tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post6692474842012401757..comments2024-03-17T06:59:02.102-04:00Comments on In Color Order: My Creative Journey: Why I Quit Designing FabricJeni Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14766510979539197035noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-48614642920497211162017-08-14T13:05:23.227-04:002017-08-14T13:05:23.227-04:00Congratulations on your decisions - as hard as the...Congratulations on your decisions - as hard as they've been to arrive at! I applaud your desire to simplify your creative life and go back to what makes you happy & what means most to you in your business. In the end, the most important person to make happy is YOU, and once you've recognized what makes that happen and how important it is, it's a life changing experience! I love your blog because of your happy, creative and positive energy you put into it, and look forward to 'what comes next' in your creative life! Deb E / Oregon mdenders@msn.comDeb Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10378407890740558509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-11340502193954132782016-08-17T11:13:05.328-04:002016-08-17T11:13:05.328-04:00Sweet Jeni - you will probably never see this repl...Sweet Jeni - you will probably never see this reply - I just now saw your post. I am an old lady who can only look back so I have so enjoyed watching you begin your journey and love how you share it with us. It is the journey that I would have loved, the journey I fantasized about, dreamed about but never acted on. The freedom to do so was never there - or so I thought. Perhaps it was the initiative, courage and drive was never harnessed to do what you have done. You are so young and focused - able to cut through all the cr-- to kernel of truth that is right for you and magically the world, too. It makes me soooooo happy to share your journey - knowing it can be done so perfectly and with such grace. Of course I have to admit I am more than just a little bit envious!<br />Your fabrics are astonishingly fresh, in design and color - they are just...HAPPY! I think maybe you didn't want to lose all that happy.<br />Love and hugs and THANKS!<br />Ellie<br />elliefpw@sbcglobal.net pieceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08982446166586940862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-4487587036991331212016-08-17T08:10:47.308-04:002016-08-17T08:10:47.308-04:00I missed this post when it first went up -- had to...I missed this post when it first went up -- had to chime in with the chorus of support and encouragement. This reminds me of something I heard in a sermon awhile back. Don't remember the particulars of how it tied into the gospel that day, but the pastor mentioned a study about what we need for happiness and fulfilment, and how things like being your own boss, setting your own schedule, etc. are at odds with the most financially lucrative careers -- UNLESS -- UNLESS -- you are a highly specialized expert in your field. And attaining that highly specialized expert status takes THOUSANDS of hours, and you can only do it if it is truly your passion and you love what you are doing so much that you get absorbed in the process and enter a state of "flow" where you are so wrapped up in what you are doing that you lose track of time. And so the authors of the study were recommending to young people that they forget about which careers pay the top salaries, and instead, if they wanted to have happy, fulfilling lives, they should think about where there passion lies, what they are doing when they experience that "flow," and follow that passion -- and the money will take care of itself. Isn't that wild? But that's what I thought of as I read this post. You have learned so much from your foray into fabric design, but your heart is telling you that your passion lies elsewhere. This is not a FAILURE, Jeni, this is you listening to the voice of truth inside of you that is pointing you in the direction of your true SUCCESS. Hugs to you, and thank you for sharing.Rebecca Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14801489818836195754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-77953058713537908582016-06-10T01:01:33.305-04:002016-06-10T01:01:33.305-04:00Hi Jeni! I'm happy you were brave enough to ma...Hi Jeni! I'm happy you were brave enough to make the difficult decision. So often we just continue working, being grazy busy and can't stop/give up. I love your fabrics, quilts and patterns! Take your time and continue with what you like most. Have a wonderful summer! x TejeTejehttp://www.nerospostbox.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-34754791565723174602016-06-09T01:29:32.172-04:002016-06-09T01:29:32.172-04:00Wow. Thanks for this post. I've been thinking ...Wow. Thanks for this post. I've been thinking a lot lately about the industry in general. Many of the quilters that I had friended or followed/inspired by when I first started have become industry professionals. I certainly am happy that they have made a career in a profession they love, but i also am not as eager to read their latest (promotional) post or inspired by them anymore. Im sure the grueling schedule and pace of the industry plays a huge role in that! Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00945396892040718620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-85651929309327099682016-06-08T10:45:38.544-04:002016-06-08T10:45:38.544-04:00Thank you so much for a honest look at what it tak...Thank you so much for a honest look at what it takes to do what we all "think" is the most awesome job. I can't tell you how much food for thought you gave me. I always enjoy your blog and all your great insight. Continue to follow the whisper in your heart and you will have a full life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-17781383390842308822016-06-08T01:38:52.278-04:002016-06-08T01:38:52.278-04:00Jeni-
