Monday, February 15, 2016

Designer Spotlight: Leanne and Kaytlyn Anderson and The Whole Country Caboodle



We checked in with Henry Glass designer Leanne Anderson recently and she gave us a few minutes to share lots of exciting developments from the Whole Country Caboodle. First, here's how you may know Leanne and her daughter Kaytlyn, from this new collection, called "I Love You This Much."


As well as her other collections with Henry Glass:

And this one Leanne and Kaytlyn created together called Whispers of Wisdom. In the collection are faith based sayings that encourage and inspire all ages.


Talking to Leanne one hears her faith in action, as she confidently shares the plans for her business, she also just as confidently shares her faith walk as the family has struggled this past year with her son's cancer, the passing of a dear relative, and postponement of several business goals. 

While it may be that she has struggled through a darker season, the light is now coming through as there are several major exciting plans in the works for the Whole Country Caboodle.

The first and most exciting for quilters is that Leanne and her husband Ed have been busy building a quilter's retreat on their property. Idyllically located in the countryside of Nashua, Iowa. Nashua also happens to be the home of a famous historical church, "The Little Brown Church". So the quilter's retreat housing may also serve as a respite for families who visit Nashua for nuptials. 




The quilter's retreat has two bedrooms, and is just a stone's throw from Leanne's quilting studio. So guests can enjoy some quiet retreat and relaxation right next to the lake on the property, and then step into a guided or unguided teaching session with Leanne. Leanne says she is just as open to people just coming to work on whatever project they want as to give a 'lesson' or two on quilting. Just bringing women together to share heart stories and rest in God's peace is what is most important to her. 

"The goal of this retreat cabin was never to make money" she shared. "It has always been about giving back to others what Ed and I have worked so hard together to create." 

That is evident in the name that has been bestowed upon the open concept cabin, "Sow in Peace." A fun play on words, and a nod to James 3:18 that says: "Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." A tiny little blessing for those who may travel here. 

Leanne says that she can see this being a hub for other designers and quilters who may want to come and teach their own classes. She and Ed have lots of ideas that have been born from lots of conversations with customers, quilters and friends about what they would like to see in a destination such as this. And they have built as much as they can into the finished product. And this is the view. 

 


The opening of the "Sow in Peace" retreat is scheduled for April, but Leanne shares that it is all in God's timing. 

Also
slated for this spring is a whole new website, which will include scheduling for the cabin, as well as continued focus on e-commerce. 

"Kaytlyn has been the driving force behind the new website," said Leanne. "She is really the technology brains behind us now. She helps with getting the drawings into Illustrator, and adding colors. She works with me just two days a week, and has another graphics position at the church we attend." 

Kaytlyn and Leanne built the "I Love You This Much" Collection together. "Creating it was full of giggles and fun the whole time. Dinosaurs are a timeless icon, they just don't go away," said Leanne. "Whimsical or real, it was our twist on the designs that they would portray a positive message of love even through the eyes of a funny dinosaur."



And we think it does too, Leanne! 


Here is a giveaway from a collection by Whole Country Caboodle called "Build Each Other Up" 


Let's Get Quilting - 216 Edition Whole Country Caboodle Bundle

48 comments:

Annmarie said...

What a lovely post. SEW nice to read about good-hearted people. Too bad Iowa isn't closer - I'd love to stay awhile at the Retreat.

ledamewood said...

I love her designs, they are so fun and children love them

WoolenSails said...

Love her collections, they are so fun and with a new grand baby coming, I will be having fun, making more quilts.

Debbie

Darlington Delights said...

What a great post today. Thanks for sharing.

Michele T said...

I love this collection, especially the bright cheerful colours!!

Susan L. said...

I love Leanne Anderson's designs! The Build Each Other up line is so cute!

Cecilia said...

Thank you for such an inspiring article. I enjoyed learning more about Leanne and her family. I would love to be able to attend a retreat with her.

barbara woods said...

