Monday, August 13, 2012

Dreams do come true.

In 2007 I wrote the following paragraph in my journal. It was written by Corey Amaro in the Jan/Feb 07 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors.


"Many of us have seeds buried within us that are longing to be watered, hoping to be unearthed, waiting to share their fragrant scent. Creativity is born from the smallest of seeds. If we can nurture our dreams with the belief that we have something to give, we can learn to trust that our roots will spread into tomorrow. When a seedling of passion awakens, it can bloom a never-ending bouquet of happiness for us to hold."

I have been quilting since 1989. The quilting seed was planted in me then. It's been my passion ever since. I taught quilting for 10 years until our local quilt shop closed in 2005. I loved every single minute of it and loved my students. Sharing quilting and giving in general has always been one of my greatest joys in life. We all have something to give, even a simple smile or a hug.


My book, Briarside Lane, is the seed that was buried inside of me that longed to be watered and unearthed. It took me losing my full time job in 2010 for me to start nurturing that seed. It took me finding a part of me that I had buried for a very long time. I spent a year trying to figure out what to do with my life and get a grip. Then I spent a year writing, desiging and fine tuning my Folk Art Fusion technique. I wanted to share something different, something fun, something that would make people say, "Wow, I made that!"  I wanted to give from my heart.

One of my biggest dreams has always been to go to the Houston Quilt Market. Twenty Three years of quilting and I have never been. Most people don't understand how expensive it is to run a company and how you really don't make any money for several years in the beginning. Everything goes back into the company. Going to market with my book would have to wait as I just couldn't afford the thousands of dollars it would take to make it all happen.


But then, last week I received a phone call from Dana of Valdani. My hands began to shake and tears streamed down my face as I listened to her say, "Michelle, we would like to invite you to Houston to display your book and your patterns in our booth." OH....MY....GOSH!!!!!! HAPPY BUNNY DANCE!!! I'm in my dream awake!!!


I use Valdani exclusively in all my designs for the simple reason that I love their 3 strand colorfast floss. I'm not a person that can promote or sell something that I truly don't believe in or love. I love everything about Valdani and I'm proud and honored to use their products.

Dreams really do come true. Sometimes it takes a while, even years, but they do come true if we always believe they will. So, I'll be at the Houston Quilt Market this October. If you happen to be there, I'll be the one in the Valdani booth with the great big smile. :)

Thank you so very much Dana and Valdani for believing in me and my designs.

xx, Michelle

74 comments:

Lolastitchida said...

Yes, Yes, Yes! Awesome news and you so deserve it! Woot Woot!

Lolastitchida said...

Yes, Yes, Yes! Awesome news my friend! And you so deserve it!

Michelle Ridgway said...

Oh Michelle that is so wonderful...good for you. I got goosebumps as I was reading it...SOOO excited for you. I know exactly what you mean, it does take ages sometimes for our dreams to manifest but you just have to keep on believing.
Hugs Michelle xx

Julia said...

Happy bunny dance for you from me and my rabbit!!! Dreams always come true if you work hard towards them. Enjoy your dreamy reality :-)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Yes, I will join the Bunny Dance with everyone - oh, so pleased for you and so wish I could come to visit. Lots of photos so we can see that big smile.

Anna said...

Shelle, when you embrace your dreams and create your own reality the world listens. Congratulations

Teresa in Music City said...

Oh what good news!!! I know you are so excited and thrilled!!! Well deserved - enjoy your dream :*)

Jillayne said...

Oh Shell, I am so thrilled for you!
You have worked so hard for this and now you are truly at the place you were meant to be...happily bunny-dancing your way down the path of creativity and sharing... Bravo!!!

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

Congratulations! How wonderful for you!

Jindi's Cottage said...

What a great quote and such fabulous news that after all your hard work your bouquet is flowering...they couldn't have picked a better ambassador(ess) for their great product, Valdani threads are finally popping up in shops over here and every time I see them I think of you and the bunnies. Enjoy your happy bunny dancing, may it go on a long long time :)

Anonymous said...

This is fantastic! I'm so happy for you! Congrats girlfriend!

Little Miss Titch said...

congratulation Shell,you deserve it,so enjoy your dream

Christine M said...

How exciting Shell. I'm sure you'll have the best time. Congratulations. Hugs, Christine xx

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Bless your sweet and generous heart!! You deserve this, Shell, and I am doing a happy dance of delight for you my friend!
{{{{hugs}}}}
Jenny
xxxxxxxx

Fiona said...

How exciting for you... wonderful news...
Hugz

Jade said...