You are amazing. I had a horrible secret th...Jeni-<br />You are amazing. I had a horrible secret that I held for years. My perpetrator controlled me from afar. He knew every button to push. I danced with trying to find my voice years ago and still the controllers and old tapes in my head were there. I lived with the misery. Now, over 50 years, later I am finding my voice; finding others in similar situations; finding new friends; and yes, still missing the lost relationships. I am getting healthier and am still in mixed emotions as you are. I miss the old and new doors are opening. I'm meeting people (not famous), yet ones I never thought I'd find. I have a bigger support team in my life than ever. My first husband walked out after 23 1/2 years of marriage. I literally almost died from the feelings of failure. My second husband died 7 months after I divorced him because I couldn't take care of two (both he and I were disabled). He was a great support and I still hear his encouragement. He, too, had never had the support for very deep, past hurts. I applaud you for knowing what you love; what at which you excel; and embracing that. Now that my truth is being told, I'm finding it's true: The truth will set you free. Thank you for your honesty. I pray that you will be happier and have a great following. I enjoy nothing more than a well written pattern. I was a math major and I often can read a pattern and find a math mistake without even making a block, let alone the quilt. May you be richly blessed in all to which you put your hand.Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05825257012315494167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-28003489026963696832016-06-02T15:22:31.505-04:002016-06-02T15:22:31.505-04:00Dreaming Vintage is one of my favorite fabric coll...Dreaming Vintage is one of my favorite fabric collections EVER. I have a whole quilt (in progress) out of it (the only quilt I've made for myself and not someone else). I just adore it and can't wait until it's finally on our bed for good. <br /><br />I say that not questioning your decision at all but just to let you know that I appreciate you designing that collection. Thanks for putting it out there and I look forward to seeing what you do next. And hugs to George of course. :-) Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04195672385475510188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-51279693048587618592016-06-01T23:32:59.419-04:002016-06-01T23:32:59.419-04:00I've followed long before you were designing f...I've followed long before you were designing fabric. I've always thought of you as a quilter/sewist who designed fabric, not the other way around. I'm glad you're doing what makes you happy! Kim@DaisyFayeDesignshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11495262582992632795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-19816040053126050142016-05-25T14:48:03.384-04:002016-05-25T14:48:03.384-04:00On the outside looking in, I have missed you and y...On the outside looking in, I have missed you and your quilt patterns, your ideas, and your outlook as you have been working so hard on the other side of the business. It does seem like the whole fabric/quilt market cycle is a nightmare that has ramped up as more people became interested in creating quilts. But we really can only buy so much fabric (at least most of us). I love your creativity regardless of how you choose to express it, in each different season, and can't wait to see what is up next for you.Angela Atkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10613871731017924609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-63232108977842593272016-05-25T02:23:27.597-04:002016-05-25T02:23:27.597-04:00Congratulations on making such a hard decision. So...Congratulations on making such a hard decision. Sometimes listening to our true selves gets harder to hear the busier we are. Hitch and Threadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01621667613702567031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-91689488677941638742016-05-12T14:18:06.097-04:002016-05-12T14:18:06.097-04:00Thanks for writing this open and honest post. It p...Thanks for writing this open and honest post. It probably took quite some courage - to decide but also to write and talk about it. <br /><br />For me your 7th paragraph is the most inspiring. It's not just the industry that "makes us" do more and more - or lets us think that only more and more is good enough... I thinks that’s a constant companion at the moment: How much do you do? Work (fulltime)? How many hobbies do you manage to fit into your free time? How many friends can you realistically care about? And you can always step deeper into those sections: In one hobby – how much do you get done? Do you sew as much as other people? Do you write as many blog posts? Why do we always have to compare and do “more & more”? Wouldn’t it be better to ask about your state of mind? If you are happy with it?<br /><br />So congratulations: You thought about what makes you happy and I wish you all the best!<br />Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09648673968340281829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-86484413667463522112016-05-11T02:33:56.465-04:002016-05-11T02:33:56.465-04:00Good for you for your decisions! Life is not a dr...Good for you for your decisions! Life is not a dress rehearsal, and too short to get stuck doing things that do not bring you joy. And given the health issue you are dealing with, all the more reason to cut to the chase and pursue your real interests. <br />PS--My son has been doing a week of prednisone every month for the last 2.5 years. Arg! it is the worst! Bitchisimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16111181774799171640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-55517402755929483112016-05-10T09:13:40.328-04:002016-05-10T09:13:40.328-04:00Jeni - receiving JOY from what you are doing is so...Jeni - receiving JOY from what you are doing is so important. I applaud you for listening to your gut and making that tough decision. I know it can't be easy - I still have regrets/second thoughts about stopping work on book #2 even though I KNOW it was the right call. I don't like to quit either! Just wanted you to know that I