recording two years ago, I still think it’s timely. Y’all go listen to it if you need some ideas for creative resolve in 2009. I wasn’t looking to do anything all that different in 2009, but she’s made me decide to resolve something genuinely fun this year and I’m making it public right now.
I resolve to wear something handmade or something vintage everyday.
There! Fun! This will be my way of getting back in touch with my inner clotheshorse now that I’m nearly done nursing our last little girl and won’t have to be…well, accessible anymore. Plus, I’ll be keeping my recently rediscovered clothes making momentum going.
What about you? Anyone else making crafty New Year’s resolutions? If you are, do tell!