When I was floundering through high school at the end of the 1980’s, I remember reading some news article (in a real printed thing, as we didn’t have online news) that projected Something-or-Other happening by 2018.
I remember thinking – with the scoffing scornfulness of the know-it-all teen-ager – This is science fiction. I mean, really! Two thousand eighteen? Twenty-eighteen? What a silly-sounding date.
And yet, here we are!
I hope 2018 is a splendid year for you, replete with peace, happiness, good health, many blessings – and, of course, lots of wonderful stitching!
Towards the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year, I like to look back to take stock of accomplishments before readjusting and setting new goals.
2017 was fairly busy here on Needle ‘n Thread, and while I haven’t accomplished everything I hoped to accomplish last year, I’m excited that I have the opportunity to try again in 2018!
Some of the more notable accomplishments, needle-and-thread-wise, include finishing a few larger projects, lots of little projects (lots of monograms and Christmas trees!), adding five (that’s a record!) e-books to my little-but-growing online shop, and starting a few projects that will continue (and hopefully end) in 2018.
Two Big Goals for 2018
One thing I didn’t manage, which is now a hot priority, is completing a new section of Needle ‘n Thread that I started building over a year ago. This year, it must get off the ground. So behind the scenes, I’ll be chipping away on that, with an anticipated launch some time this year.
I’m also actively seeking studio space away from my home this year, where I can set up a classroom for local classes with real people, face-to-face, and manage some other Needle ‘n Thread business ideas. I really want to get back to teaching children to embroider, but I can’t do that without a separate space. I also need to grow the business side of Needle ‘n Thread (or I won’t be sticking around a whole lot longer!), and I can’t do that without a separate space, either. So that’s high on my goal list for this year – to find a place to lease (or buy, if necessary) and to find a way to manage the expense.
I hope that, when I’m writing a similar article on January 1, 2019, I will have accomplished these two major goals!
Time for a Party!
The first embroidery project we’ll tackle together in 2018 here on Needle ‘n Thread is Party in Provence, this embroidered kaleidoscope that I finished last year. I’ll be taking you through it step-by-step, so that those of you who want to embroider your own version, can!
The articles covering Party in Provence will include all the materials, the set-up, and then stitch instructions, with various tips and ideas to help you successfully embroider the design (which is available in my Favorite Kaleidoscopes e-book), and that you can apply to other embroidery projects, too.
Anticipation!
Even more than I love Mondays, I love the beginning of a new year! It’s the perfect time to take stock, with gratitude, of the good things in our lives, and to set into motion new plans for improvement and growth.
For me, there’s always a lot of excitement with the dawn of a new year – lots of anticipation for the things I want to do, the goals I want to accomplish, and the journeys that will get me there. Maybe a little trepidation, too, but nothing that a positive attitude and a little determination can’t overcome.
So here’s too a new year, new accomplishments, and new journeys together as we explore all things needle-and-thread!
Happy New Year, my friends!
I apologize for not popping in at the end of last week, as I’d hoped to do. Many of you reached out to ask where I disappeared to. I’m still here – just recovering from the typical Winter Wog that always seems to strike this time of year. I’m on the mend now and should be back to normal in a day or so. Thanks for your concern and for your kind notes! Always appreciated, and the best of remedies!
