Tuesday, December 30, 2025

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  updated to include 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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Sunday, December 28, 2025

End of the Year - Best of Sew & Tell


It's the final Sew & Tell of 2025!  Each and every party has been filled with inspiration and creativity.  I've enjoyed seeing the progress of quilts, some from start to finish and I've enjoyed seeing how each quilter approaches a project differently.  I'm so glad that we can all celebrate the finishes (some for years old UFOs) and the completion of a particular step.  We celebrate the big finishes as well as the small ones.  We are a community of supporters!  And I am grateful for the support that you offer me.  THANK YOU!


This week's feature is one of those years-old UFOs... Astrid from Red Needle Quilts proudly (and by all rights) showed off her Over the River and Through the Woods quilt. A UFO that is finally finished after 16 years.  It includes embroidered winter scenes and words, many flying geese and some lovely stars.  Head over to Astrid's blog to celebrate her finish and see more details and photos.

Her pieced backing is a treat as well!

Since this is the final party of the year, I thought I would take a look back at some of the favorites that have been shared throughout the year - 1 for each quarter or season of the year. 

Melisa at Pinker 'n' Punkin Quilting & Stitching always has an assortment of projects that she shares... her little winter scene is just one example. Her seasonal decor is delightful, and she often has small embroidery and cross-stitch patterns that she offers.  If this is something you enjoy, you'll certainly want to stop by her blog.  You'll leave feeling lighter and happier.


Sharon at Dragon's Heart Quilting shared her progress of a lovely quilt that represents my spring choice - Jade Garden. the use of pastel pinks and purples with the green remind me of a garden waking up with the warmth of spring sunshine as the earth thaws and springs to life!  I can almost smell the sweet scent of flowers blooming.

Sharon documented her progress, and you can find all the details by visiting her blog by following the highlighted link above.


My summer feature is brought to you by Gwyned Trefethen - Pond Life which was the product of a Project Quilting challenge.  The challenge given was to use the color of your birthstone.  Gwyned's birthstone is an emerald.

The muted tones and gentle pastels appeal to me and I can almost hear the frogs croaking and the feeling of a warm humid day.

It was just a few years ago that I learned of the Project Quilting challenges.  I've not ever participated but I have followed along to learn of the prompts and allow some loose ideas to roll around in my head.  Mostly, I just admire the many projects that I have seen and enjoy the stories of the making of them and the logic used to produce such projects.  Be sure to visit Gwyned's blog to read about her Pond Life quilt and how she finished it.


The fall feature comes from LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color.  She creates a lot of smaller "art" pieces and this patchwork pumpkin came from a small collection of fall scraps.  

This photo shows an earlier stage of the project, but the finished piece is stunning!  Follow the link above to see the finish!  

LeeAnna struggles with chronic pain but doesn't allow the physical limitations she encounters along the way to stop her creativity.  My visits to her blog always leave a smile on my face!

I've been reviewing 2025 and writing all about it... and planning for 2026.  The full story will be published in a few days, and I'll be sharing in the Planning & Dreaming linky-party at Andrée's Quilting & Learning, opening on December 30th.

I've not had much quilting going on... I finished my Color Wash quilt!  I finished it on Christmas Eve.  I have to figure out a hanging sleeve system that will keep the outermost points hanging out.  I have a couple ideas and will see what works.  For now... here's one of her glamor shots.


I'll take two more days to finish scrapping our 2020 travel photos and then start in with a new project.

What sort of plans or dreams do you have for 2026?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, December 21, 2025

Laura and FMQ ~ Sew & Tell - 12/22/25


I offer to you a happy and festive greeting as we are in the midst of the "most wonderful time of the year."  We are ready to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior sans any tree.  Dave and I are both fine with it... I have strung lights around our living room windows and have our most favorite decorations out, include our little nativity scene and vintage Christmas ornaments in vintage boxes.  

