Hello all,
I have been enjoying all of the end of year round ups and reflections. It prompted me to look at my own post from this time last year when I set myself five goals – see Here. Oh dear. Only one was accomplished but nevertheless I think it has been a successful year on the sewing front. There is no point beating myself up over what didn’t get done. One of the lovely things about getting older is that you care less about things which, on reflection, are not important. I had a complete meltdown at 40 but since turning 50 I would say I have entered one of the happiest phases of my life. I get so much pleasure from my family and friends and I think that that, and continued good health are worth celebrating.
My 54th birthday – somewhere in the bay of Biscay. Dress from ENVY Arundel
So, my year in review. I discovered the joys of cruising. Here I am on my 54th birthday feeling FAB – the only thing which would make this better would be if I had made the dress myself … but I didn’t so there you go – no point fretting about that either! Something to aspire to … maybe.
I was super lucky this year to go to three weddings and for each of them I made my outfit. This was an achievement I am proud of and it added to the pleasure of a wonderful day. First up the first of my thirteen nieces and nephews got married. Here I am with Summer Rose, my son Sam and two of my nephews.
Flamingo border Kim for my niece Sarah’s wedding
Secondly, a friend of mine, Andy married his beautiful bride Onuma in a beautiful village in Hampshire.
A BHL maxi Anna covered in parrots (lovebirds actually)
Finally, a really close friend, Claire got married the first week of the Autumn term. I had been involved in wedding dress shopping and the hen night and was just elated for Claire all day. As a bit of a cheesy joke I made Mr CK a matching tie – people who knew us thought it was really funny but for anyone who didn’t, I guess they thought we were right weirdos!
Mortmain and matching tie!
The only thing I did complete of my stated goals was to make a coat. To date this remains my sophisticated make and I am really pleased with it – although I don’t know if I could do it again.
1960’s coat made at Sew Over It
Social media became an increasingly important part of my life – as well as a time thief! I find myself getting stressed if I get behind on my blog reading/commenting. The last third of the year I haven’t blogged as much but have continued to contribute to Instagram and now have over 400 followers there. Through the sewing community I have met a number of on-line friends – people I feel I could literally meet and we would be able to start chatting as if we had known each other for years. This has happened with the people I have met up with, firstly at the Fabric Godmother Open Day and then at the South Coast SewBees meet up – a little nucleus of half a dozen bloggers which I hope will grow next year. And I have a penpal too! One sewing blogger (who shall remain nameless so as not to embarrass her!) and I have developed a friendship over long emails. Our life styles are different but through sewing we found a connection and that has been one of the really lovely things about my year.
SewBees at Ditto Fabrics
Other highlights were that I was nominated for a bloggers award; my Frida Kahlo dress won a competition organised by The Monthly Stitch and I participated in various photo-hop challenges “meeting” new people and getting lots of inspiration along the way.
My winning dress
I’ve decided not to make any pledges for 2016. I have not one but two new jobs to start and I expect that will keep me very busy. I have a ridiculous amount of WIPs so feel I should try and finish at least some of those before I move onto other things. WIPs: Francine jacket; gabriola skirt to match my Francine Jacket; Cigarette pants; Ultimate blouse in a flamingo print; maxi Anna with sequin bodice and brocade skirt.
So, thank you for following along with me this year. Your comments and support are very much appreciated – being part of a wider community has been a real blessing, particularly in the latter part of the year when I was overwhelmed with other matters. Onwards and upwards! Wishing you all a very happy new year – I don’t know where the quotation comes from to credit it but … May your bobbin always be full.
Toodle pip,
Clarinda x
Happy New Year!
clarinda kaleidoscope 
I love your verve for life, generosity, interesting blog and IG, and meeting you in real life. I hope to find out more about your unique style and approach over the coming year.
LikeLike
What a lovely comment! My verve and I are off on a solo holiday on Friday – I will IG how I fare then it’s back to sewing which had been a wee bit neglected of late. Happy New Year – your holiday looked FAB!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck in your new job – I am job hunting this year and looking forward to new starts! I love your coat – you had such a productive year!
