Yesterday I posted my 2023 year in review and was encouraged to see what had been accomplished!!
This past week has been a “deeper thinking” time for me….as it is most years. I have been trying to decide on my goals for 2024, both personally and for Frances Quilts.
There are a few projects that I am excited to try in the new year…..
First of all, I have long wanted to start writing a history of my life, and of mine and Michael’s life together, and this is the year to start!! As I have posted here before, I am a big fan of the “Happier” podcasts with Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft. Each year they present a challenge for the year and for 2024 it is to write more. You can either pick 2 to 4 minutes each day or 24 minutes each day.
Now, I know that I would NOT do 24 minutes, but can I do 5 each of the weekdays??? I am going to give it a try and see.
I searched online and found lots of “questions” that can be used as writing prompts. The first is to describe the home that you were living in when you were born. SO….I am starting out with my parent’s first home…..

I am looking forward to peppering photos throughout the writing and using those photos to prompt me further.
Depending on how it goes, I might share some of the writings along the way!!
Now…on to the Frances Quilts side of things.
This past year I finished both of my BIG, unfinished projects so I am floundering a bit as to what my next big things will be.
I have purchased the fabrics for the Cherrywood Challenge…..

…so that will definitely be on the “to-do” list for early in the year.
I also have started thinking about my Holiday Inn carpet fabrics and designs….
….so I am hoping to get some work done on that too.
Last year I enjoyed working thru lots of Grid FMQ designs and this year I am going to continue that, but instead of grids, I am going to work on mandalas…..Hopefully!!!
I have drawn a couple in procreate…..


….and downloaded TONS of free designs from the internet…..

Most of these designs are too complicated for quilting, but I will alter them so they will work.
I am planning to present a new part each Friday so be sure to stay tuned for that.
On the travel front, Michael and I are spending 5 days in Dallas in January and 7 days in England in March (yes….in the middle of tax season!!).
I may make a quick trip to Raleigh for QuiltCon in February, but that will depend entirely on how tax season is going!!
My guild retreat is the first week in May and I will definitely be there!! It is a welcome time of creativity after the rigors of tax season are behind me.
The rest of the year will be normal trips….. judging quilts at the Georgia National Fair in September and traveling to Houston for the International Quilt Festival in November.
I don’t know what else the year will bring but I do like this thought…..

….and this…..

What are your plans for 2024???
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In this blog, I post stories about creativity, techniques, tools of the trade, and lots more about the wonderful art of quilting. If you are enjoying these posts, please subscribe to be notified of each new blog as it becomes available.
Check out Betty Busby’s technique for your Holidsy Inn quilt.
Thanks Jean. I will definitely check her out!!!
My baby brother (63 years old!) is getting married for the first time in March, so I will be making a quilt for him and his bride. I owe my twin granddaughters bee quilts, which I expect to do this year. I have an unfinished quilt from a friend that I want to quilt. I have a very old project from the 90s I’d like to resurrect. And I have a few people I’d like to make quilts for, but let’s see how the first projects go. (I have two works-in-progress that I want to finish first!)
WOW Andrea….you are going to be one VERY busy lady!!! Can’t wait to see everything finished!!