Have you heard about the Golden Quilter Award giveaway bonanza happening over at Sew Cal Gal's blog? There are some amazing prizes from some wonderful sponsors including Fat Quarter Shop, C&T Publishing, The Electric Quilt Co. and many others. If you haven't entered, you might want to head on over to vote for the "Best Designer", "Best Quilt Store", "Best Author" and many other categories. Voting closes on March 31st.
But wait! Before you head over, there's a funny little something i'd like to share with you about this...
I was on Twitter last week and Kimberly from Fat Quarter Shop tweeted to ask me if i knew i was nominated for a "Lifetime Achievement Award". I had no idea what she was talking about, so i clicked on the link she sent (to the Golden Quilter Award nominations) and saw that sure enough, my name was listed as a nominee under #9 which reads: "Most influential person in the world of quilting to-date, aka "Lifetime Achievement". I tweeted back to Kimberly that it must have been a typo! I mean just read that list of people; Pat Sloan, Alex Anderson, Eleanor Burns, Fons and Porter, Bonnie Hunter, Lynette Jensen...and me?? Helloooo!? It would take me another lifetime to achieve what any of these people
already have. It's true.
So first, i would like to thank the sweet and generous person who nominated little ol' newbie me for this category. It is truly an honor beyond-the-beyond that you have afforded me the chance to see my name printed in a list among these amazing people. Their contributions to the quilting world and their dedication to teaching, innovation, and creativity are things that i have immense respect for and someday aspire to, but have by no means achieved. If anything, it reminded me of how far i have yet to go in order to be remotely comfortable with this kind of recognition. In all honesty, i felt really awkward about it (even though it's all in good fun) and just wanted to share my thoughts with you in case you've already seen it and were scratching your head too!
Which is why rather than asking you to vote for me, here are 5 reasons NOT to vote for me:
1. i just learned to use my walking foot!
2. the only quilt blocks i know by name are "nine-patch" and "disappearing nine-patch"
3. if sewing feet didn't come with letters imprinted on them, the only one i would be able to identify for sure is the button-hole maker (i'm not even sure that's what you call it and i definitely don't know how to use it!)
4. when i do sew, i use my seam ripper almost as much as my sewing machine
5. half-square triangles are currently the outer-limits of my piecing skills
These are definitely not the traits of a lifetime achiever! Ok, i feel a little better now. And thanks to all of you who have already not voted for me.
xo,
kate
Congratulations!! So wonderful, and you totally deserve it because I do not know one person that sews who has not used your fabrics or has some in their stash!
ReplyDeleteCute & honest! I love that! Good luck with your button-holer, but the good news is -you don't need it for quilting (Betcha didn't know that!)
ReplyDeletelol...this post is cracking me up! You are very modest about your influence. It's not just sewing ability that changes the way people look at quilting. Fresh ideas and design make a big difference too. ;)
ReplyDeleteSara, you're so kind to say that! but my point was that i really don't even deserve to be nominated! lol
ReplyDeletehahaha! i'm with angela, and i think you're fab. however, knowing that i, at 25 and quilting for less than 3 years, have possibly used my walking foot more than you makes me feel kinda cool! hehehe. :D
ReplyDeleteeverybody has to start somewhere, and be proud of yourself, you are doing a fabulous job!!
ReplyDeleteThe key word is inspiration.....who cares what you have done, haven't, are new, use your ripper.....if you have inspired others, than you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteYour fabric has inspired me many times, just looking at it and knowing what to make with it. I would take screenshots of that list and hang them in my sewing room and maybe as a screen saver. Just be proud you're on the list. Congratulations and thanks for the honesty.
ReplyDeleteYour contributions to the quilt world, in the area of design, cant be understated. Having quilted for around 28 years, I hate to tell you, that some days, I rip as much as I sew too!....and I am a former Home Ec teacher!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
Kate...I use my seam ripper too--a lot on some days! And the inspiration you've provided to the quilting/sewing world in such a short period of time is definitely worth a Lifetime Achievement award! Thanks so much for all the beautiful fabrics and designs!
