Sunday, April 5, 2015

Exciting news!

You could have knocked me over with a feather!

Earlier this week I was contacted by the Creative Director from Blank Quilting Corporation...a recent acquisition by Jaftex who also owns Henry Glass fabrics, amongst others...to ask me if I would be interested in designing a line or lines of fabric for their company.

Me?  

Moi?  

Yikes!!!

I am familiar with book publishing because I've had three books published while working in the decorative painting industry but designing fabric?  Yikes!!!

After thinking about it for about 3 minutes...maybe less...you know what my answer was.  An unequivocal yes!  

I spent the first couple of days trying to wrap my head around the concept and come up with a theme, which actually wasn't very hard to do.  

Remember what I said about staying with things that are familiar and that you both like and feel comfortable with?  When I do that, then everything else falls into place quite nicely.


Our goal is to release the line at the Fall Market in Houston in October, so time is of the essence.  I've been working feverishly over the last couple of days putting my ideas on paper and have come up with the preliminary sketches.  My goal is to have the final artwork done by the end of the week.

My heart is still beating so quickly and the butterflies in my stomach are having a field day!  

I'm sooooooo excited!!!

Happy stitching!


70 comments:

WoolenSails said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to see what your line will be. Happy Easter!

Debbie

Jacqueline Morris said...

Congratulations!!! Wow you must be so so excited.... How very marvellous....cannot wait to see what you come up with....even if it's a sneak peek!!
Happy creating :)
Smiles :)

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

How amazing! I can't wait to see what you design. :0)

Barb said...

Congraulations!! How exciting!!

Phyllis said...

Can't wait to see what designs you come up with. I know they will be wonderful. Congratulations!!!!

Louise SS said...

Congratulations! Looking forward to your designs!

Charlotte said...

Kudos to you! What an exciting time in your life.

Charlotte

Karen said...

Wow, that's exciting for sure!Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!

Sandra said...

Congratulations! What exciting news. Wishing you all the best. Happy Easter.

ipatchandquilt said...

How exciting! So looking forward to seeing your line!
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com

Jacqueline said...

Whoo Hoo I am so happy for you. Congrats!

Janet said...

Fantastic. I can't wait to see it. I am sure it will be spectacular as is everything you do.

Bev said...

That is so exciting! I know it will be a rewarding experience! I can't wait to see what you create! WTG!!!

Linda H said...

Wow, that is awesome news! Congrats!

gracie said...

How exciting for you and all of us! Congratulations.

Sandi said...

Kaaren, looks like the Easter Bunny designed a very special basket of eggs for you to crack open and celebrate with! Congratulations on this lovely new road to wander and discover.

Can't wait to see what you come up with, hope it has a unique Canadian twist!

Ruth K said...

Hurray!!! Can't wait to see it. I love your "colours" so I'd be happy to have that in a collection.Your style, it wasn't mine but it has grown on me. I'm happy for you.

Denise * KKL Primitives said...

How exciting for you! Congratulations!

Mad about Craft said...

Fabulous!!!!

Quilting Babcia said...

Wow, that's exciting news! Congratulations!

Marta said...

Felicidades und happy Easter!!!!

Verna G said...

Congratulations! What exciting news!

Karen said...

So happy for you, can't wait to see your creations!!

kmcallister said...

Congratulations Kaaren. I know you will do a wonderful job.

annie said...

Congratulations! Very happy for you!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congratulations Kaaren! What an amazing opportunity and if anyone can get it done in that time frame, it is YOU! Looking forward to seeing it!

Michele T said...

OMG!!! How exciting!!! Congratulations!!! I can't wait to see your creations!! You must be over the moon!!

Unknown said...

How exciting Kaaren. Congratulations!!I will be looking forward to your new line.

marie said...

Great news! With all that has happen in the last few years you deserve some happy times. Can't wait to see what you design. I am so happy for you.

sandi s said...

That is wonderful!!! I am so happy for you and look forward to what you do. Happy Easter! Hugs,

Anonymous said...

I'm excited with you! Does this mean you come up with a quilt design too?!!! Isn't it amazing? I mean, after all you've been through to have so much good ahead?! I hope you'll share a peek with me.

Dianne Cook said...

