It was supposed to be down time, and it very nearly/probably was. The trouble is, I don’t like piles of half-finished things all over the place and I can’t sit down and relax if things need doing. And things always need doing, right?
I finished the simple quilt for the reading chair (you can see the making of the seaside-Mondrian cushion/pillow here):
I made a planner for 2025, using up some 150 gsm cheap drawing paper that I had on the shelf. Usually I buy a diary for planning the year, and usually I’m too busy to use it effectively. I figured if I invest time in making the thing myself then surely I will make the effort to actually plan things in it.
I made a start:
I made a start on forming some resolutions for 2025:
Yes, 2025 will be the Year of Less. I work too many hours. No real time off this year, no holiday – too busy doing essential improvement works on the house. My choice, and not complaining. But next year has to be different. I probably say this every year. Let’s see what happens.
Of course I made a cover for the new planner:
I made a cover for my 2025 order book too:
It has pockets on the inner covers because who doesn’t like pockets?
I used a bit of an old window envelope as a pocket too:
I hemmed my 2025 stitch journal fabric:
I didn’t quite get round to finishing the little landscapes:
I am not Superwoman.
This is my last post before Christmas week, and I really will be having some proper time off over the next week and a bit. I’ll be back here on New Year’s Eve with (I hope) my finished 2024 daily stitching.
For now I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported my work this year, especially to everyone who has bought courses, thread, fabric, and PDFs – you make it possible for me to do what I love, and I’m always grateful for that – and to everyone who takes the time to leave kind comments here and elsewhere. I wish you all the joy and peace of the season.
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I hope you do take some time off this year. You have been such an inspiration to me and have put me on the road of daily stitching.
thanks so much Norma 😊 Next year I hope will be quieter 🤞🏻
Totally agree with all your goals for 2025. I might borrow them!
Have a lovely Christmas, a relaxing break, and a wonderful New Year when it comes. I’ve really enjoyed all your posts this year and your stitching has been truly inspirational. Many thanks!
thank you so much Nancy, you’re so kind. Always happy to share life goals! Here’s to our success 🙂
Hi Karen,
Happy Christmas, and thank you for sharing your stitching adventures on this blog!
From my experience: time spent making your own journal and cover does not result in it’s use nor does goal setting/tracking result in goal achievement. The planning and setting up of systems is, for me, the ‘fun’ part when anything is possible, the ‘accountability’ bit is always my downfall. Giving myself permission to ‘be absent’ from one/both aspects at times helped me to stay with the journaling thing for the whole year.
I look forward to reading more in the New Year!
thanks very much for that – I guess it’s good to have a plan, even if the plan pretty quickly goes pear-shaped. But we will see. Thanks so much for being here; a happy Christmas to you too.
Thank you. I love reading your blogs and especially loved my order of threads and fabrics, so carefully and beautifully presented. I wish you a very happy and relaxing Christmas and New year.
Thanks so much Pauline; so glad to know you’re happy with your threads and fabric. I like to make purchases look like gifts from you to you 🙂 All good wishes to you, and thank you for your valued support.
Your work is so thoughtful and so beautifully done. You are an inspiration. Have a blessed holiday season.
thank you so much Judy, that’s very kind. All good wishes to you too.
I love the covered chair and it’s beautiful cushion – the black braid really gives it that extra something. And your book covers are all beautiful. I have enjoyed using your 2023 SJ pages this year – have used the spaces to try out new stitches and play with some of my different threads – thank you. I am planning a stitch roll for next year but very free, adding in bits of lace and ribbon etc so looking forward to that.I hope you have a lovely Christmas and relaxing New Year. All the best for 2025. xx
That sounds lovely! I’m thinking something similar for 2026 as I’m using the last of my vintage linen for next year. Thank you so much for your support, I truly appreciate it. All good wishes to you too x
You are always such an inspiration. Beautiful stitches up and down, all around!! I have a similar chair and a new 2025 planner, many thoughts now! Thank you for sharing with the world, may the holidays be good to you and throughout the coming year! 🙌🎄☯️
thank you so much, CJ – enjoy pursuing your new ideas! Looking forward to having more time to explore next year myself. All good wishes to you.
Fabulous work, inspiring! Best wishes for 2025 & may you accomplish your goals! Have a wonderful restful Christmas
thanks so much Gina, all good wishes to you too 😊
Thank you so much for your end of year round up~ totally inspiring and I’m restraining myself to not just drop all the other items on my agenda and stitch a journal cover, instead! Maybe next week’s present from me to me.
Have a great holiday and I look forward to stitching with you in 2025!
Cheers ~
Thank you so much Honoré. Enjoy your present from you to you 🙂 Looking forward to 2025 stitches too. All good wishes to you.
Thanks for all the inspiration. I’m definitely going to stitch a new journal cover for 2025!
Thanks so much Honore. Hooray for journal covers 🤗 all best wishes to you.
Beautiful work all around. Wishing you much peace and relaxation into 2025 and beyond 🙂
thanks so much Naomi, and the very same to you 😊
Gorgeous stitching and journal covers! I feel so blessed to have found your blog recently and am working through the daily intuitive stitching course now. I browsed previous entries in your blog and see that we have many things in common with the sketchbooks, Sketchbook Revival, book binding, watercolor, stitching and we follow similar artists. Enjoy a restful, cozy holiday season!
Thanks so much – hope you’re enjoying the classes. Small world indeed 🙂 All good holiday wishes to you
I found your blog and shop this fall and have been so thrilled. I look forward to 2025 with you and the daily stitch journal. I wish you all the best and a quiet enjoyable holiday.
Thank you so much Georgayne, I’m really grateful for your support. I’m looking forward to more daily stitching next year too. All good wishes to you for a peaceful festive season
hi karen, ive followed you and your work for a number of years now, youre so creative!
i really look forward to your blog to see what youve made in a matter of minutes!..truly inspiring
thank you for all your hard work and to be able to be a part of your creativity, even though its just looking in from a far. hope you allow yourself some rest over the xmas x
thanks so much Stephanie, I’m so glad you’re here. Definitely taking some time off and looking forward to it 🤗 All good wishes to you for Christmas and the new year.
You give a good challenge for 2025 …. ‘more with less’……………….good goals…..wish you all the best in 2025 and look forward to seeing all your creative pieces.
thanks so much – let’s see how I do! This year has felt a bit like being a hamster on a wheel, so I’m looking forward to slowing down a bit and seeing if I can work smarter. All good wishes to you for the festive season.
I have really enjoyed reading your posts and following your progress with the daily stitching. It makes my day that much brighter. I look forward to seeing next year’s sewing. Thank you. Merry Christmas 🎄
thank you so much, how kind of you 😊 All good wishes to you too for Christmas and the new year
I think that prioritizing self is the best thing one can do… ever. I especially enjoy the peeks inside your journal… and your covers, magnificent! Truly! What a delight to have that journal waiting for one…
I would like to thank you for the inspiration you provide every day! Happy Christmas to you and Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kat. Prioritising myself is not one of my strengths, but I’m working on it 🙂 Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and new year too.
Cheering you on for your goals – and I very much hope you’ll meet them!
thanks so much Rachel, that’s definitely the plan. All work and no play etc etc. Merry Christmas to you x
I understand your aims for next year. Very good.
But what is CPD?
it’s a throwback from my corporate days, continuing professional development. Basically learning new things and honing skills. Very excited about it 🙂