Thursday, August 9, 2018

Where in the world is Lizzie*Kate?

I'm still here in Kansas, looking out my office window at the sandpit lake in our backyard, dreaming of the coast!


I haven't blogged since March 28...yikes! After so many inquiries about the "future of the L*K blog", I decided it was time for an update.

Thanks to all of you for being so patient with me during this incredibly busy period of our lives. Since we announced our L*K retirement on February 12, life just hasn't been the same. We were swamped with orders and our little L*K world headquarters was strained with the volume. 

On our path to retirement, we were suddenly busier than we had been for the previous 22 years at L*K. It was completely unexpected, thrilling and overwhelming. We finished shipping orders to needlework shops around the world by the end of April. 

But we're not done yet!!! We have spent the last few months reprinting, assembling and shipping hundreds (and hundreds) of pounds of L*K inventory to our distributors. Needlework shops can then order from these distributors.

We pored over sales records for the past several years, and consulted again...and again...with the distributors trying to get them the right quantities of everything they desired. With hundreds of different items in our inventory, it has been a long process.

Almost empty shelves at L*K headquarters

We also reached an agreement with 123 Stitch.com to continue selling our L*K kits. Because of distributor fees, we had never "allowed" kits into distribution, and it was not feasible to do this going forward. This new agreement will enable many of our kits to still be available to you through 123 Stitch.com. 

WHEW! We are still in the L*K office, extending our lease on a month to month basis with our flexible landlord, hoping every month that will be our last. Really...I think we'll be done by the end of August. We're having a big office sale in a couple weeks to sell dozens of racks and other office equipment.

One of my friends shared some wisdom saying that "Closing your business will be the hardest thing you've ever done". And we agree...much more time-consuming than we had ever anticipated. Hey - we've never done this before!

So what's next???

The short answer is "we need some free time to determine how we want to spend more free time!". Does that make sense?

We are excited to have more time to spend with family and friends, and are excited to pursue more volunteer activities. And, of course, more TRAVEL! We returned recently from 2 weeks in Spain visiting our daughter and husband (who live in Barcelona) and touring their beautiful country.

I've been active for many years on a school partnership team at my church. After weekly events for a long time, I almost "dropped out" the past couple years when I was busy managing my mom's care and daily needs. Now I'm excited to rejoin the team and go "back to school" this fall.

Could they be any cuter?

What's a church/school partnership?

It's so cool!! Over 10 years ago our church began a partnership with the elementary school closest to our church building. It's near downtown and has a high poverty rate. Most of the children speak Spanish in their homes.  A few years ago we expanded this ministry to another nearby elementary school. These schools are wonderful and interesting places!

Basically, we do what a really supportive parent group might do. We send a team of tutors and mentors into the building every week. We also work with the social worker, principle, nurse, whoever makes a request...to do special projects for the teachers and the students. We furnish school uniforms, underwear, socks, even a washer and dryer to do laundry. And more...

This week we're hosting Back to School Luncheons for the entire staff of each school. We invite them to our church building and we dine together. This is the week that the teachers return to school. The students won't be there until next week!

I'm off to serve taco salad and ice cream sundaes to a big school staff this morning...thanks for reading!!!

***I've missed sharing my life with you all. If you're interested in future posts, please send me a COMMENT below. I promise to share more cross stitch related content, too!












82 comments:

  1. Thank you for updating us on your life! I'm not at all surprised that the business of closing a business can be so crazy, especially considering THIS business is Lizzie Kate and we all love your beautiful designs. My mom is currently working on one of your mystery samplers and I plan on starting the same one soon. I'm glad you have more time for your church/school partnership. Please keep blogging. Godspeed!

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  2. I would love to hear more & stay in touch! Your nosey *sweet* friend, Leslie

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  3. I would be interested in future posts. I've missed your blogging. Your designs have been such a huge part of my stitching life. I absolutely love them. All the best to you as you move on into this "less busy" (lol) time in your life.

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  4. Thank you so much for the update! I have missed your blog. It sounds like you will be very busy in retirement. I am nearing that time and will hope to find some pointers from reading about yours. I saw that you were at the Silver Needle retreat recently . Will you be doing more retreats?

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  5. I would love to hear more from you! The school partnership sounds wonderful. I am beyond excited that you are continuing to keep your patterns in print. There are so many I still want but wasn’t able to buy when you announced your retirement. Now I can get them when I can afford them. I love your designs! I envy your time in Spain. My 16 year old niece is spending her junior year near Barcelona in an exchange program. It is such an interesting place.

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  6. Happy to see an update, but sad to L*K closing it's doors. I hope you enjoy your "free" time! :)

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  7. As a teacher, I am so thankful for people like you and your church members who are investing in your local schools. I’m not from your area, but THANK YOU for being part of such a great partnership.

