Sunday, March 28, 2010

A Very Big Announcement

I have some news to share with you. After much soul searching, I've decided to close the doors of Carriage House Samplings. My heart is no longer in my sampler business and rather than continue and produce designs which are not my best work, I've decided I'd rather end my business all together.

This isn't a decision I've made lightly. I've reached a place in my life where I'm ready to make a change and to pursue other interests. I may return to designing one day, I truly don't know. I don't plan to close any doors permanently. I've made so very many friends in my 12 years of designing. There are many, many stitchers, shopowners, distributors and fellow designers I will miss dearly. I hope to stay in touch with as many of you as possible.

I do have a plan! I will continue to sell to shops and my distributors until July 1, 2010. After that, I will list any and all charts I still have available on my Etsy Site and sell there until December 31, 2010. My charts will no longer be available beginning January 1, 2011.

For your 12 years of support and friendship I am very, very grateful.

80 comments:

Margaret said...

Oh Kathy! I'm so sad to hear this! But I understand that it must have been hard to make that decision and I totally respect it. I will miss your designs so much. :( Now to start making sure I have all your designs. lol!

I wish you all the best in your new ventures. You are so talented -- I know you will move on to bigger and better things!

Siobhán said...

Oh my gosh, Kathy!! I am so sorry to hear this, but I understand. You deserve to enjoy whatever it is that you choose to pursue, and I wish you the best of luck in it.

I'm with Margaret, I have to go make sure that I have all of your designs...

SharoninStitches said...

I'm a new fan, so this news is very disappointing to me. Best of luck to you in your new ventures. I do think Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow is spectacular.

Kim said...

Count me in as one that's sad to hear the news and I'll be taking inventory as well. Best wishes to you Kathy...can't wait to see what you tackle next!

Amy said...

I hate to hear this Kathy.... but I understand. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

Nancy said...

I know a lot of us stitchers will be sorry you're not designing any longer. You really do amazing work! Good luck with your new endeavors. Change is good!

Lori from Notforgotten Farm said...

Kathy,
you were the one that suggested I become a designer of cross stitch, so many years ago ~ I still am amazed that you saw talent in me, and am Blessed to call you FRIEND...

Follow your heart's path, my Friend ~
it will lead you to true happiness....

Wishing you all the best in all you do!

Lori from Notforgotten Farm

Ellen said...

Kathy, like the others I too am in shock and sad to hear the news. Your creativity is amazing, and you will be missed by many.

We'll all be awaiting to see what you do next--I'm sure whatever it is, it will be great!!!

Best wishes!!!

Hmm--maybe you could take groups of needleworkers to Paris!!

Melissa said...

Kathy

I am so sad to hear this news but understand you wanting to take your career in a different direction but you have a wonder gift, talent, for sampler and cross stitch design. I am going to miss your designs so much.

Like Siobhan and Margaret, I need to take inventory and complete my library of your designs.

I wish all the best on your new path and hope that if you get this uncontrollable urge to design some fabulous sampler that you know we'll be here cheering you on.

Giovanna said...

I'm sorry to read the news Kathy, even though I'm pretty sure I have enough designs of yours to keep me busy forever, lol. But I'll miss looking forward to and seeing new designs from you. Thank you for all you've done so far, and best wishes for whatever you decide to do next.

Paulette said...

Oh Kathy, I'm so very sad to hear this (I'm sorry to be so selfish!) bc you have always been my very favorite designer, you know that. You are so incredibly talented, and no matter what you pursue, I know you will be (and are) very successful.

Thank you for all you've done for me.. I'm so blessed that you're my friend.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY!
PDiddy

Bertie said...

So sorry to hear your news Kathy, but can understand that you have to move on in life and do the things you love best, that is so important.

Wishing you all the best and good luck in your new ventures, it was a pleasure doing business with you via Etsy.

Must go and have a look what I have to order next!!

Suburban Stitcher said...

OK...I'm so excited for you and so sad for me at the same time! Best of luck!

Marianne said...

Kathy I am so sorry to hear this. I love your designs. But I understand when things change and it's time to take on new endeavors. I wish you luck and happiness. Now off to take stock of what I'm still missing on my wish list! : ) Please take care and let us know how you do!

Melissa said...

Kathy, I'm very sorry to hear you will be closing your design business but know you must follow your heart. Who knows, maybe what you need is a break from it, then you may pick it up one day with new ideas.

I have so enjoyed your designs and I'd better make sure I complete my CHS 'library'!

All the best in your new ventures! It was a brave decision to make!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Like everyone else; I am so sorry to hear this news. You have long been one of my very favorite designers and I will miss you. Good luck in your future pursuits.

