Looking Back on 2012

As we all have the tendancy to do, I've been thinking about the year gone past as we open the book on the year ahead. Obviously, my most important "made" was little Rocket Man. He is really a joy.

(smooching the baby in the mirror)

After reviewing my Flickr photostream, and my Instagram photos, it does seem like I sewed a lot more than I thought I did! :) But, to be honest, not as much as I wanted to. 3 kids will wear an old girl out! :) Here are most of the over 60 bee blocks I made this year. I know of about 5 that weren't pictured, though I can't explain why. I'm sure I took the pictures, I just guess maybe I didn't post them to Flickr?

And here is a mosaic of all the things (most of the things?) I made in 2012. Not too shabby, but, again, I wanted to make more. Maybe in 2013, right?

And, I don't know if many of you remember, but last January, I set a goal for myself, and posted it, calling it Truth. My Goal for 2012. I wanted to be more financially responsible, and I put it all out there so anyone who wanted to, could see where I wanted to try harder. Here's what I wrote then:

Can Buy

• Necessities - such as diapers, clothes for the kids, cat litter, etc.
• Eat out for lunch 1x a week/the girls and 1x a week for dinner/all 4 of us
• Fabric and supplies for gifts or charity projects
• Cleaning supplies
• Educationally nutritional stuff for the kids
• Gifts for others
• Absolutely necessary clothing for Melissa (like undergarments) :)
• New saucepan since I burned the good one I had...otherwise no kitchen items!
• Make-up that costs less than $5
• Party supplies for whatever parties we might have, but borrow what I can.

Can't Buy (because we already have enough of these things!)

• Fabric just because it's pretty and I want to have it (to "stash")
• Thread just because it's on sale.
• Paper and pens and blank cards and office supplies (unless we're out).
• Toys for the kids (except birthday/Christmas gifts).
• Clothes for me. At all. Maternity or otherwise (unless it's a necessity, see above)
• Sippy cups. Hah!
• Fabric for "ideas in my head" -- I can only buy fabric for projects I will actually DO!
• Convenience store candy/snacks/drinks
• Any dishes or kitchen items (except the saucepan I mentioned above!)
• Sewing tools I could borrow
• Colored nail polish
• Wrapping paper and accessories
• ANYTHING on clearance. (Unless it's on the "can buy" list already) - but nothing "just because"
• Shoes for me. At all. Unless it's a necessity.

And here's how I did with all of that:

• We ate out more than what I said I would, but less than what I wanted to. :)
• I didn't buy any stash fabric, which is a miracle considering some of the lovely fabric collections that came out this year! If I bought anything, it was for a specific project in mind. I'm proud of myself, but feel like I've missed out on some lovelies. That's okay, though. My time will come. :)
• As far as I can recall, I didn't buy any items of clothing for me that weren't on the "can buy" list. I'm sure there are some, but I just can't think of them. Maybe a t-shirt? Pretty good!
• I never replaced my burned saucepan. Maybe in 2013. :)
• I bought one flat of eye shadow. AND I had a coupon, so it came out to about $2.50! Woot woot!
• I did buy a few pens, and maybe one or two packs of cards, but they were on clearance. (I can't be good at everything!)
• I'm sure I bought toys for the kids, but don't remember them. We have WAY too many toys as it is!
• I definitely bought sodas at the convenience store, and sometimes snacks. This was one I never should have put out there! I just love fountain Cokes. :)
• All the rest, I think I held my ground. I didn't buy any shoes, or sewing supplies, or thread just because, or wrapping paper, or kitchen items.

Overall, I know I spent less this year because of my goal, but I feel like I spent more this year because of the massive change of family situation (Hiya, Rocket Man!). Diapers, formula ($$), clothes. It's all good, and I know I can survive without spending as much as I already do, but I have to say that I miss my days of "retail therapy", and being able to go and spend money on myself without really feeling guilty about what I didn't buy for anyone else. What I wouldn't give to have a few new foundation pieces for my wardrobe!! :) A couple of warm snuggly sweaters (my "newest" sweaters are about 6 years old), some cute tops, a couple of cute skirts. I'd sure feel spoiled, but, as with all gluttony, I would feel bad later.

I'm going to keep it up in 2013, and maybe even tighten in a few other areas, I don't know. It's nice to look back and see that I was pretty good, though. Pretty good.

Happy new year to you, my friends! I wish you the very best in this new year.

Blessings!
~Melissa