My plans, goals & dreams for 2026

Hi and welcome 😊 Although I'm hosting the Plans, goals & dreams linking party, I was not ready to even think about 2026 until it started. Time is now running out for the party - and I seem to be overwhelmed already! I'm probably going to over commit, but in the end, what ever gets done, gets done😉

Goals

I'm so glad that I took a couple of weeks to prepare my Best of 2025. This helped me reflect on what I did and what I want to keep doing. I realised that my favourite projects were the scrappy cuddle quilts, the hand-stitched mats, the coiled art pieces and hand-weaving on paper. All of these have the same thing in common - they're scrappy, small, as well as playful and experimental! Of course that doesn't mean that I won't make other things but if possible, I will choose to keep my projects scrappy, small, playful and experimental!

Plans

Now for a few details about what these might be.

UFOs

Like most quilter, I have lots of UFOs (Un Finished Objects). Quite a few are at the sandwich and FMQ stage. I really would like to do more FMQ this year and flimsies are perfect for this since they only require backing, sandwiching and then quilting. I have mentioned previously that sandwiching is one of my least favourite part of quilting - but when it leads to some FMQ, it's not as bad!😀

Since finishing up the Christmas Panel Quilt, I realised that I had missed  FMQ and would like to keep my skills up. 

I just washed the flannel backing for the Cowboy panel quilt. I'm hoping to start quilting it this week. This project is also my January OMG (One Monthly Goal), a party to which I will continue to participate in the hope that it will help me get things done!

Cowboy panel quilt - first in line to be quilted

I also have these cuties to FMQ.

Scrappy orange baby quilt

SAHRR 2023

Rainbow Neighbourhood QAL flimsy

Baby Quilts

JJ has three friends who are going to be mothers soon! We have three baby quilts to make! We'll be using some of the fabric below as well as Kona solids.

Some of the fabric for the baby quilts

Challenges

SAHRR 2026

I would like to participate in the SAHRR 2026 this year, but it needs to be scrappy, small, playful and experimental! I'll look in my stash for a finished block and then work like the panel quilts, making only one of each week's block. Hopefully I can come up that will let me experiment with.

 SAHRR 2026

Project Quilting Season 17

The first challenge of PQ 17.1 came out today. A clean state was interpreted as a blank page. I'll be participating to any of the challenges that interest me.😊

A blank page - to be filled up :-)

A Quilters' Cove QAL

I've decided to participate in A Quilters' Cove QAL with Kat of Scrapbox Quilter. We'll be making a quilt with houses based on the colours of the #Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I'm justifying this to myself that it will replace the Table Scraps Challenge that is no longer running. You'll be hearing more about this since I'll be hosting the linking party at the end of each month. BTW, January's colour is blue. 

Look for the linking party at the 
end of each month!

Bloomers SAL

I'm looking forward to finishing up my Bloomer's SAL. 

Bloomers SAL - a little more work needed!

Declutter Challenge

I came upon the Declutter Challenge last week. I've been receiving and reading the posts - there are excellent ideas for decluttering. Unfortunately I'm not quite ready to tackle this - I need to start by putting things away before I can declutter. I plan on decluttering this year - anything I do will be better than nothing!

Hosted by Just Get It Done Quilts

Fibre Arts & New Techniques

Although I will be playing and experimenting with weaving on paper and coiling art, I would really like to learn more about watercolour painting. This isn't to make beautiful landscapes (I'll leave that to other artists) but to make interesting marks on paper to then embroider into them. I like embroidering on paper, but I believe that it becomes magical when it's done on designs that you've created yourself.

Handweaving on watercoloured paper

Coiling projects - Desert Landscape

There were made based on a workshop presented by Sam Owen in July 2023 with Textile.Artist.com Stitch Club. This Christmas, JJ got me a virtual course with Helen Wells, a British artists whose sketchbook practice I love. I just posted the results of the Creating Bold Botanicals course and I'm really looking forward to the Nurture and Nature course.

4" x 4" abstract watercolour and stitch

Echinacea flower

 

Playing with watercolour and stitching

I also have two wedding art quilts that I've been thinking a lot about. It's time to get them done!

Embroidery

In the Fall of 2024, I enrolled in a Fibre Arts Take Two course - Joyful Embroidery with Fleur Woods. I really enjoyed it but didn't finish any of the projects that I started. I'm really hoping to advance these projects this year. (that's pretty much what I said last year!)

These are two of the flower embroideries that I worked on 

I also want to keep working on my not-so-daily stitching project, as well as my Narrative textile squirrel book  I really didn't get much done in 2025. Maybe I'll be more successful this year.

