About 10 years ago, while I was finishing up college in Utah, I started a little business. Someone I hold very dear to my heart taught me how to embroider little stitcheries, and I set to work creating a bunch of my own patterns. I made more than I can even count or remember. I actually still have a big file of most of my old patterns, and my mom has a box of a few of the samples I made. I made my patterns look as professional as I knew how, enclosed a stitching guide, photographed my samples for the front, and packaged them up. Then I took my samples in a big laundry basket to as many quilt shops as I could find to try to gain clients. I ended up selling many of my patterns in shops in Utah and Idaho, believe it or not.
I forgot to take pictures of some of the samples that my mom uses around her house, while others have been lost or sold. But, I thought it would be fun to take a little trip down my creative memory lane with you today... dust bunnies and all. They makes me smile.
When the first shop purchased patterns from me, I was so excited and called my parents up to tell them. My dad said, "There she goes!" and that has been one of those things that has stuck with me ever since. It is nice to know that there is always someone who believes unquestionably in my potential, even when, at times I doubt it.
Some pretty hard years came my way and I no longer sold my patterns, but I smile when I think of the gumption and young optimism I had in my little dream. I smile at these dumb little patterns that I so loved to create. I am very fond of this little memory.
It was fun to pull my patterns out onto the porch that my grandpa built and just remember.
This one below is my favorite. I may need to find a place for it in my new office space in my home. I think it fits me very well. Working with my hands really does feed and delight my soul.
And there were lots of others. LOTS. I had my little business in a time before Etsy, before Pinterest, and before the online world was as big as it is now. I scoured books to find my little quotes. And I never would have thought to sell them online. I'm very thankful I had that little experience because I know how different it would be today.
My little Ella was very uninterested in what I was doing. She makes me giggle so much.
I love that her boots were on the wrong feet.
She is so much like me. She insisted on wearing her butterfly dress, wanted me to paint her toenails, needed to wear the little Croc rainboots she loves to get muddy, and was running around playing with her ball. The best of all worlds I guess. What a little ray of sunshine.
I hope she always follows her dreams. And I hope that I can help her see the talent and beauty that she has to share with the world. I hope it never even occurs to her to doubt her creativity.
And I hope she will have some fond memories to keep in her heart.
Faye
So beautiful! If you are interested in selling any patterns, I would be so very interested (just for my own use). I live in Canada but would be happy if they could just be scanned and downloaded or emailed. Let me know!
Love your site!
Unknown
I just found your website today looking for fonts on Pinterest (my all-time favorite site!) Your daughter is so sweet and the boots being on the wrong feet are adorable! I loved reading your story about your little business and your designs. You remind me of myself, when the creativity just struck and I'd go crazy sewing and making crafts. I still do some for Christmas gifts and birthdays and such. Time just seems to get away from me and so many other things need tending to. I can't wait until the day comes when I can retire from my job for good and just create all day long!