ReplyDeleteWhere would quilters be without fabric? And yes, I have a well-worn seam ripper, too. In fact, I may have worn out a few of them...
ReplyDeleteIt was your fabric line, Verna, that inspired me to start quilting! It took me almost 9 months, but I did it! To date, I have all of your fabrics, and I have great plans for them. If it wasn't for you, I may not have discovered this new love of my life (quilting) :)' I think you deserve to be nominated because you are an inspiration to newbie quilters and seasoned quilters!
ReplyDeleteKate,
ReplyDeleteI am with all the others, it isn't what you make yourself with your fabric, but what you inspire others to make that well, makes you so darn INSPIRATIONAL! I have been quilting and sewing for 8 years and still doubt myself and my abilities every time I sew- it's only natural. You have to remember we are learning a very specialized skill that takes decades to master and that every achievement and failure is just part of the beautiful journey. Regardless, you have inspired some of my very best work with your lovely fabrics, and my home is a brighter more cheerful and stylish place because of said fabrics and what I was inspired to do with them, and that my dear, makes you as deserving as all the others.
Molly
Atomicaprons
I understand how you feel about the "Lifetime.." nomination, you were very clear in your explanation..your humility about the time you've been in the "quilting" arena is sweet. I look at it a little more broadly. It's not just an award, or achievement that takes a Lifetime or over 20 years, there's no "number" that applies. It's about how you/your artwork, fabric, sense of community, outlook and overall character contribute to the world community of quilting.
ReplyDeleteKate, you are so funny! Just so you know, per your request, I voted for someone else. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI just told some girls about you the other day. Some of our older Girl Scouts (middle & high school) are earning a quilt badge. We took a tour of a quilt shop. 2 of the siblings that were forced to come along (smirk) are 14 & both love to draw (both girls, but no interest in fabric or sewing). I told them both I wanted them to pay attention to the designs on the fabric and had the shop owner talk to them about how artists create designs. I told these girls about you and how you had drawn Hello Kitty before what you do now. My 14 year old loves Hello Kitty still (she is mildly autistic, which gives her a unique perspective on things). She does not think HK is a little kid thing & doesn't think they should have HK on baby fabric! LOL!
You just inspired some young ladies without even knowing it. Who knows where their love of art may lead one day!
Just when I think my heart is filled to the brim with love for you… you go and make that love overflow. And now I sit in a puddle of Kate-love. And I totally agree with Sherri, "And the inspiration you've provided to the quilting/sewing world in such a short period of time is definitely worth a Lifetime Achievement award!". DITTO!
ReplyDeleteI was SOOO disappointed to see that you weren't in the designer category -- I went over there looking for you there. In the famous words of somebody -- you wuz wobbed!!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe they need a "Horizon" award, like in the Country Music Association Awards - for newbies! I do love your fabric designs - I don't think there's a thing you've come up with that I didn't just love - but I understand your reservations about being nominated for a lifetime achievement award. However - it's happened, so enjoy it!!
ReplyDeleteHey Kate - I've been quilting since the dinosaurs roamed and have never used my walking foot - don't even know what it is. I know what a buttonholer is but she's right- you don't use it in quilting. Of course, I only use the straight stitch to sew the blocks together and the borders on. I know what you mean about being nominated though. Makes one a little uncomfortable when you don't know what you're doing sewingwise a lot. Designwise - you're the best. See you at Market.
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny! We'll get you on there again, one day when you're ready.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very sweet and talented! I can imagine you have pulled a lot of new people into quilting and sewing with your inspiring designs.
ReplyDeleteYour post alone gives me confidence! It seems that all fabric designers have mastered quilting, piecing, pattern making, & keep their homes. Love your fabrics (& your honesty!).
ReplyDeleteyou are a HOOT!
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up! Silly Kate, you don't have to be an expert seamstress to influence the art form. Every once in a while someone (YOU) comes along who brings all of our fabric fantasies to life...So, thank you...and I'll abstain from voting in your honor :)
ReplyDelete~Chadley