Naturally, these events necessitated some special sewing.  First up was a pillow for an incredible teacher’s reading chair.  I have been wanting to play with triangles for a while.  I actually tried once, but wanted more creativity with a color palette and fabric choices.  My son said his teacher’s favorite color is purple, so I pulled some purple fabrics out of my stash and was happy to find mustards and browns out from another project that just begged to be used.  Those rich colors needed to be toned down a bit and the low values and texts were just the ticket.  Besides, Dick and Jane is perfect for a first grade teacher, right?

I purchased a triangle ruler a few months ago and it worked wonderfully to get the right size and angles effortlessly.  It was a pretty quick project.  After I sewed the triangles together and squared it up, I treated it just like a quilt and basted the triangle top to batting and a muslin back.  The quilt “sandwich” was quilted in straight lines with a walking foot and then I attached the backing but left an opening to stuff it with poly-fil.  That’s the great thing about quilted pillows: you basically get to make a quilt with the satisfaction of seeing it finished quickly.

With so many big events at the end of the year there was no time to sew anything for my baby girl’s birthday.  Don’t worry, I actually have already planned and started cutting fabric for a project I hope to complete for her later in the summer.  We did enjoy a lovely princess tea party birthday, though, and my wonderful sister found something amazing so that my niece and daughter could be twins.  Aren’t they precious?!

I do have a few peeks of one more project, though.  When I first started sewing and quilting I made quilts for my two nieces and one of my nephews.  A second nephew, however, I felt was too old to like any of the fabric choices that were available at the time.  So, last year I decided that I would finally make him a quilt for his graduation since there are so many great masculine and modern choices out there now.  Of course, even though I’ve been collecting fabric for this quilt all year, typical busy mom that I am, I started seriously planning the quilt two weeks ago and finished the top last week.  I’m sure I’ll be showing you the finish soon; at least it will be done before he leaves for college.

I’ve seen it on Ravelry, and read Facebook posts and tweets about it, time and time again – What are the travel essentials for knitting? What bag should I use at my carry on? Well look no further than the Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Vogue Knitting.

The answer is right there, plain as day, in color. The Rio is the bag you should use as your carry-on. With all of its pockets, compartments, and circlets to knit on the go, no one will ever know that technically this is designed as craft bag.

More than looking effortlessly chic while traveling, the Rio provides the kind of organization and size to keep you moving seamlessly through the crowds and your current project.

Don’t forget to scoop up the latest issue of Vogue Knitting, out now!

A year ago I was faced with a very difficult business decision. I wanted to change manufacturers. I’d switched twice before, which in both instances resulted in progress. Given this history I shouldn’t have been afraid. This time was different though. This time there was more of a risk. There was a significantly larger upfront sample cost before I even saw what they could actually do or a ballpark quote of what production would cost.

I decided to go for it and have the sample made up. I figured if it wasn’t great I would cut my losses. The sample turned out beautiful. Then came the shock. Production of the bag was going to cost much more than any bag I’d ever designed. I was going to have to raise my prices. Would my customers recognize the improvement in quality enough to be willing to pay more for it? It was a huge decision, even bigger than deciding to start the business. I agonized for weeks weighing the pros and cons. Finally, I decided to take the risk. I wanted to improve my product and knew this was what I needed to do to grow the business. It turned out to be the best business decision I’ve made.

No, not all business risks I’ve taken have worked out as nicely as the production of Cezanne. In ten years of business I’ve certainly had my failures. Fortunately, failure is not a permanent condition (this is another quote I heard on a TED Talk this week). Perseverance is an incredible thing. We have the amazing ability pick ourselves up and move forward with the new, first-hand knowledge we’ve gained.

In the spirit of celebrating my ten-year anniversary, I’m challenging each of you to take a risk this year. It can be big or small, but I encourage you to go big. The rewards will be that much greater. Think about what makes you uncomfortable. What do you have a fear of failing at? Write it down and commit to do it. I’d love for you to comment here with what risk you’ll be taking, but I understand if you’re not ready to. We’ll be blogging a lot about this theme over the next year. I hope you’ll join in as we push ourselves toward betterment.