*Kermit arm flail*

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!

*happy bunnydancing*

Mr. Mick and I are SO PROUD and happy for you! That is all kinds of awesome!

Jeanette said...

Oh Michelle that is such fabulous news. I'm so excited for you. Lots of hugs,

Crafty Green Poet said...

Congratulations! That's so exciting! Have a wonderful time!

Jo in TAS said...

I'm so happy for you Shell, a lovely way to recognise your contribution to quilting and your support of Valdani! Congratulations!

Lesley said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful achievement...you definitely deserve to be there!

Anonymous said...

oh Shell what a beautiful story,good luck and enjoy yourself.xx

Sheila said...

Congratulations, your post today, makes us all want to get up and do the bunny dance! Have a great week.

Marj said...

Congratulations! I love your designs, they are so fresh and new.

JudyCinNC said...

I just knew wonderful things were going to start haappening - you opened your mind and your heart to let them in and I am so happy and full of joy for you. Judy C

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

Congratulations! You will have the best time! Will you be doing demos? Awsome! They will have a few of my designs there as well in a small display, so you will see mine there too. I wish you the best of luck!!

krislovesfabric said...

Congrats! You deserve it, your designs all make us do "the happy bunny dance" too!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Congratulation Michelle for reaching your dream! Your work is so unique and beautiful, good luck!

Unknown said...

Oh. I am so very happy for you! Thank you for sharing this most wonderful and inspiring news.

Heather said...

Very exciting news. I,m sure your patterns will be a great success.

Karyn said...

Yay Michelle, I am so happy for you and very proud of you!
This a very well deserved dream to come true, my dear, and I am Bunny Dancing along with the rest.
Thanks for the share, I am smiling from sheer delight for you.
Hugs
Ma

tink's mom said...

Shell,Good things happen to the deserving. You so deserve this trip and exposure. doing the Happy Dance with ya. selina

Shirley said...

Oh Shell, I am so happy for you. It is just awesome. I would be hugging you and jumping up and down in excitement with you. You are so deserving. Take care Hugs from Your Missouri Friend.

Jan M said...

Yippee! I am so happy for you, and thrilled that so many others will now have an opportunity to see your creativity first hand. You will love Market, and they will all love you! I probably will not make it there this year, but I will most certainly be thinking of you, and wishing you the best time ever!

Lyn said...

That is such wonderful news! I just love your patterns and all your wonderful ideas with the wool. You really deserve this! Thanks for sharing this with us... Can't wait to hear all about it.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

MICHELLE! I am back on-line for my guests just left yesterday. I am THRILLED FOR YOU MY DEAR...the size of my font cannot express the joy you are feeling at this moment and the joy I feel for the BOTH OF US. I BELIEVE IN DREAMS COMING TRUE and when those seeds drop to the ground, we think that means DEATH....but it doesn't; it means waiting for the right season to come, the right amount of nuturing and then......THE BLOOMS COME! It is your time and I am doing a bunny dance with you....much love, Anita

d. moll, l.ac. said...

way to rock the dream shell <3

Lana Manis said...

Congratulations! Your designs are wonderful and I'm sure your book will be a hit! Have fun! :)

Anne said...

Congratulations Michelle, Well deserved!

Laura said...

Congratulations Michelle - you are truly deserving - your work and designs I just love! Enjoy and have a great time! Laura

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Miss Gracie and I are sooooo very happy and excited for you--and I bet even Hannah and Harrington are happy for you even though it means they will home with out you for a few days!!!!!
Smiles and Hugs, Di

Raewyn said...

Fantastic news Michelle, I am so excited for you!!

Unknown said...

Not at all surprised here. Not at all. I think it says a lot for Valdani that they have made a very wise move in asking you to represent them in Houston. You are already a superstar and it is about time that it is aknowledged commercially. Know what else it means? Bunnyville is going even more national and that means Harrington and Hannah are going to have more face time in the public eye and THAT means more awareness for Rabbit-kind and their advocates.
WOOO HOOO let's give it up for Bunnyville and Raspberry Rabbits and Michelle and Valdani!!!!!

~Laurie~ said...

So happy for you Michelle!! And look at all the love here :) You introduced me to Valdani and I love it too! Such great news!! Sending a big cyber (((((hug)))))

Teresa F. said...

Awesome news Michelle. I'm so happy for you. Being such a talented artist you deserve it totally! Have a nice trip and don't forget to tell us all about it.
Hugs,
Teresa

Val Laird said...

