2025 Habits: April Update

Click on the image above or HERE for the video!

My 2025 Quilting Goals/ Habits

How It Begun:

I decided in December 2023 and the beginning of January to change some things in my quilting life that just weren’t working for me. After evaluating the good, bad, and ugly, I came up with my top five habits I wanted to implement in 2024. If you want to check out those videos, here’s the 2024 Quilting Habit Goals playlist.

Since 2024 was so successful, I am continuing this series in 2025! Each month I will update you on my progress. If you would like to follow along and create your own goals, I have a worksheet to help you. You can download this free worksheet HERE.

I will also offer a worksheet for each month, too. You can find April’s habit worksheet HERE. These videos and blogs have helped keep my accountable. After all, I know I will be reporting to all of YOU on this, and I don’t want to let you down. I highly recommend having someone to keep you accountable, if not in a public way like I am doing, then in a group of friends. It helps me so much!

Here are my 2025 quilting goals:

April Happenings!

Since my last update in March, I have been working on some projects (but not overdoing it); setting some goals and re-establishing some healthy habits; and getting back on track. Spring is definitely springing in my part of the world. Here are a few photos from the past month.

April Update: How Did I Do?

Now that it is April , I am going to evaluate how I did in the past month by giving myself a score and where I did well and where I need to improve. Since I am a former teacher, I am going to stick with what I know, using the terms Glow (where I did well) and Grow (where I need improvement).

Goal 1: No Home Zone

Score: 5/5

I did pretty good again this month in this area—so good, in fact, that I am wondering whether or not to keep this in the goal list. What do you think? Should I bring back in the Featherweight goal from January? Anyway, I did pretty good at keeping this area clear. I had a few hiccups where things spent more time in this area than they should have, but overall, it was a good month.

Glow: I am doing it! Who knew? It has been pretty easy—maybe too easy—to keep this clear. Hmmmm….

Grow: Continue the good work at this and think about changing this goal for next month.

Goal 2: Being Intentional with Quilting-Related Purchases

Score: 5/5

I didn’t do a ton of shopping this month, although it was challenging at times. I did buy some more black fabric and that is it for this month. I needed a few more prints to make sure the backgrounds of this bright hexagon quilt that I making were scrappy-looking. I found these on sale at a local quilt shop, and I scooped them up. I cut the rest of the backgrounds and am ready to go! YAY!

Glow: Even though it has been tempting to buy fabric and other quilting items, I stuck to what I needed, supported a local quilt shop, and got it on sale, too.

Grow: Continue with this progress! This may become increasingly difficult as the new fabric lines are released.

Goal 3: Paring Down My Scraps

Score: 3/5

I am plugging right along with using those scraps and continuing with the hexagon project. I need (90) blocks for a lap-size quilt, and have 28 of them finished. I am not rushing this project, however. I am leisurely appliquéing them while watching television or just relaxing. It is fun seeing this project come together.

Glow: Working slowly but surely at paring down the scrap fabric.

Grow: Just like last month, I want to make more scrap projects.

Goal 4: Getting Out of My Quilting Comfort Zone

Score: 5/5

I really got out of my comfort zone this month. I was actually brave. Really brave, in fact. If you remember this quilt, you know I was taking it apart because it was in rough shape and the green fabric was disintegrating. I took those blocks apart, put a stabilizer on the back of the blocks, sewed them together to make a panel for this backpack. I love how it turned out! The pattern I used is the Izzie Convertible Backpack by Around the Bobbin. Now why was this brave? Wellllll, I was taking a class, and others in the class were using traditional fabric choices. I was also nervous about the bulk, slowing the class down, etc. In fact, I even cut out more than one bag units! But, once I got the class, I decided to go forward with the funky bag. I am so glad I did! I love how this turned out. I was so happy with this that I wrote a blog about the progress. Check that out HERE.

Goal 4: Getting Out of My Quilting Comfort Zone (Continued)

Not only did I step out of my comfort zone with this bag, I also dug into my extensive collection of speciality rulers. I would love to say it was a complete success, but it was not. First, I realized I had the same ruler, meaning I purchased it TWICE. What was I thinking? I struggled to use it, so I went to the 60 degree ruler instead. I found it a bit easier to use. Stay turned for an update on this next month.

Glow: I am happy with myself as I push my creativity! Look at all the benefits.

Grow: Continue to push myself with more rulers and bravery in my quilting life.

Goal 5: Better Health/More Movement Breaks

Score: 2/5

Time for a health update. I have had good days and bad days this month. I have been continuing to pace myself more and be better at listening to my body. I am trying to be patient and allow my body to heal. I am also taking steps to improve my mental health such as spending less time on social media, starting my day with devotions and planning, and getting out of the house more.

Glow: Starting to work on my mental health and attitude, which includes integrating routines.

Grow: I started walking again and then stopped. I need to start up again. I may get one of those walking pads.

I would love to know how you are doing with your goals! Let me know in the comments.

Happy Quilting,

Kris