Hello to anyone who still drops by…welcome back to the New Year!
Not even 4 weeks in and already 2026 has proven a doozy, hasn’t it? Sheesh, what a bunfight. I’m surprised by the number of disasters, natural and manmade, that’ve already unfolded. And that’s saying something given how crappy last year was!
I don’t have any words of wisdom or grand solutions, but I will hold your hand while we wade onward through this muckiness. I’ll try to share stories and entertain you as we go, because I’m much better at that than providing astute political/environmental/cultural guidance.
I invite you to lay down your worries for just a moment, to relax and and let your mind focus on something joyful for a while. It could be anything you like, but if you’re in the market for distractions, just read on.
What I’m Sewing…
Still working on my Log Cabin Ribbons quilt. Still not finished!
December was jam-packed for our family (more on that down below) so there was not much time for sewing.
I am still very much in love with these bright, scrappy fabrics. I look forward to getting this new pattern to you soon.
Around the Interwebs…
It’s fun to see articles on quilting in the main media, although you have to take them with a grain of salt. (If anyone wants to buy all my unfinished quilts tops, GET IN TOUCH!!)
Like many, I was underwhelmed by Pantone choosing Cloud Dancer (aka off-white) as the 2026 Colour of the Year. Surely there are plenty of real colours that reflect calm, serenity and quiet reflection? Anyway, this I found this article over at Craft Industry Alliance good to get me thinking about incorporating Cloud Dancer in future quilts.
Crafty stop-motion videos are my jam, so I was happy to stumble over this short video on YouTube. It has a cute little sequel as well.
I loved this story about the return of some lost WWII love letters.
I’m off to Norfolk Island on a sewing retreat in July – I can’t wait. Anyone else going? (Fun fact, every now and then I get emails from sewists asking me questions about Kristy’s blocks – people get us mixed up occasionally!)
Need stock up on solid fabrics for the year to come? Designer Essential Solids by FreeSpirit (including Tula Pink’s picks) are 20% off at the Fat Quarter Shop in January.
The latest issue of Make Modern, the Aussie quilting e-magazine, is now available!
Camelot Fabrics just released their Winter Collection, including mock-ups with 3 of my patterns. You can click through to the fabric line to see the exact fabrics used in each version:
In The Stars quilt made with Catitude fabrics:
Scrappy Lattice quilt made with Black Bear Cottages fabrics:
Merry Xmas mini quilt made with Home for the Holidays fabrics:
Reader Quilts…
Everyone’s favourite – reader quilts! If you’ve made something from Bonjour Quilts patterns please send a photo in. Either email (Kirsty at BonjourQuilts dotcom), or tag me on Facebook or Instagram.
February’s just around the corner, so let’s shine a light on Valentine’s luuurve. First up is one of my favourites, the Hello Hearts! quilt pattern. It looks great in solids, patterns and scraps:
Here are some very cute Ribbon Heart Mini Quilts, if you’re after a small home decor project.
How about a free tutorial for a heart quilt block (works well for a table topper and is a good one for using up small scraps):
Elisha created a purple themed table topper with her blocks:
Another of my quilt patterns featuring hearts is the Heartfelt quilt pattern:
I have another tutorial for a Patchwork Heart Quilt Block pattern as well:
If you want a Valentine’s spin on a traditional block, why not try my Bottomless Bear Paws quilt pattern which has the option for a little heart paw pad. Awww.
Why not just make a non-heart pattern in Valentine’s pinks and reds instead, like Janine’s loved-up version of the Mountainside quilt pattern?
Chez Bonjour
It’s been a while since my last post – I needed to power-down and recharge for a bit over the holiday period.
December was a busy month for us. It’s the start of summer here in Australia and thus the end of the school year (exams for the kids, etc). We drove down to Canberra (1300kms, 800 mi) to see our eldest graduate university, and also to join some low-key 30th anniversary celebrations for our (hubby and my) military graduation.
All of this was made even more exciting with our Learner driver, 16-year-old driving us down and back (why isn’t there a “grip the chair” emoji?) and the fact our fridge/freezer broke the night before we left.
Once we returned from Canberra we had 2 days to pack and then head off to NEW ZEALAND!! We had an amazing, week-long holiday in fabulous Queenstown, with all 4 of our kids. The week before Christmas was the only time we could get all 4 of the kids together, so we took it. We had the most amazing, adventurous time, which deserves a blogpost of its own.
We got back from New Zealand 2 days before Christmas. We still didn’t have a fridge (under warranty, but they were too busy to repair it in time) but thankfully we had a family Christmas at Mum and Dad’s this year. Otherwise it would have been a bit…creative (roast Spam?). Nothing more red wine couldn’t have solved!
The New Year brought us some time to rest, and a brand new fridge (they decided to replace it, rather than repair – hurray!) The kids are back to school for the 2026 school year next week, so hopefully my routine will become a little more predictable!
Take a moment this weekend
I know it’s been a distressing week, but I hope you can take a moment to rest, recharge and regroup this weekend. Some sewing might save your sanity with all that’s going on in the US and the world at the moment. Take care, and look after those around you.
Until next time,
Kirsty x
Hi Kirsty. May 2026 be a wonderful year for all of us. The comment from Debi Johnson was very apropos. The “mental oasis” you provide for all of us is so appreciated. I look forward to your blogs. With a cup of coffee, I sit down and read every word. I love to hear about your family, your adventures and your quilty comments. Also, what you share about other quilters around the world. I always come away with new ideas and inspiration. Taking time off to do wonderful things is exactly what one needs. Refresh and restore. Now we look forward to seeing what you have in store (no pun intended) for us this year. Thank you for being there for everyone. You are a gift!
