Happy making and my word

Good morning!

I wanted to share a picture of my x & + blocks.

These have been so fun to make, and I cut scraps for several more blocks this weekend. I plan to sew them up this week!

I have been trying to pick my word for 2013, and I looked back at my posts from a year ago. Last year, I did choose a word for myself, and that word was voice.

I think it was a great selection, and although I didn't come back to discuss it here, it is something I kept in mind, and I still do. I'm better about speaking up for myself (still not perfect, though), and I do think I'm finding my artistic voice as well.

After some careful thinking, my new word for this year is: FOCUS. Again, it's a word that encompasses many acts I hope to accomplish this year.

A focus on finishing projects.
I tend to divide my attention amongst many things at once. While I will always make small projects in between the big ones, I want to finish those big projects.
I've started well with this, although I have no photographic evidence as of yet. Soon!

A focus on goals.
Although I'm not being rushed, I need to find a new career. This is something I hope to contemplate this year.

A focus on everyday.
It's easy to get wrapped up in future events, but I have been trying to be present in each moment. It's not a hard thing, but it is.

And in the photography sense of the word, focus.
I think my photography skills have improved astronomically, but I want to keep improving and push myself with my camera.

A little bit of baking

So, I know that a few days into a new year is not the time to discuss baked goods, but I wanted to share a baking endeavor from the holidays.

I made an Apricot-Earl Grey Jam Tart with a hazelnut crust.
Impressive, no? The recipe is here in case you're interested (at some later date, of course!).

My favorite part was making the dough, and shaping it in the tart pan. I specifically bought a pan with a removable bottom (as suggested in the recipe), and it made for a much easier removal. You could use essentially any jam you'd like!

One of my goals for the new year is to try three new recipes each month. I think that's a pretty attainable goal, and I've got a new stack of cookbooks I received as gifts. I'll share my progress here!

Fresh start

Happy new year! I did not anticipate being away for so long. I had a pretty fabulous end to 2012. I hope you did, too!

I am hoping to get organized in this space in the next few weeks. I want to share my annual "best of" post, a recap of my crafty ventures in the last year, and my goals for the next 12 months.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share pictures of some of my last 2012 finishes.

I made a second Art Student Tote for a friend.

I filled some custom orders, including these stockings for Jenny.

I assembled my second do.Good Stitches quilt top, which I'll be quilting very soon. Love the shoo-fly blocks of various sizes!

I made a few quick dishtowels for my mother-in-law and sister-in-law with some fun scraps!

I worked on some pillows for the shop, which I hope to finish this week.

I started working with some tiny HSTs I assembled earlier this year. These are leftovers from the mini quilt I made

Oh, and last but not least, if you're looking for the winners of the Holiday Craft Bash prizes, Meredith's post is here!