I get all misty-eyed when certain big events happen in my life. This can be any number of things but on this particular day it relates to having my project featured on the cover of Quilting Arts Gifts 2009. Here’s an attempt at explaining how I’m feeling about this:
I used to sew like mad. From age 6 to 19 I stitched all the time. I adored making clothes for myself. Then I got busy. Busy with my career, busy having kids, busy pursuing life in a very practical and measured way. The sewing machine went quiet.
When Leil was born the urge to sew emerged out of left field. So strongly did it hit me I still remember the day I pulled out the Singer, dusted it off, found the book so I could actually thread the machine, and began making. A receiving blanket for Leil. One for Caitlin. And then one for every baby that was born in the Bay Area in the late 90′s! 40″ square, flannel on both sides, handstitched ribbon 3 inches in from the edge all the way around. The girls both still sleep with theirs.
In 2001, a Disney Princess Sleeping Beauty dress for Caitlin demanded a fancy new sewing machine, yes we all deserve a new one every 20 years! I was back in touch with my first love and enjoying every minute. I even made a slipcover for the couch. If you’ve ever done that you know how crazy an idea that is and why you should pay people that do it for a living lots and lots of money.
I started this little blog in March of 2006. The creative ideas continued to crowd out the practical ones (like my CPA practice, I can not even imagine spending all day working on someone else’s tax return right now). I published my first pattern. Just one. Who did I think I was designing patterns and actually selling them for money? Then a second. A third. A fourth. And… yes, yes, more on the way.
Pink Chalk Fabrics came along too. And getting published in a book. And an article in a magazine. And then a cover of a magazine. It is all part of my journey and when I look at it that way I cry. Joyful tears. Thankful that I found the strength to listen to my intuitive voice. A voice so easily trampled by self doubt. Thankful that I blindly follow a path that seems impractical for so so many reasons but whose force is so strong it gives me faith.
I love the beauty and the pleasure that sewing brings to the world. The creative power it gives the soul. I love that I have finally come full circle with a fire that’s been inside of me since my earliest childhood memories. Waiting patiently until I was ready too. All converging at this moment in time. It makes me pause and give thanks.
Thank you to all the friends I’ve made in this little space named Pink Chalk Studio. The friendship and kindness you all so generously share inspires and humbles me daily. I’m truly thankful.
Congratulations! That’s great!
I’m very thankful that you chose this path, too, and that I stumbled your way. I just posted about another one of your 12-pocket pencil rolls that I made a few weeks ago, and the success I achieve with your pattern makes me feel more confident, and lifts me up. It sounds silly and exaggerated, but truly, it’s a victory for me. Another collaboration with my machine, showing me that we can be friends, and I can do things that used to be beyond me. Maybe one day I’ll stop doubting and be brave enough to follow my own path (whatever that may be!) just like you.
I picked my copy of Quilting Arts last week and when I saw the cover I said to myself….”hmmmmm this has a familiarity about it”…. and sure enough when I opened the magazine to look further I saw your name and smiled…..
Maybe it was the polka dots that I love so much, maybe it was the fresh talent that is so inspiring! I don’t know but I do know that I love all of your creative endeavors, keep on creating!
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your creative journey – such inspiring projects.
Happy happy joy joy! I know that sniggling of self doubt that makes you wonder if you’ve made the right choices. It’s wonderful to see that yes, you have! Congratulations.
Congratulations on the front cover! You are creating and sharing the joy of sewing with us. Thank you for that!
Congratulations on the Front cover! I’m still enjoying your table runner pattern from 2008 Quilting Art Gifts. Love to read about your sewing journey. When we listen to our inner voice we have a good chance ending up where we really want to be! Thanks for being an inspiration and for writing amazing patterns and having a delicious fabric shop!
Did you consider to write a pattern for your Advent calender quilt? If not I would like to be inspired by your design and try my own version.
Congratulations on being a Cover Girl!!!
Who wouldn’t prefer creating with fabric rather than doing tax returns. I’m a retired corporate accountant, and one thing that kept me sane during my working years was sewing. It gave me something tangible and lasting and creative rather than the endless series of 10-Q and 10-K reports to the SEC!!! Hooray for your cover on Quilting Arts.
oooooh! you go, girl! ^-^
congrats on being on the cover AGAIN – and congrats on your success. there’s more to come, I’m sure!
Yeah! Congrats on the cover, and thank you for sharing your creative space.
Congrats and what a wonderful post!
And the quilting world is also very happy to have you creating such unique and fantastic things for us.
) Congratulations.
Congratulations! I can’t wait to pick this up.
I just bought this magazine yesterday because of your hot pads project! I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it, and quickly paged to the project to see you designed it. How wonderful! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Very heartwarming.
Congrats on the cover and the two projects look fantastic. I’m so glad I’ve “met” you too Kathy.
Congratulations. The projects are beautiful and your milestones are wonderful and absolutely worth a misty-eyed morning or two.
