Posts Tagged ‘recap’

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.

My Favorites of 2011

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I’ve spent some good time this last weekend reflecting on the year. Boy, it’s been a doozy. I was marveling to Chris at how much we did this year & he said, “What are you talking about? Every year that we’ve been married has been like last year.”

Oh come on! Last year was totally huge.

Here’s a little list of my favorite moments and projects (by category) of last year:

A D V E N T U R E

Welcoming Baby Felix into our family was my favorite adventure of the year. Not the labor, not the post-partum, not even the being pregnant part. Just Baby Felix. I would love to forget the pain & discomfort child bearing brings. I’m so happy to have my two kiddos here with me, safe & sound.

A R T • 

I’ve not done much by way of actual art this year, but sharing my fashion sketches in my refashion posts have been a lot of fun.

C A L L I G R A P H Y

I might be the most proud of the way this little Thank You freebie turned out. Now that our printer is working again – I’m planning on printing a bunch of these out to send to neighbors, friends & family.

C R A F T S • 

Making these little leather sandals for Penelope had to have been my favorite craft project all year, if not of all time. I’m pretty proud of how they turned out & She loved wearing them this summer!

D E S I G N • 

Working with Megan Nielsen on her rebranding was perhaps my favorite design project this year. I had a fantastic time working with her & I’m so in love with each & every one of her patterns!

D I Y

My DIY photography backdrop was a stroke of genius in my opinion. It solved a lot of issues that I had with the brass fixtures & ugly carpet in my previous studio. I just put it up in my new studio to cover up 2x4s & plastic-covered insulation.

F O O D

David Lebovitz’s Idiot Chocolate Cake is perhaps the tastiest thing to tickle my tastebuds this year. Well, besides Ruby Snap’s cookie of the month in April: Billie Ann. Mmm. SUGAR.

F R E E B I E S

Jill & I worked so hard on this party suite. I think Jill’s name cards were my favorite part of the suite.

P H O T O G R A P H Y

This has to be my favorite photo of 2011. I love Felix’s scrunchy face!

R E F A S H I O N

This has to be my favorite refashion of the year. I still wear this skirt all the time. I’m over at Yellow Brick Home talking about why I love it so much.

S E W I N G

I’m so proud of how this swimsuit coverup turned out. I ended up dyeing it & I wear it all the time as a regular top.  It took FOREVER, but it was so worth it! Look at this project is getting me excited to get back into the sewing swing of things.

T H R I F T Y

I found this killer Arthur Umanoff chair for $8 at a local thrift store. I had no idea what it was before (or even after) I bought it, I just knew that I loved it. It’s inspired me to know a little bit more about history’s fantastic designers.

T U T O R I A L S

I had been planning on sharing this tutorial for the magic braided bracelet with you for some time (over a year at least), but just didn’t know how to explain myself. I was proud that I actually sat down & did it.

So there you have it, my proudest moments of 2011. What were yours? Do you have favorite tutorials/projects that you’ve found? Leave links (links to other blogs encouraged) in the comments below!

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