Goodbye 2011 Hello 2012

I was supposed to be doing some sewing this morning while Sam is at pre school but my sewing mojo seems to have deserted me so I'm back on the computer looking back at my blog over the last year. What a year its been! I seem to have bought a LOT of fabric but actually did much less sewing (I blame facebook/Twitter/blogging/Pinterest!) I have enjoyed taking part in swaps, I've hosted giveaways and reviewed products. Best of all I have connected with lots of lovely like minded people and discovered some fantastic, inspiring new blogs.

I am proud of several things. I got involved with the 'Dress a Girl around the World' project and was really pleased to be asked to be the UK co-ordinator. A dress I made ended up being worn by a girl in Malawi. Amazing!

With help from all you lovely bloggers we collected 653 dresses which have been distributed to girls in Malawi, Kenya, India and Ghana. Big High Fives all round!!

I ran the Bristol 10k and along with selling some sewing kits raised well over £200 for TBACT who support disabled and abandoned children in Bulgaria. They do amazing work which you can read about here and here.

Horrible photo but proof I did it!

I wrote my first tutorials. A Personalised PE Bag here

and a Bandana Bib here

I made lots of PE bags, hair clip tidies, baking bags, bibs, purses and tooth fairy cushions and my things are now being stocked in a real life shop!

I developed an obsession with vintage singer sewing machines, stalked followed celebrities on twitter and got them to reply to me (sometimes!) and continued my love for Phillip Schofield. I even almost got a makeover on This Morning (long story!)

So what about the New Year. Well I have big plans for 2012!!

I have business idea which involves fabric which I am very excited about. I am currently putting together a business plan to see if I can take it further. That is really exciting. Even my other half thinks its a good idea!

I really want to get things moving with the 'Dress a Girl' project. I need to find more ways of getting the dresses to where they are needed. I'm going to try and gets lots more publicity. I want to run some workshops, get more schools involved and get Kirsty Allsop to make a dress!! I did make one of the bird feeders from her new book so its only fair!!

I want to go on a free machine embroidery course with Poppy Treffrey or Lou Gardiner (birthday hint!!). Both are amazing and inspiring.

I want to do more tutorials. Shall I do one for the Ninendo DS case??

I want to make something I have never made before every month from online tutorials or sewing books and plan to put a to do list on my blog so I don't forget! These will def be on my list (I found lots of these ideas on Pinterest).

A Fabric Basket from Pink Penguin

Pretty Dress by From an Igloo

Mini Art Folio by Gingerbread

Sprocket Pillows by Cluck Cluck Sew

I will make more non sewing related things too!

Like this button letter picture from American Crafts Studio

Wild Horses from Design Sponge

Doily Lampshade  by More Design Please

The New Year has already started well. We have been featured in Simply Homemade Magazine (issue 12) this month!

This was thanks to the lovely Clare from The Craft Studio who has been running free workshops for people who want to make dresses. I have had lots of interest following this article. My next target is 1000 dresses!

I also want to ask a favour. The Sewing Directory and Backstitch are running a 'Sewing Blog of the Year Award. If you like my blog please could you vote for me here or here. It would be fabulous publicity for the dress a girl project and the prize is free fabric which means we can make more dresses!!

Happy New Year!