No New Year resolutions here

I no longer make new year resolutions, I know myself well enough to know I do not posses one iota of willpower, therefore ultimately resulting in disappointment by the second week in January.
I have decided though that this year I am going to put more effort into making things for us and our home. I still hope to do a few fairs but as they take up so much time, I'm going to concentrate more on the Etsy shop, probably adding a few vintagey bits and bobs to the mix......who knows I might even make another sale!

Iv'e already started as I mean to go on, Iv'e hooked up a few granny squares and made lots of little hexies

these will hopefully be transformed in cushions for the dining room chairs (boy are they hard on the old bum!) they will also add a splash of much needed colour to the predominantly green/cream colour scheme.
My eyes have been opened to colour over the past year or so and colours I would have never thought of entertaining have now become firm favourites and feel I need them in my everyday life.

I always like to have a few balls of colourful wool and a hook close to hand as I find crochet something you can dip in and out of at any time, especially when the light fades and it becomes difficult to thread the needle (I'm turning into my grandma!)

So as I'm still not ready to completely let go of Christmas I hooked up a few of these which will become jam pot covers for the home made chilli jam I have in mind to give as little prezzies next year.

I had also planned to do a litte makeover on the standard lamp and after seeing this gorgeous shade at the button tin last year but never managed to get around to it, somehow other things just got in the way (and Mr. H needed some convincing) then seeing Ada's blog and her amazing lampshade 'tree' I knew I needed to have a go, then as if I needed any more convincing I visited Dotty about Vintage on my recent Christmas jaunt to Whitby and there in the shop window was Trudie's gorgeous tree, the only problem I have now is whether to use fabric like Ada or tissue paper like Trudie........decisions decisions!

There are also a few rather large decorating projects that need to be tackled in the coming months. Our windows need stripping and re painting on the outside. Mr. H insists on doing these ourselves as he takes pride in the fact he completely strips them back, replaces any old/rotting wood with new then undercoats and paints them meticulously, something he says no regular painter would do unless we took out a small mortgage and I must admit I think he's right, and the proof is in the pudding as they say because the sash windows we renovated at our old house nearly 20 years ago are still going strong and look as good as new.
Our hallway floor also needs completely re sanding and varnishing, the loft needs insulating and boarding and there are rooms that are also in need of a lick of paint and a spot of prettifying, not forgetting the 30 quid kitchen unit that needs finishing.
I also want to spend more time in the garden. I'm sad to say I did lose faith after the chickens were taken last year, in fact I haven't been able to bring myself to do anything out there since they went, but thanks to the lovely Mr. H who gave me this for Christmas, I have found I'm itching to pull on my wellies and get myself out there again.

I have a massive crush on Monty just incase you didn't know!


So no resolutions per se but plenty of plans and more lists for the year ahead so bring it on!

I would love to hear of your plans resolutions or anything else you might be getting up to in 2013