my Love To-Do list

I'm back after a brief birthday break from blogging.  Trying to post everyday with a toddler and a house full of chores was taking it's toll.  Not to mention that a brief appearance from spring had us outside a lot more than usual this week, and therefore, had me away from the computer screen (a welcomed change of pace).  But the break in posting hasn't meant that my brain has stopped working, running through lists of everything I need and want to do.

After my post on resolutions a few weeks ago, I thought it only appropriate to finally put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and make a big LIST!  There are so many things I'd love to accomplish that I can hardly keep track of them all. I am an avid list maker, but all of these things I'd love to do aren't all in one place. For example, I created "the list" on my blog of projects I've started and are in varying states of completion. This is all well and good, but it's time for me to write it ALL down, in ONE place, so I can see it daily and motivate myself to begin tackling these things. A special shout out to my friend Heather at Small Family Big World for her inspiring 13 To Dos for 2013 (love this because it is a short, manageable and focused list), and Nicole Balch of Making it Lovely for sharing her Lovely Life List (long, dreamy and full of exceptional goals) with her readers.

So here we go, in no particular order - part dreamy, part practical, and with many more additions to come, I'm sure:

1. Sew myself a dress.
2. Make someone a lasting, hand-crafted gift.
3. Create an Adventure Book for Ted and me.
4. Sew a piece of clothing for my daughter.
5. Build a piece of furniture I'd actually want to put in my house.
6. Make a mobile out of an old lampshade frame.
7. Create a First Year Baby Book for Ella.
8. Make a map quilt.
9. Finish my wood dining room table top (trim, oil and wax - maybe).
10. Finish a quilt I've already started (for my friend Winnie and for Ella's future big girl bed).
11. Maintain a blog for a year, writing consistently every week.
12. Make a reading tent for Ella.
13. Sew felt storage bins for Ella's bedroom.
14. Learn how to letterpress print.
15. Learn how to screen print.
16. Hang wall paper.
17. Plan and organize a large event.
18. Refinish a piece of furniture.
19. Travel to all 50 states (passing through does not count!)
20. Re-design my blog.
21. Build raised garden beds and plant something!
22. Have a profitable Etsy shop.
23. Serve on a Board of Directors.
24. Own a brick-and-mortar store.
25. Meet Brandon Phillips (my secret boyfriend).
26. Hire a stylist (man, could I use a wardrobe overhaul).
27. Buy a fancy sewing machine.
28. Visit 20 famous bridges and have my photo taken crossing them!  I am obsessed with bridges.
29. Take a hot air balloon ride.
30. Take a hot air balloon ride with my husband (this will NEVER happen)!
31. Go on a honeymoon.
32. See Saturday Night Live live.
33. Golf 18 holes.
34. Build a paper fort!
35. Reupholster a piece of furniture.
36. Reinvent a thrifted find.
37. Renovate an entire house, top to bottom.
38. Travel to six continents (with the understanding that there are a total of seven).
39. Refinish a flight of wood stairs with some creative flair!
40. Design a new home for someone from top to bottom.
41. Have another baby!
42. Live in New York City (again).