Now to start gathering all those charts I still don't have.....

Berit said...

Hmn, oh, my! I'm sorry to see you give it up, but you must do what you must do! :(

Good Luck with What's Next; I too must make a list of your designs to get! :)

Carme said...

I'm sorry you made this decision. I love your work. I think you're the designer colors that work best.
A kiss from Barcelona
Carme

Hazel said...

That's very very sad news. :(

Stitch Wizard said...

Oh my gosh Kathy, I am just so sad and heartsick to think that you will no longer be designing anymore. I will miss your designs so much too! I can understand that after many years you do get tired of doing the same things though. I need to try and get the ones that I have always wished I had now.

Petra said...

No sorry I don't accept! Ppffftt! :)

Good luck I do wish you allll the best you are an amazing designer!

Sweet Sue said...

Kathy, your news is nothing less than tragic for those of us who covet your designs. Loosing your design talent will be another nail in our passion's coffin. My sincere thanks for your vision over the years, but such somber news is well, very sad indeed....

Danielle said...

I'm so sorry to hear this, though I understand when your heart just isn't in what you are doing. That said your designs are gorgeous--even the most recent ones. You have been my favorite designer since I started stitching, and like Giovanna I probably have enough charts to keep me busy well into my old age! :) Good luck with your new endeavors--changes like these in life can be very exciting!

Faye said...

I dont know what to say~ I am so sad....but this isnt about me...follow your dreams...best of luck~

corinna said...

gulp!

i do hope you find every happiness in your future pursuits

thanks for sharing all your creativity and talent.

Donna said...

Kathy I too am sad and have enjoyed your designs over the 12 years but wish you all the best things change time moves forward..I will miss Hawk Run Hollow designs they are such fun to stitch...all the best...and since I have most of your designs I guess I'm all set..Donna

Kathy P - NY said...

Kathy, I am so sorry to hear this and will miss your designs and the anticipation of your designs! I'm sure it was not an easy decision to make but obviously you know how you are feeling about it and it was the right decision for you to make. Good luck to you in your next venture!

Françoise said...

I'm sorry to read the news
Best wishes!!!

mainely stitching said...

ACK! NO!!!! Oh no, this is such sad news for me. I'm really selfish, aren't I?

But of course I wish you the best in the future, though you will be horribly missed.

Ranae said...

Sad, sad, news.
I am such a big fan, I love your work and hate to see you go. The best of luck to you in whatever you pursue

Juels said...

Although I am sorry to see you move on as I do love your designs, it is understanable after 12 years that you would like to do other things. Good luck in your new ventures!

Catherine L. said...

So sorry to read that. I hope your new life will bring you joy and happiness.
Love from France

Beth Twist said...

Good for you! I know it wasn't an easy decision to make, but you must always, always follow your heart.

A favorite quote of mine: "We must absolutely do what we love, or we run the risk of doing nothing at all".

Here's to the scads of scrumptious jewelry pieces I see appearing in our future (am I right?)!

Joanie said...

Good Luck on your new journey! I'm sad that you won't be designing but happy that you've found another creative outlet.

Many blessings on your new endeavor!

Larry said...

I'm very sorry to hear this and it makes me doubly glad that I have a ton of your charts (most as yet unstitched).

May you be blessed in the new direction your life is taking.

Thank you for all your wonderful talent that has been put to use for us all to enjoy.

Unknown said...

Wow..that is sad news..as a newly returning cross stitcher and I just found you. Congrats on your new plans..Dianntha

Lisa said...

Oh Kathy, market and cross stitch will not be the same without you. You have been such a huge influence to me. Everytime I had a question, you were always so gracious~I am so sad. First Anne and now you. I wish you nothing but the brightest and best blessings. xoxoox

Kristen said...

(*SOB*) I am so sorry to hear this news! You are one of my very favorite designers. But I wish you luck in your future endeavors. And thank you so much for all of your beautiful designs.

Moonlight Stitcher said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Robin said...

Kathy, I am very sad to hear your news. I've collected many of your designs, from Chartmakers, to Barrick Samplers and now CHS. I love your districtive style and I'll treasure them always. I can't thank you enough for sharing your talent and creativity.

I wish you much success, happiness and contentment as you move on to your new adventure.

Natalia said...

Oh no !! I am so sad to hear this. You are one of my very favorite designers. I wish you all the best always, but please, please, please come back to designing.

Viooltje (Violet) said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh no...
***shock***faint***
(a glass of water and a deep breath of air later)
... but I can understand.


