I saw Allison’s 12 Projects in 2012 post the other day and fell in love with the idea so I asked if she would mind if I borrowed the idea . Here is my list of things I want to try in 2012:

1. embroidery: I’ve dabbled with embroidery, but nothing too fancy. I’d like to challenge myself to do more.
2. water color painting: I’ve been painting for quite some time now, but never took to water color. I love the look of water color, but I’ve always been more of a messy painter. I paint in layers, I get my hands dirty, and water color seems very daunting to me.
3. metal working: Since I watched Project Accessories (which was a huge disappointment to me btw. I do NOT know what those judges were thinking) I’ve been inspired by the metal work I saw on that show. They used it in their handbags, cuffs, rings, and necklaces and it made their designs look so chic. I want in on that action.
4. dress design: I already know how to follow a pattern and love the feeling when I make something someone actually wants to wear. I want to try my hand at creating my own designs. Even if that means mixing and matching existing patterns, I think I have some good ideas rolling around in this little head of mine.
5. crochet: My mom is a professional when it comes to knitting and crochet. I’ve tried to get her to teach me her magic, but when she tries I’m like, “oh yeah! I see what you did there” but as soon as she walks away I end up just tying the damn yarn into a knot. I want to learn how to make something that my mom would be proud of.
6. make-up: Every day I do a rush job on my make-up. I slap on some shimmery eyeshadow and call it a day. I want to learn how to make my eyes pop and make my skin look flawless.
7. violin and ukulele: For Christmas I got a violin and a ukulele. I don’t know how to play either of them, but would LIKE to.
8. time-lapse video: I failed miserably at my first attempt at a time-lapse video. This time around I want to get it right. Lighting and a STATIONARY camera will be key. I kept bumping into my tripod last time so the canvas kept shifting to the right and made it impossible to keep it lined up in the video.
9. bead work: I’m always impressed when people can make bead art. I want to impress myself by learning how to do it too!
10. sculpture: I love getting my hands dirty with clay. I’ve made vases and other beginners projects while in college. I’d like to make some actual art from clay.
11. dessert making: I know how to bake and decorate cupcakes, sure, but when I watch Chopped and they have to use cheese, cookie crisp cereal, grapes, and hot sauce I would have NO CLUE what to make with that! I would love to learn how to spread my wings in the dessert making world.
12. collaborative projects: I love the idea of mixing media and styles in one art piece. I once had an idea that I discussed with Elycia and I would like to see it come to fruition. I’ve also been talking to my friend Chris about teaming up on something and I hope both of these ideas work as I hope!

Let’s see how these turn out! I’m excited at the possibility of falling in love with new techniques and projects. What are you all trying this year?