Your story is so great and inspiring! I love that you followed your dream and it worked out so great for you! Congratulations on this milestone of having your project on the cover!
Thank you for sharing your personal journey…I always enjoying knowing someone’s backstory. It is amazing how many common emotions/fears/anxieties everyone shares on their path to creative pursuits.
Cherri
Congratulations–you inspire me to keep on sewing with every blog post
What a heartfelt post. How wonderful that you have followed your heart’s desire. Congratulations on all your success. Love your new projects!
It is inspiring and uplifting to watch you live your dream…. Congratulations on finding your little piece of heaven in this life!
Congratulations! Good for you to take the “harder” road! I love those projects — I’ll have to look for that magazine!
Congratulations on your cover, they look beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story with us. I needed to hear that kind of inspiration right now.
What a great inspirational story! Thanks for sharing, and all the best of luck to you in your creative journey!
Congratulations on the cover! It’s always interesting to know how creative people have reached the current place in their lives. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh wow… you’ve made me cry first thing in the morning. What a beautiful story, and an incredible set of personal accomplishments! I feel very proud for you! Sewing has done this for me too…without the pattern design and shop, etc…but just the love of it, the need to do it, whether it’s sewing, just reading about it, researching, doodling in my sketchbook new ideas, or just dreaming.
Congratulations on your magagzine cover. I’m going to go and search for it at my local stores….is it out yet?
I love your story so much! Thanks for sharing it with us. And congrats on the mag, of course.
The projects and your story are so great! I’m always amazed to find that a number of us crafting bloggers have the same right and left side of the brain skills. I was an accountant (not CPA, though) striving in a field I hated longing to craft and sew full-time as my business, and I’m nearly there. The only problem I have, and it’s a big one, is the right and left fight all the time. One side says, “Just do it!” The other says, “Time is money. Count the cost.” It’s a daily struggle.
Way to go!!! I, too, am so glad I stumbled upon Pink Chalk. I love buying from your store and look at your blog all the time. You’re an inspiration.
Very inspiring…thank you for sharing your journey!!
Congrats! Thanks for all you do for US.
I’m so glad you pursued this path in life. I love reading your blog, absolutely love your patterns, and think you’re an all around great person. Here’s to more! I’d love to see a picture of the blankets you made for your kids. There’s something about well loved kid blankets or stuffed animals that just make one smile. My son still sleeps with “mr. stuff’ems”, a stuffed animal I bought for him the day I found out I was pregnant….and I have to tell him that story at least once a month!
Congratulations! well deserved! I love your ability to combine colorful color fabrics. I enjoy looking at your creativity and reading your blog!
Congratulations…..I love hearing your story.
What a wonderful story and super news. Congratulations and keep on creating
Kathy – congratulations! Thanks for the story, it’s great. I’ve been enjoying your blog for a long time, you are one talented woman!
Kudos Kathy!!
This is just the kick I need to get myself planning for Christmas. Your designs are always fantastic and I love the look of your Christmas gifts. The magazine is on my ‘to order’ list.
Congratulations on the front cover!
I’m thankful that the internet has YOU! It’s so nice to know that you can connect with people only met through electrons! Keep on being inspired – and being inspirational!
And thank YOU for sharing all the creativity with us! I always enjoys seeing what you’ve been doing and you’ve taught me a thing or two, too.
How brilliant is that cover!!!! So glad you are enjoying, growing, loving and being inspired. Thank you for being you.
Hooray!! I’m glad you found this path too – otherwise I may never have found you as a friend. xoxo.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is so awesome. I love those trees. You have every right to be super proud about all your accomplishments. I am very happy for you!
I’m not usually very touchy feely, but I really needed to read that today. Thanks.
Congratulations on all of your great patterns, and especially on successfully tossing the “sensible career” and trusting and following your dream career ! I’m hoping, and trying and STRUGGLING to do the same after almost 30 (yes THIRTY) years in a “sensible” career that has long, long ago passed the point of burn out !
Congratulations Kathy! I love your projects
So glad that you are following your heart!
Thank you for sharing your feelings and your story. You deserve your successes, congratulations!!
What a heartfelt, eloquent, articulate post you wrote. It’s easy to invalidate the creative process when the laundry needs attention, the litterbox cleaned, putting dinner on the table, running kids, caring for husbands—all that beautiful, mundane stuff that makes up the daily minutia of living. It’s easy to convince oneself that creaive self-expression is an *indulgence*, for pete’s sake. Creativity is necessary. When we realize that, then the good things just start to flow. You’ve earned your successes, Kathy, and there are so many more on the way. Your head is on straight, and your heart is open and full to brimming, your arms are open for the embrace: the best is yet to come!
—your #1 fan, Laurie : )
Love the “blocks”! Congrats on getting on the cover. Your photographs highlight them so much better. The cover really didn’t grab my attention, but the blocks on the wood grain makes them look wonderful. Here’s to your continuing endeavors.