I decided to challenge myself with an "Art-A-Day 2014". This basically means I am drawing for at least 15 - 30 minutes a day (except on some weekends or when I have family time.) I have been very consistent with it which is good. I decided to do this because I wanted to train myself to be disciplined in my art, whatever it is. I also wanted to see how fast and how quickly I improve throughout the process. So far I can say it's been challenging, but very fun seeing the things that have come out of my brain and already the small improvements I have made.
I have decided I will read at least 1 book a month. January, I read a book called Hopeless on recommendation, it was eh. I could go on a whole rant about it, but I don't want to right now. February, I'm reading a book called How to Propose to a Prince, it's . . . cute. I'm taking it easy this year on the book reading because it's such an expensive hobby to have - if you read the good stuff, you know? I'm not digging the hoards of free books out there. I don't have time to waste on average stories this year. I got too much stuff to do! I got too much to create!
I have also decided that I will sew at least 1 Item each month, even if it's just something as simple as pillowcases. I need to use up the piles of fabric I have. I've reached my goal so far.
January: I sewed a pair of Dallas Cowboy pajama pants for my husband and a pillowcase for my niece:
I was also commissioned to make an underbust black corset.
February: I sewed 3 pillowcases.
I'm in the process of making a prom dress for my niece. I am planning to get that completely finished by the end of this month if I can stop stressing about it. I stress a lot over the design. (God, I really hope I didn't screw up the pattern. I hope it's half decent. I only have the mock-up right now, but it is stressful trying to decide how the hell to do this thing.) Once I am done with the prom dress I think I'll discuss my thoughts about it.
Next month I hope the start the dress inspired by the cover of The Given by Vicki Pettersson. It's a gooooooorgeous blue color, but I have to take care of other things first. Other things being the prom dress. I keep getting distracted. This has nothing to do with anything, but everything outside of the prom dress is looking like this to me... "Oooh sparkly. Preeeeeetty."
Everything is looking sparkly. I like pistachio nut ice cream.
Oh, and Downtown Shabby 2 is in the works. I'm playing O'Brien again. So learning lines, learning songs, learning dances on top sewing, reading, drawing, journaling (in my diary) everyday. . . My creative brain is buzzing. I can't wait until I'm done with the prom dress. Once that is done I plan on throwing in oil painting back into the mix. I've been tossing around the idea of teaching sewing classes for the neighborhood kids, but we'll see.
This year I am going for what I want, are you? I realized at the end of last year that the first thing in getting what you want, is knowing what you want. If you don't know what you want, figure that out first, then research, plan, and take ACTION. Don't just talk about it anymore. Stay positive and DO SOMETHING! Take small steps in the direction you want to go. Small steps is better than no steps.
Leave a comment, if you like, letting me know what you have decided to do this year. Tell me how you are going about taking action.
I hope your year is starting out great!
