I have never been good at goodbyes, finding the right words to express how I feel in the final moments of goodbye are so hard for me. Filled with emotion, sometimes I find myself speechless if only people could read minds. The past five years and four months working at Art Gallery Fabrics have been filled with amazing memories, life-changing experiences, and relationships that will last a lifetime. 

After 8 years of living in Florida, I am returning to my home state of Minnesota! After the passing of my Dad this past March I realize my heart and presence belongs in Minnesota. I am going to miss being apart of the AGF Team and coming to work each morning and being surround by such talented young ladies! Of course, my sewing and quilting journey doesn't end here, I will always be AGF’s number one fan and supporter and will continue to create, sew, and inspire. 

Thanks to all of you who have liked, commented, encouraged and inspired me and AGF over the years and for making this amazing sewing community a beautiful space for all of us to grow and learn from each other. I thought it would be fun to incorporate my top five favorite memories at AGF, that I will never forget and cherish always. 

1. Sewing My First Quilt

The first quilt I designed and sewed up is called the “Pentelic Marvel Quilt” with Athena Fabrics. 

There is a picture of me below testing out my block measurements with scrap fabrics. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Sewing half rectangle triangles were totally confusing and frustrating, and I had the toughest time keeping a perfect ¼” seam allowance but I had the biggest goofiest smile on my face ready to tackle anything and everything. 

This quilt wasn’t my finest work or something I am particularly proud of but it marks the beginning of my quilting journey. I have learned so much about the design, piecing, and quilting process which has turned me into the quilter I am today! We all start somewhere, the most important thing is we start because it only gets better from there. 

2. My First Quilt Market

2014 Pittsburgh Spring Market was the first quilt market I ever attended, I remember that day as if it was yesterday. I had no idea what to expect but when I got there I was blown away by all the quilts, sewing brands, and people who shared a passion for the same thing I did! Throughout all the many markets I attended I met and gained so much knowledge and love for the sewing and quilting community. Meeting and chatting with bloggers, quilt shops, and distributors from all over learning how each of them fit into the textile world. 

What I will remember the most about Quilt Market is all the hard work and dedication it took to create our booths and the great group of girls making you laugh along the way. 

Here are two pictures of both of our entrances to our booth that year. My fingers still tingle from all the hot glue burns I gave myself creating these floral-inspired walls. 

3. Creation of the AGF Quilt Block Collection

The creation of the AGF Quilt Block collection is what started me on the path to creating youtube videos for AGF. 

With no experience in filming, or editing I took it upon myself to figure it out. After creating 71 block videos and a lot of trial and error I finally have found my voice. I created the AGF Quilt Block Collection to do my part in teaching quilters of all skill levels to learn and create something new with AGF Fabrics. I have had such a blast coming out of my comfort zone and spreading my love for AGF fabrics. 

4. Community Sampler Sew Along

Being apart of the Community Sampler Sew Along hosted by two of our amazing designers, Sharon Holland, and Maureen Cracknell was one of the most heart filled experiences of my time at AGF. 

All the girls in the office participated in making this quilt, each week I would sit down with each girl teaching them the basics of quilting and by the end of their lesson, they would have a completed quilt block. Each week I introduced the girls to you on the blog with a little Q and A. It was such an honor to share my knowledge and love for sewing with all of them. So many laughs and memories I will never forget! 

5. Celebrating with my AGF Family 

Being far away from family was hard at first when I first moved to Florida until I found my AGF Family. AGF isn’t just a job, it’s way more than that. 

Here you're treated like family and at AGF they love throwing a good party. One of my most memorable birthdays at AGF was the Thor themed party they threw me.  Nerd alert…yes I love everything Marvel, with Thor being my all-time favorite. Here is me below geeking out over the giant Thor poster they put together. 

Since it’s hard for me to come up with the right words I will leave you all with a quote that sums up how I feel,

 “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” 

A.A. Milne (Winnie-the- Pooh)

Hope you all keep in touch and until next time, 

Happy Sewing! :)