New Year-2026
There’s something about a brand-new year that makes us want to reorganize everything—our schedules, our studios, our inboxes… maybe even our lives. This year, though, I’m trying something a little more daring.
I’m slowing down.
Less hustle. Fewer shoulds. More joy. If quilting has taught me anything, it’s that rushing only leads to crooked seams ( ha ha)—and I’ve made peace with the fact that life (and quilting) looks better when we ease up a bit.
A Softer Kind of Goal-Setting
This year’s inspiration is coming not from a planner packed with checkboxes, but from a book currently living on my nightstand: The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad—a creative practice for an inspired life. It’s gentle, reflective, and encouraging… which feels exactly right for the season I’m stepping into.
So instead of resolutions, here are my intentions:
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Take it easy and enjoy life
Quilting is about the process, the people, and the stories stitched between the seams. I want to linger there a little longer. -
Journal daily
A few thoughts, a spark of inspiration, maybe a note about what’s happening on my design wall—or what’s been sitting there a very long time. No pressure, just presence. During the writing of my books, I started a journal for each. The minute I received a phone call from the publisher to the process of writing the book was logged. I skipped a few pages and then used this same book to start my daily life journal in. So cool to go back and read through it. My favorite is the Moleskin soft cover notebooks. So easy to write in no matter where you are with the soft cover. the Pen I hoard for pretty much everything is the Sharpie click. pens. For a while I could not find them anywhere, but they are back and available almost everywhere. No bleed! -
Blog bi-weekly
Consistency without chaos. Enough to stay connected and inspired without turning blogging into another full-time job. Not sure I have much to say but just thinking about this as my personal journal on quilting. If there is anything you want me to share about quilting, feel free to leave a comment.
Color of the Year: RED (Is there any other color?)
My color of the year is red.
Honestly, it’s always red.
I’m hoping to make a red and white solid quilt this year—just like I hope to every year. I’ve long been inspired by the legendary red and white quilt show in New York, Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts.
This Year’s Quilty Theme: Cuddles
Over the years, I’ve given myself a “quilty theme” for the year:
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one year of dot backings
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one year of pieced backings
This year?
It’s the Year of Cuddles.
Soft, cozy, sink-into-the-couch cuddles.
Moda is working with Shannon Fabrics to create designer-branded Cuddle fabrics, and let me tell you—my family is already cheering. They love Cuddle on the backs of their quilts. Between Moda’s upcoming Cuddle prints and Shannon’s existing 50 Cuddle solids, I’m pretty sure I’ll have enough options to keep everyone wrapped up and happy all year long.
If joy had a texture, this would be it.
What You’ll Find Here This Year
As I settle into this slower, cozier rhythm, blogging here on Modalissa will cover all the things I truly love:
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Real quilting experiences—the wins, the lessons, and the “what was I thinking?” moments
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QALs (because quilting together is always better) I have 3 lined up to start the year.
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Favorite fabrics (old loves and new crushes)
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Notions I actually use and swear by
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Quilt patterns and techniques I’m exploring
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And yes… plenty of talk about backings, bindings, and cuddles
- And if you have anything you want me to add my two cents to, leave a comment.
Here’s to 2026
Here’s to a year of red and white quilts or quilts of any color, cozy finishes, thoughtful stitching, inspired journaling, and enjoying the view along the way.
Happy New Year, friends.
Let’s make it a good one—one stitch, one cuddle, and one blog post at a time.