THANKS for ALL your wonderfull designs!
:o)

Now... I'll have to make up a wish.. I mean a shoppinglist... next to my already ecxisting wishlist.
(help, I'll go broke, your designs cost an arm and a leg overhere, LOL, oh dear...)
I do hope you keep up your blog and... *Ü* perhaps start again at some point in the future.
*Ü*
Enjoy the feeling of freedom because you have told us this difficult descision now.

Big (((hug))) and don't worry, you've enriched the world, and we will have (I hope) enough designs from you to last our lifetime.

I'm acting SO brave... snifff, snifff... *Ü*
OXOXOX
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DESIGNS!
:o)

Kellie said...

I totally respect your decision to what you feel is best for you and your family, but I have to admit that I am selfishly grieving....
I am so glad that I "discovered" your designs prior to now and along with the many others, I will be collecting the ones that I still have to have. :)

Much luck and best wishes on your new ventures.

Linda K's Stitching Corner said...

Kathy

I hate to see you quit designing...I really love your Series of the Hawk Run Hallow...I have all of them except for the last two that you did..I am going to get them hopefully soon.

I fully understand though and I wish you the best of luck in whatever you do in the future.

Your Designs will be greatly missed....

Take care
Hugs :)

Stitch By Stitch said...

Kathy, you don't know me, we have never met. Yet I have come to think of you and your wonderful designs as friends. You are so very talented. It will be exciting to see where you choose to use your talents next. Thank you for sharing your designs with us! God bless you and the road that lies ahead.

Andrea said...

:-(

The only positive I can see from this is that maybe someday I'll catch up with stitching all of your wonderful designs I have in my stash...a long time ago in an email exchange with you, I'd begged you to please slow down because you kept on designing "must stitches" so quickly that I couldn't keep up.
But I was only kidding :::sob:::

Best wishes for whatever your next venture may be, I know you'll be very successful.

Wali said...

Vous brisez le coeur de beaucoup de brodeuses françaises ! Bonne continuation dans vos projets et tenez-nous au courant !

You break the heart of many French embroiderers! Good continuation in your projects and inform us!

Carmen said...

I regret his decision, the first time I dared to buy on the Internet was to buy one of her wonderful designs (Cat C and Carmen, my name). I hope that soon you feel like it again to make beautiful designs. With best wishes to you

Hugs

Carmen, Madrid, Spain

Carin said...

What a sad news this is. I always enjoy your designs. And I find your latest Autumn at Hawk run hollow the best (maybe because I love the autumn so much).
Thanks for the beautiful designs you have made for us and I do hope that some day you will return to designing :)

Alice said...

This could not have been an easy decision for you. Rest assured that your designs will live on and we will all be blogging about Carriage House Samplings for many years to come. I will need another fifty years myself to get through all your designs. Lets hope I live that long because that would make me 91. I wish you lots of success and happiness with whatever you do next. You will be missed by us all but we will think of you whenever we stitch your designs. : )
Take care Kathy.
Alice
xxx

Főkolomp said...

Dear Kathy,
I'am very, very sad to see Your news. You are my favorit Designer!!! I love Your beatiful patter, Your colours! I've ordered now the Christmas et Hawk Run Hallow.....
Love
Zsuzsanna from Hungary

Anonymous said...

Thank you for everything you have done!
You will be missed!
Much love and respect.

Sherry said...

Oh Kathy! I am so sad to hear this news but know that you must have struggled with it before coming to a decision that was right for you and I respect it. You and your designs will be missed. I need to go through my stash and make sure I order the designs I don't have but want now!

I wish you the best. I know you will be a success in whatever you do.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathy - For the past 12 years I have appreciated and enjoyed your work as a designer. Sincerest wishes for all the best in your new endeavours.

Amanda said...

Kathy, I too am sad to hear that you will stop designing. I've only recently 'discovered' your Hawk Run Hollow designs and I love them. But I understand that if your heart is not in designing anymore, than you must stop. I guess it is better to stop then create designs you take no pride in. Best of luck to you! You will be missed!

Nancy said...

Best of luck to you....Nancy

CarolG said...

No you are not allowed - I am so sad to hear this but I am sure it was very hard for you to make this decision. I wish you the best in your new ventures. I just wish I had your talent!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear this news, but I agree that you need to do what's right for you. I wish you all the best in the future, in whatever you do!

KreinikGirl said...

So sad Kathy! I have loved working with you! I hate goodbyes but know the next chapter can be just as exciting too.

Linda said...

This is sad news...but follower your dreams and enjoy whatever your future holds.

Cynimin said...

I'm so sorry you have decided to close your shop but happy that you are going in a positive different direction!
I am opening a new LNS soon. I have purchased a closing store in the past month. Can you give me info as to how I can purchase some of yor items to sell in my store?
Thanks!
cynimin316@msn.com
The Shabby Stitcher

Carmen Salcedo said...