Could use this m as king baby things

teachpany said...

I would love to do retreats in a location like that, and the fabric line is really cute. Thanks!

Linda said...

Sweet design. Thanks for your generosity.

Betsy said...

The collection looks weight

lindawwww said...

What a lovely collection!

lin.web.28 at gmail dot com

Betty, BFF said...

Very pretty bundle. It's nice to know about the retreat cabin. My 5 best friends and I get together several times a year to sew and quilt and this would be a fun place to go.

Janie said...

What an inspiring post. People face so many heartaches. Stay strong.

Anonymous said...

Thank You for a neat giveaway !
msstitcher1214@gmail.com !

Lucille said...

A retreat. What a wonderful idea!

Debbie Rogowski said...

OMG this looks like a perfect place to relax and vacation with wonderful fabric and a quilt in the works. Sow in Peace may need a few comfortable outdoor chairs to soak in the beauty of the land too. I think working with the Whispers collection would just finish off the mood and inspire creativity

Lee said...

Thank you for the fun giveaway!

scottylover said...

I would LOVE to win this fabric for a fun quilt for a child.

Thanks for the chance to win!
Sandy A

Renea said...

My husbands parents were married at The Little Brown Church. I have always wanted to go there and visit this church. Thanks for the great giveaway.

Dody said...

Oh, I've had a look at this line,it's very cute.,
Dmac5958ataoldotcom

Cathie said...

I love the moose and forest in this line of fabric and it is always great to Encourage one another and build each other up! Great fabric collections.

jennifer.essad said...

wonderful selection of fabrics, thank you so much for this chance

Beth said...

I am sure the happiness they have in creating these designs will be reflected in them. What lovely teamwork!

Anonymous said...

Such cute collections!

Sandy Narayan

Kathy G. said...

Love these prints! Thanks for the giveaway!

Karen said...

Such cute fabrics!

Kathy said...

I love this - thanks

cjmont said...

what a beautiful view, maybe some day. thanks for the giveaway.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

I would love to win the The Whole Country Caboodle.

Anonymous said...

LOVE THIS WRITING! LOVE THESE FABRICS>SO PRETTY!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

~Laurie~ said...

What a great idea for a retreat location! Wish I lived closer! Leanne does great work with her fabrics - there isn't a line I don't like. Thanks for the giveaway :)

Anonymous said...

I love this fabric line! The idea for the quilters' retreat is a great one too! Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

Savannah said...

Learning to sew and be a homemaker. This bundle would be perfect for a new quilting project!

mumbird3 said...

Great giveaway! Love the fabrics!!!

RenaissanceSandi said...

The colors are beautiful, and I would love to see what I might create with the collection!

OhioLori said...

What a Fun Post! Fabrics..and scenery pics are Super! Thanks for sharing...and for chance tow in your Give-a-way too! Have lil' Granguy that would LOOOOVE somethin' special from these! :)

Anna brown said...

Very nice ty for the good read....And the pretty eye candy..... happyness04431@yahoo.com

JANET said...

Cute fabric! Love dinosaurs.

Cowtown Quilts said...

Love this! I saw Leanne, her daughter and her husband in their booth at IQF Houston.

tac73 said...

What great fabrics for special quilt gifts.

Sue said...

I love the scenery. I need to get out of the city!

Judy1522 said...

What an amazing and generous family.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is God Bless you Leanne. I believe with my whole heart that God only gives you as much as you can handle & Leanne must have one of the BIGGEST hearts God could ever hand out. Many Blessing & I would be honored to meet her some day. Thank You

Debbie said...

The pictures do show a beautiful location for a retreat and the story is inspirational! Thanks for the chance to win the lovely fabric!

MoeWest said...

The retreat sounds amazing and I love the view! Thanks for the giveaway. I like the moose in this collection.

Deb said...

Nice post and fabric too!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea! A peacful retreat and sewing at the same time! Love the fabric!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com