{ #96 }

96. Add to my Willow Tree collection.

{source}

I don't know about you, but I think the Willow Tree collection is just beautiful.

I love the neutral simplicity, and the form is just lovely.

{My dear Sweetheart thinks they should have faces...but I don't agree.}

I've loved the collection for awhile, but I'd never bought any of them, though I don't know what I was waiting for. Imagine my surprise this year when I received 2 Willow Tree figures, one from a dear friend and one from my Sweetheart's parents. Friendship and the Angel of Learning now perch happily on my shelf.

{I really need to get a camera at some point, since I have no pictures of them perching happily on my shelf...}

Well, I was hoping to add to my collection, some way, somehow. So I added it to my {101 in 1001} list.

And look at what my Sweetheart surprised me with for Valentine's Day:

{source}

It's called Promise. And it might possibly be my all time favorite Willow Tree. Even more so because it came from him.

When his mom heard about it, she said something about maybe she raised him right after all...

I would most certainly agree.

Thank you, love.

{ #78 }

78. Go to IKEA.

Yep! I've actually been there 3 times in the past 5 days...Wow!

I really wasn't intending so many trips there.

Once I went with my dear friend, my mom and my sister. My mom and my friend had never been there, so it was more of a "browse around and look in wonder" trip. ;)

The second time, I went with my parents. My dad really wanted to get a bookshelf for their bedroom. He had never been there, but he found exactly what he wanted from the catalog and website. He likes to shop when he knows exactly what he wants.

The third time was not intended at all. But my dad bought 2 sets of casters to use with the bookshelf...

...but he needed 3 sets. So my mom and I ended up going back again.

But in my opinion, there's no such thing as too many trips to IKEA. Plus, they have super yummy cinnamon buns. ;)

{All images taken from ikea.com}

{ #1 and #66 }

1. Learn to sew in a zipper.

66. Sew a zippered pouch.

Check and check!

I have to say, sewing is not my forte in life. I mean, I can sew, but I don't like to use patterns or follow directions. Problematic? Probably.

I've always heard the term zipper foot, which you use when you sew in a zipper {okay, that seems sensible...}. Well, my sewing machine is a really old hand-me-down from my grandmother. I'm sure it has a zipper foot, but I have no idea where it is. So I decided to experiment on my own instead.

And it worked!

I've made several {read: 8} of these zippered pouches.

And I'm actually happy with the way they turned out!

I have no plans to sell them, other then to help Haiti.

Maybe someday.

And credit must go where credit is due...

The ever fabulous Gussy helped me out a ton! Her tips and suggestions got me going and helped me reach the end goal {the first few pouches I made were not so lovely...}.

Thanks, Gussy!

So, tell me:

Do you sew?

Or are you afraid to try?

{Trust me, I was there for a while}

I'd love to hear your stories!

P.S. Currently my sewing machine does not like me...I'm trying to fix it, but nothing seems to work. Which is sad, because I would like to sew on it soon!

See my { 101 in 1001 } list here.

{ #29 }

29. Make a new Etsy banner.

Check!

The Art of Paper has a new look! Which is good. My other header? Not so appealing.

You can see my other 100 goals right here.

*****

In other news, you'll definitely want to check back in on Monday. I have something special planned!

It may also include something exciting for one of you...

I'll see you then!

{ 101 in 1001 }

I made a list for myself. 101 things that I'd like to complete 1001 days. Some of these are important and special to me; others are just things I'd kinda like to do. I've decided that if I get to September 27th, 2012, and I have not finished everything on this list, it's fine. I can find the joy in the things I did accomplish.
I've included the entire list here, and it is kind of a lot. I will be impressed if you read through the whole thing! You may notice that some things are already crossed off...I didn't waste time for some of these! (You'll here more about that in other posts).