Another square on the not-so-daily stitching project 

Narrative textile squirrel book

As I was putting all of these WIP and UFO embroidery projects together, I discovered that I have many, many more unfinished embroidery projects. I hope that some of them will interest me enough to get back to them. I guess we'll all find out together!

I haven't made any new journals or hand-made books since 2024. I think that it's because as much as they are fun to make, I've given them away to almost everyone I know who would appreciate one. My son and DIL gave me an amazing package of Japanese paper scraps for Christmas. I will probably make more hand woven projects on paper with them....but who knows, I do have a huge stash of journal making supplies that either need to be used....or....decluttered!  😕

Dreams

I guess that I did put that in the title, so my dream is for a healthy, stable, happy 2026. I hope that your dreams for 2026 come true 😍

Goals for 2026

Linking parties

I'm linking up to several linking parties, including Plans, goals & dreams for 2026, I Quilted This!, Beauties Pageant, Design Wall Monday, Sew & Tell, Put your foot down, Patchwork & Quilts, 

If you've subscribed to my post, I promise that the rest of the year won't be quite as busy. Thanks for following me on my journey - I really appreciate it! Happy 2026!

Plans, goals & dreams for 2026 linking party

Bonjour and welcome! I hope that you're enjoying the beginning of the holiday season. Are the kids or grandkids out of school yet? Do you have any plans for Christmas and the holidays? It's going to be relatively quiet here which is fine by me. We'll spend some quality time with our son and DIL New Year's Eve at a local Italian restaurant. Good food and company - there's nothing better!

Plans, goals & dreams for 2026 

Link up and help make 2026 a wonderful year!

I noticed as I've been getting ready to write my year end post that there doesn't seem to be a linking party for 2026. I thought that I would rectify that! Starting December 30th until January 15th, I'll be hosting a linking party: "Plans, goals & dreams for 2026". I really hope that you'll join me in planning and dreaming up some wonderful sewing, quilting and textile art goals for the upcoming year. I want 2026 to be really good and I'd like you to be part of that!

Let's keep it simple. Write a post about what you'd like to accomplish in 2026. It can include:

• Projects you plan to make or work on, 
• QAL (quilt-a-long), SAL (sew-a-long) or Challenges to participate in or organise,
• Techniques you'd like to learn this year,
• Plans for your blog,
• Upcoming events that you need a quilt for,
• UFOs (Un Finished Objects) that you'd like to finish,
• Special words or dreams for 2026

The linking party will open December 30th 2025 and close on January 10th, 2026.

Here's the link.😍

Feel free to copy the button and let all your friends know that you'll be linking up to share your plans, goals & dreams for 2026. (I've just resized it to fit for linking.

See you soon and enjoy your Christmas and the holiday season!

Linking parties

I'm linking up to many fun linking parties to get the word out! You might want to check some out! Monday Musings, Sew & Tell, Put your foot down, FM Mavericks, Off The Wall Friday, Patchwork and Quilts,

Best of 2023 Linking Party

I'm so glad that Cheryl of Meadow Mist is hosting this great party again. I looked at my posts, and I've been participating since 2016. Not bad since it looks like I only missed her first year. Thanks Cheryl 😊

Overview of 2023

This is my first full year of retirement. I'm assuming that this has made a difference. However, as I re-read my 2022 post, I'm not sure that much has changed. Is it a groove or a rut? I've reviewed my projects, crunched the numbers and will let you know in the "What I learned" section below.

My 2023 projects can be broken down into five categories, and all of them include fibre, mostly fabric and some paper. Many are free motion quilted (FMQ) while others are hand-stitched. I've also included WIPs (works in process), which may have become UFOs (unfinished objects). All were started, worked on or finished in 2023.

• Bed quilts and throws,
• Small quilty projects, 
• Artsy projects and quilts, 
• Meditation stitching, and 
• Hand-made books.

Bed quilts and throws

I've changed the name of this category this year. It was previously called FMQ but that's more of a technique than a category. This section included bed quilts, baby quilts and throws, whether they be finished or flimsies 😊.

Version 2.0 finish ✔ Rainbow Neighbourhood flimsy, T-shirt quilt ✔
Daisy quilt flimsy , SAHRR flimsy and Wild Hexies baby quilt ✔ 

Small quilty projects

This category includes projects made through Project Quilting (PQ), the ABC (Table) Scraps Challenge 2023, as well a some squirrels such as FMQ journal covers.