I don't forget that there are many people that celebrate different holidays at this time of year, including the Festival of Lights (Hanukkah).  I cannot locate the story I did a few years ago about the number of celebrations that take place in the month of December, but if I recall correctly, it was about 13. (If I find it, I will share the link.)


Jocelyn at Happy Cottage Quilter showed off her Christmas Gift table runner.  Her daughter selected the fabrics.  Jocelyn didn't really want to cut the fabric into small pieces and chose to keep the pieces large enough that the print was not disturbed.

I think her choice was a wise one and the presents and bows are picture perfect.  The binding looks to be a print of Christmas lights...

This was the first project she has finished since a back injury.  Nice job!

Be sure to visit her blog and show her some love. ;)


I spent the first portion of my week getting the 2019 photo album done.  I did just that AND I ordered photos from 2020.  I had originally planned on getting all of the photos I wanted to order into a file on the computer for when I heard of a great sale... it just so happens that I found a 2-cent sale on prints.  The order still cost me about $50, but that was so much better than it would have been at .25/print!  If that were the actual cost... our photo albums would cease to be made.


When the album was added to the bookshelf, I returned to the free-motion quilting of my "Laura" quilt.  I was listening to Marie Bostwick's "The Book Club for Troublesome Women."  It was a little slow going (for me) as the characters were introduced, but I was drawn in as the book club and friendships were formed.  The beginning of the book reminded me of "Mona Lisa Smile"... How girls/ladies/women were expected to get married and be stay-at-home Moms.  I struggle with that... I seem to be caught in a weird chasm because that was all I wanted to do.  And I didn't mind...

Sure, I had some work experience as a secretary and receptionist... it isn't rocket science, but I was good at it.  I still am!  That is the bulk of my role in our business.  Dave does the work in the shop... I do the work on the computer.  Before becoming self-employed, Dave worked outside the home, I worked small, part-time jobs that offered flexible hours to accommodate the schedules of the girls' activities.  I managed the home and finances, cooked, cleaned and any income I earned through my pt job was extra and went to savings.  Dave managed the outside... any repairs the house needs, mowing, shoveling, etc.  Many Most times, I was by his side as we made improvements to our house and yard.  It was a sad state of affairs when we moved in in 1995.  

Don't get me wrong... Absolutely I believe that women should be treated equally in any work field.  They should not be limited in the advancement of their careers... if they want to advance.  Or in their choice of a career... I guess I am just an odd duck. Have you read the book?  Did it stir up any emotions for you?


I had many more thoughts and emotions as I listened and quilted... there were a lot of feathers on Laura!  I will spare you of a continued diversion from quilting news.  I will say that I was pleased that I dealt with minimal thread breakage.  I do have a few places where there are skipped stitches... the few that look bad will be located and marked as I bury the thread tails and properly fixed.  I think I finally figured out the positioning of the quilting line in relation to my body... working on the left side of feathers, keep the spine in line with my torso.  Working on the right side of feathers, keep the spine running nearly the length of the sewing table.  Maybe I need to make a cheat sheet note to put in my little box of notions that lives next to Jazzy.

I know just what paper to use for such a note!  I received a fun little package in the mail the other day from a "significant-other-in-law" (it's complicated).  She included a note saying that she thought of me when she saw them. ;) Aren't they cute!?!

I need to select a binding.  I may choose to do a scrappy binding with fabric left from the Walk on the Prairie FQ bundle.


The lighting is bad, I know... horrible even!  It was late in the day and the ceiling light in my studio casts a yellow hue.  I'll get better photos when she is ready for her glamor shots.

I've made progress on the Color Wash Hexagon quilt too!  I am 86% done.  I think I may actually have the hand-quilting done by the end of the year. YAY!  Just in time to think of a new Rainbow Scrap Challenge project.

I'll leave you with a little giggle... especially since I did both quilting & scrapbooking.  😂


Merry Christmas!
And if you don't celebrate Christmas... May your holiday celebration be blessed.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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m


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Wednesday, December 17, 2025

2025 Year in Quilts ~ Wordless Wednesday

My year of QUILTS! 
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