Worms in the strawberry patch usually spells trouble, but not in this case!
I met with the most delightful young woman on Friday.
Remember that name.
I usually have good instincts about people and I have a feeling someday lots of people in the sewing world will know her name.
They say it's a small world and this just proves it .
When Candice was about nine she took sewing lessons at Strawberry Patches. I can't say I remember her from back then but I sure can't get her out of my mind now.
While shopping Quilt Market in Salt Lake City Candice was working in The Quilted Fish booth. I was freaking out over all the fabric party hats and adorable stuff in the booth while Candice politely answered my questions and took my order.
photo by The Quilted Fish
As we chatted (and I freaked) Candice casually mentioned that she learned to sew at Strawberry Patches when she was a little girl and lived in Bakersfield.
WHAT? Now I was really freaking out.
Talk about a small world.
Are you still with me?
I'm getting to my point.
I promise.
Fast forward to a month or so ago. Candice called for an appointment to show me her pattern line - Squirmy Worm Studio (cute name huh?). Can't say I remembered at the time of her call that I'd met her before (hey, I'm old and remembering stuff isn't my strong suit), but for some reason* I agreed to meet with her. (I usually don't agree to meet with people who call to show patterns because I'm super picky and I feel terrible when they drive a long way to show me things I don't want - very awkward!).
What was I saying... Oh, yeah. Candice.
Anyway, we were super busy when she called and I jotted down: Candice - late afternoon - July, 15 and promptly forgot about it (no surprise there).
Friday morning I told the girls that I was working with that I had an afternoon appointment with a new fabric rep, but couldn't remember what company she was with, just knew her name was Candice (that memory thing again). So when Candice showed up at the appointed time with her patterns to show me I was a bit surprised.
No fabric.
PATTERNS!
I took a deep breath and smiled as she laid them on the table. How was I going to politely tell this beautiful young woman that had traveled so far that I didn't want any patterns?
But to my absolute delight I did want her patterns.
Photo by Squirmy Worm Studio
Photo by Squirmy Worm Studio
And models too.
Photo by Squirmy Worm Studio
Candice's patterns are simple, practical, modern and professionally done. I love them. I think you will love them too.
Photo by Squirmy Worm Studio
Candice is a delightful young woman with an undeniable inner glow who has dreams of becoming a full time designer. I have a feeling she will. I also know I will do everything in my power to encourage her.
Encourage one another,
* Just as I believe it's a small world I also believe everything happens for a reason. I believe Candice took classes at Strawberry Patches fifteen years ago and was working in that booth so that someday I could be in some small way a part in her realizing her dream. I look forward to collaborating with Candice in the future.
