Okay, when last I posted some in-progress projects in October, I thought things were settling down. I was so wrong. Being a teacher right now is just crazy and I have had way too many days where my brain has been a window with too many tabs open (and just not functioning by the end of the day). Add in a schedule that got super busy as cheer compettion season started (being an all-star cheer mom is no joke) and the holidays, and, well, the blog fell to the backseat.
I am, however, ready to start 2025 strong with not just the blog, but with sewing projects and life in general. Two weeks off for winter break also helped, LOL. So we are going to kick this year off with an update on some end of year projects for 2024 and a preview of some big things coming in 2025.
Here we go!
I upgraded to a Lenovo Yoga 2 in 1 laptop. I am very happy with it, and it will make blogging on the go so much easier. I also moved my EQ8 software to this device and finally finished my self-paced quilt design program learning. Of course, I had to have some fun adding cute stickers to my device – I have been collecting these since QuiltCon in Raleigh, NC last year.
I have gotten my main machine serviced (long overdue) and my coverstitch/serger is out for servicing right now. Once it comes back, I anticipate finishing up a bunch of apparel projects I cut out a few months ago.
I made a couple more Trouble & Boo mini quilts, an arrow-shaped pillow (free pattern) for my husband (which Cookie the cat likes to steal) and a Sebago tote (which Honey the cat practically crawled into). Obviously cats and sewing are a big part of my life.
As competition travel season started, I made one of the biggest tote bags I have made to date – the Tula Tote by Sallie Tomato. I used some beautiful teal vinyl for the bottom, Tabby Road Deja Vu fabrics for the main part of the bag and Tula Pink hardware and webbing with some rainbow teeth zippers I already had. Some cat zipper pulls were the purrfect finishing touch (as well as photographing the bag with a cat – just for scale, of course!)
In addition, I made a few small accessories once I picked up the new Tula Untamed – Jewelry Organizer from Cut Loose Press, Tula accessories, and this cute round case from Sew Hungry Hippie in the softest iridescent rose vinyl.
My biggest project might have been prepping the sample for my upcoming Quilted Jacket class at Cary Quilting. The pattern is Beachcomber from Laundry Basket quilts, and the fabric is all from a Robin Pickens collection called Wild Blossoms. I love how it turned out. This is easy to make if you are new to garment sewing (but not new to quilting). The reason is hidden inside – it’s made from a sweatshirt!
Finally, my last projects of the year involved making a few Drop Zone bags for Christmas gifts as well as a set of storage accessories for my new laptop (and mouse, extra charger, etc.). The laptop sleeve is the Grab N Go from Minikins season 1. The accessory tote is the Heavy Hauler Tote Bag in the larger size from Andrie Designs. The small bags are all versions of the Dogwood Pouch from Sew Sweetness.
My last quilt finish of 2024 was my Cats in Space quilt (which I am now enjoying hanging on my bedroom wall). This one was a lot of fun and I finished it off with my own free motion quilting – something I am proud to have taught myself in 2024.
As the old year ended and we transitioned into 2025, it felt like the right time for some reorganization in my sewing area.
Yes, this is a wide-angle shot of my living room/sewing area. You can’t really see the couches. However, we do have enough seating for the family. There is a big coffee table under there. It’s a perfect spot for cutting while I watch Netflix and such. I will share some more of it once I get my current organization project done.
And before you judge…my dining room is basically a computer lab. We are NOT the “have space for entertaining” HGTV people at all.
Enchanted Pines Sewing 