2025 in Review

When I look back on 2025 I feel like I’ve collected many years worth of experiences. Here are some takeaways from my year in making so far.

Busting out the Good Sketchbooks

Some of the sketchbooks I filled this year!

I have a stash of “special sketchbooks” that I have been saving for special occasions. Admittedly, I’m not sure what a special occasion would be for using one from my precious stash. This year I decided to start using my special sketchbooks for everyday use. I’m using one of the studier sketchbooks as a travel notebook where I can make quick sketches and glue memorabilia from my trips this year. I’ve also been using the smaller sketchbooks for everyday notes and work, which are definitely not “special occasions” but it makes me smile to see a cute cover when I reach for a sketchbook.

I made this sketch when I visited Milan in April

And here’s another sketch from one of my trips to Baltimore

And this sketchbook just ended up filled with notes. It was the perfect size to fit in my pocket during work.

I figured that once I’ve filled these sketchbooks, they can go back into the cupboard collection. They just took a memorable trip outside the cupboard.

Sewing up the Special Fabric

I also made a goal this year to sew from my “special fabric” stash. These are fabrics that I have bought as souvenirs during trips, or fabrics I inherited from my grandmother’s stash. Since there was no way of reordering more of these special fabrics I had to slow down and take my time to decide what to make and how to cut up the fabric. I’ve sewn fewer projects this year, but with more intent than in previous years, and I’ve also enjoyed the sewing process more by slowing down.

I made a trip to Atelier Brunette in Paris in March, and bought fabric as a souvenir.

I ended up making a cardigan with my souvenir fabric, since I knew that I would wear this a lot!

However I am looking forward to fabric shopping again! In the last year I’ve made a serious dent into my fabric stash and I would like to plan some sewing projects that include the process of shopping for the right fabric. The Garment District in NYC is an awesome resource and I can’t wait to dive back into the bolts of fabric with some projects in mind.

Crafting with Friends

My birthday craft party spread

Another thing I started this year was hosting craft nights with friends. I’ll have craft supplies ready for any of my friends that want to drop by after work. My friends might stop by the grocery store on the way to my place and we will snack on small bites for dinner while crafting. Participating in the craft is optional too, and some of my friends just enjoy sitting on the couch and hanging out. Having now hosted craft night a bunch of times, I would recommend doing the following if you are looking to have your own laid back craft night:

My friends and I turned a bunch of fabric scraps into scrunchies

• The Easy Craft - I recommend providing a very easy craft that requires no previous experience, like something you can glue together or cut with scissors. For example, I threw down a bag of perler beads for a few craft nights and those were a big hit. I also bought some pin backs to glue onto the perler beads in case someone wanted to wear their creation afterwards.

• The Group Craft - Another successful craft was group scrunchie night. My friends formed an assembly line where some people cut out the fabric, those who knew how to sew were sewing the scrunchie fabric, and someone else was threading the elastic through the scrunchie. There was an activity for everyone who wanted to participate, even if they didnt know how to sew, and afterwards we had a pile of scrunchies to take home.

• Frozen food aisle - Craft night was the perfect forum for trying out those random Trader Joe’s frozen appetizers- if you let me know you picked up something from the frozen food aisle on your way over to my place, I’d be more than happy to preheat the oven.

• Weeknights are for Craft Nights - Craft night on weeknights had a surprisingly good turnout. My friends were able to stop by for a few hours after work for a low commitment hang out, and still get back home at a reasonable hour