Hello again,

I want to take a minute to reflect on something that hit close to home—the closing of JoAnn Fabrics. After decades of being a staple in the sewing and crafting world, they’ve closed their doors for good. And while I’ll miss the convenience of running in for a last-minute spool of thread or browsing fabric aisles on a Saturday, what I’ll miss even more is something harder to replace: community.

Just to be clear—I wasn’t a JoAnn’s employee. But I’ve lived this before. I was part of the team at Hancock Fabrics when they closed in 2017, and earlier in my journey, I worked at So-Fro Fabrics, which shuttered back in 1993. These weren’t just jobs. These were places where people connected, shared, supported, and inspired one another. And that’s what makes this loss so personal.

JoAnn was what’s called a "creative market retailer"—they sold products for makers. But here's the hard truth: creative retail isn’t just about selling fabric, thread, and glue guns. It’s about understanding and fostering the community that creates with those things.

From my own experience—years in the industry, in stores, leading teams—I know creative retail is unlike any other. It's not transactional. It's relational. And I believe the reason stores like JoAnn go out of business isn’t just economics. It’s a disconnect from the people they serve.

Somewhere along the way, the folks in the top seats lost their view of what matters most. They stopped listening. Stopped connecting. The focus shifted to profits over people. To market share instead of customer care. And that’s a formula for failure. I’ve had an incredible mentor, Tony, who used to say, “If you take care of your people, your people will take care of the business.” And he was right.

We need to get back to that. Because here’s what I know for sure: this community is powerful—especially women-led, women-supported creative spaces. Women have always carried the heart of the creative marketplace. We bring the joy, the stories, the skills, the love. At JoAnn’s, we found more than supplies. We found connection. We found each other. Even if you only saw your “stitch friends” in the aisles once a week—it mattered.

But here’s the good news: the creative community is still here. You’ll find it in your local quilt shops, yarn stores, art supply boutiques. These small, independent shops work hard to know you by name, by project, by passion. They see you—and that’s the heart of it all.

That’s why I started Cloth Continued—to make sure we never lose that sense of community. To give us a place to keep learning, sharing, growing, and yes, laughing over tangled thread and finished quilt tops. 

So, if you’ve felt this loss like I have—join us. Let’s build something together that no big-box store could ever replace. Let’s keep the stitches going—and keep showing up for one another.  Watch for more from me and how I am re-building my  stitching community.

And the Cloth Continued with Citizen Stitchers.

Sewing Saved Me!

                                               

Sewing Saved Me!

and you and the world.     Covid 2020, the world shifted on it axis and 100s of thousands of persons lost their lives.  While we are learning how to live with Covid I look back over the years 2020, 2021 and 2022  and I am grateful and also pissed off.  I lost my father in this time.  It was not due to Covid but, it was due to his lose of "Hope".  For him the thought of never being able to touch his loved ones again caused his loss of hope and in turn the end of his life, in my opinion.

But Sewing Saved Me .... and many of you!  If you have followed me you would know that I am a Co-Founder of the organization  - The Sewing Labs.  This is a community sewing center here in Kansas City which teaches the legacy of sewing as a vocational job skill and for personal enrichment.   When Covid closed down the world in March 2020 the sewing world got busy.   And that included The Sewing Labs (TSL).  We just started on Day #1 - making kits for masks to protect our community from Covid.  We didn't even hesitate.  We had fabric, elastic and interfacing.  We had an active group of "safe-at-home" sewists that wanted to help their neighbors and community.  So TSL made kits, created a drive thru drop off/pick up system, collaborated and partnered with other companies and organizations in the community.  Why you ask?  Because that is what a good neighbor does!!!!  Funny we didn't even think twice... we just did it.

If you remember back when Covid started supply chains dried up fast because there was not importing or exporting going on in the world.  We were all on lock down.  No one knew how to control the virus so we sheltered at home.  There was a world-wide "Covid Vacation".  Well at TSL we did not have a vacation we got busy.  In the first weeks, we took every piece of cotton fabric from the donated stash and put together kits.  We were lucky we had a few rolls of the right elastic and interfacing.  You see TSL is generously supplied with donations from the community of sewists from Kansas City and the surrounding areas.  So TSL had a stash!  We developed a pattern and instructions.  Our staff, who could not teach due to lock down, kept their jobs and we worked together to make kits for making masks.  

