Petite Goals

For this year of changes I'm coming up with a list of things I want to do.  Of course at the top of the list is become fluent again in French.  I love the language, and since I think in French so often (as well as the occasional dream) it should be fairly easy.  But I do have a few other goals that have come to mind that I will share here:

* Learn to knit well.  I can do a scarf, with one stitch.  Sure, it looks pretty, but in the end it's not very accomplished, and as the women in Jane Austen novels I wish to be accomplished.  I know there are some knitting stores here in Baltimore that have classes, so I plan on signing up.  My end goal is to get good enough that I can knit some alpaca and cashmere blankets for our home, and perhaps a sweater or two for myself.

* Take tap dancing classes.  I have no idea how to go about this, and perhaps I'll just have my brother teach me a bit, but I love dancing and think this would just be fun!

(Image from Style Me Pretty)

* Learn some basic cooking skills, such as making homemade mayonnaise, homemade vanilla, and hollandaise sauce.  I'm trying to learn to do these so I can make as I need.  For instance, we only use mayo to make deviled eggs, so a jar tends to get wasted in our home.  If I could make just enough for what I need then it would be great.

(Image from A Quiet Little Life)

* Learn to sew a pillow or two.  I love throw pillows for our living room and bedrooms, including frilly girly ones (God bless my husband).  Instead of spending $100 a pillow at some fancy schmancy store I want to learn to do it myself.  I also plan on making some silhouette pillows and painting some patterns for some as well. 

(Image from Love The Music)

* Save for a new violin.  I want to have my fingers fly again, and I want a nice violin on which to play.  I'm considering eventually playing for friends' weddings and such, so I want something that has a beautiful sound.  


*Attend a full orchestra opera in a ball gown.  I'm planning to buy G a tux for theatre and opera occasions, and I want a ball gown.  Thank God I know some designers who I am going to have sew me one divine!


*  Start an etsy shop.  I have so many antique and vintage items that I love but simply don't have the room for, nor do they fit into my home.  I wanted to stockpile them like a Martha Stewart store room, but I've come to the conclusion that perhaps it would be best to sell some.  Vintage pyrex mixing bowls in a rainbow of colors, British tea cups, even a spare vintage pram, I have a whole gamut of things.  What money I make is going into a savings account for when I want to purchase a big item.  


* Finish a few projects.  I have furniture to paint, jewelry to make, and dolls to sew for the niece.  I am the queen of partially finished projects I admit.  And I'm bored with it, so I need to just finish them.  Especially since it includes some furniture I am re-habbing to sell!  


This is only a partial list, it goes on and on and on.  But strangely I am not overwhelmed, just excited to see how things unfold.  And yes, J, I will be updating as often as I can (and I'm journaling to remind myself and keep myself accountable to such!).  I look forward to sharing what I learn as I go along.