Saying goodbye to the old and ringing in the new

Well, it's almost New Year again (they move faster every year).

First things first, here is what I got for Christmas this year.

 

A Jack Skellington funko pop

 

A Nightmare Before Christmas necklace

As you can see, Funkos were the flavour of the month. Here are four more, all Sherlock themed.

 

Three Sherlocks (I already have two, but only one John!)

 

Supernatural the anime series. I'm interested to see how this is different from the series, though I wish both of the main actors had been able to record their voices for every episode. There are also a couple of books - physics and quantum biology. A bit of light reading!

 

A lovely notebook, just what I need for next years budget.

 

A Pandora bracelet. Total surprise. I've already ordered a couple more charms to add to it.

 

This was the first official Beadhaul kit, a bi-monthly subscription kit from Crafty Creatives. The theme was fairytale.

 

I love this little pendant charm.

 

What I really like about this is they have not gone for the obvious pink, wands, princesses etc. Instead it is almost in tune with nature (love the toadstools) I can't wait to start using this. For those who may be interested in signing up, be aware that they don't supply all the jewellery findings (ie headpins etc) that you may need, instead investing in the themed beads themselves. I find this better personally.

 

Speaking of working on something, I have stuck to my promise and finished the first page of the Beauty and the Beast stitch.

 

 

Three months so far! I'm finding it better to work on this freehand. To those who don't know, this means stitching without a hoop. As long as you keep the cloth relatively taut, your stitch should be fine.

 

As it's new year, it's time for a review of last year, and the resolutions for this year. Spending wise I did manage to be more frugal on the whole, but, especially towards the end of the year, I did get a little silly. Next year there will be less free money (council are doubling the tax) so I will be saving less. Having the tasks helped me enormously towards the beginning of the year, but, as I completed the majority relatively early on, I lost my drive. I can't really say that anything I bought was a waste (aside from a few things, and I do need to cut down on frivolously spending on other people) but they weren't necessarily essential to my life. It's a learning curve, and just because I fell off the wagon a few times does not mean I stop trying.

 

Which leads me to this years resolutions. I've cut it down to five this time.

 

1. Finish the Beauty and the Beast stitch. At the rate it's going, this will take me to the end of the year. I've got to master the French knot too, as there are loads on there. I can never do them, but I can get knots in the thread whenever I don't want them.

2. No fizzy drinks for a year. This one will be hard, especially as I tend to grab a couple of Dr Pepper's when I am doing a long shift at work. For the most part I will be drinking tea and water, though I may throw a smoothie or a milkshake in once in a while. Whenever I complete a successful month, I will allow  myself a small treat.

3. Walk/cycle/weights every day. Obviously five days a week I walk to and from work, so this is concentrating on the other days. I've bought myself some skecher's shape ups (they really do work, at least they make your calves work. I bought some a few years ago and they did help me lose weight) This is combined with the second one, meaning I have to be successful at both to earn a treat.

4. Save £250 a month. This is a marked decrease from last year but I have already explained the council tax is increasing ridiculously. I am able to take money out of my savings this year, as it is my mum's 60th and I want to take her to the Isle of Wight.

5. Finish the first draft of one book. I'm not sure which book this will be, as I've stalled again at the moment. I've lost faith in my writing a little, so I need to find some way of getting that back again.

 

Happy crafting, and happy new year

Ems