admire your transparency and am happy to hear that you are having fun playing and making.house on hill roadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10104468117468930961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-22032086088260200152016-05-10T06:15:49.055-04:002016-05-10T06:15:49.055-04:00Thank you so much for sharing this. I know it isn&...Thank you so much for sharing this. I know it isn't easy to step back and do what feels like less, but life is for us to enjoy as much as we can. Sounds like you are doing that now. Bravo!! That said, I will cherish the Jeni Baker fabric I have, but I will use it and share it with others as quilts. Best wishes to you Jeni. Can't wait to see what you create!Charlotte M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09017648602174503289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-854400458767583542016-05-09T17:47:39.345-04:002016-05-09T17:47:39.345-04:00This had to be a hard post to write, but also libe...This had to be a hard post to write, but also liberating. Great job deciding what you are passionate about and moving forward with that. tisha @ quiltytherapyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01591639448606412168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-39796749145227356872016-05-07T21:00:24.366-04:002016-05-07T21:00:24.366-04:00Thank you for sharing, I really admire you, you wi...Thank you for sharing, I really admire you, you will have continued success and be happy!Judy @ Sew Some Sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06012837109470649876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-80985338677453771582016-05-07T14:16:50.399-04:002016-05-07T14:16:50.399-04:00I believe you made the right choice for yourself. ...I believe you made the right choice for yourself. Be happy and enjoy what you are doing and you will live longer. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14106682304766558703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-90430922807680808622016-05-07T09:01:59.971-04:002016-05-07T09:01:59.971-04:00Good for you for figuring out what it is that is b...Good for you for figuring out what it is that is best for you and going for it. I think, we as women, sometimes have too high of expectations for ourselves. <br /><br />It was a great experience for you! Now you can keep little pieces of those fabrics and tell your kids "I made that." Be proud of what you did and proud of where you are taking yourself. <br /><br />I keep considering designing fabric as I have all these ideas in my head, but I'm not so sure I would enjoy it if I did it. Not to mention I would have to quit my job that I love (Environmental Health Sanitarian - nothing to do with quilting). I also wouldn't want to have to produce fabric lines in fast succession. I would want to take my time and do it in my spare time and that is not how it works. <br /><br />Either way, congrats to you and I love your patterns! BengalPuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03951941607596564598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-90440619411447088232016-05-06T18:52:12.942-04:002016-05-06T18:52:12.942-04:00I applaud you for your honesty and wish you all th...I applaud you for your honesty and wish you all the best in your future endeavors!<br /><br />It's unfortunate that the fabric industry has created an environment that pushes one collection after the other, and in a way, dictates that we make a quilt using every piece from a single collection. <br /><br />Creativity is a wonderful thing, but it works on its own schedule!<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721808074151808682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-29780761220478554242016-05-06T02:42:04.902-04:002016-05-06T02:42:04.902-04:00I totally understand what you mean about loving th...I totally understand what you mean about loving the problem-solving aspect of creating and writing a pattern. I'm the same way. Perhaps your initial enjoyment in designing fabric was learning how to do it and the problem-solving that goes with it.Carley Biblinhttp://www.makingitupasisewalong.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-3126984974859753302016-05-05T21:53:11.003-04:002016-05-05T21:53:11.003-04:00Very understandable! Good for you...and all these ...Very understandable! Good for you...and all these comments are an amazing show of love and support!Di~https://www.blogger.com/profile/14361700150707522409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-51689044266882751942016-05-05T21:49:39.596-04:002016-05-05T21:49:39.596-04:00Thank you so much! I have been on steroids 17 yea...Thank you so much! I have been on steroids 17 years & the side effects are causing so many debilitating problems now. Without them though I would have not lived this long so I really shouldn't complain. I find sewing peaceful again & for that I am thankful. Thank you for your honesty in regards to trying to do it all. Like a cat trying to catch it's tail it can become a viscous cycle. I can't imagine the stress you were under but so happy you are enjoying the process again. :-)Gale, Ky quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10047768589976889121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-22736253157571213322016-05-05T21:43:34.275-04:002016-05-05T21:43:34.275-04:00Thank you for sharing your thoughts on making the ...Thank you for sharing your thoughts on making the decision to retire from fabric designing. It's always a hard thing to walk away from something that feels like it "should" be something you want but really isn't. I admire you for your bravery and I can't wait to see what you create next! Good luck!Jaiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14176343820988807993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-66906564814877304562016-05-05T20:19:24.623-04:002016-05-05T20:19:24.623-04:00You are very young to have become so smart :). Loo...You are very young to have become so smart :). Look forward to more patterns!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17307081134311220948noreply@blogger.com