Ellie Inspired

This end of year post is really more for me so that I can check and see how I did with making my goals and the amount of work I accomplished this year.  It's so important to keep track and set new goals for yourself!  It motivates you to work harder and be more organized.  Maybe you will enjoy looking back and remembering different things we worked on together too.

I tried to pull together pictures of everything I made this year and count up how many garments I actually made.  I love to do this every year just to keep track for myself.  Last year (2010) I made 150 items, published 14 patterns, 5 free patterns for either Ellie Inspired or a fabric company, and one sewalong!!  

My New Year's resolutions last year were:

• Have my first ever Spring TRUNK SHOW!  (So super excited about that!  If you are a store owner and reading this blog post, please email me or send me a message to be placed on the list.  I'm having a hard time narrowing down my choices with all the cute Fabric Finders fabric available but can't wait to get sewing!)   I did not do this last year.  I am still open to doing this for 2012 if there is an interest from any store owners.  Just contact me!
• Get all of my patterns published in paper form!  (Working on that this week.  Oh, I can't wait to see my patterns in their cute little bags all folded and nice.  It will be like Christmas all over again!)  I DID get the majority of my patterns printed.  A couple of my very first patterns are all that are left to get put into print form!!
• Try to go to bed before midnight  (This may seem like a funny goal to anyone who doesn't know me personally.    It is usually much later than that.)  I tried....but I didn't do it much!
• Start working with my sister-in-law with professional photo shoots.  (Her work is amazing and I'll share more info about her later.)  Check!!  We had a lot of fun this year!  My sister-in-law is AWESOME at photography!
• Set a specific time for daily Bible reading each day so that it doesn't get lost in the busy-ness of the day.  Could definitely do better with this this year. 
• Sew more for myself.  Nope, didn't happen...hopefully this year!

In 2011, I made a little over 120 items, published 16 patterns (ending the year at 30 patterns), 3 free patterns, and 3 free tutorials.  We also raised over $1000 together for the victims of the Japanese Tsunami and contributed towards the relief efforts for the terrible tornadoes through Alabama (total raised =a little over $1000 again!).  I posted pictures of everything I could find down below if you're interested.  For every picture taken, there is at least one more muslin that became playclothes or a gift that I forgot to take a picture of but that's fine.  There's plenty enough to bore you with already!

Three FREE patterns:

THREE FREE TUTORIALS:

So, what are my resolutions for THIS year?

• Finish printing all my patterns and get them into many more stores.
• Attend Creative Needlework Market this year and get to meet many of you in person!
• Sew more!
• Take more pictures!
• Publish 20 patterns this year (Gulp!)
• Finish my Masters correspondence program in Fashion Design & Pattern Drafting
• Give my blog and website a fresh new look!
• Paint and set up my new sewing room
• Possibly hire some part-time help to help me pack patterns and mail shipments each week.
• Finish up my Sewing School part of my website.
• Some more exciting new ventures that I'm going to leap into!  (Still a surprise!)

This year has been incredible for me!  I can not believe where I am today when I think of two years ago and how pattern drafting wasn't even a thought in my head at that time.  God is good!  Although I plan my steps, the direction they take is definitely up to Him and it is exciting to see His plan unfold.

Happy New Year, dear friends!