Friday 6 January 2023

2023 - Happy New Year

Hello, and Happy New Year to all my friends and followers.  


I'm just back from five nights in Sydney, Australia and I feel refreshed and re-energized. It was great to dust off my passport and travel internationally again.  Sydney was vibrant and busy and I loved it. 

Thank you for all the kind comments on my 2022 Christmas Countdown.  I enjoyed taking you through all my Christmas makes.  Maybe I'll do it again in five years time when I've got some new things to show you.  

Now it's time to think about 2023.  Normally I'd write lists of my quilting and embroidery priorities for the year ahead, but I'm going to change things up this year.  I'm going to focus on two key themes:

  • finish what I've already started
  • use what I already have
That may sound a bit boring to those of you who come here for inspiration, but I can promise you that I've got some beautiful things half finished in my spare room.  And even more lovely things that I haven't even started yet.  In 2023 it's time to buckle down and use what I've already got.  


First up I intend to make some summer dresses.  In Kaffe Fassett fabrics of course. I ordered these beauties some months ago but it's hard to get motivated when the weather is cold. The first one just needs hemming and then I'll be able to show you.  



And in the evenings I'll be working on my cross stitch.  I've joined a couple of mystery Stitch A Longs (SALs) this year.  I can't show you the patterns or I'll be kicked out of the groups, but I am excited about them.  Mum gave me a set of 3 lovely pear designs for Christmas and I've finished the embroidery for the first one already. 



I'm hoping to finish a few quilts in 2023 because I've got quite a few half made already! Plus plenty of new patterns I want to try out.  



I've also got quite a few teaching weekends booked already. so I'm going to be busy in 2023.  

But never fear, I'll still have plenty to show you each week.  Thank you for continuing to visit my blog, and best wishes for the year ahead.  

Now it's time for the Peacock Party.  Feel free to link up a recent blog post below.  


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

9 comments:

Gretchen Weaver said...

I'm looking forward to seeing all the quilts you finish this year. I'm sure it felt great to travel abroad again, happy stitching!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Good goals! This is the idea behind my Stashbusters monthly check in. Not that we cannot buy more fabric, but that we look to the stash first.

Vicki in MN said...

That building is just so interesting with all those roof lines! Looks like you have a solid plan for 2023, good luck!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

you always have such lovely bright fabrics and pretty patterns to use - do you find using the kaffe in dresses wrinkles a lot or is it a different fabric tha quilt fabric maybe a rayon - I haven't looked to see if his is more than quilters cotton

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

It looks like you have amazing Projects!! and great plans for a fun year!
So fun to travel again - Sydney looks amazing!

Michelle said...

I can’t wait to see your Kaffe Fassett dresses!

Mystic Quilter said...

Kaffe fabrics are perfect for the Summer, also AMH fabrics. I just bought yardage of a lawn from her new range. I don't need any more fabric - but then a new range comes along which is very appealing and bingo - more fabric. Good luck with your use up what you have decision!

FlourishingPalms said...

I think your two 2023 goals are quite admirable! All of us should be adopting such straightforward plans. I like that you're making dresses with Kaffe fabrics! Since I don't buy Kaffe prints, I hadn't thought of using them, but I think they would be fun and colorful for warm weather. The only negative thing I can imagine is that a dress will need to be ironed after washing. I'll be interested to see what patterns you use. So glad you had a nice get-away to Sydney. I've stood in the same spot from which you took your photo! It's such a beautiful city. Hope you accomplish your 2023 goals. Perhaps you should track your outgoing yardage, as proof (not that you need it) of your accomplishments. I'm thinking of doing that. Happy 2023.

Agile Jack said...

It's funny, but I've been thinking that I need to finish some unfinished projects too. And once the big pile of KFC fabrics I bought on sale arrives, I'm dedicated to only using what I have! HAHAHA! Let's see how long that lasts!
Anne/Agilejack