Welcome 2025!

The end of one year and the beginning of the next is a wonderful time to reflect on goals accomplished and to set new ones for the upcoming year.  I recently shared my Best of 2024 post and now I'll be linking up to Yvonne's #2025QuiltingPlanningParty.  I've filled this post with some eye candy of favorite finishes for the year because it is always fun to share them one more time. (The quilt above is my favorite finish of the year - something I use most days - read more here.)

(For reference, see my 2024 goal post and the mid-year check-in.)

Starting with my making and creativity related goals:

• I ended up making three quilts specifically to submit to QuiltCon although two of them served other purposes too! Arcturus was my first attempt at the fabric challenge for Phoenix and happily it was accepted. Peach Fuzz was my Pantone Challenge quilt (not accepted) but a pattern is coming soon. Finally, Stepping Stones was made for my guild challenge and to also have another fabric challenge entry.

• I donated two quilts to my guild charity this year, Scrappy HSTs made only fabric from stash (go me) and Lily which was at the request of Fat Quarter Shop. There is another donation quilt ready for quilting made entirely from stash that I hope to finish this year.

• I gave myself a goal to spend time playing and experimenting. Large curves showed up in my Arcturus quilt and I hade fun with the Project Quilting prompts - A Bit of Blue was my favorite make from that challenge. I started a new improv project and I also really had fun with the process of creating my Currents quilt. Relearning how to crochet and making lots of grannie squares was also a great example of focusing on this goal. Playtime will be an intention that I bring into this year.

I did reasonably well with my goal to keep my fabric stash so that it fit within the bookcases I currently have. Fabric purchases are project based with the exception of some solid colors that I always want on hand. At the time of this writing, everything is nicely organized so lets hope it stays that way! 

I did generally achieve my goal of blogging 1-2 times weekly and my monthly newsletter got some updates that are working for me.

Six Hours

I give myself a big high five for working on general well being goals. I walk or swim daily and added a twice weekly strength training practice. I also make time to create, read and nap most days. Spending time with friends was also important and a focus I want to carry forward. The quilt above Six Hours was made with 5 friends on a quilting weekend at the beach this past fall.

Rainbows

Moving into 2025, I have similar intentions for the year:

• Enter at least one new quilt into QuiltCon 2026 (Raleigh!)
• Finish at least one scrap quilt to be donated to my guild's community giving project.
• Make time to play and always have at least 2 different kinds of handwork WIPs
• Continue blogging at least once weekly and post finishes on IG - I want my grid to be filled with all the good stuff!
• Focus on my personal well being by making time to exercise, to read, to rest, to relax with friends, and - most importantly - recognize joy in every day.

Thanks for taking the time to read through my post. I wish you a happy and creative 2025!

Have a wonderful day! Patty