    Yes! I would still love to hear fro you. I very much enjoy reading your blog.

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  8. Thank you for the update and your contribution to the cross stitch world! You are a very talented lady. Your staff was remarkable too! We don't want to miss you so please continue with the blog.

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  9. Oh please yes, keep sending news, it's already been a little tragedy in my cross stitch world that you no more design, so at least I would love to have news, I'm sure you'll have much to share with all your personal projects ! Wishing you happy times. Nathalie

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  10. Thanks for the update! I am interested in future blog posts. I also think its pretty cool that you comment on pictures posted in the Facebook group. Best wishes in retirement!

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  11. Love reading the blog! Hope it continues! 😀

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  12. love hearing about what you're up to-- we met in Tulsa in July and you and your husband are just so genuine and sweet-- so excited to see how God uses you in this new season!

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  13. I would love to keep hearing from you and your new adveentures. I am so relieved to hear that your designs will still be available with a distributor!!

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  14. Lizzie Kate designs are my favorite. So sad to see you retiring, but understand. Please keep me on your blog listing. My e-mail is strlngslvrs@aim.com or use my facebook account, the URL I am registered under. Thanks.

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  15. All good news! An amazing ministry. Love and best wishes....please keep me on the list.

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  16. Happy Retirement! I'm also retired and fill most of my days with cross stitching! Lots more time now to work on my stash! Enjoy hearing how you are doing.

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  17. Sooo happy to see an update from you Linda! Sounds like life, although very busy with all "closing up shop details", for you and your hubby is on a wonderful path! I am truly happy for you! Isn't that what life is all about? To be able to have this time to slow down the pace a little and just be. Be whoever you want to be, without deadlines or an agenda. This new chapter in your life will be amazing without doubt. Thank you for your years of sharing your talents with all of us. L*K is what renewed my passion for cross stitching so many years ago. I appreciate that more than you can imagine. :)


    Yes! Please keep blogging when time permits. It would be like catching up with an old friend! Best of luck and much happiness to you and Alan on your next chapter!


    ~Jen XXXX

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  18. Thanks for the update. Wow hope you do some surprise releases! That would be fun. Thanks for the years of wonderful patterns!

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  19. It does take time to even get used to retirement because lives are always go, go, go and then it's trying to relax for this stage of your life. I've always enjoyed my Lizzie Kate projects.

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  20. I love hearing about your adventures.

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  21. I love reading your blog. You are my favorite cross-stitch designer and it was so fun seeing you and talking with you at the Silver Needle event - one of the highlights of my summer! Enjoy retirement and your beautiful family.

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  22. We love you and would
    Love if you would continue to share your life with us. You’re part of the family!!

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  23. I am so sad (selfishly) you are retiring but happy for you after all your hard work. Look forward to you sharing your new adventures.

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  24. Love you guys so much, so excited for your new life chapter and so very very grateful for your past and the opportunities you gave us stitchers with your beautiful pieces. Some of your designs got me through the most difficult times, so thank you. Much love to you all and please keep me on your list!

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  25. Thanks for the update. Enjoy your retirement and more free time to do what you’d like to do.
    I’d love to stay in touch.

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  26. Glad to see an update from you! I would like to read about how God is using your time and talents in the future. Enjoy those schools!

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  27. So glad you are still blogging and enjoying hearing what you're doing. It might be interesting to know what you might enjoy stitching now that you're no longer designing? Who are your favorite designers? Or, are you wiped out for the time being?

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  28. Thank you for the update! Best wishes with your retirement.

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  29. Loved reading your update and although I will miss seeing new patterns from Lizzie Kate I know new adventures await you. God bless you and your family.

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  30. Loved reading your update and although I will miss seeing new patterns from Lizzie Kate I know new adventures await you. God bless you and your family.

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  31. It was so nice to see your post. I hope that life will calm down for you soon.

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  32. I would love to keep reading your blog.

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  33. Linda I would be so happy to hear what you are doing and of course any update on your kits. If you plan to re-release Vinnie And Santa and Mrs.Claus please let me know. I am still searching but no luck yet. Happy Retirement to 2 wonderful people!!!!

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  34. Would definitely like to hear your updates. Retirement is wonderful!

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  35. Yes, please stay in touch.

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  36. It was so lovely to read this update from you and I would like to thank you for the many, many, many happy hours of stitching your patterns have given me over the years - you are my all time favourite designer, in particular your wonderful Christmas Tiny Tiding designs. I wish you and your family all the best for the future! Katrina in New Zealand

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  37. Linda I definitely want to never lose touch with you. I enjoy hearing about what is going on in your life. I was So Happy to read your update

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  38. Wishing you much joy in the next phase of your life. So glad you wish to continue opening up your life to those around you.

