First there was Market - May 15-17th
and we left a day early to get home for
Jake's high school graduation on May 17th.
Here he is with friends Jeremy and Daniel at their graduation party.
The day after we cleaned the house all day (Jake was batching it while we were gone at Market - and he really did a pretty good job) but I'm a little OCD with company coming
and Marie-Claud from Quilt Country in France came on the 18th.
We spent two days going through all of my quilts in the loft
and then another day after Marie Claud left refolding quilts
and putting them back in the cupboards.
Whew!
Some of you have "known" Jake a long time.
Here he is on the inside cover of Linda and my book Together Again.
And while all of this was going on my friend Linda passed away.
Since we lived an hour and a half away from each other, our relationship was mainly built on quilting and designing. Since she retired we had lost touch so I didn't really even know she was sick.
I'm sorry but I really haven't felt like blogging much - didn't mean to worry some of you and thanks for emailing.
I'm fine - just sad.
After we both left Red Wagon, we decided to have our own companies and occasionally do books together.
When I designed "Coming Home Again" I told Pep that if I was going to do this thing, I needed to go to Market. He said ,"OK, tell me when it is and I'll take off and do the driving and heavy lifting :)"
I told Linda, she and Bob did the same thing and we had booths next to each other in Houston.
That's where we were asked to design fabric for Moda.
Quilts and fabric were woven into the texture of our lives and our friendship for many years.
She was a neat lady and a great designer.
I have a few Home for the Holidays books left and put them on special this month in memory of her.
It seems we have all lost people close to use lately. Being sad is good, and remembering what made your relationship special. Even when we don't see friends in years, there is always that bond we have.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
And Losing a child is really hard. My sister Nancy lost her son to an accident when he was 14. My prayers are for you and your family. I'm not really active in the group but read most of the posts. Thanks for being part of my life
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss, Jan! it was such a treat to get to spend time with you at market this year! Congratulations on the graduation and the magazine visit!
ReplyDeleteIt was great being in the next booth. You and your daughter are great people as well as great designer. I look forward to seening you in Houston.
DeleteJa, een goede vriendin verliezen is heel triest. Jullie hebben mooie dingen samen gemaakt en beleefd en de herinneringen blijven goed. Sterkte. Groeten Wilma
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss, Jan. But I'm sure Linda knows that she's still a close friend for you because death don't and can't change love. She's in your heart and you are in hers. Don't be too sad you will see each other again.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Linda. I always enjoyed your collaborations with her. It's difficult to lose a friend, but glad to hear you have so many happy memories of your friendship with her.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear you have some happy news to celebrate. Congratulations to Jake!
I couldn't shake the sadness and feeling of loss at the death of Linda for days. Right now it's sad for me to convey my thoughts and feelings. I knew she was sick and was waiting and waiting for the worst. I think of you both as my mentors into my primitive quilting journey. That is my favorite picture of you and Linda and how special that it's Jake in the picture and here he is graduating. The circle continues.
ReplyDeleteSince Linda got to Heaven before you, I'm sure that she'll put the coffee on for you and have a quilt waiting to wrap you in when you get there too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thought - and I LOVE her quilts.
DeleteThanks to all of you for your words and your thoughts.They are very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to Bob and the kids.
And that was one of my favorite pictures too. The circle does go on and God sends comfort.
I was so sad to hear of Linda's passing. I loved all her/your books and fanatically collected everyone. She will live on in her designs we all love.
ReplyDeleteYes, she will. Quite a legacy.
Deletemade my heart ache reading this post. Sending my love.
ReplyDeleteThank you lots.
DeleteAll of you
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend ... I'm sure she knew you loved her.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed our short visit at Market. Losing a friend is not easy. I lost two to cancer and one to a plane crash. I understand your loss. May your future fabric designs distroy your sadness and replace with happiness knowing Linda is in your heart helping.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Jan-I am so very very sorry to hear of Linda's passing! I'm shocked, really! You two are almost inseparable in my mind & Ive always treasured the books I have that you collaborated on. I was lucky enough to tour her home at one of the Liberty Gatherings and have lots of totally fantastic photos of it! What a blessing it was for me & my hubs! You&Linda & Gerry Kimmel started this whole fabulous primitive quilting obsession back in the day & I'm thankful for you! Linda had the most beautiful studio in her back yard & I'm sure it was so hard for her to leave it! Thank God for you, Jan & may you have peace in your many happy memories of dear Linda! ♥️
ReplyDeleteLinda's studio is mainly where we designed the fabric - it was an awesome, welcoming place at the back of her awesome garden. I'm sure quilting would have branched off to the "primitive" eventually but we did giv e it a jump start, didn't we? And had lots of fun doing it.
ReplyDeleteI sat in the studio and cried my eyes out the day after she died. It is so empty without her. We spent all our time there when I visited.
DeleteJan, like you, I was aware that Linda had died until a month ago. So sad that I hadn't stayed in touch with her. She'll be missed we always had fun days when we got together.
ReplyDelete