I want to stop here and say that picking the right pattern for mask making became a political uprising.  TSL partnered with We Care KC and others.  To get masks into the world!!!!  There were so many opinions of what is the best mask or the best fabric and everyone was generous and researching and praying that we would get it right.  But, honestly, we all were just doing our best with what we knew.

And sew it began....  Quickly we were running out of supplies, but not out of volunteer sewists.  At one point there were over 200 safe-at-home sewists in the pipeline that would sew masks.  Masks were in kits of 12 with everything needed.  We had church groups and guilds, old and young sewists.  While is was a scary time for the world, these sewists did not hesitate to serve their community.  

Each Tuesday and Thursday - we hosted a drive thru service. Kits were packed and ready in totes.  Staff and volunteers would mask up and glove up and man the drive thru.  As cars pulled up we asked them to open their trunks or back windows so that we could drop their kits into the vehicle without coming in close contact with them.   We recorded the kits going out and coming back.  But, encouraged them each to keep as many as they needed for their own family and neighbors.  Between the drive thru we packaged kits and left them in quarantine before pick up.  We didn't know if that helped but, we knew it didn't hurt.  

Supplies were quickly being used up.  But, our sewing community saved us.  Missouri Star Quilt Company out of Hamilton Missouri jumped in and sent of 10 cases of fabrics.  This was about 1000 pounds of fabric or about 4000 yards ( this is a guesstimate)  The first of many shipments from them. Individual sewists, donated their stash or ordered fabric and had it directly sent.  FabriQuilt in North Kansas City donated hundreds of yards of fabric.  These amazing partners allowed TSL to continue to make masks.  Interfacing was our filter and it too was quickly gone.  There was none at the local fabric store to be acquired.  Weave Gotcha Covered! & Sacred Stitches, the TSL origin sponsor, donated a roll of  interfacing that they used in their products and also the connection so more could be purchased.  Each roll was 100 yards and that equals 1000s of masks.  Elastic was the next item needed.  The supply chains for elastic quickly were used up and magically TSL received a call from a unnamed woman.  She asked if we could use some elastic?  YES!!! was the answer.  She brought rolls and rolls of hundreds of yards.  Exactly what was needed.  Although she is anonymous to us, to this day, her story of where she got the elastic is a paradox that leads me to believe that there is a greater good looking out for us all.  She had cases and cases of elastic that she gave away to the community for masks.  You see her husband worked for a company that had closed down before the pandemic and they had stockpiles of the elastic that was being thrown out.  She told her husband not to throw it out but bring it home and she would find a use for it.  HA!  Did she ever.  And here is the bizarre fact.  The company that closed down was a manufacturer of ...... masks.  Let that soak in. 

We also had Cy Young Seating step up and do bulk cutting of kits items.  They could stack 10 layers at a time and cut into the sized needed for kits.  Individuals donated printing of the instructions. Blessing and helping hands sprung up.

 It was truly an act of community and sacrifice of ones time and talent for the greater good.  And the masks were redistributed to the "essential workers"  to hospitals, to senior centers, to the public bus system and more.  Anyone who needed masks would contact TSL and be added to the list to get their masks needs filled.   There were masks for schools when they reopened, for indigenous groups and church groups.  All given away FREE of charge.  Over the 2020 and 2021 years TSL made kits and redistributed over 75,000 masks.  Thanks to the safe-at-home community of sewists.  Sewing Saved us all!

The industry of sewing was given a "RE-Birth". People who hadn't sewn for years dusted off their sewing machines.  Many of the machines didn't work and so they either took them in for repair or bought new ones.  Sewing machine repairs were backed up to over 10 weeks.  Sewing machine sales were SOLD OUT and with supply chains stopped or slowed to a snails pace.  Everyone was looking for a "Sewist" to be on their Zombie Apocalypse team.  If you could sew, you were in great demand.  I believe it brought back a new admiration of the skills of sewing.  Sewing was saving us all.

