Leanne Anderson of The Whole Country Caboodle has a new line, "God Gave Me To You" arriving at your local quilt shop this January. It is a beautiful line designed with some whimsical critters and happy, lovable colors. We love them all but here are a few of our favorites. You can see the line in full here.
We also chatted with her recently! Enjoy!
HG: How long have you been designing?
LA: I started designing in 1992. My first line of patterns were specifically appliqué for the craft industry, we specialized in sweatshirt and denim shirt designs. In 1994 I was asked to submit some artwork to a different fabric company and ultimately was chosen to design fabric for them. I was with that company for 14 years before coming to Henry Glass.
HG: Do you sew?
LA: Yes, I so sew. My degree is in Home Economics in Business. I love to sew and make new models for the prototypes of the new patterns. I would love to sew more but don’t always have the time between designing and other tasks.
She sent along a few images from her shop. One is a view looking out from the deck, another is of the studio. She has her studio on the top floor. It is 1,750 sq. ft. of work space! She has taken up the front portion of her retail store, Patchwork & Primitives.
HG: Do you come from a long line of quilters?
LA: No, I don’t come from a long line or quilters, but do from a long line of seamstresses. My mom and my grandmother made all of my clothes growing up. My grandmother was a professional seamstress and taught in the community college adult education area.
HG: How do you design your fabrics? [paint, computer, etc.]
LA: I hand draw my characters and then scan into the computer to work with. We work with Photoshop; it’s a wonderful program. When I first started, I used any medium I could get my hands on to get the look that I wanted. I have used color pencils, acrylics, watercolors, dyes, you name it, and I’ve probably tried it. My daughter works in graphic design so she has been a huge help in transitioning to other methods.
HG: Tell us a little about your family.
LA: I am married to a wonderful man Ed…for the past 32 years. We have 3 children, Shelby is 28, is married to Tim and they have little Toby who will be 2 in December. They are expecting a little girl the end of November. Shelby is a Physical Therapist and Tim is the Director of Worship Ministries at a large church in Cedar Falls.
My son Taylor is 27 and a 5th grade teacher. He is married to Amy who is a kindergarten teacher. They have my second grandchild Leighton who will be one October 22. Kaytlyn, my youngest daughter is 24. Kate does the graphic design work for the student ministry department in the church we attend and then works for me part-time as well. She is extremely valuable to my business. My greatest job in life has been raising our children. They are amazing young people whom have made me extremely proud. Now for the icing on the cake, they have made me a grandma…or “Nana” as they call me and there is nothing greater!! Much of my inspiration for my fabric comes from my grandchildren and children.
HG: Where is your studio?
LA: My husband and I built a large building on the property we live on, so that is my design studio. It also houses an “Occasional Business” that my daughters and daughter-in-law own called “Patchwork & Primitives.” We are open the first Thursday, Friday Saturday of the month. We repurpose old furniture, old junk, have specialty coffees, homemade lotions, gift items, and of course, my fabric, patterns and kits. It has been a ton of fun working with my girls in this
HG: Can we have a peek?
LA: Yes, you may have a peek …
HG: Are you self-taught or did you go to art school?
LA: I started off in college as an art major, but did not like the department, that is when I transferred to the Home Economics department. I love working with fabric, I would say that I am self taught when it comes to figuring out how to design the fabric…no one gave me any pointers on that. I wish I would have had Lisa Loessel to work with when I first started, but I know to really appreciate her now with all they do for me on my collections.
HG: Do you do other hobbies like knitting, photography, etc,?
LA: My hobbies include boating, spending time with family and junking…It’s the thrill of the hunt that makes it so much fun. I also work in High Ministry. I have been a High School Youth Director for over 20 years. God has truly given me a passion in two areas, fabric & design and High School students. It gives me great diversion and makes me have a genuine appreciation for both areas.
HG: What inspires you?
LA: I know this sounds a bit cheesy, but God inspires me. He has given me so much…my talents, my family and my business. I believe that God has gifted me with these talents and I want to give credit to Him. I have been labeled somewhat of the “Religious” designer. If you know me, you know how important my faith is to me. Henry Glass has given me an opportunity to design fabric with either a Christian or an inspirational message…they are truly an answer to prayer. With that said, my children and grandchildren also give me a great deal of inspiration. “Baby & Me” was created when I found out Toby was coming and “God Gave Me You” was inspired by both of my grandchildren. They are truly God-given. [HG: not cheesy all!]
HG: What is your favorite color?
LA: My favorite color is red…but I love working with many colors. That is what is so much fun when it comes to seeing how a collection comes to life giving it color. I am so blessed to be able to work with a design team at Henry Glass that is so gifted in this area. They are able to make my characters come to life of cloth…which is such a gift. I am very grateful to them and to Robert, for all they have done for me.