Congratulations Kaaren,

I always love your colour choices and designs so I'm sure your fabric will be wonderful. Can't wait.

Happy Easter

Dianne

Lizzy said...

Congrats. Happy for you.

Bev said...

You go girl. Can't wait to see your line.

barbara woods said...

Congrats!!!

Mimi said...

Congratulations. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Needled Mom said...

Awesome. I can't wait to see your designs.

Flickenstichlerin said...

Congratulations Karen, I am so happy for you, and really looking forward to the line of fabric you will design. I know I will not miss that.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Teri said...

Congrats....how exciting for you....

Connie said...

What a marvelous new adventure to embark on. These are the things that keep us young and energized.
I am so happy for you and excited to be able to join you, through blogging, on this new journey :)
Congratulations!
Connie :)

Lisa Marie said...

How exciting! I love your style and am looking forward to seeing what you create! I know it will be awesome. Congrats!

Adrienne Cleave said...

How lovely... so happy for you.
Adrienne

Robin Waggoner, Quilter and Designer said...

Congratulations Kaaren. I am so glad that things worked out and we will be seeing some of your designs in our fabric stores this next year.

Janet O. said...

Wonderful news! Can't wait to see what you design. I'm sure it will be beautiful!
Congrats, Kaaren!

tante aimée said...

Félicitations !!!! j'ai hâte de découvrir !!!

Unknown said...

Congratulation! Relax and have fun knowing you have many fans looking forward for your designs.

Ronda said...

Fabulous!!!!! you know the heart and needs of quilters and are so talented.

Joy Burkhart said...

Fantastic news, Kaaren! I know whatever you decide as a theme ALL of us will love it! Looking forward to a peek in the near future! Just relax and let the ideas flow.
{{{Hugs}}}

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Congratulations!
I look forward to your fabric designs that I know in my heart will be gorgeous.

paulette said...

How exciting for you!! YOU can do it! Can't wait to see what you come up with! I'm sure it will be incredible! Congratulations!~
P

Wendy Caton Reed said...

Congratulations! I am not at all surprised that they asked you. I can't wait to see (and buy) the whole line in Houston!

Lori said...

That is very exciting! Congratulations kaaren!

Maxine said...

Congratulations. You certainly deserve this opportunity. If things go as planned, I will be in Houston for the show and will find your fabric.

Kathryn said...

What an opportunity to stretch your wings!! Good for you and good for them.

LoriCR said...

How exciting. I am looking forward to seeing what you design.

Debra @ Life is a Stitch said...

That is SO exciting! Congratulations, and can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

Sharon said...

Way to go! and I cannot wait to see what you create! I know it will be fabulous!

Julie said...

What absolutely wonderful news that is Kaaren - congratulations to you :-) I am sooo looking forward to seeing your designs as love everything you create. Can just imagine the butterflies in your stomach !!! Good on you x0x

Christine said...

OMG !!!! How exciting !!! Wonderful for you , and us !!!

andsewon said...

How wonderful! I am pretty sure I will love your line of fabrics. Wishing you much success!
Lola

Sandy said...

Congratulations Kaaren. Can't wait to see your designs and to add to my stash.

Donna~~ said...

Wow, that is very exciting! Hope you are filled with all kinds of creative energy and ideas!

suz said...

how wonderful! I'm sure you'll come up with something amazing! It's nice when good things happen to good people!

Jeanna said...

Awesome news for you and SUPER awesome for us...can't wait for it to hit the stores. I'm sure you are going to design something lovely.

poppiquilt said...

Bellissimo! Congratulations and good luck!
Lidia

Janet said...

Congrats! I can't believe it took you 3 minutes. With your talent, 20 seconds should have been enough time! And, you've already got preliminary sketches done to show how creative you really are.

Emi said...


Congratulations is a great experience, wonderful, and I want to see those designs.
A big hug from Costa Rica .



Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Congratulations, Kaaren! Isn't it wonderful to see new doors open just when you think you've got your life all figured out? God is good! Can't wait to see those designs.

Karens Quilts, Crows and Cardinals said...

Congratulations Kaaren -- what an honor and so well deserved. Karen

Carole said...

Congratulations! What great news! How exciting! Thank you for sharing! Cheers!