I wish I had written down these stories as they happened because there were so many more amazing acts of community during Covid.  It think that everyone benefits from the reflection of revisiting what we survived and to have gratefulness.  Many of the safe-at-home sewist shared that they don't think they would have made it through those months if they had not been sewing.  They were so busy sewing, that they were distracted from the uncertainty in the world.  Sewing kept their hope alive.

We have made it through those horrible days.  While Covid is still an evil in the world, we are learning how to control it.  But let's now take sewing for granted again.  First, I believe that sewing is a life skill that everyone should know or appreciate.  And when I mean appreciate,  to respect the skill and mastery that it takes to be a sewists.  Sewing is a skill that takes as much time and practice as a carpenter or plumber or mechanic, possibly a doctor or lawyer, yet is underpaid in comparison.  We take if for granted because it is primarily a skill held by women or supplied by a foreign workforce.  

Pay sewists for their experience not for their time.

Thank you for being part of the greater community!

Linnca

Sewing is my Religion

 Sewing is my Religion...

This is going to be a wandering of my thoughts and I hope that you will allow me this space.  Sewing, like a religion, like family is the constant in my life.  It is always there for me to lean on or celebrate as needed..

Let's define religion according to the dictionary.   

1. A set of beliefs concerning the cause of nature and purpose of the universe... especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency usually involving devotional and ritual observances and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practice generally agree upon by a number of persons or sets
3. the body of person adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.
5. the practice of religious beliefs, ritual observance of faith
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly, a point or matter of ethics or conscious.
7. to get religion ... to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.
8. the field of study and analysis that treats of Gods and of God attributes and relations to the universe ... study of divine things or religious truth.
9. thesaurus...  church, creed, cult, ritual, spirituality, theology,  spiritual mindedness

Sewing has lead me most of my life and even when I have been pushed into another direction, it has remained in my life to sustain me.  Each time I come back to it for comfort and for support.   A religion is a personal journey, that while it is shared with others of like beliefs it is still mine alone.  It brings me joy and glory even in the agony of failure.    I have chosen sewing, in many forms to be who I am in the world and I take pride that it gives back to me as much as I give to it.  I use the method and art of sewing to help me to serve the world.  I know that sounds strange, corny, ridiculous but also simple, wonderful and welcoming.

If you know me and have been a confidant for more than a few years you know that joke that the community of sewists is like a "cult".    We all join together, sometimes blindly, to serve our community through the act of sewing.  Sewing, in my opinion, is our common thread that lowers all barriers and prejudices.  Let me put this into another way.  If you are a Kansas City Chiefs fan, you are a fan!  It does not matter if you are from Platte County, Jackson County, Kansas City MO or Kansas City Ks or even New York City NY.  It does not matter what your church is or your race or your sexual orientation.  You are brought together as a believer in the KC Chiefs Kingdom.  That is the same for the community of sewists.  

Within the "Kingdom" of sewing there are "sew" many activists from garment sewing, quilting, embroidery, mending, hand-stitching, etc.  My personal religious' practice of sewing evolves and changes.  But I believe that "sewing" is a life skills that is open to all and drives self awareness and confidence and gives each of us a voice.  It should be available to everyone to experience.  Sewing gives me a purpose.  It often is my funnel to serve the greater good of my community.  Funny, sewing has been a servant of the greater good, forever.  Now-a-days there are quilters that make quilts for veterans, children, refugees and immigrants.  There are sewists making and mending clothing for the homeless and poor.  There are items sewn for weddings, babies, homes, hospitals, nursing homes and more.  Did you know this?  Possibly not, because the individuals doing the sewing get the glory often at home behind their own sewing machine.  And that is good enough!  And they sign up again and again to serve through sewing.  They give of themself with divine handi-work.   