ABC (Table) SCRAPS Challenge 2023

Green Microwave Fabric Bowls, Scrappy Improv Runner, 

Swirling Leaves 3 (WIP), Indecision, 

Scrappy Yellow Placemat, Dotty blue placemat 
Gorgeous Red Basket, Daisy Beauty, Crazy Quilt Topper

Project Quilting and FMQ Journal Covers

In 2023, I participated in 3 Project Quilting (PQ) challenges. I also started the new year with a new FMQ journal cover and made 4 more journal covers in October.

Pink Journal Covers, FMQ Agenda Cover, PQ 14.6 Conquer A Fear, 

Blue & Green Journal Covers, PQ 14.4 A Novel Project, PQ 14.1 The First One

Artsy projects and quilts

All of these projects and quilts originated through workshops presented by TextileArtist.org. I've been a founding member since June 2020. I haven't participated in all of the workshops but I've really enjoyed every workshop that I've followed😊. It's a great way to keep learning with simple projects that can be taken to the next level.   

I've done so many projects this year that I had to separate the group in two.

Stitching and watercolour, Glimpses of Antarctica 

Off the Grid Sampler, Whitework, 

Fish WIP, Stitching on eco-printed fabric, Thread Sampler

Squirrel! Ephemera 1, Perspective, 

Mixed Media Collage, Going Somewhere, 

Experimental sketchbooks large, small

Meditation Stitching

A lot of the Artsy projects would qualify as meditation stitching, but I've kept this as a separate section to highlight some of the work that I've done, particularly as mindful stitching blocks commemorating special events. I'm also including English paper pieced (EPP) hexies in this category. 

Fly, Fly Away, Rent meditation block,
Card with natural elements, Fibre Fling Meditation Block, 
Cabane à sucre Brazeau, 

Hexies

I participated in #100hexies100days 2023 again this year. Unfortunately, I only made it to Week 11 (of 15) on Instagram, and Week 4 on my blog. 😒 I did make more hexie flowers that I'll try to post on Instagram and eventually on the blog in the new year. 😁

Hexie Love and Hexie Fun
Instagram:  Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, 

Hand-made books

I made quite a few hand-made books and journals since I was a member of the Handmade Book Club for most of 2023. It really came in handy for making journals and books as gifts.

Upcycled Traveller's Journal, Fabric journal-long and link stitches, Nature printed fabric book,
3 Booklet Journals, Refillable Notepad Cases,
Butterfly Binding Journal, Glimpses of Antarctica Journal, Little Library 

Journal with Hour-glass binding, Whirlwind or Dragon Scale Journals, 
Booklet Journal, Single Sheet Coptic Binding with Map cover

What I learned

• I was not surprised that QALs (Quilt Alongs) resulted in WIPs or UFOs again this year. 
• However, I was very surprised that I worked on so many larger quilts. That is definitely a result of retirement and having more time to play during the day! 😃
• The beginning of the year was busy with finishing Version 2.0 and creating my SAHRR quilt. I managed to miss a few of the Project Quilting but did get three done. 
• The ABC (Table) Scraps Challenge 2023 was a lot of fun. I would usually remember near the end of the month but playing with scraps is always enjoyable, so I managed to participate in most of them. I have a quick one coming up for December - keep a lookout for it!
• It looks like I've been busier than ever with the TextileArtists.org's stitch club. For many of the workshops, I've done more than one project, or a bigger project. I also want to go back to a few of them and continue trying things out. 
• I haven't done that many meditative stitching blocks, but I really like the idea of making some that commemorate an event. I just find that these are best done soon after the events, and somehow that doesn't happen often. 
• Most of the Stitch Club projects involve hand stitching and are usually meditative in nature.
• I had fun doing the first half of the #100days100hexies 2023. I do have a few more hexies and hexie flowers stitched, so I'll be posting them on Instagram eventually soon since many are made with Christmas fabric. It would be nice to finish the 100, even if they are late!
• I made quite a few books, journals, sketchbooks and booklets this year. The playdate that I was organising was postponed, but I did play with different materials for booklets to get ready for it. I'm looking forward to presenting it later this winter.
• I also started a separate page on the blog for book making. I hope that have that finished in the new year.

