I am a day late for the “Thank you, Amy” day put together by the Craft Industry Alliance, but I couldn’t let the opportunity pass me by to say, “Thank you, Amy,” myself!

I started working at a quilt shop—Quilted Works—when I was a 17 year-old senior in high school. This was the great beginning to my dream job. It was there that I started long-arm quilting and developed my serious quilting addiction, and my obsession with Amy Butler’s modern, bright, and amazing fabrics.

My boss at the quilt shop flew me and my quilting buddy Kelsey (@spoolsandspice) to Portland Quilt Market in 2007, where I first has the opportunity to meet Amy.

We were seriously fan-girling over her and had to bring our finished Amy Butler bags to share.

Later, I started working for Annie and had the opportunity to travel to many more quilt markets. I continued to be inspired by Amy’s Fabric collections. She is kind, gracious, and always personable and warm. She is a true giver of light and creativity.

I have made countless bags and quilts with her amazing fabrics and will really miss having her as part of the quilting industry.

Here is my most recently-finished quilt. A curved log cabin quilt using 80 different Amy Butler prints. It’s quickly become one of my favorite quilts I’ve ever made. I’m finishing the quilting on it as I write this post!

Recently, I was able to contribute to the most recent issue (Issue #5) of Amy’s publication Blossom Magazine and share about some of my experiences in Zambia with Mothers Without Borders.

Like the magazine says, “express love, create beauty and be kind.” That is just what Amy has done in this industry and I will always be grateful for her influence and friendship.

Thank you Amy!