Pinch me!

If you'd have asked me five years ago what I would be doing today, I would never have answered, I'll be designing fabric. No way. I was a stay at home mom, and prior to that a graphic designer and copy writer. I didn't have much confidence in myself, let alone know what I was capable of doing. 

I couldn't possibly have guessed. But, life leads you in the most unexpected directions. Doors open and you walk through, or you don't is what I've always said. How different life would be today if I hadn't watched Alicia Paulson on HGTV that day about five years ago, and thought, "Gee, I think I'll make myself a handbag.". How different it would be today if I didn't go to the Country Living event last year and be told to speak what you want aloud. I would never have said that I wanted to design fabric aloud because I was afraid that people would think, "Oh, yeah, another one that wants to design fabric, yada, yada.".

So, today, when I got this Hancocks of Paducah catalog, I was pretty bowled over. "My fabric" is on the cover. Something I drew, something I created. And then to open it and be on a page next to my hero, Kaffe Fassett, oh, come on! You've got to be kidding me! 

If you ask me now what I'll be doing in five years, I'll tell you that I haven't the faintest idea. Who knows what doors will open, which ones I'll choose to walk through and which ones I'll just pass by.

Comments

[Paula]

1.

Bari, I am so happy for you girl! So glad I met you back at the CL event, for you helping me w/ my debut, and look, now we'll be roomies next week. I love the story of how you got where you are. A great story for your girls.

[Cicada Studio]

2.

This is a wonderful story- I am so happy for your successes and they are so well deserved. Good for you that you could allow yourself to be open to possibilities and dreams and making them reality,

[Denise]

3.

Congratulations Bari! I can't wait to see your fabric at market!

[Account Deleted]

4.

So nice to see how your dreams took shape from what was offered and what you molded! Congratulations!! You deserve it, Bari!!

[Melanie]

5.

How wonderful! I can't wait to see your fabric and meet you. It's great that life offers all these opportunities - and good for you for taking them!

[Jona]

6.

Bari,
I love your story! Such a terrific journey so far and I can't wait to see what the next 5 years bring for you!

[Simone Howell]

7.

What a great story Bari! Very inspiring! Congrats on your beautiful fabric line. I'll be stopping by your booth at Quilt Market.....it's my first time there and I'm so looking forward to meeting everyone!

[Kathi D]

8.

Life is just wonderful like that, isn't it?

Congratulations!

[Laurie]

9.

So happy for you, Bari!!!!!! You make the most amazingly gorgeous creations! Big hugs! Truly a red letter day!!!!!!! Big cheer coming from me, all the way down the road...........cannnn youuuu hearrrrr meeee!!!! Bravo, girl!!!!
Happy Mother's day!
Laurie~

[Jackie]

10.

Yay!! Congratulations - how exciting!! I remember meeting you when you were making one of your first bags - at Quilter's Inn at a Monday class. I can say I knew you when...I hope the next 5 years bring you as much success and happiness as these have!!

[Lola...again]

11.

I can't wait until next week to see your fabric in person, and Paula's too!! You are inspiring!!!

[Lisa]

12.

Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story. It makes me feel very inspired to follow my dreams! Now I just need to dream them up. ;)

[pam]

13.

Congratulations Bari!

[Florence]

14.

Gosh, reading this makes me feel so delighted for you...and so inspired too. Your fabrics look amazing...and I can't wait until they are available to buy - I have an applique obsession and those teapots and teacups look scrumptious.

[Smila]

15.

Great!Congarats! I love your fabric designs...they are sooo beautiful!
And I know exactly how you fell. Something (much smaller though ;-) ) is happening to me right now. :-)))) It´s so exciting!

Greetings from Germany!

[Melody]

16.

Hi Bari,
Congratulations on your continued success! I have been drooling over your new fabric in the Hancocks catalog, How exciting. I am looking forward to seeing your fabric in person next week at Market. Here's to a wonderful future.
Sew long,
Melody

[Cathy]

17.

Thanks for sharing your story...how wonderful. I'm so glad you went for it, can't wait to see your fabric, especially those teapots and teacups xo

[MaryBeth]

18.

I love stories like this! Your fabric is beautiful! I hope the next 5 years brings you even more success!

[Lori Porten]

19.

Congratulations again! I see that you were quickly able to get your own copy! That's great! This post was very inspirational, thank you for that. Congratulations on living your dream and I hope you have the best of luck at market this week! ~Lori

[The Funky Junk Sisters]

20.

Congrats! Good things come to good people!
Stop by our blog sometime http://www.funkyjunksisters.blogspot.com

Linda & Dixie
The Funky Junk Sisters

[tina]

21.

Congrats sweet girl! You are an example to so many who dream big. You let everyone know that dreams can come true! I'll be watching to see what visions firm up for you next!!!

[Missy Severson]

22.

You deserve every bit of it! Kudos!!!

[Gabriela Delworth]

23.

Congratulations!

~ Gabriela ~

[Kayla Sheeley]

24.

The best news ever!! Congratulations to you. Well deserved!! :)

All my best to you,
Teresa
xo

[Teresa Sheeley]

25.

Oops, sorry I am using my daughter's computer and it signed in with her name, but I know she would be thrilled for you too. :)

Teresa

[andrea]

26.

So thrilled for you.I've been reading your blog for awhile now:).I saw your fabric in Hancock's catalogue a week or so ago.It's so pretty!
I would love to design fabric too someday...Do you have any pointers for your fans?

[Kirie]

27.

All the good, and the beauty, and the hard work you put into the world...you have been like that forever, and it was bound to flow back to you in abundance.
You deserve success, to have that happy smile and infectious laugh, and to be recognized for how talented and smart and amazing you are.
I'm so glad for you!! That catalog is thrilling!

love,
Kir

[Lisa at celebrate CREATIVITY]

28.

Totally awesome!!! Congrats. I'll look for your page in my catalog. How exciting is that?

[Erinn]

29.

You are an inspiration to more people than I am sure you will ever know. Congratulations and keep up the beautiful work!

[Amy Rochelle]

30.

So inspiring! Good for you to pursue and interest and not let those little voices that tell you you can't do something take over! Congratulations and I look forward to seeing more beautiful fabric and who knows what else in the future! Yeah for you!

[Elena]

31.

Congratulations Bari!!
You're an inspiration for the rest of us.
I'm so happy for you. :D

[Dana Barbieri]

32.

Bari-
I just found you via twitter and I am so glad I did. Your story is so inspiring to me. I love that your a mom and also fulfilling a creative dream. And thanks for being so honest about being insecure about things and doing it anyway. Love it! Best of luck!