If you have a sewists in your life, take a moment to understand them, to thank them and ask them what the art of sewing does for them.  It might surprise you. I have faith that sewing brings me closer to God and connects me with the goodness in our world.   I hope that you have something in your life that brings you this same joy.

and the Cloth Continues .....

Linnca

Magic of Sewing

 Sewing is a magical connection....

When you meet someone new it can be scary and uncomfortable but the moment you discover you have a connection thru sewing.... it is like your heart opens up … your hand in friendship extends... and there is no bias …. just sewing!!

Sewing is a universal language.... you will discover it allows you to met on a level that levels the playing field and deepens your connection.

Sewing is it's own language.

This photo makes me smile --- I hope this will be me & my sister someday!!

It is the bringing together --- of hearts & hands.

    - building a community of sewists is my theme of my book inspiration.  My plan is for this book to combine the stories from my sewing journey.  This will include projects that you can use to build a community to serve others thru sewing.  A belief my family has lived and passed down.   

And to share how you can use these projects to support your community is PRICELESS !!

Whether you are a beginner sewists or a veteran sewist …. my goal is for my "Cloth Continued" community will  bring you together and supported with other sewists.

I have wanted to write a book for many years and just didn't know how to start.  So, I started asking for advice and I was total - START!!  So, that is what I am doing.  Just starting to get my words started to flow.  ( and if you still have advice - send it my way)   And the abstract year of 2020 has brought a strange since of urgency to START!!  I need to get this book started even just through this blog.. with the goal to share my "Joy of Sewing".  

Sew ---- you are invited to follow along - I have not set pressures of scheduled posts but, want to continue to journal my thoughts and build this into a book.   ( I actually have 2 books planned)

Feel free to share

Linnca

and the cloth continues....

Life is Short - who needs all this stuff??

....  Coming into 2020 I have been reflecting back over the last few years and pondering on what I treasure and cherish in my life. And I have decided to make sure that I am making things that have been pulling at me happen.  And continuing this blog happens to be one of these things....

 The last couple of years have been full of new experiences even if they come from unwanted life happenings.  But, even with the good and the bad it has made me realize that life is short, family is golden, who needs all this stuff ???

Let me explain .......

My dad is in his 80's and over the last couple of years he has suffered from many health issues and has had his house and home uprooted. But, he is doing great now! 

 Wow! nothing makes me feel old more than coming to the stage of life where you have to parent your parent.  But, first, hooray for my sister, she keeps us all sane.  My sister brings our mother's grace into every situation and reminds us we are family first.   And although she does not ask for help, she is amazing! (we all should help a lot more).  She has had the blessing and the unfortunate task of the day to day connections for our dad.  I don't like that I don't spend enough time with my dad.  Each week, I work thru the guilt of not having the time to spend more time with him and the rest of my family.   I am very blessed to have 5 wonderful grandchildren and 3 great sons and daughters-in-love that bless my days with hugs and kisses and making memories. 

Estate Sale Here!  Since my dad's health does not allow him to live home alone it was important to get him into a safe place to enjoy his life.  And then he was ready to have his children disperse the treasures of his life. ( well he was kinda ready)  Moving thru the process of sorting and selling the contents of my dads house is an experience that for our family brought many tears, (but tears of joy),  grand memories and treasures that we will pass onto the next generation.  It also, brought a lot of " what the hxxx?" were our parents thinking when they bought this and that???  I highly recommend that when it is your time to work thru your family's estate that you do it yourself ----- it is a lot of work and worth each memory !!!  Family is truly golden!

Who needs all this stuff?  I do!!!  I want to keep it all - all the items from my childhood that remind me of places we lived and people that are gone forever.  The coffee table that our dog Pogo would slide across the bottom shelf and make scratches that my dad would have to repair.  My mothers china  & silverware that I always remember using for holiday dinners.  The tools that my dad used to build furniture, a real airplane and a Model A Ford and more.  Grandparents mantel clocks, paintings by my mother, my mothers sewing machine, rocking chairs from my grandparents lives, blankets, and so much more that I just cannot name.  But, you can't keep it all and I have to share these items with my 4 other siblings.  It took about 4 -6 months for the 5 kids to go thru my fathers house.  There were days that we dug in and then there were weeks that we avoided this process.   This was a hard process because it brought the end of an era in my life and a final decision that my dad was loosing his home that he built.  Thank goodness that my little brother is moving into the house ....  I could not bare to have this home, my family home being sold to a stranger. 

