Welcome to 2021!

 Hello everyone!

Happy New Year to you all!

I didn't mean for SIX months to go by without a peep here on my blog, yet a lot of things fell by the wayside as I journeyed through the ups and downs of last year.  For me, I experienced a definite shaking of my world, routine, family, job, emotions, etc. like everyone else.  I decided to put my focus on maintaining my health, well-being, and sanity.  That looked like a lot of prayer, Bible reading, and personal reflection.  It is what sustained me during a lot of the crazyness of the year.  And it is what continues to give me peace even now.  

I also got a promotion at my part-time job that required A LOT more time and involvement from me.  I did not anticipate all the work that this new role would entail, and between all of these things, I decided to take a break from blogging.  In October I tested positive for COVID due to an exposure at the preschool I work at.  It started as a stuffy nose and congestion, then progressed to pretty much all of the symptoms listed for the virus (loss of taste, nausea, extreme drowsiness).  The only symptom I didn't have was a fever.  I proceeded to quarantine, yet had already exposed my family unknowingly for two days, and they all developed symptoms too.  Thankfully, we all made it through, recovered well, and only had a lingering cough at night for about a month.

In terms of sewing, I have continued to sew because it is what I love to do.  I did not complete my Make Nine Outerwear challenge for last year, but it is still an aspirational goal that I would like to continue.  I have made a lot of garments for my wardrobe, and am really learning to coordinate colors in ways that I will use and wear them.  I have actually finished two or three capsules in the time I have been away; however, I did decide to break my RTW fast when I started working.  I bought some dress slacks for work because I didn't have the time to finish some, and felt like it was worth it to avoid stressing myself out.  Since then I realize I still like the pants I make better (LOL), and have continued to work at sewing pants.  I have used my trusty Ginger jeans pattern to sew three more pairs!! I love that pattern!!

Turning to my goals for 2021, I have decided to take the year to participate in different sewing challenges and sewalongs.  Because I usually plan a lot for years in the past, it has been a stretch to participate in the various sewalongs that come up without putting a lot of undue pressure on myself, or abandoning my own personal goals.  This year I want to leave myself free for what pops up, while also hoping to connect more with the sewing community.  At the end of December I started doing some research on year-long sewalongs to follow, and didn't come up with any.  So, I am open to what comes! If you know of any great sewalongs to share, please let me know.  In the meantime, I will be popping on to share things I have made for each month.

As crafting continues to surge, I hope you are finding ways to make time for handmades.  A little time here, and a little time there adds up and brings so much joy in the process.  Here's to a year of hopefulness, and a space for mindful making!

Stay sew-filled!