A brand new year is right around the corner. I don’t know about you, but 2017 went by incredibly fast. It wasn’t a bad year, but I’m finding it hard to look back or reflect on it. Perhaps that means I should just focus on looking ahead?
Every January I like to come up with a list of goals or resolutions to keep throughout the year. Actually keeping them is a different story, but I do try, and that must count for something.
Personal resolutions are well, personal, but hobby goals? Let’s see, what were they last year again…?
Last year I wanted to “strictly limit new herd members” and that turned out to be a spectacular FAIL, especially in the last few months.
Managing my time better and staying on top of bookkeeping was another goal that also didn’t go according to plan. Now I have a big mess to go through before tax season, YAY! Good job, Nichelle.
However, I did make a lot of tack this year, (and made a small dent in my hardware stash!) which is always a hobby goal. A lot of the motivation for that came from participating in NMTM in April, where I put together an in-hand set for my Woodbridge resin.
That led to several bridles and halters in addition to sewn pieces like saddle pads and blankets.
I did manage to keep up with the weekly-ish blogging, put together several tutorials and started a massive barn project.
So I guess the goals I managed to keep balanced out the ones I didn’t. Maybe?
Now that 2018 is almost here, I’ve been trying to come up with some new ones.
The first is to focus more on my Etsy shop. I’ve been toying with the idea of releasing some patterns + instructions for some pieces I don’t sell often, like saddlebags. Would there be any interest in that?
Another is to try and complete one tack project, like a bridle or saddle or anything involving leather, per month.
And, as always, keep blogging!
What about you? Do you have any goals or hobby resolutions for the new year?
Desktop Stables 
All the best for 2018! 😉
Yes, I would be very interested in patterns in your shop. Resolutions are hard, but it’s always fun to see what you post! Happy New Year!😊
Where on earth did you get that tiny desk lamp? I have been looking for one for my tack room for literally decades!
It’s from Rement’s “Youth Days” miniature set. I got it off of ebay 🙂
Always interested in patterns 🙂
I love the first picture, especially the face palm! My hobby goals include making some more big projects (particularly expanding my Diagon Alley set), and of course, keeping on blogging! Patterns sound like a great idea for the Etsy shop, I certainly find it difficult to draft patterns myself, and you seem really good at it. Have a wonderful 2018! 😊
Nice! I love your Diagon Alley set 😀
Ahh! Thank you for the compliment, I’m honoured! 😁
One of my resolutions for 2018 is to add members to my growing herd! I found a lot of 22 breyers for incredibly cheap on ebay and bought them.😀 most of them were in mint condition, (excluding a certain Morgan mare!) They greatly increased my herd! Wishing you a great New year! 😁
Good luck for 2018 🙂 By the way, this is a bit off topic, but I wanted to ask you, do you have any tips for making rugs for weirdly postitioned models? I’m trying to make one for the Chestnut Sport horse, but having trouble because of the position he’s in. Anything I can do to make it fit properly?
For difficult molds, I would start with a basic blanket shape and alter it a little bit at a time. Using a scrap piece of felt for this is helpful, as you can stretch and trim it easily. Once you’re happy with the shape you could use it to create a new pattern.
Most of the time I have to alter my blankets around the neck and withers. I also add darts to the hip to shape it to the horse. (it’s difficult to explain without photos, but it’s basically folding the fabric on top of itself and sewing it down)
Hope this helps!
Thanks so much! Will definitely try it!
At the start of every year I always think “I don’t have much shelf room, So this year maybe not buy a trillion horses” and then I decide its useless cause why disappoint myself?