Thanks Carolyn, I’m happy that the newsletter can be a short distraction from the state of things at the moment. We can’t be in fight mode 24/7.
Must. Have. Log. Cabin. Ribbons. So. Many. Potential. Scraps. In. My. Possession.
Seriously, love your patterns, encouragement, and blog. Thanks for your virtual friendship.
Ha ha – thank you for the encouragement! I am trying hard but it’s been back to school this week…but soon, it will be soon x
I do very much enjoy your newsletters. Been following you for many years.
Thank you Fran, I’m very glad to hear you’re enjoying them! I’ll try to keep them coming!
Glad to see you emerge into 2026 – sounds like a lovely time with family was had, and you deserve it! No way you already have a graduate from university – what??? So much stress in the world today. I spend a lot of time following the Buddhist monks on their Walk for Peace here in the U.S. (they livestream on Facebook, it’s very calming to listen to their talks). Looking forward to seeing you this year and thanks for showing my version of Hello Hearts! again.
Your quilt is peachy perfection, I hope it’s being given the reverence it deserves! I’m into all the peaceful things at the moment, chill-out music mixes, ASMR Youtube videos, you name it, I’m giving it a try. Take care, Mary Lynn x
PS – had to grab the Ribbon Quilt pattern. I have been making a few Valentine’s Day projects and this one looks so fun. Thank you!!!
Oh yay, thanks Bernie! ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Thank you, your stories are JUST what I needed this morning.
You’re most welcome. It’s been rough, that’s for sure.
Happy New Year Kirsty. How could you already have a child graduating from university??? He just started a few months ago, didn’t he?
Have to say, teaching my children to drive was one of the worst parts of parenting. The nerves, the arguing (since several of them seemed to think they were born already knowing how to drive). It made me nuts. That must have been a very long drive for you!
Finally- I hope you feel very proud when you look at all of the amazing projects out there in the world based upon your patterns. Just beautiful!!
And – as the other commenter said – no kitty pics?!?
Oh Bernie, I swear it was just a couple of months ago. I can’t believe I have an actual adult child now out in the world with a job, his own digs, his own car…what on earth???
Your comment “…seemed to think they were born already knowing how to drive” – I see you have met my son. 😂 I look at it as an exercise in patience! (mine)
Thank you for your kind comment re: my patterns. It truly is my favourite thing, to see people making things with them. There are so many patterns out there, it’s such a thrill when someone chooses mine out of such a large pool. I’m very grateful!
Happy 2026! So glad to hear from you after your family “recharge” – just consider the tiny bumps in the road as stepping stones to your wonderful time with family in New Zealand! And one of the best things about your newsletter is that you do NOT engage in all the outside political, environmental/cultural “mess”, giving us all a much needed mental oasis of grace and calm concentrating on beauatiful things, people and ideas – not to mention those two wonderufl feline “quilty cats” who deign to bless your quilts with their presence! This newsletter came at a chaotic time in my life and has blessed me with an anchor to mindful peace, so for that, God bless you for the gifts you give to us all through your joy in quilting. The hope you inspire is uplifting and I”m thinking of all the creative quilty projects I can do in 2026 – starting with a gift from my husband of cleaning, oiling and adjusting my 1966 Brother Opus sewing machine so I’m ready to go. Wishing you and your family a healthy, prosperous Happy New Year in 2026!
Hi Debi – how wonderful that you have a husband capable of servicing your sewing machine. I wish mine could do that! I’m happy to hear that the newsletter helps you to zero in on creative options. Making things is a good way to process things, (problems especially for me) – it’s almost like I feel that if I can be capable making a quilt then surely that capability will transfer to other areas in my life. Wishful thinking maybe? But it does make me happy, which is no small thing. Wishing you the best for 2026 – may all your creative ideas come to fruition!
So glad you are back! Loves your blogs!
Thank you Mary!
Happy 2026!! Missed your emails, but now you are back. BUT, wait….NO CATS PICS!!! BooHoo!!! Next time? Please. We all love your puttys.
I know, sorry Carroll! I will be sure to have some in the next post, scout’s honour!
Welcome back Kristie. Such a treat to find this in my inbox! Have spent the past month making Bottomless Bear Claw blocks and am almost there- which brought you to mind; along with hopes your family was having good together times. Events in the news are painful, and work on the blocks has been a calming experience. Your are so appreciated!
Oh, I’m so happy to hear this, Donna. The Bear Paw blocks can be quite addictive, the more you make, the more you want! I’m happy they’ve been a nice distraction for you!
Kirsty! Great to hear from you. Everyone needs downtime. So glad you got to be with all your kids. The world is going to world. I’m very concerned about Iran to be honest. I have an Iranian friend who has filled me in on the history. We can’t do anything but pray so that’s what I’m doing. Meanwhile I tried my hand at garment making (not done that in years) and had to switch from quilt brain to sewing brain. Made a few mistakes but it’s all good. Would love to see pics of your epic vacation.
God bless you and all you love!
Hi Rose, it’s all very worrying, isn’t it? Good job with garment sewing, that will keep your brain occupied and not thinking about the news. It’s always tricky going from 2D to 3D, as you do with sewing garments. I have a short list of clothes I’d like to try sewing one day – hopefully not too far from now!
Thank you for this moment of distraction and inspiration. I always look forward to your newsletter and am very grateful for you taking the time to write and publish the newsletter. I’m looking forward to your newest quilt pattern, but was reminded that I want to make Scrappy Lattice! I recently “fluffed the stash” and rediscovered all the beautiful fabrics that I have. My head is now swimming with ideas!
Hi David! Fluff the stash is now my favourite new saying. 😃 Scrappy Lattice is a good one and I’m happy to hear it will help you show off your beautiful fabrics. Scrap quilts are the best!