kardlady's profile

How life prepares us and we don't even know it! -

As a youngster I had 3 loves, books, music, and crafts! Some of my favorite times were the hours I spent stringing colorful beads and making those long ropes with yarn on one of those spools with the U shaped nails in them. I never could figure out what to do with them after I wove a few feet of them - is there anyone out there who's found them useful? Another favorite activity was sneaking off to the attic where my grandmother's quilt appliques were stored - hey were off limits, but I was very quiet and careful not to soil them! I could lose myself for hours piecing together flower parts and pieces of butterflies cut from calico fabric for her church quilting bee! When I was old enough to find my way, I spent Saturday mornings in the same corner every week scanning through the crafting books at the library - fascinated by different crafts and their techniques! I gave no thought to it as preparation for the expression of my passion many years later! I married at the young age of 18 and by 27 had 3 youngsters and a big house to look after as well as a husband. I created most of our clothes, and took pride in all the household furnishing I'd created for next to nothing - mostly from fabric - I just love fabric! One recollection in particular is 2 pairs of "bright red" corduroy drapes I made for our bedroom! There were bunches of red roses on a white background wallpaper and the drapes were very appropriate 45 years ago, the fabric was a bargain and the drapes paid for themselves! When I think of those drapes today I just smile! I heard later you should never use red in your bedroom! When the 3rd child was off to school I had a little more time to think and discovered I'd really lost my real identity! At one point I remember asking "is this all there is to life" - not realizing I was being prepared for something wonderful! My oldest daughter was off to college - when she came home after one semester, she sparkled- she'd found the fellowship of Christian friends on campus and learned inspiring songs and how to accompany herself on the guitar. At our house we loved music and we all joined in- it was a happy time! When Jane went back to school, I missed her dearly and the joyful music she shared. I wrote telling her how much I missed her and her music and she encouraged me to start find fellowship at the church where I'd taken them as they grew up. One day as I was passing on my way downtown, I stopped into the church office and offered my service as a volunteer to help with mailings. When the church secretary left unexpectedly some time later, the pastor telephoned and asked if I wanted the part time position! In the 15 years I was there, my favorite task was to write the weekly bulletin announcements and the monthly newsletter- I used symbols and clipart to drive home the messages and got lots or kudos! I liked my work - but I developed a back problem and it forced me to give my notice. I was at middle aged- a time when most women develop health issues. With time on my hands now, the creative spirit peeked its head again. I visited a craft fair and viewed some handmade greeting cards which inspired me greatly! I was so inspired I wanted to creat my own! If anyone would have told me when I was younger, that one day I would be "the kardlady", making handmade greeting cards with fabric designs and handprinted messages of calligraphy that tickle the fancy of everyone that viewed them - I would have laughed at them! It took some time to develop my style and as my style but it wasn't too long before I had a product that was a saleable! My mother was my first customer and my encouragement - she loved "Kalico Kards". She had me make cards for her to send to all her friends and they were many! And then her friends wanted cards to send to their family and friends - and before I knew it - I had myself a little card business! At that time, I still hadn't made the connection - I still didn't see how life had been preparing me for all this moment from the time I was a little girl! I remember the first Craft Show I did at our local YMCA - I had created the display for my cards also - a kind of wall-hanging of calico (what else) with 4 pockets across in 4 rows - and I laid this over 2 pcs of hinged plywood in this fashion /\! I made 2 of these displays and each held 16 different cards for a total of 32. I did pretty well for a first time and received many nice compliments and a few more ideas - there are always those willing to tell you what they like - and I look for that! My cards outgrew that first display and so I designed 2 3ft racks with room fordisplaying another 20 or so cards set on a 6 ft. table! Then I designed 2 large ones that stood on the floor and hold 90 different cards on each with 20 cards per space - and I increased the number of shows I booked, traveling up to 40 miles for a show! Presently, I've developes a website to sell my cards, making them available to my customers and the world! Recently my encourager passed away at age 91 -and I miss her dearly. It was a few days after Mom passed away, upon reflection of all she's been to me that I realized how life prepares us for our passion and our purpose! Not until then did it all focus in clearly: The birthdate of Kalico Kards was some 63 years ago when I was just 6 - I was being prepared all along- learning the fine art of hand to eye coordination - learning the many crafting techniques though books, being inspired by my grandma's quilt appliques, and learning to write messages that touch the heart- putting symbols together with words and gaining the confidence for the expression of it all it! And a mother's love was the best gift of all - encouragement from one who believes in you and your work! Even while I was asking "is this all there is" I was being prepared to have this question answered "big time"!