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  39. Julie RichelderferAugust 9, 2018 at 5:11 PM

    Thanks for staying in touch!

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  40. Thank you for the update! You’ve been missed! I want to keep reading about your adventures!! Thank you for sharing!

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  41. Thanks for sharing your stories and please keep blogging. As I near retirement, I look forward to many hours of cross stitching, Lizzie Kate, my favorite patterns and designer!

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  42. I am glad you are blogging again!! Thanks for keeping your fans in the loop.

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    1. So glad yr Blogging again ty for keeping us all informed.one of yr many new fans.

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  43. Missed your blogs! Please continue to keep us informed on what is going on in your "retirement". Thank you to your church for helping out your neighborhood schools. God Bless!

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  44. Thank you for the update. What a blessing you are to many. Please keep in touch.

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  45. I would love to hear what you are doing! Hugs,

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  46. Thank you so much to share your live with us. I have learn a lot of you about having a cross stitch business and love to stitch your designs!
    Wish you all the best with husband, family and friends for the future and love to hear about it,
    XxX Hetti

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  47. Love the updates... please keep me posted. Thank you!

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  48. Please keep me posted, too. Thank you!

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  49. I want more, please. I like to ear that you are doing.

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  50. Please keep me update... thank you!

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  51. I would love to continue hearing about your life adventures, and of course, stitching!
    Marilyn

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  52. Have missed your blogs. I have many Lizzie-Kate designs to keep me busy.

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  53. I remember being at the first Charlotte you attended. I can't believe that was 22 years ago!

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  54. Thank you for sharing your life and loves with us. I hope you continue to do so. God Bless you in all of your future endeavors.

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  55. So great to see your blog again. Can’t wait for the next one.

    Having said that, I want to commend you for participating in you church/school partnership. The only way we can change the world is starting with our circle of influence!

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  56. So happy to know of the agreement with 123stitch. It's nice to know where to go for your kits. When the shelves and office stuff is gone, now starts the second phase of your lives and it sounds like you are on your way. I would still like to hear of what you and hubby are up to though!

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  57. It's so good to hear from you! I think of you often and miss "catching up" with your life. I will definitely keep reading your posts (especially since I'm not on FB).

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  58. Oh, most definitely want to hear of your exploits! It was a great surprise to find you in my mailbox this morning! I’ve missed reading your updates.

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  59. Please keep me in the loop! I love your designs. And I loved reading about the church/school project. That is so needed!

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  60. I always look forward to your life updates, cross stitch related or not. Please keep it coming!

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  61. Great reading your blog again. I am looking forward to hearing about your new retirement adventures.

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  62. Linda..so happy for you getting more time to volunteer so good for the soul! Enjoy..Sounds like the trip to Spain was fabulous...great to have an update Thank you..blessings.

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  63. Love to continue hearing from you.

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  64. Linda
    Happy to hear from you and hope you continue to blog.

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  65. Sounds like things are pretty hectic but everything is for a season & change is coming . Have fun in the journey !!

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  66. Would love to read more blog entries when you start your adventure and travels please enjoy your retirement. Hugs Patty S BC Canada

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  67. More please. Retirement can be really fun.

    JHM

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  68. Thank you for the update! I love reading them. Please continue to post!

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  69. Oh yes!!! Please continue to share what is going on in your life!!! I LOVE hearing what you do with your church, with th LK business, your social life, and about your kids! Wow how exciting for your daughter to live in Spain. Now you definitely have a vacation place. Lol. But yes....please continue to post!!!

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  70. I was at SN in July and totally enjoyed it!! So happy that you were able to do the retreat. Best wishes for all of your future activities - sounds like you will be busy with your church project, but what a blessing you will give and received. Have an enjoyable summer, even though it is so hot!! Happy stitching and have good family time too. Glad we can still get your kits.

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  71. Absolutely would love to see more blog posts and tips on retirement - I’ll join you in 14 months!

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  72. So nice to hear from you and hope that things are winding down so that you can begin retirement! I must admit that I was one of the stitchers ordering up a few of your designs that I didn’t have! I am so glad to have them but will certainly miss the new series, kits, and patterns. I hope that you will continue to blog to share your life, your hobbies, and your post-retirement stitching with us!

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  73. May the Lord bless all of your endeavors!

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  74. LK designs have been among my favs for many years! Thank goodness they will still be available!

    I definitely want to stay in the loop...I am envious of where you are...I still have a couple years to go before I join the Retirement Gang!

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  75. Yes, please keep blogging as time permits. Wishing you happy adventures!

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  76. I love what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work
    and exposure! Keep up the great works guys
    I've included you guys to my blogroll.

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  77. We will miss you but glad you are moving on to a new phase of life. Enjoy it! Would love to hear more of your adventures.

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  78. Of course we want to hear from you!

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