A New Year

on Jan 5, 2015 in Sewing | 40 comments

I spent the weekend putzing around my new sewing room. Moving shelves. Taking the felt design wall down after the cat’s third attempt at climbing it. Figuring out the best place for the ironing board – still working on that!

I’d been looking for a house to rent for months. Hawking Craig’s List every week. Last July applying for one along with 20 other people and not getting it. In late November I ran by this house along one of my favorite streets and there was a For Rent sign in the front yard. I called and three days later had the keys. Plenty of room for me and the girls plus this extra sunroom that is glass on three sides.

First project was finishing up a binding on a quilt for a good friend. The quilt on the table (Heather Jone’s You + Me Quilt) only needed the center panel sewn to complete the project I’d started at the MQG Portland SewDown. I then worked into the evening on a piece I started in a Jean Wells class that I attended in November. Glad I began with some projects that just needed a bit of attention to bring to completion. A satisfying sense of accomplishment and some oiling of the creative gears to get me back in motion.

It has been a very emotional 4 months from the initial decision to close the fabric part of the business all the way through liquidating fixtures which continues. My father passed away on October 16th. My team and friends carried me through the fire. Definitely some big time Higher Power action going on too. Lots of serendipitous happenings from start to finish. I learned that being faced with significant challenges gave me the choice to turn away from faith or to explore it more deeply than I even knew was possible.

After the liquidation wrapped up in November I’ve been struggling to move forward. With anything. I sort of allowed myself to just be through the holiday season. I say sort of because I’m also coming to terms with my compulsive work habits and how restless I feel when work is not the center of my universe. 2015 will be a year of redefining and expanding.

This quick hello is just to let you know I’m here and wishing you peace and joy as the New Year unfolds.

xoxo
Kathy

    40 Comments

  1. Peace and joy to you, too. Welcome back – – I’ve missed seeing your posts!

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    Denise Toomey

    January 5, 2015

  2. So glad to hear from you! I know how tough that can be yet I’m still sure it’s so completely different. I’ve stood at that same crossroads myself and I found the answer is to choose faith. Always choose faith. It won’t solve any feelings or bring good overnight, it’s a slow work, but it’s far more rewarding in the long run. Can’t wait to see your future endeavors. ????

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    Sheri

    January 5, 2015

  3. We are so happy to see you again! Love your new space… windows on three sides? Phenomenal! Congrats… we are with you.

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    Fran Milano

    January 5, 2015

  4. Hi Kathy. Glad to see your posts. I’ve missed them.

    Here’s to a fantastic 2015.

    Cindy

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    Cindy

    January 5, 2015

  5. Why hello! Love the sunroom. I can see you creating away in that wonderful space. Hugs to you.

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    Cindy J

    January 5, 2015

  6. The new year is such a wonderful time to begin afresh. Wishing you all the best in your new endeavors!

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    Marla

    January 5, 2015

  7. I’m so sorry for your loss. So much stress. Glad to see you are back.

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    Auntie Pami

    January 5, 2015

  9. Kathy,
    it is great to see this post from you. Karen, Robin and I were just having our first “sewing day” of 2015 this past Saturday. We were thinking of you and wondering how you are doing. We all said “I miss her”. I am sorry to hear of your loss. Smiles, love and hugs from some of your Canadian friends.

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    Debra H

    January 5, 2015

  10. Hi Kathy,
    It was great seeing your post. Please accept my sincere condolences regarding your father. Your new place looks great. May the new year bring you peace, good health and sweet surprises.

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    Carol Broughton

    January 5, 2015

  11. Kathy, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
    I have been wondering how you’ve been going since your decision to close the fabric arm of your store (I’ve sent many of my Australian dollars your way in the past :-). It can’t be easy making such a big change. I think you’re right to be gentle with yourself for a while before you kick your butt into gear. I love that picture of your sewing room – all that glass and light is just beautiful. Best of luck for 2015 for all your ventures!

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    Kirsty@Bonjour

    January 5, 2015

  12. Good to hear from you. Wishing you all the best.

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    Harriet

    January 5, 2015

  13. So glad to hear from you again. Thanks for sharing at a time when it would be much easier to withdraw from the world. Please know that we care and wish you all the best in your new endeavors.

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    Sandra

    January 5, 2015

  14. I am so sorry about the loss of your father. All these changes for you have surely been stressful. Wishing the best with the New Year. Take care.

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    Laura

    January 5, 2015

  15. Happy new year Kathy. I hope you have a wonderful new year, and that you find your best path. I will be looking forward to see which way you go.

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    charlotte m.

    January 6, 2015

  16. I’m so sorry to hear about your dad.

    Your new home to create sounds like it was meant to be. Congratulations on a good start to the new year.

