Welcome Back!
Well, hello there! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Some of you have been around since the early days, cheering me on through every stitch and project. Others may be newer (or understandably forgotten about me) and wondering, “Who is Leland Ave Studios?” Either way, I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself and share what’s next.
You see, something funny happened after my Lincoln quilt took off. It felt incredible to create something that resonated so deeply with others, but it also left me feeling… a little stuck. How do you follow up something like that? Even with other incredible projects like the collaborative In Our Own Words Quilt and the 100-day project to take my mind off of the outcome, quilting felt more like pressure than joy.
Around the same time (the end of 2019 into 2020), I poured my energy into launching FeelGood Fibers. My goal was to keep the creativity going, this time with a focus on sustainability. Of course, I didn’t know the world would be flipped upside down by a global pandemic. Like a lot of us, I found myself grappling with change, loss, and uncertainty.
Finding My Way Through Other Creative Outlets
Instead of sewing, I headed to the kitchen. I found comfort in the simplicity of preparing meals for my family—no deadlines, no pressure to create something grand. And honestly, I needed that. I felt lost for a while, unsure of how my creative journey would continue. But one thing that kept me going was watching FeelGood Fibers grow and knowing it was making a real difference. It was meaningful work, but over time, I realized it didn’t align with me as fully as I’d hoped.
And somewhere in all this, life with three teenage boys took over (if you know, you know!). My dad passed away. Days flew by, and suddenly quilting wasn’t the only part of my creative story anymore. I found joy helping other creatives with their social media and stayed connected through writing for Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine. But the truth is, I missed blogging—missed sharing and connecting in a meaningful way.
Now, I’m ready to return to this space with fresh eyes. I won’t be limiting myself to just quilts. I want to share all the things that inspire me—sewing, cooking, organizing, gardening or whatever else sparks joy along the way. If you’ve been with me for a while, I’d love for you to stick around. But if this space no longer resonates with you, I completely understand.
Thank you for being here—whether from the very beginning or if you’ve just found me now. I’m excited to reconnect and share whatever comes next.