So Cherish the treasures of your life!  And what makes a treasure important ---- people!  Going thru this has made me look at the things in my life.  They are "things" unless they bring memories to the people in your life.   And I am working thru my "stuff" to make sure that each item brings memories otherwise, I need to pass it on ....... Happy New Year!!




     

Grace

Share the Quotes of Grace

Allow yourself to Nurture Yourself

Where do I jump back in - I started blogging as a journey and an self- inspiration.  I am so grateful for my creative life and family.  And these also keep me so busy that I forget to breathe.-------

There have been so many events that continue to inspire me this year I don't know where to start. 

• Barbara T'Arts - this is the gathering of my sister, sister-in-laws, nieces, daughter-in-laws.  We get together each year to share a craft project that is inspired by Mom - Barbara . ( Love you Mom!!)  Our theme this year was the word "Grace" .  I must say I am impressed at the talent and creativity that each of crafted to celebrate  "Grace" 
•  So ------ENJOY!!  

• a Collection of : Appliqued & trimmed towels by Kris, Nest of Quotes of Grace to ponder daily by Susan, Artful jewelry with hand - stamped charm of "Grace" by Brittany, a heartfelt collage of family - given to Sheila by the Grace of God, Dinner plates with quotes of Grace to cherish by Ali, a cross decoupage with burlap & letters in regal purple by Crystal, a serving tray with "Grace & sunflowers by Becky, and a canvas of quotes of Grace by me.

We are all so blessed to have each other - and to have the families that bring us together in joy & comfort.

And so it continues ----- my creative life shared with the women that inspire me---- who will you inspire.  

The Women of Barbara T'Arts
back; ME, Becky, Susan, Kris
front; Crystal, Sheila, Brittany, Ali

.                                                     

Happy New Year! 2015

Ok I'm about a week late.   Better late than never.

I make no excuses but, will just jump into it. A great year so far ---family in good health. 
What do I expect this year?  What are my resolutions?  Probably the same as many

- lose weight
- Enjoy family & friends
- create in all forms
- share passions
-  Be inspired

This goes for me at work and at home. Simple plans to live in 2015
 I pinned these words recently that I want to work into my daily life as well- see above 
 I think that I need to appreciate the simple things this year. Back to Basics

 

I look back over 2014 and the most important and memorable things are; babysitting grandkids, time with my sons & husband, enjoying a craft day with the girls, the road trips with my sister, celebrating with my team.  Its the personal connections that mean the most.  And personal connections don't cost a thing!

Simple life & Back to Basics

• Lose Weight - this will be the hardest for me - so stay tuned.  My first steps; bought a scale & have ap on my phone to monitor my success.
• Enjoy F &F - first appreciate them in each moment.  And stay in touch.
• Create - schedule it!  Planned projects - art journal, new quilt, grandbaby clothes
• Share - everything is better shared
• Be inspired -

  
So I have challenged my Facebook connections to start an Art Journal.  I open this up here as we; and will add more details as we go .

Art Journal
JANUARY - the month of beginning - so I have challenged my Facebook friends to create an Art Journal during 2015.  And I invite you too!!  Make it your own - nothing fancy.  Use  a plain notebook, recycle a book, make a page, block, whatever.  Use an art median or word or receipt or clippings - again - your choice.  Each month I will supply a theme - use the whole month to create. 

January - snow - white - minimal

Hurrah for January -  Jump into it!

Spinning Thoughts

Wow - have i gotten lost in the everyday life of work.

I have so many ideas and project spinning in my thoughts and i have abandoned my blog, which just drive me bananas.  I will be recommitting to myself and you all that i am "back in the saddle " on my blogging.  How else am i going to keep your attention and share my passion for leaving a legacy of sewing/crafting/art from your heart & hands.

