5 Great ideas for New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!!

This year I've decided to make some DIFFERENT New Year's resolutions. More of a to-do list than a list of resolutions. Of course I'm going to try to eat better and exercise more but I'm also going to focus on some other types of self improvements. Here is my list of 5 great ideas for New Year's resolutions.

1. Take a class. 

I love using my digital SLR camera but I have to admit that I REALLY don't know how to use it past shooting in auto mode. I got a tripod for Christmas, so I've signed myself up for a Craftsy photography course. I signed up for Product Photography at Home but there are TONS of other courses in a variety of subjects. Find one that you will love to take!

2. Drink more tea. 

Ok - I'll admit it, I love coffee and I have one every morning. But tea has so many health benefits that I want to try to drink it more often. I also have a wonderful selection of Davids Tea - and got a great gift pack for Christmas!!

3. Spend more time hand stitching and less time on my iPad. 

I, like many other people, LOVE my iPad and I spend a lot of time on it playing games, checking email and looking at Facebook. Most of this time is pretty unproductive, so this week I'm going to put together some hand stitching projects to work on. This way when I realize that I've been getting too much screen time I can pull one out and get stitching.

4. Read more.

This one also goes along with reducing screen time. I have a PILE of unread magazines and a shelf full of unread novels just waiting for me to put down the screen and curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and a good read.

5. Create with friends.

This one may be the best one of the year!! In February I'll be heading to Nellie's quilt retreat AND starting this month Nellie and I will be welcoming students to our new Quiltworks Studio where we will be offering workshops in Art Journalling, fabric embellishments, hand stitching, papercrafting and MORE!!! I can't wait!!

New Year's Resolutions

My New Year's resolution this year (well one of them anyway) was to spend less time on the computer!! It's not that I don't like the computer - it's the exact opposite. Butt he problem is that when I spend a lot of time on the computer, I h ave less time to do other things. And if you are a computer person like me - you KNOW how much time you can WASTE on the computer. I spend a lot of time actually working on the computer, doing paperwork, paying bills, designing on EQ, writing patterns etc., but I end up spending a lot of time doing other things as well. Now that I am on Facebook, and buy on eBay, and write my blog, I could end up on here for HOURS - sometimes not going to bed until after 1:30 in the morning. So, I've decided to limit the amount of RECREATIONAL time I spend on the computer - and guess what - I've actually been QUILTING and SCRAPBOOKING and EXERCISING and REDECORATING!! I've quilted 3 quilts since New Year's - one for our guild president Jane, one for my friend Dyane and one for another friend Marilee - and I've got another one 3/4 done. We also redecorated the boys' room. So I guess my New Year's resolution is actually working - only problem is that I haven't posted on my blog for exactly one month!!