Reflections on my plans for 2023

• As I reviewed my plans for 2023, I realised that they were mostly met.
• My intention for 2023 was to "learning by playing, with mindfulness and contentment". I feel that I did play more and I generally have to be mindful when hand-stitching. I really tried to stay away from the stress and minor chaos that I'm so good at creating, however... 
• participating in two quilt alongs (SAHRR and Rainbow Neighbourhood), especially at the beginning of the year, contributed to that minor chaos... and they did create two UFOs.   
• There was also some major stress and chaos in finishing the t-shirt quilt. I'm so happy that it's done. My niece really loves it - and I couldn't be happier!
• The courses that I took outside of the Stitch Club and the Handmade Book Club were not really worth it. I hope that I'll remember to give these a pass!
• I've also been generally disappointed in the free events that are offered on the Internet. I think that I'm not the target audience for these and hope to remember to give those a pass also!
• I have been hosting the The Free Motion Mavericks linking party alone this year. It's a lot of work but I generally enjoy it. Since it's a specialty linking party, I know that no everyone is interested in linking up or even do any FMQ. I am really grateful to all of my readers who link up when they can. I really, really appreciate it.
• Free Motion Mavericks also encourages me to do FMQ. I suspect that I will have enough projects in 2024 to keep me going for another year. 😊
• It's been a full year since I've taken my retirement and I LOVE it!!!!
• The biggest change has been that I no longer have to guard my weekends. I used to fight so hard to keep others from taking time from my weekends, and usually didn't succeed! Now, I spend my weekends gladly with my family because I know that when the week starts over, most of that time will be mine to play with in the studio 😃, or not (but at least it's my choice).

Linking parties

I'll be linking to many parties. Why not check some of them out? Best of 2023 with Meadow Mist, Design Wall Monday, Sew & Tell, Put your foot down, Finished (or Not) Friday, Beauties Pageant, TGIFF, Patchwork & Quilts, 

Best of 2022

After looking back in my blog and Instagram posts of 2022, I realise that I had another very productive year! 

Overview of 2022

Although there is some overlapping, my projects seem to fall into five categories: 

• Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) Version 2.0 quilt, 
• Small quilty projects, 
• Artsy projects and quilts, 
• Meditation stitching, and 
• Hand-made books.

FMQ Version 2.0 quilt

About half of my Free Motion Mavericks posts were about the Version 2.0 quilt. It's been a very large part of my FMQ year and I'm happy to say that it's almost done! My favourite area is the centre Sun with clouds, stars and a rainbow.

The Sun section, as seen from the back of Version 2.0

Small Quilty Projects

I made many small quilty projects, most of which were FMQ. Some of these were made as part of the Table Scraps Challenge (10 months) and Project Quilting (2 projects). Of course I continued to play with my hexies and added in a few Squirrels!😊

Prayer flags for the Holiday Season

Swirling Leaves 2 

Pink Love for April's Table Scraps Challenge

Still playing with hexies!

I love the foundation paper pieced book blocks and will one day make a whole quilt with them. At this time, it's a UFO (Un-Finished Object).

Blocks for the Summer Book Club 

Artsy Projects and Quilts

A number of my art pieces were created based on workshops in the TextileArtist.org Stitch Club. I also participated in 3 art shows and events this year.

Let them flourish

Please let me Play!

Wildflower vest

This art quilt was created for the Polar Bear Plunge Blog Hop. 

A true polar bear story

Bonjour La Vie was created following a virtual Fantastic Fusion workshop with Lisa Walton from Australia. 

"Bonjour La Vie"

Journey of Many Paths
aka Traveller's Blanket

Embroidered Seascape

Meditation Stitching

This year, as well as doing a lot of mindful stitching, I taught 2 in-person courses and 1 virtual presentation. For the courses, I made a lot of sample blocks, including ways of presenting them. I also participated in several stitching events such as Zen Stitching and the Embroidery Summit. 

4-drop hanging with meditation blocks

I posted most of the images from these virtual events on Instagram. Here is a needle case made during one of the Zen Stitching events.

Zen stitched needle case

Hand-made books

Last year I made a few journals though the TextileArtist.org Stitch Club. When the Hand-made Book Club offered a very affordable 5-Day Accordion Books Challenge, I signed up right away...and of course I was hooked! 

Fabric meditation book 

Hand-made book with a woven binding

Quilty recycled pocket journal

Thank you so much Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs for hosting this great link up event. It's great to review what we've done as we plan for the next year.

To keep it simple, I've included the links to the related posts within the text. 

What I learned

• We have until January 2nd to link up to this party, but one of my blogging objectives (that I didn't share) was to increase the numbers of posts in 2022 to the same number as my 2019 and 2020. By publishing this post in 2022, I've reached my objective. I will have published 68 posts in 2022! Yeah!!!🎆
• However, writing 4 posts in a little over one week is something that I don't really want to do again. Now I really want to get to my quilting 😊  
• Thank you so much for following me on my quilting/art journey. I really appreciate your friendships and support.
• My wish for 2022 had been for calm, joy and play. I think that calm and joy are great long-term objectives but this year I'm keeping it more real and focused. My intention for 2023 is to learn by playing, with mindfulness and contentment
• I wish you all the best for 2023.

Linking parties

Best of 2022 Linking Party, Put your foot down, Needle & Thread Thursday,