Looking Back and Planning Ahead

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It’s been a really nice Christmas break. Our family ventured to Phoenix (you can see our shenanigans here). Chris is back home with his dad and brother trudging through the snow and skiing while I’m at the in-law’s soaking up sun and eating all the grapefruit and oranges I can get my hands on.

I’m taking a minute (maybe you’re rolling your eyes because every blog is doing this?), to look back at all the things I’ve done over the last year (boy I’ve grown a lot). Here are my favorites in no particular order.

I revamped a beautiful coat to fit in the 21st century, I made stamps out of leather, Felix loves his new leggings and I lengthened a dress with the powers of colorblocking.

I wrote a few thank yous, I finally launched my online calligraphy workshop, I sewed a few neat outfits for Penelope and I refashioned a reversible maternity/nursing top.

I made a tote bag out of a pillow case, I finally shared how to color block leather, I started the zero budget project and I painted magnets.

I refashioned trousers into a skirt, I refashioned trousers into a skirt again, I designed a pretty bag and I made a high-low skirt.

I finally settled on a color for the dresser, I upholstered some stools, Penelope loves her cosby sweater and I can’t resist the combination of bows and leather.

Now looking forward. . .

Things may be quiet on the surface around here, but there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes. I’m just polishing off a rebrand (6 months in the works) that Chris now has the daunting task of coding. The new look will highlight content more and you’ll be able to find old content easier. I’ll talk about the restructuring later.

I’m also feverishly working on completing this year’s Alt Summit Business cards, several items of clothing (each outfit at Alt will have one or more handmade item in the mix – ambitious, I know) and a few side projects for friends. Chris gave me a serger for Christmas (!!!) which will make a few of those projects much easier. Over the break, I learned to use my mother-in-law’s coverstitch machine and I’m completely hooked. I believe my handmade wardrobe just got dialed up a notch.

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  1. Kieran says:

    Happy New Year! I’m excited to see what you do in the upcoming year!

  2. Lindsay says:

    You had an awesome year! I wish I had the motivation you do to sew and get things done. I have quite the list of resolutions this year. :)

  3. Stacey says:

    Ohh that sounds like such an exciting up coming year, and you’ve already done so much (technically) last year. I hope it all works out for you – ps I love Penelope’s sweater too! xx

  4. Hanna says:

    Thanks for teaching me calligraphy this year!

  5. kristin says:

    I’ve really enjoyed following your blog this year, Melissa!! Your style is really inspiring. Happy 2013!

  6. Jeannie D says:

    You Rock, M’Lady! Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family

  7. rachel says:

    Can you post a tutorial on how you did that awesome onesie with the “N” on it??? It is amazing!

  8. AmberLee says:

    happy new year!! can’t wait to see the new look!

    and am so happy you posted this look-back because it is reminding me how much i adored your kids space and am reinspired to do some work around here.

    also, i can hardly wait to get to your class at alt. (i am going for my first time! and have been beside myself since seeing your class on the schedule. goody goody!)

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