3rd New Year Resolution - Keeping track of stuff

I planned to write this post before the year of 2011 is over but life and family got in the way. Yes the New Year celebration is over and most of us will be dragging our feet back to the office after a nice 2 week break over the Christmas (I was back in the office since 3rd Jan, not by choice but because 60+ employees needs to get paid their wages otherwise I am going to be hounded worse than a pack of wolves).

Image from Paula Grace Designs

My 3rd resolution for 2012 is to keep track of my sales and purchases. I am terribly bad with organisation. A couple of months ago I tried to keep tally of the sales I made and write down my purchases of supplies & materials. A few days later I promptly forgot about it. I don't even remember where I saved my Excel spreadsheet. This habit must change otherwise how will I know if my crafting time is worth it or if my handmade creations are profitable (especially if I have plans to make this a success)?

Image from Berry Sweet Treats

 I can start small and simple by jotting in a notebook (got this super cute notebook from Berry Sweet Treats) until I can come up with a spreadsheet that is user friendly enough for me. I think part of the reason I failed to maintain my old one was I had too many columns and wanting to put too much details on a page that it simply looks more disorganised than before. One step at a time is the key (hard to believe that I am from an Accounting / Finance background *embarrassed*). Said to hubby that if I saved enough money at the end of the year from my handmade biz, I am going to buy myself a laptop. Should be a good enough reason to start my record keeping, don't you think?

I hope you are better at this than me :)

P/S : You can read about my 1st resolution here and my 2nd resolution here.

My second New Year Resolution - Sew a Dress for Myself

A couple of weeks back, I wrote about my first New Year resolution on exercising more. You can read about it here.

My second New Year’s resolution is to sew a dress for myself. Actually I think I should start wearing more dresses. I practically live in jeans and t-shirts whenever I go out during the weekends. To me it is practical and comfy. I doubt that I will be donning a frock on Sundays so the only other way is to try to change the outfits I wear to the office. I shall add more dresses to my wardrobe and also attempt to make one myself.

 I found this really simple and basic pattern from Pip Lincolne’s book Sew La Tea Do (published by Hardie Grant) called Miss Marlo Dress. It has no zippers (which seem scary stuff to sew) and Pip will be there holding my hand at every step (sort of.. according to the blurp at the back of the book). It will be such an achievement to be able to wear my very own handmade dress and hopefully be able to brag it to all my mates at the office (or hide in the cleaning cupboard until the day is over). I planned to use Jess Van Den’s (of Epheriell Designs) idea of making one from a vintage bed sheet (or at least an old one). That way if I make a mistake, I will not be wasting too much money on material. Now I need to scour around op shops to find pretty sheets to cut up.

Hope that you will keep me company while I blog about my dressmaking journey in the New Year.If you have any tips for beginner dress making, do share them here. I will love to hear them!

Bring on the New Year Resolutions

I usually do not make New Year resolutions but I have decided that I am going to start making a few for next year. I guess the challenge is to see if I actually stick to it. I will be blogging about my resolutions over the coming days leading to 31^st December so I hope that you will stick around and perhaps share yours too!

My first resolution is to exercise more. Yes this is always on everyone’s list so I am joining the club. My clothes feel a bit snug and I don’t think my nightly chocolate fix is helping. I suppose I can always start by walking. I used to walk from the train station where I get off for work and then do a 25-minute hike to my office. I think the last time I did that was January or February because I decided that it is too rainy/ cold/ early/ hot/ lazy to walk.

Year 2012 – no more excuses. Now where did I put my runners?

Pedestrian Crossing Cufflinks