{ January 1st, 2010--September 27th, 2012 }

1. Learn to sew in a zipper.
2. Figure out how to crochet a cup cozy.

3. Add a bookshelf to my collection.

4. Read all the works of Jane Austen.

5. Learn the basics of knitting.

6. Play through all of the Hanon exercises.

7. Build up my savings account.

8. Learn to sew with a pattern.

9. Sew a lovely dress.
10. Learn to make the "perfect" pie crust,

11. Crochet baby blankets for any new arrivals.

12. Finish writing my novel.

13. Read all 28 original Elsie books.

14. Read the Bible. All of it.

15. Make a Book Page wreath.

16. Add to my Lamplighter collection.

17. Buy a nice camera.

18. Learn photo-editing skills.

19. Stop biting my nails.

20. Add 20 new recipes to my file.

21. Read all of the original Sherlock Holmes stories.

22. Get engaged. :)

23. Plan a beautiful, simple and sweet wedding.

24. Get married!

25. Perfect a simple apron pattern.

26. Buy Hayden something sentimental that he'll love.

27. Read through all of my Mystery of History curriculum.

28. Lose 10 pounds.

29. Make a new Etsy banner.

30. Make cocoa mix.

31. Compose a "classical" piano piece.

32. Write several short stories.

33. Learn to make lavender sachets.

34. Do some basic coupon clipping/organizing/using.

35. Make a Pride and Prejudice-inspired dress.

36. Paint a picture.

37. Take a trip up north to see the leaves change.

38. Visit Washington, D.C.

39. Surprise someone!

40. Whiten my teeth.

41. Get rid of all acne!

42. Create/sew a bag (use/make a pattern).

43. Memorize 1 Corithians 13:4-8a.

44. Write a poem.

45. Make a CD (playing the piano).

46. Get a pedicure.

47. Learn to type--correctly!

48. Write down our love story.

49. Buy the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack.

50. Learn to play 2 songs from Pride and Prejudice, and well.

51. Give someone a "care basket" (for no reason).

52. Run a mile.

53. Buy something (on my own) from an Etsy shop.

54. Start up a blog for The Art of Paper.

55. Figure out how to sell {Create Your Own} card kits.

56. Make a set of cards shaped like coffee cups.

57. Buy someone else Starbucks.

58. Get pictures done by a "real" photographer.

59. Teach someone to play the piano.

60. Create a scrapbook.

61. Take one picture every day for a month.

62. Rearrange the furniture.

63. Find a good devotional and use it.

64. Go to the beach.

65. Pack a picnic lunch to share with someone.

66. Sew a zippered pouch.

67. Read The Chronicles of Narnia {again}.

68. Read The Lord of the Rings trilogy {again}.

69. Work through a mathbook.

70. Do a logic puzzle.

71. Create a crossword puzzle & challenge someone.

72. Do a Sudoku puzzle.

73. Buy a book of crossword puzzles.

74. Read (and finish) Great Expectations.

75. Buy The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.

76. Plan a "Girl's Night In" and have a good time.

77. Get a vinyl wall decal to add to the decor.

78. Go to IKEA.

79. Go out to The Melting Pot.

80. Clean out my closet and donate clothes.

81. Shop at a thrift store at least once.

82. Buy some artwork.

83. Make Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice soup.

84. Host a Spa Night.

85. Give an anonymous gift.

86. Babysit for free.

87. Make Peppermint Sugar Scrub.

88. Stay up all night.

89. Buy something "vintage".

90. Knit a scarf.

91. Take some kind of music class.

92. Make a Dutch Apple Pie.

93. Get a job (of some sort).

94. Sing for an audience.

95. Make cinnamon rolls from scratch.

96. Add to my Willow Tree collection.

97. Plan a surprise party.

98. Make a quilt.

99. Call an old friend.

100. Play Braham's Waltz in A flat.

101. Memorize James 3:2-10

Whew!
Still here? Great! You should probably get a prize. :)

I will be keeping you all updated when I finish these, to some extent. I'm excited to see what all I can get done!