If you’ve seen my YouTube video accompanying this post, then you’ll know my friend Jacqui has coined 2024 as 2020-More! Jacqui’s ‘more’ is to ‘do more’, however mine will be 2020-use more bloody wool I already have in. How I wish it was 2020-buy more wool and fabric hehe.
Does anyone else feel weird about new year? I was perfectly happy doing my Agatha Christie tapestry I got for Christmas, whilst watching a countdown of Britain’s favourite party songs (choose from any Black Lace song then!). However, looking at social media made me feel like I was considered ‘alone’, because everyone else was at a party, or at least with someone else…or a pet at a push.
Does anyone else feel the same? Christmas is similar, where the world makes me feel I should be considered lonely if I’m not spending every festive minute with company.
By virtue of not turning into a Love Island model on January the first, I feel rather deflated. Am I not meant to feel sparkly with the presence of a new year? Between my neighbourhood sounding like The Blitz and maudlin at Adele songs, it was difficult to get to sleep.
I think it’s ok I didn’t turn into a shiny new Rachel when the clock struck midnight. After all, it’s just another day on the Roman calendar and I’m playing the long game. I got a bit upset over this: When will LMDS take off exponentially? Will it even take off? Will I ever afford a house?
I’m sure the melancholy will dissipate once I get back into the routine of work (day job) and everyone gets back to their own lives. So I’m still playing the long game, building on the skills and consistency I mentioned in my last post.
Here is a little bullet point summary of the crafting and personal goals I hope to achieve in 2024.
- Do not buy any more wool or fabric (in England anyway!). I will endeavour to be more creative and use what I have in. This will also help me to be more sustainable.
- To keep sewing and also try some new crafts, such as Sashiko. I also bought myself a little MDF library kit, so I will have a go at putting that together, in addition to painting it.
- I smashed trying to do more colour work last year, so this year I would like to improve on these skills and have a go at steeking.
- To use some bloody sock wool. Perhaps I should try and do a pair of socks in between each project?
- To save money, for holidays and house deposit – I’m sure if I take care of not buying wool and fabric, this will take care of itself!
- To keep the momentum with filming and posting for LMDS. Do let me know if there is any content you would like me to cover about any craft.
- More crafty travels and travel blogs. Perhaps plan a return to Norway 🙂
- Aim to gain more subscribers/followers for longform YouTube content. To be on a trajectory towards gaining revenue, whether through pattern sales or YouTube (I need 4000 followers to get monetised). With revenue, I would be able to purchase new or upgrade current filming/designing equipment.
- Keep up the habit of learning Norwegian. I have been learning for over 100 days thus far. I would also like to be more proactive with speaking and perhaps hire a tutor for this (which feels scary to me!).
- Keep up good habits reading before bed, to improve my sleep.
- Finally go and watch Peter Kay. He is probably the most famous modern comedian in the UK and 7 years ago he released a tour but this was soon cancelled owing to personal circumstances. I bought two tickets, for me and my fella at the time, and I got dumped. This time I queued for hours online and managed to get two tickets, and I got dumped again before having the chance to go. Couldn’t write it! So, I’ll have been waiting 18 months for this new tour and the chance to finally watch Peter Kay and end ‘The Curse of The Kay’!
- To slow down. I have some slow stitching projects, such as Sashiko and tapestry; I would also like to tackle some 4 ply jumpers. My problem is, I get too excited thinking about the next project, so I would like to try and be more in the moment of what I’m currently doing.
- Finally, if I get through a good chunk of my stash, then I think I will have the time, room and headspace to take on some trickier stills, such as drafting my own patterns. Obviously, being me, I already have all the books and rulers ready and waiting.
So there we have it. Please do feel free to share any suggestions for video content you would like to see this year, in addition to getting any New Year blues off your chest.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to current and new subscribers and followers of Little Miss Drop Stitch.
Thank you and Take care, Rachel G x
Little Miss Drop Stitch 