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    SheriB

    January 6, 2015

  19. so great to hear that you are making it through the fog and wish you health, peace and happiness in 2015. Kathy mc

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    kathy mcnamara

    January 6, 2015

  20. inspirational to hear about the “risks” you have taken and how you are moving forward. what a time of changes indeed for you…but because you have not let fear lead you, i believe that wonderful things are ready to bloom for you. my best to you and a big hug for all that you have been through. and a big hug for all to come! 🙂

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    shannon

    January 6, 2015

  21. Hello my dear friend! Sorry it has been such a roller coaster for you these past several months. I have been meaning to get in touch for a while, I have been thinking of you. I have moved back to Canada and have now been here one full year. It has been an adjustment and I am still figuring things out but we have a new place to call home and being closer distance wise to family and old friends is wonderful. I will send you a proper email very soon. Keeping you close in my thoughts.
    ox Mel

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    Melanie

    January 6, 2015

  22. Nice to see a post from you, Kathy. Glad you’re settled into your new place and getting ready to re-focus. Wish you all the best in all you do!

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    Tracy

    January 6, 2015

  23. Sorry to hear of your loss, Kathy, and glad to know that you’re keeping the faith. Best wishes as you muddle your way through this transition, and know that we’re all here cheering you on and waiting to learn of the good things that will happen next.

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    Jenny

    January 6, 2015

  24. So glad to hear from you, Kathy! And very sorry for your loss. I closed a business a few years ago. Such an emotional thing, but then again such a blessing of a fresh start. Great things for you this year!

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    Rachel at Stitched in Color

    January 6, 2015

  25. I look forward to seeing what new directions you head off on and wish you the best for this new year. Have a fun and wonderful time on your adventure.

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    Anne

    January 6, 2015

  26. So good to see a post from Pink Chalk again. I am so sorry for your loss.
    I’ll be anxious to see what new, creative ventures you dream up. Just hope you’ll bring us along for the ride.

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    Jo Ann Moulds

    January 6, 2015

  27. I’m so sorry to hear about the death of your Dad. I pray for strength and comfort at this difficult time. We are glad that you posted and look forward to when you’re ready to return. Best wishes for a year of Blessings!

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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    usairdoll

    January 6, 2015

  28. Kathy, thinking of you as the new year unfolds. Sorry to hear of your father’s death. It is never easy to give up our parents. I pray that the coming days will be filled with much quilting & more laughter. Love to you.

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    Sandra Clarke

    January 6, 2015

  30. so sorry for your loss, kathy. i know from my own experience that change is difficult. being gentle with yourself is the best thing you can do. looking forward to seeing what you do when you feel up to it. xo.

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    erin

    January 8, 2015

  31. it sounds like you have lots of good things ahead of you. i enjoy your blog! and that quilt on the table is beautiful!!

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    ellen patton

    January 9, 2015

  32. So happy to see a post from you, Kathy! Hope your life will soon find its happy track and get chugging along again. Take your time and take good care!

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    Annie Chermak

    January 9, 2015

  33. I’m sorry for the loss of your father. Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of losing my mom. It’s a strange place to be to experience the loss of a parent. Let your faith take you deeper. It’s a good thing. And allow yourself to heal & grow. Best wishes to you through all these changes!

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    Anita

    January 12, 2015

  34. Hey Kathy,

    There will be good coming out of all this, for sure : )
    Happy new year to you and your family.
    Hang in there 😉

    From Paris, France, Beby

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    Beby

    January 13, 2015

  35. Hi Kathy,

    I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. Reading between the lines, I think I have picked up other changes in your family make-up. I hope the girls are adjusting to the new house and life. Your new pic is great. I wish my hair was as lovely as yours is. Congratulations on making it through the big changes with Pink Chalk. Love the quilt you’re finishing up.

    Keep up the good work, and don’t be a stranger with the blog. We love to hear from you.

    xo Linda

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    Linda

    January 18, 2015

  36. Just now reading of your dad’s death. Sending you wishes of peace and comfort.

    So nice to hear form you. I hope your year is filled with joy.

    Love the picture of you over on the sidebar – gorgeous hair!

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    jodie

    January 27, 2015

  38. Hi, Kathy! Still missing your fabric store, but pulling for you and your moving on to Other Important Things. 🙂
    I saw on your blog that you lost your Dad, and am so sorry. Leaning on your faith, family, and friends – best thing to do. Just wanted you to know that someone else is out here wishing you all the best!!

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    Lou Ann

    March 9, 2015

  39. Hi Katha

    We are glad to see you again!
    A great place to work.

    Even my 5 cats happy.
    I’ll give him a double portion.

    We wish you success!

    Hi Katha

    We are glad to see you again!
    A great place to work.

    Even my 5 cats happy.
    I’ll give him a double portion.

    We wish you success!

    View Comment
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    Tufelka

    July 14, 2015

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