So, let me first share the newest photo of my "next generation" inspiration - Lily Mae

So, as you can see she's Wonderful, Beautiful, Lovely, Happy, Fun and soon to be crawling like a turtle

and of coarse a KEEPER!!

I getting set to make her first Christmas present from Grandma - SHHHH !! Don't tell Sheila her mom or Tim her daddy.    Check back in her on the blog after this weekend to see it!!!

No I haven't forgotten my 3 sons - but, I never had a "girl" before.

I'm still working my way thru Christmas decorating - i decided to re-theme my living room to "Snowflakes" - here is the start of the decorations

I found this great burlap garland at Primitive Peddler in Cameron MO

Add some great wooden snowflakes found at the local craft stores 

Add some metallic ornaments and home made snowman head
Very fun!!
Next - the Windows - come back on Saturday to see what i added
Until then - you are always in my inspirations - and so much more to share - so little time LOL

Life continues - Life goes on :)

Life continues on - Ive missed writing and sharing.  Time gets away sometimes but, I need to reconnect with this blog - it feeds my soul.

So, to catch you all up there have been some great news in my life.    I will be a Grandma this year.  "Grandma" what an interesting word.  It makes me smile just to say it.  Tim, my oldest son, and Sheila my new "daughter" will be delivering my new grandaughter in July (or sooner)  Sheila has added the girlish that i have not had in my life yet.  Being a mom of 3 boys on a farm can be along way from "girly".    So, now i am on the path to alot of pink in my life (I'm not sure that I am ready for that) but it will be fun to test.

Also, I want to invite you all to my sales coming up on June 15th on the farm.  It's the "Stash Bash & Recycle Market".  What I classifiy as a creative life - garage sale.  I am cleaning out my studio so you can get some great deals. ( And I will be able to buy more stuff)  I also need some of you to join me in cleaning out your stash.  I plan to do this annually - so I need some "charter" crafters.

 

Take Time to Sew

3-2013

Well - I've been tied up with the working world so I didn't make the blog dateline of 1 posting per week.  But, I've set up the Cloth Continued Facebook page for your all to "Like" & share your sewing/creating happening with me there as well.  Post  your latest projects or your top 5 UFOs (unfinished objects).

I get asked all the time - "How do you have time to sew?" with the world spinning around I have a couple of tricks that I keep up my sleeve so that I can enjoy "Sew-therapy". Here are my top 2!

#1 - Schedule time for Family, Home, Art (sew) & Share into every month.  I start by penciling in every weekend on my calendar, every week - the whole year.  1 project theme per weekend.  Last weekend for me was "Home" and it was a simple as taking the time to clean out the frig, getting my bedroom "fresh" by putting on clean linen  & ironing my pillow cases ( I LOVE ironed pillow cases - kinds dorky - I know).  I know that this sounds very domestic but, it feels so good who you get to enjoy the outcome.  I also squeezed some "Family" in here because it was needed.  My youngest son, Lucas & I had to tour NW Mo college where he plans to attend this fall.  It was a great day that I don't get much of anymore with just him & me.

So, as you can see - when life happens you add it into your schedule.

  But, if life does not get in the way - I have a"Plan" to squeeze it in.

#2 - Create 15 minutes at time.  How, you say, can you get anything done in 15 minutes at time?  You would be amazed.  Now, I will admit that I have the luxury of having a Sewing Studio (yes, I said studio - it's the same as  a sewing room but, "Studio" raises the bar on my personal expectations).  But @15 minutes at a time, I can plan the project, or cut out the garment, or sew in sleeves or sew 5 quilt blocks.  All I can say is that if I only have 15 minutes and if I sew 15 minutes a week - I usually finish I project per month.

So, if an entire weekend is out of the picture - I crave the "15" - Try it - it will surprise you!

Share - what tricks do you do to make your "Sew-therapy" happen?

