2025 Summary & 2026 Plans, Dreams & Goals

I will not lie... 2025 was a challenging year for me and I am NOT a bit sad to see it fade away into the sunset!  I could recount the challenges and heartbreaks of the year, but instead I am going to focus on the blessings that I was reminded of whenever I was at a low point.  When one came to mind, I jotted it down on a small paper and tucked it into my Blessing Jar.

I will be reviewing them on January 1 and looking forward to a more pleasant year. 

I had a very slow year for custom orders... the blessing that came from that was that I had the opportunity to play in my scrap bins like never before.  My creativity grew and I think (?) my scraps diminished.  It is difficult to really tell, though.  No matter though...

Laura's Little House quilt reflects the books of the Little House series
& will be a Sew Along series in 2026

How many quilts did I make in 2025? Thirty-eight! (38) That includes counting placemat sets and bowl cozies as 1 project each.  I offered a pictorial summary of the quilts, minus the last two finishes of the year - Laura's Little House quilt and the RSC Color Wash Hexagons - here.

I have estimated the amount of fabric used for the year at 117 yards... mostly from the stash.  I purchased one jelly roll and 1 FQ bundle from Modern Prairie and acquired a few pieces that were donated to me.  I feel really good about this number! 

2025 word - Trust - Here is a short excerpt from October...  I feel the same just a few months later and as Forrest Gump said, "That's all I'm gonna say about that. ;)

"Late last year I had settled on a "word of the year"... It was Trust.  I've haven't done too well with trusting the Lord through all the challenges and changes we have faced in our family this year.  As I wrapped up my third-quarter review I was reflecting on trust...

Do I trust the Lord in all that is happening.  Yes. Yes, I do.  Am I happy about it?  No, not at all!  I am frustrated and reminded that trust isn't something earned easily.  God has never failed me before... though the end result is quite different than I would have chosen."  

My daughter Rebecca, my Mom and I have selected a topical "Read the Bible in a Year" plan.  It will be a new approach for me... I've read it front to back, chronologically and alternating Old Testament with New Testament... now we are going by topic.  I think it will be an interesting experience and offer some new insight for me. I have a peace about the coming year.  In fact...

Shalom is my 2026 Word of the year.  It is so much more than just "Peace".  Here are just a few reasons why...

I welcome this depth of peace with open arms!  It will likely mean that I need to let go of that which I cannot control. The Lord's provision is ALWAYS not just enough, but enough that it makes one question... "what's this extra little bit for?"

I'll let you know how this plays out... I'm sure it isn't going to be in the way that I envision. I know well enough that I need to "hold on tight... we're going for a ride!" ;)

Plans and Goals for 2026- 

I am excited to say that the Little House sew along really is going to happen! I have the Butterfly Sonnet fat-quarter bundle from Connecting Threads on hand and will be finalizing my patterns and quilt math lessons.  Patterns & lessons will be published twice a month.  You can get a clearer understanding of what the "math lessons" might include by following the highlighted link above. 

Start date to be determined... So many new BOMs start in January... I want to hold back just a bit... probably February.  This will give me ample time to get all of the ducks in a row and not place too much pressure on me.  Remember... I need Shalom Peace in my life... no pressure! LOL.  There are only 9 blocks - the center of each block is 6-inches, surrounded by a log cabin layout that brings the finished block to a 16-inch square block.  The series will be finished by June... just before any busy summer-school's out-gardening season plans.

Laura's quilt is lovely, and I am pleased with it, but this second Little House quilt will have more of a "Caroline" feel... A little more refined or mature... I want to get the color placement of each block just right so that the "story block" doesn't melt into the log cabin blocks framing them.

Watch for details!

I have a few other possible collaborations.  I'll let you know if I have a proposal accepted. ;)  One may see me revisiting and republishing the Pieces from the Past series. 💖  

I have two "long-term" projects in mind for 2026... I'll join the Rainbow Scrap Challenge again.  This time taking inspiration from Yvonne at the Quilting Jetgirl on instagram with scrappy star blocks.

My second project is a Bookish Journal - made of 9-patch blocks reflecting the cover of a book (similar to Charm About you on instagram)

These "book blocks" could be prepped and "kitted" and used as a travel project.  Since I have taken to listening to audio books as I spend time in the studio, I thought this would be a good way to journal my "reads."

I've been asked by Rachael at Fiona Sandwich National Park patterns to choose a pattern and offer a tutorial on creating a "souvenir" National Park shirt using the reverse applique technique that I shared earlier this year.

That should be fun!  I know exactly which block I want to use.  Arches NP has been on our travel bucket list for several years and we are going to make it happen in the spring of 2026!

Perhaps I'll be spotted at a few quilt shops while we travel... I'd love to offer a "Story Telling Quilts" program.  Do you have a favorite store/club/guild you'd like for me to visit.  Let me know by sending an email or leave a comment.  Be sure to leave an email address if you are an anonymous commenter.

Enough about me... 

What are your plans for 2026!

Keep Piecing!

Melva

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