Louise
LikeLike
Good luck with your job hunting – It certainly has its highs and lows!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have made some really lovely things this year – can i borrow your coat please?? Sometimes with all the stresses of work and just life in general I feel like my life is passing me by too quickly and I’m wasting it but when I look back at photos I think that actually my life is really good. I know you’ve had some down points this past year but I hope you also think this when you look at your blog and the great responses you get from people. Sorry If I’ve bored you with my ramblings but happy new year and looking forward to your many new makes and posts this year x
LikeLike
Hi Carol, thank you for your lovely and encouraging response. Yes I do always try to be positive OR joke about what has gone wrong but I have felt quite derailed this year. But you are absolutely right – when you look back at the overall picture, life is FAB. Take care and a Happy New Year to you!
LikeLike
You’ve made some gorgeous things! Lots of pretty dresses and that coat is superb! Happy new year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year! It was so good to meet you this year and I hope we’ll have another Sew Bees meet up before long. Good luck with the new job! That coat is absolutely fabulous!
LikeLike
Thanks! Yes – hopefully we can have another lunch soon – maybe during half term x
LikeLike
Definitely! Look forward to that. x
LikeLike
Happy new year. Good luck at the new job. Hope it goes well and you enjoy it. Looking forward to seeing your progress with your WIPs they all look fab.
LikeLike
Thanks Louise – just seen your knitting WIP on IG – keep going!
LikeLike
Congratulations on your awards. I particularly like the Kahlo dress and the coat. I have met you in the flesh and cannot believe you are the age you claim, you look so much younger.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Oh such lovely things you’ve sewn! It seems like a lovely year (a cruise…). Love the Frida dress, and the coat is spectacular!
LikeLike
Thank you! Cruising was FAB – I didn’t think they were really accessible but we got our 6 nights round the Bay of Biscay in Oct half term for £399 so now I am a cruise enthusiast! Lovely opportunity to show off hand made frocks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year!! Lovely to hear that this year has been a positive one for you, and that you have exciting new jobs to start this year. I so look forward to your post and seeing what you’re making. Thanks for being such a great online buddy. X
LikeLike
Yes – I will do a post where I have actually made something soon!
LikeLike
Congratulations on a fantastic year of sewing! I’ll be visiting your site in 2016 to see what how those jeans turn out. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You really have made some beautiful dresses this year, but that coat tops them all. A fab homemade wardrobe 🙂
LikeLike
Yes I would gradually like to move towards a fully handmade wardrobe but to be honest – I do still get a thrill out of buying the occasional garment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Especially the things I can’t make or find myself 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you – I was 35 and a few months until those months were in triple figures – gave up the pretence and it’s been a relief!
LikeLike
Fab garments for 2015! I love that coat and I think the franc one would be great. I want to make a coat/jacket in 2016, I’d love to be able to do it at sew over it! My next make is the vintage shirt dress ;o)
LikeLike
Good luck with that. I had ‘issues’ with mine but the finished garment is lovely. It comes up short – I had to add 10cm to mine and I’m only 5, 4. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have really enjoyed following your blog and on instagram as well as meeting you in real life! Wishing you all the best for 2016 and good luck for starting your new job (although im sure yoy won’t need it!)
LikeLike
Thanks! Looking forward to next year – I see you’re already on your first make!
LikeLike
You’ve definitely had a very productive sewing year, I would gladly liberate any of these items from your wardrobe should you become short of space 😉 I’m looking forward to reading about next year’s adventures! X
LikeLike
Hi, talking about wardrobe space … It IS an issue! Same for you too I bet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely!! Although I will confess to spending my Christmas cash on some of the flamingo border fabric with every intent of copying your Kim dress 😳 -apologies!!
LikeLike
Wow, you lead a packed life. My favorite thing you sewed this year was the lovebird dress. It’s beautiful.
LikeLike
Thanks Abigail – Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Great round up and lovely to have met you. I hope our online friendship can evolve in 2016. Btw I really can’t believe your age , you look so youthful and you definitely don’t need”10 years younger” as you look it already xx
LikeLike