2025 Q3 Check In

Hi Quilting Friends,

It’s time again for the quarterly 2025 goals check in, so I’m sharing my third quarter progress.  Many thanks to Yvonne @ quiltingjetgirl for hosting the Q3 Check In. Here goes! 

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My Goals for 2025

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Goal 1- Play With Toys

My goal is to choose two toys, play with them, and then post about my projects.

Update- Goal completed, Toy #2 during Q2 and Toy #1 during Q3.

Toy #1:

I combined a collection of hand-dyed solids (purchased at Houston International Quilt Festival 10+ years ago), a gorgeous fall print (purchased on vacation to Montana in 2023), and several beautiful batiks (“liberated” from Susan’s stash) to create “Autumn Splendor”, shown below. 

Read more about this finish, or buy the pattern HERE.

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Toy #2:

I made this whimsical table topper during Q2. Read more or purchase your pattern HERE.

I still have loads of “toys” waiting in my studio, so I may go ahead and choose another one to “play” with during Q4, if I have inspiration and extra time on my hands.

Goal 2- Play With Scraps

My goal is to use scraps to create at least twelve scrappy projects, and then to write blog posts featuring my creations.

Update- Goal almost completed during Q3.

I completed 2 more scrappy projects during Q3, bringing my 2025 total to 11 projects.

Here are my Q3 projects –

Project #12 is ready for quilting. I would have had it finished by now, but my order for black thread was cancelled after a 2-week wait. (Ugh.). The second thread order finally arrived so I can resume progress as soon as I wrap up my current projects (also scrappy).

Even though this goal will be completed very soon, I intend to continue creating with my scraps because I’m having fun and I still have LOADS of scraps to use.

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Goal 3- Play With UFOs

My goal is to finish “Lone Star” and also to take “Star Party” across the finish line this year.

Update- Significant progress on “Lone Star” during Q3.

Hooray! I quilted the last of the central squares for “Lone Star” in August, and I finished quilting the edge triangles during September.  It feels SO good to have made significant progress during Q3.

“Lone Star” has been slow going because I’ve had difficulty settling into hand quilting.  (That’s also the reason for it becoming a UFO in the first place.)  I enjoy quilting by hand, once I get started, but it’s hard to set aside everything else and just do it.

I’ve decided to set small weekly stitching goals for this quilt, which should encourage steady progress.

We have about 13 weeks left in 2025.  Will I reach the finish line on “Lone Star” before the year ends?  I will certainly do my best to make it so. Stay tuned!

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Goal 4- Play With Online Friends

My goal is to continue to participate in several regularly-scheduled activities, including-

Update- Proceeding as anticipated. Click the images above to see my latest post for each activity.

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Goal 5 – Play with Others (In Person)

My “new” goal for 2025 is to be deliberately social, aiming for an average of one “social interaction” per week. 

Update- Goal progressing beyond targeted level.

According to my social calendar, I have participated in 49 (!!!) social activities in the 13 weeks this quarter.

Here’s a list of some of the things I’ve done during Q3-

• Vacation in Montana
  • Hikes in the mountains with my brothers
  • Games & conversation with Dad, Mom, and brothers
  • Visit with Mr. Fix-It’s brother, and our two sisters-in-law in Montana
• Lunches with friends in Houston
• Hang out at the pool
  • With Susan and family
  • In my neighborhood
  • At Jellystone Park in Waller, TX
• Dinners and games with friends
• Weekend with friends at a beach house in Port Aransas, TX
  • Walks on the beach & rides on the golf cart
  • Swimming and sunning
  • Food, games, & conversation
• Miller Outdoor Theater performances-
  • Shakespeare Festival “Henry V”
  • Houston Symphony “Star Spangled Salute”
  • Houston Symphony “Rachmaninoff and Beethoven”
  • Mercury Chamber Orchestra “Handel and Vivaldi”
• Adult education at the local college
  • Art class about Paul Klee
  • Cooking classes
  • Japanese paper crafting class
• Monthly book club discussions at the library
• Saw “Downton Abbey, The Grand Finale” with Susan
• Hosted “family lunch” for our Houston family

So far this year, I have documented 103 social activities in 39 weeks. Theoretically I could say “mission accomplished” right now and become a hermit for the rest of 2025, but what fun would that be? I’ll continue being social because I’m still enjoying new experiences & adventures!

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So that’s it for my Q3 report.  I’m feeling great about my progress so far.  Three of my five goals are technically completed, but I will continue to work on them through the remainder of the year to see how much I can accomplish

How is your progress on your 2025 goals? Do tell! I love reading your comments.

Happy quilting,

Sharon