As 2024 comes to an end, I’m looking back on an amazing year for Toad & Sew and the Toad Circle community. This year had some incredible successes, a few tough challenges, and plenty of moments to learn and grow. Let’s break down what made this year so special.
The Highs
2024 was a year full of achievements, including some of my biggest milestones:
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Best Sales Year Ever: Thanks to all of you, 2024 was my most successful year for sales yet.
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Teaching at QuiltCon: I was honored to teach at QuiltCon this year, which was both humbling and inspiring.
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A Quilt Accepted into the 2025 Show: One of my quilts was chosen for next year’s show, which was a dream come true!
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Interview with QuiltFolk Magazine: Being featured in QuiltFolk magazine was a huge highlight and an opportunity to connect with even more of you.
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Toad Circle’s Safe Space: During a politically challenging year, Toad Circle became a space where members could share their thoughts and support each other.
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Recovery and Rest: I made time for myself to rest and recover, especially during health challenges, without losing sight of my goals.
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Pushing Through Challenges: Despite some tough health issues, I stayed focused and kept working hard to achieve my goals.
The Lows
While there was a lot to celebrate, this year also came with its struggles:
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Health Challenges: I faced significant physical and mental health issues this year. A major surgery was a turning point for healing but required a lot of time and patience.
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Personal Obstacles: I dealt with unexpected personal challenges that pushed me to grow and refocus my priorities.
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Pattern Release Lessons: Some pattern releases didn’t meet my expectations, but they taught me valuable lessons about improving and connecting with my audience.
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Financial Goals: Falling short on a few financial goals gave me a clearer sense of what to focus on in the future.
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Low Creativity Moments: I hit some creative slumps (or "sewjo" as they say), but I used that time to recharge and reflect.
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Staying Present: Even when it was hard, I worked on staying present with my customers and community, finding joy in those connections.
Five Awesome Releases
This year brought some exciting quilt patterns that you all fell in love with:
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Cascade Bloom: This flowing design with its dynamic curves became a favorite for modern quilting projects and is perfect for experimenting with bold colors.
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Time Capsule: A bold geometric quilt pattern that’s ideal for anyone wanting a modern, striking centerpiece for their collection.
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Diamond Flare: Known for its radiant and intricate layout, this design is a great option for quilters looking to challenge their skills and create something dazzling.
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Nebulous: This cosmic-inspired quilt pattern brought bold design elements and a dynamic layout, making it perfect for modern quilters who love celestial themes.
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Folkwell: This pattern offers endless possibilities with its many color layout options. It’s based on the free block I contributed to the Art Gallery Fabrics Sewcialite Sampler Sew Along, making it a standout choice for creative quilters who love to customize their projects.
Customer Makes
Seeing your creativity this year has been one of my favorite things! Some of my favorite customer creations include:
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@dnahunt’s gorgeous Garden Glow Quilt.
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Tracy B.’s bright and lively Grove Quilt.
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@em.quiltypleasures’ stunning Joplin Quilt.
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@sjrobinson23’s intricate Cascade Bloom Quilt.
Your unique interpretations of my patterns continue to inspire me every day.
Best Selling Patterns
The patterns you loved the most this year were:
These patterns became staples in many of your sewing rooms, and I’m so grateful for your enthusiasm!
Patterns That Missed the Mark
Not every design was a hit, but that’s part of the creative process. This year’s less popular patterns were:
Each of these patterns still holds a special place in my heart, and I’m excited to refine and learn from them for future projects.
New Merch
This year, I also launched a fun line of new merch! The Quilty Witch collection brought cozy beanies, quirky mugs, and graphic tees that added a little magic to your everyday lives.
My Favorites of 2024
Here are some things that stood out for me this year:
Thank You
To everyone who helped make 2024 such an incredible year:
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Testers: Your feedback and support were invaluable.
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Shops: Thank you for consistently partnering with me and sharing my work with your customers.
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Longarmers: Your artistry brought my patterns to life in ways I could never have imagined.
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You: To everyone who purchased from me, shared my work, or cheered me on—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your encouragement keeps me going.
As we say goodbye to 2024, I’m excited for the possibilities of 2025. Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to another year of growth, creativity, and connection!
