Is 2025 Over Yet?
This blog post is going to be a little different but I couldn’t think of any other way of writing it so here we go.
It is 10pm on the last day of January as I am writing this, and just this month feels like it has already lasted a year. Not looking good for the rest of 2025. While I spent the first two weeks of the month in a major flurry of activity trying to get projects done for different deadlines, these last two weeks I have just been a ball of anxiety and depression. But I am trying to push through where I can and figure out what I can do. In all honesty I’m still not sure what that is in some cases so this is the compromise that I have come up with so far:
-I want to make it clear that I will not tolerate people being threatened or harassed in the comments on any of my posts. If that happens those comments will be deleted and the user blocked. Let’s see if the world can embrace the old “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
-I am going to continue using Instagram for now but I am going to try and move more onto Bluesky for social media, and hopefully do blog posts and newsletters twice a month to help keep everyone updated (we will see how that last part goes).
-Right now I am in the process of looking for a new payment system to replace Paypal on my website. As a small business that only makes a minimal number of sales each month I need to find a provider whose fees won’t eat up all of my profits and integrates with a squarespace website. If anyone has a suggestion please let me know.
-Every month I am going to be highlighting a banned/challenged book. As a former librarian I know how important it is for every reader regardless of age to be able to find books that they can connect with, that help them understand the world around them, and that help them to develop empathy towards others. I already have the first few selected but if there are any that you would really like to see featured please contact me with the title and author.
-As things get worse I will try to keep track of, and promote different projects that quilters and sewers can contribute to, to help make a difference.
-And I will still be doing tons of quilty content including different projects, ideas and more since it is really important to have something beautiful in your life to work and focus on.
Along with all of this I am going to keep pushing forward with my original goal for the year which is trying to finish up all of my UFOs (we’ll see how that goes).
I also want to move forward with the mystery quilt because let’s face it would be nice to have a positive surprise to look forward to! Here are some of the FAQs to help you decide if you want to participate, but I will have more coming in my next newsletter, including how to sign up.
1. What size quilt does it make?
The 9 blocks make a 60” x 60” quilt but there are additional finishing instructions that you can use to increase the quilt to 70” x 80” or 90” x 90”.
2. When does the Mystery Quilt Along start?
It will start Monday, March 10, 2025.
3. How do I pick fabrics if I don’t know what the quilt looks like?
You will receive a guide to choosing colors, which will include different suggestions and advice on how to pick colors and fabrics that will work well in the quilt. For anyone who registers early the color guide will be released on January 13th, for anyone who registers after the 13th they will receive an email shortly after completing your registration.
4. I am a beginner quilter. Could I make this quilt?
A confident beginner can make this quilt. Just be aware that you will be sewing some basic curves.
5. I am worried about running out of fabric before I finish the quilt.
Don’t worry the first set of instructions includes details for cutting the initial set of strips which will then be cross cut as you progress through the blocks so you will not run out of fabric.
Well, I still have the ball of anxiety and depression but at least I feel better getting all of this out there. I hope it helps you too, and inspires you to find your own way to step forward.
Sew On,
Siobhan