I unstacked boxes to get to the one marked “HISTORY.” It’s the box where I’d stored my very first design, The Knitter’s Purse. I remember boxing it up years ago, hoping one day I’d need it for some anniversary photographs. Well that, and maybe the Jordana Paige museum unveiled on my 100th anniversary. I hope it’s a big, open museum with amazing light, featuring large knitwear displays and yarn artists from around the world. A museum dedicated solely to yarn artists…this is a good idea. Maybe it should be done sooner than later. I’m realizing now that I won’t be alive for the 100th anniversary and should probably leave a note inside the purse for the person who unpacks it.

I joke and I’m getting off subject.

I pulled the purse out and held it beside Cezanne. Before me was ten years. One third of my life.

I would like to tell you that I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, but that wouldn’t be real. As a kid I subscribed to the saying that if you turn your passion into a career, you’ll never work a day in your life. It’s a lie. I turned my passion to create, design and knit into a career. And while I love and remain passionate about it, it’s still work. Because no matter how much fun I have each day, I have to worry about if I sold enough product to be able to pay the bills.

This is where I sit completely amazed and humbled. Roughly 9% of businesses last ten years. When the idea for The Knitter’s Purse popped into my head at 18-years old I dreamed of making it this long. Reality is though, I had no idea what I was doing. I’ve seen the knitting industry peak and taper off, the economy fall, yarns shops open and close and the world of marketing shift at a rapid rate. Yet through it all, Jordana Paige has somehow stayed in business and I’m certain it’s only because God has blessed me.

I am blessed to have a family that has been overwhelmingly supportive from the day I shared my idea to today. Just yesterday I called my sister and asked if she could come to my office to take photos for my anniversary. She drove 45 minutes with her three-month old baby to my office and gave up half her day to help me out. Usually she’s the one modelling and I’m taking the pictures. Even being in front of the camera this time, I still got to boss her around. As the younger sister, this is always fun for me. Perhaps I’m seeking revenge for the times as kids when she always got to be the teacher and I the student, but I think there’s more to it than that. As I sat there laughing almost to tears with her as she took the pictures, I thought, “This is it. This is why I love my job.” It’s the time I get to spend with my family.

The photo shoot is a perfect example of the heart of my family. My mom has attended every tradeshow with me. My favorite memories of those shows are sitting next to her for days talking, just the two of us, during the lulls. My dad taught me how to do my taxes, create my website and has built all my displays. I’m certain he’d build me an elephant if I asked him to and then would turn it into a giraffe when I changed my mind. My brother-in-law quickly joined in too, there to help where ever needed–assisting with photo shoots, writing an article, giving feedback on a design or setting up a booth. They’re all quite use to getting an email from me asking for opinions. Even the anniversary logo was an email chain of votes for a favorite.

I think about all the hours I’ve invested into the business over the past ten years. It’s a lot, but it’s been my job. I then think about all the hours my family has invested in the business from day one. Unpaid. With no expectations. It’s overwhelming. I’m realizing the business is just as much theirs as it is mine because I could not be where I am today without them.

I sat looking at Cezanne and The Knitter’s Purse. I smiled as I acknowledged the visible progress in design, fabric, quality and execution. Even greater than the progress and all that I have learned, is the gratitude I have for my amazing family and the memories I have from working with them.

When I researched how to celebrate a business anniversary I read that you only get to celebrate a ten-year anniversary once, so celebrate all year long. This is true and exactly what I intend to do. I have great things planned for this year; looking back, looking forward and celebrating blessings.

Be sure to catch my interview on Stitch & Unwind today for a closer look at the company.

Is this you? If it is, we just may have the job for you!

We’re looking to hire a freelance blogger to write two blog posts per month about crochet. Posts will include your current projects, tutorials, crochet tips, inspiration and trends.

How to apply:
1. Wow us with an impressive, well-written cover letter.
2. Include two additional samples of your writing. They can be links to specific blog posts, articles you’ve written, etc.
3. Include two photographs of your work. We’re looking for writers who can photograph their work well so please make sure these aren’t quick snapshots. If you have a Ravelry, instagram or Flickr account, send those links along as well so we can get a sense of your style.

Email your submission to jobs@jordanapaige.com.

This is a contract position.

Tip: We like working with people who follow directions well, so make sure you follow all the above steps to ensure your submission doesn’t go straight to the trash box.