                             

As I mentioned in my last blog - I am creating a Project calendar for fun to add to the excitement of my scheduled life.  I'm half done - so stayed tuned to the blog next to show it off.  I think I'll really have fun with it this year.  I encourage you to try your own & share with us ----------- a yearly tradition - pass it on!!

I talked about UFOs - many of you already know what this stands for - the little objects flying around in your head or studio - that you need to finish up so that you can clear the gray matter or the cutting table space to start 5 more (LOL)

My rule of thumb is that for every project you finish - you get to start 5 more. 

  Don't you agree :-)  

I'll go check out what my top 5 UFOs are and get back with you -   thanks for checking in!!
Cloth Continued ---------------------------  until next blog --- Linnca

Legacy Inspriations

Post #2-2013

I asked each of you to share your who in your life is your 

Legacy Inspiration & Art median of choose. 

 This question for me has a lot of different answers.  

I have been blessed with many people past & present 

that live "a creative life with passion".

Barbara - my mom - a quite matriarch. I would say is my strongest influence of the creative spirit - she exposed me & our family to so many art forms through out her life.  But - her passion was water color painting.

Grandma A - Greta - a Swedish immigrate who was self - reliant  &  opinionated,, a  baker & seamstress who always added details.  Her hand embroidery was the added "Love".

Grace - a pioneer woman that lived up to her name.  Mother of 3 daughters. A "Foody" before her time.  The simple foods were the best - to die for pot roast & fudge - YUM!

Kris - my sister - a generous woman with talents in  so many areas you will have to keep reading my blog to learn them all.  Love U Sis.

  

That's just the first in my group of women

 - I'll share more as I blog on.....

My Art of Passion is Cloth & Paper Mixed Media 

- which I work into Home & Fashion

My first Project for you to Create & Share 

Legacy Inspiration Wreath 

I'm making mine with cloth and paper - but, you can use any medium that inspires you.  Use my design or create your own. 

(Ali I challenge you to an Occasional Owl style) 
 &  everyone drop by
 A & J Blog @ With Our Powers Combined 
- very unique - my new generation inspiring me!

I've included the woman past & present who are my greatest inspiration. The 4 red hearts are for the 4 men in my life who inspire me each day

Jumping off the Cliff

OK - for all of you who have been blogging for years - this is new to me.  I am not known for being shy in my opinions or quiet of voice but you will have to bear with me as I start this blogging.  I'll learn as I go ----

You are probably wondering what  - "Cloth Continued" is all about. 
 I believe that i gave you a taste with my mantra ---

" Bringing together women in sewing & traditional arts - thru idea sharing, studio & on line classes & community services. 

--------Continuing the legacy for the next generation."

For those of you who don't know me - I have been in the sewing industry all my working life.  From starting at the Singer Sewing Machine Company in Kansas City MO when I was just 16 yrs. old.  Then moving into Red X Fabrics (a local mom & pop) thru my high school years.  Then i moved to So-Fro Fabrics (Ill bet that's a name many of your remember, now extincted) until 1992 when my last child was born.  I then ventured into the designer business with my own company "Peppermint Pig".  Shared with my best friend Mary. (10 years of fun) And now I am with Hancock Fabrics.  One of the last remaining "true" fabric stores dedicated to cloth.  But, I will go into my history a little as a go in this blog.

Why am I starting a blog????

Good question - Because i know that there are millions of women who "LOVE" the art of anything cloth (and many men as well - I'm not leaving you out)  And every day, every year it seems that the art of sewing becomes diluted.  Slowly disappearing from the landscape of life.  So, i wanted to send out a rally cry for us to gather together.

The Legacy of Women's traditional arts can be lost in a generation -   Share the Love of Sewing - in all it's forms with your daughters & sisters & sister-friends.

I'm also a daughter & grand-daughter of women who honored traditions & personal creativity in many forms.  And I am a mom of three amazing boys so I have NO girls (yet) to share this passion.  

There you have it - my jumping off the cliff into my first blog. Lots more to come.  

Let's start by getting to know each other - drop my a note and tell me your art form of choice & who your "legacy - inspiration" woman is in your life.

Cloth Continued ---- from Linnca