¡No me lo puedo creer! Sus diseños son mis favoritos y necesitaría varias vidas para bordar todos los que tengo.
Muchas gracias por habernos proporcionado felicidad durante estos años de fecunda creación.
Le deseo mucha suerte en su nueva aventura creadora.
Besos desde el Sur de España

SharoninStLouis said...

Oh Kathy, such sad news. I feel as if I know you through stitching your glorious designs. But you need to do what is best for you, and I have such respect for the way in which you have made your announcement -- giving your loyal fans a little time to stock up. And rest assured, if your talents ever lead you back to designing cross stitch, your fans will still be here to eagerly await your new samplers.

Best wishes, and please keep your blog going to let us know the new direction in which your will channel your creativity.

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

Good luck in your new endeavors, Kathy, and thank you so much for your wonderful designs! I can see I'm going to have to add some charts to my wish list right away!

Bette said...

Kathy,

Thank you for your years of wonderful designs. We will miss you, but wish you all the best with the direction you have chosen.

Concetta said...

I was so sad to read this, you are going to be missed by so many. I don't think I've ever been disappointed whenever you've released a new design - and always amazed that you could produce such quality designs time after time.

I wish you all the best for the future and thank you for everything!

Concetta

Anonymous said...

Of course, the choice belongs to you, and even if we are sad that you will stop designing, we sincerely hope that the alternative path will make you very very happy. You have been so prolific that you are leaving us fan stitchers with a large supply of charts : as far as I am concerned, that will keep me busy for many years ahead - thanks for sharing your creativity with us for 12 years.
All the best from a French stitcher

Catherine said...

I am happy for you, but sorry for all the stitchers! You have made some beautiful designs that many will enjoy for years! I hope that your new journey gives you much happiness! Good luck!

glamlawlib said...

I would like to add my best wishes to you in your new adventures :)

Your designs will be missed there is no doubt about that, but we will see them being worked on stitching blogs for many years to come. What a lovely legacy :)

Anonymous said...

What horrible news, for us at least. You have been my favorite designer for many years now and I will really miss seeing all your new pieces. I do understand and wish you luck with your future endeavors. I hope you will keep up the blog so we can keep in touch.

Cathy Campbell said...

Hey Kath,
What a surprise! I know how hard this type of decision can be, so kudos to you for following your heart! You are "retiring" at the top of your game and I feel congratulations are in order! And let's also add a huge round of applause for the everlasting impact you have had on the world of needlework designs. WOW! You wrote the book on classy and excellent "sampler" designs - ones that will continue to touch us all in many ways for a long time to come. Thank you so much.
Good luck with future endeavor(s)- we'll all be eagerly watching to see what you come up with! That it will be wonderful is a given!

Sally H said...

WOW Kathy.... I am so sad to hear about this. I am never happier than when I am stitching in Hawk Run Hollow! I wish you the very best as you wind down your business and sincerely hope that the Hollow will call you back to the designing table in the not too distant future.

Loraine said...

So sorry to hear about your decision. It must be so hard keeping up with everything. I wish you the best of luck! If it's any consolation, I think your best designs have been your most recent. I have bought everything that you have put out lately!
Good luck to you.

Kathy said...

I have recently returned to cross stitch after 30 years of just quilting. Your quaker designs were some of the first charts I bought and started back into this with. Our sons live in New England, and your Hawk Run series is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your talent with us and I wish you luck in whatever you do from here out. Thanks, too, for not totally closing the door and leaving a bit of an option that you might return to us again sometime!

Cathy Lloyd said...

Enjoy your new pursuits Kathy! I have always loved your designs! Now off to take inventory!

Marie said...

Please, please don't go! You are an amazing designer that will be missed by millions!

Chicks Who Stitch said...

Kathy, making a huge life change takes courage. Especially when you've loved something for so long. I always believe joy is in the journey, and if the journey loses this, it's time to course correct--like our wise poet Robert Frost says, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

Cheers to you on your next road, wherever it may lead.

Kelley said...

It is always a difficult decision to leave one place and move on to another. You will be missed, I love your charts! I will be going through my charts and deciding what the budget will allow me to get, wish it could be all of them. Enjoy all your passions, life is too short to spend time on one that no longer makes your heart sing.

Desperate Housewife said...

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

Then I'd better hurry up and order Autumn in HRH.

tucmar said...

Dear Kathy, I just discovered that you will be closing the business. Good luck in your next endeavor,you are such a talented person. We will all miss your fantastic designs! I am in shock and can't think now, will write more latter. Sadie and Marilyn

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