Wow, Michelle, what fabulous news. I am really excited for you. You deserve it!
Hugs
Val

Loris said...

That is such sweet news! Congrats on getting a needed step up. Wish I could go to!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Shell I can't think of anyone who deserves this more! Congratulations and Godspeed on this part of your journey. blessings, marlene

Marsha B said...

That is fantastic news! Congratulations on a dream come true!

jerilanders said...

Shell!! I am so thrilled about your book, your business, your trip and the success that is surely coming your way. GOOD JOB! It does indeed take a seed of inspiration and then a truckload of work and long hours to achieve the dream. I know, I have worked it for years and finally I can see the fruits of my labors. Love it! You have great ideas and wonderful products, you earned your success, you deserve it! Jeri

Annette Tait said...

amazing and fantastic Shell :) so, so, so happy for you!
Wes and I are doing our bunny dance for you aswell!!!! so glad one of your dreams has come true!!! xxx yay! :)

Carrie P. said...

Oh, Michelle, that is so awesome. I am so glad your dream is coming true. Congratulations!

kc said...

How very exciting for you!! I only started quilting a couple of years ago, but I'd heard of the Houston Quilt Market, all the way over on the east coast, where we were at the time. Last year, I had the good fortune to attend, and boy, was it a LOT OF FUN!! I'm hoping I'll get back there again this year, and I'll surely look you up!! (Hope you get to bring your staff-buns with you!!)

Just Ramblin' said...

I believe we are all doing the happy dance for you. How exciting that your dream is coming true. You have worked hard and certainly deserve to be there. We will all look forward to a report of your time and experiences there. Congratulations! Nola

Judy B said...

Oh my gosh, that is so fantastic! I can hardly see my keyboard because of my tears of joy for you!!!!

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

Congrats on this wonderful news...so happy for you!!!

RG said...

That Valdani bunch is pretty smart for sure! The bunns should go too.

(Or wait - did you double check that invitation. Are you sure it wasn't just for Hannah and Harrington?? - just kidding!)

Congratulations.

Sherry said...

I am so happy for you! You have made me a fan of Valdani floss too. I am also a fan of your designs and have stitched a few and will continue to stitch more of them. So glad your dreams are coming true.

Nancy in IN said...

God is good

Zuzan said...

Congratulations Michelle. Isn't it wonderful when dreams come true? so happy for you. Have fun.

Judy1522 said...

Congratulations that is so exciting!

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Oh I am so excited for you Shell! Yay! I can't wait to see pics!

Sparklyjools said...

I'm so, so proud and happy for you my dear friend - absolutely brilliant news!xxx

Peg said...

Congratulations Michelle! It is so nice to see someone get that first step into their dream. Wishing you the very best!I have enjoyed your work for sometime! Thank you!!!!

Peg said...

Congratulations Michelle! It is so nice to see someone get that first step into their dream. Wishing you the very best!I have enjoyed your work for sometime! Thank you!!!!

Erica said...

Michelle I am so happy for you! Enjoy and savour every minute! I can't wait to hear how it goes!

Glynis said...

Well deserved, Michelle! You will have so much fun and meet many more happy quilters. I was there a couple of years ago and it was awesome.

TerriSue said...

I worked for ten minutes to get your site to let me leave a post. I just had to say how happy and excited I am for you. You desrve this so much. I love you my friend.

LeeAnn at Mrs Black's said...

This is such wonderful news! I found your blog through Joanne May's and love reading your adventures. Many many congratulations! x

CHRIS said...

That is AMAZING Michelle always hold onto your dreams and just believe. Can't wait to hear all about it. Chris xxx

Anonymous said...

I am so pleased for you. I know the whole world will be amazed at your wonderful ideas and work. I love Houston, but I agree about the cost. I go about every 10 years and am always overwhelmed at the talent.

gail said...

Shell, I am so so so happy for you:) I am so glad they called you. I hope it is an amazing adventure! Keep reaching for the stars Girl((()))
I am doing a happy dance for you too!
(())Gail

Clovie Boy said...

I've got a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye from the happiness I feel for you, Shell. It is so exciting to see someone realize their dreams.

Bari Jo said...

This made me teary when I read it - congratulations! I am so excited for you! Your BOM has been such a sweet blessing - thank you for sharing and have fun at market!!!! Can't wait to get your book! :O)

Allie said...

Gobsmacked - Shell, I couldn't be happier for you!!!! You have such talent and vision and I'm so, so pleased for you - you've earned it, girl, enjoy it to the fullest!!!!

Lady Hannah Goldenhare - Nothing Gold Can Stay

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