Hello everyone! I’m Chelsi, Sherri’s daughter, and I’m excited
to be a part of the blog takeover with my dad! My mom has been sewing for Quilt
Market for quite some time now, but this is the first time that she will be
sewing as a Moda Designer! I first must begin by saying what wonderful and
talented women are in the quilting universe! At a very young age I knew how
much quilting meant to my mom, and though I am not much of a sewer, I have a
deep appreciation for her hard work and inspiring passion that goes into her
quilting. She has managed to touch so many people’s hearts, but I hope all of
you know how much you have truly touched hers. I have had the opportunity of
seeing the glistening tears of happiness in her eyes as she reads your comments
or the smile when she is able to help someone accomplish something! That said!
I have some fun things to share about our quilt market prep, and I am excited
to give you an inside look of what has been going on around here over the past
few days!
I woke up this past Tuesday morning, got dressed, fed my babies,
and rushed to my parents’ house as quickly as I could. Why? Because I knew we
would be receiving two very big boxes filled with our first fabric line from
Moda, and I wasn’t going to miss it! Note: when we got our strike offs, I was
an hour away from home and let’s just say my mom was more than tempted to rip
those boxes open before I got there. My dad caught her peeling the box open to
take a peep, and luckily he took it and hid it from her before I arrived!
Anyways! I got to my parents’ house and we sat waiting around for it all
morning until my mom got a blank look on her face. Then she bolted towards the
front door. Like COME ON, the woman has magical hearing powers, I swear. The
UPS man literally hadn’t even gotten out of his truck yet as me, my dad, and
mom all bounded through the hallway towards the poor man who was yet to be
mauled. Poor guy never stood a chance. We opened the front door and all started
waving and smiling at him like we were a perfectly normal family giving him the
greatest greeting of his life. Sweet man must have thought we were crazy. Want
to meet him? He’s so tall! Let’s call him Steve since I didn’t catch his name!
minute too long, he left in a hurry (I’m pretty sure I heard him burning
rubber, couldn’t get that UPS truck out of park fast enough) and we took them
into the house to be opened! And then the madness began! I stayed at my parents
until almost midnight! I pulled the fabrics we needed for the patterns my mom
created, and she cut while I folded and put them in their respectful piles. The
system was working grand, and we turned on Pandora and sang our hearts out
while we snipped, trimmed and folded away. By the end of the day we had six
quilts cut out and ready to go to the sewing room! By the end of the night we
were all acting pretty silly. We may or may not have had a dance party…or two
in between the cutting and folding. It was so much fun!
busy getting things ready for market in Minneapolis, but as much as the stress
starts to creep in, we really are having fun in the process. Of course I get to
go home every night while my dad has to watch his every step it seems like.
Feed her, give her space, and don’t make too much noise. Sound about right mom?
wish I could share every piece of fabric with all of you, but that is coming
soon I promise!) I just want to say how grateful I am to the woman who showed
me that being creative is important. Even though she scolded me for coloring on
her newly painted walls as a child, she still gave me paint sets and art
supplies in my stocking every year for Christmas. I am glad my dad has a few
funny things to say because I can’t help but write words of gratitude to all of
you, to the Moda family, and to one of my closest friends, my mom.
The Lab and I have a few things to say–this is our opportunity to speak during this blog takeover. Here’s the deal…for the last few years I thought I understood market. The Lab and I had a clear understanding: stay out of the way, keep your mouth shut, and do as you are told. We look both ways before we enter the hallways from the various rooms of the house for fear we might be trampled, hollered at, or stared at as she travels from her sewing room to one of the quilt lay out areas in the house. But…we learned to listen to the beat of the driver of the Janome. If that locomotive was moving, we could make a run for it. If it was quiet, we knew she was on the move and we would stand our ground. We knew we were not allowed to touch the fabric, and we knew that at any minute we could get the stare. But, we had no idea of the difference between piecing quilts for others and preparing for market as a Moda designer. Then, along came Chelsi. We’ve
always known the weeks before market would be very interesting. But we
had no idea what it would be like dealing with two women preparing for
market.
We are a little confused now because things are a little more intense than they were for prior markets. Through all of the fabric cutting, and through all of the coordination of those who are helping–we don’t see her as much. We miss our Mom and happily invite Chelsi into this pre-market madness. I’m not sure Mr. Brown (Steve) will ever deliver here again. My dog goes and stands out side the sewing room, asking her to stop. I tell him to stay away from the sewing room, but I believe he is safer in the halls than I am. Yes, it’s crazy, but really, I think it’s pretty cool. Thanks to all of those who have helped my dear wife. It is wonderful to see her as a part of Moda family.
The rest of today’s blog takeovers can be found below…and you can go here for a complete list of all the blog takeovers this week.
Betsy Chutchian – Betsy Chutchian
Laurie Simpson – Minick & Simpson
Sandy Gervais – Pieces From My Heart
Corey Yoder – Little Miss Shabby
Hildy says
Hi Chelsi, hi Bill (I think it's Bill but I'm not sure and if I'm mistake I truely apologize), nice to meet you! You know I love Sherri, truely do, and I'm so happy for her (and for you, Chelsi) to be a Moda designer, it's amazing. But a sneak peek would have been so nice, just one, a tiny one. A open Mini Candy would be tiny, just saying:-) Oh, and please give a rub to your Lab he's cute!
Susan Smith says
Well, I enjoyed reading all of that but what I REALLY wanted was a little peak of what Steve brought you in those boxes! PLEASE?! PRETTY PLEASE WITH A CHERRY ON TOP?!
AnnieO says
Welcome to Moda, I'm sure they will be thrilled with the heart and soul that is put into every quilt you make! I enjoyed the takeover and peek into the home life of a market-crazed designer. 🙂
Patricia says
I enjoyed the post today. You probably made Steve's day and he left with a happy face.
deb says
Very exciting for you guys! Looking forward to seeing the fabrics…
mascanlon says
Can't wait to see at least a peek! Thanks for taking us all along for the craziness.
Mary Holmes says
Great posting. Looking forward to seeing your first line of Moda Fabric and both of you at market.
Kim Walus says
I'm super happy and excited for you!! I had no idea you had such wonderful market news!! I can't wait to see your very first line of fabric for Moda and I'm so happy to say I knew you when!! Congrats and all the best in your newest endeavor!! I'm so proud of you!!
Becky (My Fabric Obsession) says
So funny, I am cracking up here that you guys got a picture with Steve. Bet that man can tell some stories. 🙂
Helen L says
Loved the post!Can't tell you how excited I am for you Sherri!! And good luck to your DH and Lab to survive this twice a year!! Hugs, to you Sherri, and give a hug of welcome to your daughter from me!! Hope to meet her someday soon!! Hugs, H
Brandy Pettit says
Hahaha, I love that you nicknamed your UPS guy Steve, that's actually the name of our UPS guy! Congratulations on your line of fabric, can't wait to see it and the projects you made!
~Brandy
Dyann Cox says
I'm loving the takeovers…CONGRATULATIONS on your fabric line!!! Sooo coool!!! You deserve it! You are such an inspiration,
I love your blog, I look forward to reading it every time it comes into my mailbox!
Sinta Renee says
Super exciting news to hear! Sherri must be thrilled to share this new journey with you! I am anxious to see what is coming out of the design room! Congratulations to you both!!!
lovetoquilt says
Congrats!! How super exciting is that? Can't wait to see the designs and fabrics!! Happy Stitching!!
Gale Hills says
Fun! Great post!