This has been a big year for me in blogging. I closed the doors of Simple Homemade, began contributing for Simple Mom, which became The Art of Simple, dove back in deeper here at Gidget Goes Home and successfully completed my second 31 days series. It was also a year that brought me back to my real love of this thing called blogging, and found me experiencing the community of the blogosphere in ways I had only gotten a taste of in years past.
Here's a look back at the goals I set for myself in the realm of creativity for this past year.
1. Get organized.
I definitely made progress here. I got everything unpacked and for the most part found a place for everything. I've got sewing stuff in my bedroom and other crafty supplies downstairs in my closet office. But it's not exactly a pretty system. I could still use some work on this goal in 2014.
2. Stay consistent.
I did a little better on this one. Writing for Simple Mom/The Art of Simple helped a lot with this because I work well on deadlines. My sewing machine is currently on the fritz so I need to get that fixed soon so I can have it ready for working on projects. I never really did get into a groove with working on something simple (like embroidery) in the evenings.
3. Hone new skills.
Sadly, I never did learn how to use the serger before I had to return it, but someday I'll climb that mountain. I did learn how to use my Cricut Mini and what a fun tool that is! I want to get it out more this next year and use up some of that scrapbooking paper that I'm not using anymore for some pretty things.
Specific project goals:
Leggings for Gigi-- yay, I did this! I finally got around to buying some knit fabric from Girl Charlee and made her these adorable rainbow leggings for Christmas. She loved them! The fabric is a little lighter weight than is ideal for active little girl legs but now that I know I can do it-- sewing on stretchy fabric is intimidating!-- I'm going to make her a couple more pairs with my GoToLeggings pattern.
The infamous mending pile-- This is a tricky one. Because while yes, I did work on this, I'm also always adding to it. ;) But I do still want to get better about fixing things quickly, like, ahem, before they are outgrown for example.
Sewing School, the ebook-- It's getting closer! I'm vowing to get serious about this because I am close to finishing it.
It wasn't my most productive year, creatively speaking, but I'll give myself a bit of grace since a lot of my time goes to raising and educating kids and blogging. I am content with how I did on these goals though. My intentions weren't to simply check off a few things on a list, but to progress forward in my creative life, and I did do that.
Popular posts of 2013
These were the posts that you guys viewed the most. If you are new to Gidget Goes Home or haven't read or pinned them, they might be a good place to start!
1. DIY diaper sprayer {an oldie but always my most popular of the year}
2. My favorite handmade gifts to date
3. Announcing the Motherhood & Jane Austen Book Club
4. Welcome to 31 Days of Intentional Community
5. My homeschool planner (with printables)
7. Homemade springtime strawberry fro-yo
What's in store for 2014?
I'm getting excited to take some time in next week to set some goals and refine my blog categories and then hopefully publish more posts in the next year.
I will occasionally post an update on the book club, along with more book reviews, recipes, crafty goodness, photos and general thoughts on life. I'm SO thankful for each of you who reads along with what's going on in my life and in my heart, and also for the passion God has given me for connecting with fellow women by way of the blogosphere.
What I'd really like to know is what you'd like to read more of here on Gidget Goes Home. Whether you are a veteran reader as I go into my 5th year of blogging (!!) or brand new around to my blog, I'd love it if you left a comment telling me what you look forward to reading here in the new year.
And don't forget! Pinterest to Real Life, my monthly feature where we share what we we've made and done from the pins that have inspired us is coming back in 2014 here at Gidget Goes Home. So if you're a blogger, get those posts ready for the first week of January to link up, showcasing what you've done. If you're not a blogger, you can totally tell us in the comments what you've been up to, too.
Did you set creative goals for the year? How did you progress on your skills and what you wanted to accomplish? What do you want to read about more on GGH in 2014?
Affiliate links included.