HG: If you quilt, what is your favorite technique?
LA: I don’t profess to be a polished quilter. I am more likely to do a quick-easy project than something really detailed. I know my favorite quilt block is the log cabin because you can use so many fabrics.
Thank you, Leanne, for joining us and opening up part of your designing life to us and to our readers. Tell us what inspires you! We'll randomly pick a name and send some fabric from our stash to inspire you to sew something today! Entries by midnight January 13, 2013. Good luck!
-hg
31 comments:
God and all His creation also inspire me. Being a Grandma gives me a chance to see things from a long forgotten perspective - through the eyes of a child! What joy!
Sometimes the fabric inspires me, sometimes it's a pattern and sometimes my quilting friends inspire me. Love the new fabric line!
LIFE inspires me...Dreams inspire me...Nature inspires me...I am thankful that God has given me an Over Active Imagination! Life is never dull or boring!!! The new fabric line is adorable...can't wait till it is 'on the shelves'.
sowingstitches[at]gmail[dot]com
Thank you for a great interview!
I'm inspired by my wonderful family and the beautiful countryside on my doorstep!
Most of my inspiration comes from the many great blogs out there!
I'm inspired by seeing what other quilters and sewers are doing!! I enjoy looking at blogs and Facebook. Leann I really like your Little Boys and Little Girls panel!! Get fabric line!!
Looking at fabric seems to get my creative juices flowing every time! And while seeing patterns and completed quilts helps to give me ideas, nothing inspires me to sew or quilt like seeing a piece of fabric!
I am inspired by the many quilters who blog about their projects and share pictures. It's fun to see the same pattern interpreted many different ways.
I love Leanne's new fabric, that is so fun. I also love her workspace and shop, would love to have a place of my own.
Debbie
I would have to say that I am inspired by all of the wonderful people God has brought into my life, my children, grandchildren, and the many quilting friends that I have. Leanne's fabric collection is lovely and I really enjoyed learning more about her.
Good for Henry Glass working with you and your designs that show your faith.
I am inspired by God's creations, nature. shapes and colors. i love green
Thank you for designing such wonderful fabric with God as your inspiration, and giving him the glory. He has created so many beautiful and lovely things. I had no idea who you were. I'm so glad I found out. Thank you.
I find inspiration everywhere. On Pinterest , blogs, magazines and even fabric designs.
Thank you Leanne Anderson and Henry Glass for fabric that share your faith! I really appreciate it. I am inspired by my fabric. It seems to tell me what it needs to be made into.
It is so fun to hear someone else has a home ec degree! Not a phrase you hear very often any more.
I am inspired by lots of different things, but especially by the architecture near my work. It is beautiful!
Sandy A
FABRIC inspires me I see beautiful fabric and need to make something
I'm inspired by designs and projects of others. I especially like blogs, pintrest and quilt gatherings to get new ideas. Great interview with Leanne. Sounds like someone I would like to meet.
I am inspired by people in my "Bee"group and my quilt guild. Bloggers inspire me. I will be in the middle of putting a quilt together and find a new idea. Suddenly, I take off in the new direction. I have lots of UFO's, but eventually I will finish them!
A lot of my inspiration comes from reading the many quilting blogs out there. I read them and then get to work on some of the things that I have seen on a site. I love reading how a person has started their careers in the sewing field.
great post today ... love that new line! inspiration is a many spendored thing ... color, lines, pix, books, patterns, people - can come from anywhere.
Usually it is the fabric and great blogs like this.
When it comes to quilting, the fabric inspires me. A mew collection will start me dreaming of what could be. I especially love primitives and reproduction lines.
Inspiration comes from all around me. People and their stories, nature and the change of seasons, architecture, fabrics, history, all of these have inspired creations.
What a great interview, and what a great setting for a studio. I love my grandchildren too, and feel so blessed to have them (and their parents) in my life. I am one lucky lady.
Nature and Art are two inspirations for me! Thank you for a super interview!
I am inspired by nature. I love to study color combinations on my morning walks. I mix it up every day with a trail walk one day, downtown the next day, or a walk in the mall. Shapes & colors are everywhere! Thanks sew much for this chance to win. :-D
It's like being hit in the head with a 2x4. These magnificent designers inspire me.
I'm inspired by all the great fabrics that are out there. There's something for everyone these days.
I'm inspired by fabric and also by what I see in blogs. :)
My current quilt is inspired by my mother. It's an applique of many things she loved. Otherwise I will just run into random things as i roam the internet or the world that are inspirational. The various blog hops are also great for inspiration. I love looking at everyones work! They always make such beautiful pieces.
My inspiration usually comes from nature, especially color combinations. Photos from blogs, books, magazines and sales catalogs initiate the germination of ideas for quilts too.
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