Friday, April 1, 2011

Time To Spill The Beans...




I have been waiting months to finally write this post....

But, I think I should start at the beginning, because it's such a great story...about a year or so ago, everything with Olabelhe was going really well. My patterns were selling like crazy and I was thrilled beyond belief. All my friends and family were busy telling me how thrilled they were for me and my success but still I didn't feel like I had reached personal success. Yes, the additional income was wonderful but from day one this entire adventure has never ever been about the money for me, it was more about being recognized by people who I admired, as someone with talent. Probably sounds silly, but that's really how I defined my success. Ole asked me one day what it would take for me to finally feel as though I had made it...my response, simply...to be noticed by "Sew Beautiful" magazine and maybe be mentioned in one of their issues. A few months after that I was sitting at my desk drafting a pattern when I received "The Email"!!! A beautiful letter written by Kathy, the editor of SB saying that one of my readers (Thank You Laurie!!!!) had written her about me and when she went to my website she was speechless. In her own words, "I could hardly breathe as I watched your AMAZING work pass before my eyes....." Like Kathy, I had a similar experience when I read her email, but I am sure mine was much more dramatic. I started to cry, couldn't breathe and just about peed my pants as I read her beautiful email. Honestly, I couldn't believe what I was reading...but it gets much better. SB actually wanted to do a 5 page spread on ME!!! So, for the past year I have kept my mouth shut, except for a few people and today when I was chatting with Kathy she gave me the 2 thumbs up to talk about it.

That's why Abby and I went to Florida...for a major photo shoot, and now that all the photos have been sent off to SB and we are busy working on everything that will be in that very special issue!!! I am still pinching myself even a year later....So, Olabelhe will be featured in the July issue!!!

Then, if that's not cool enough, I'm also going to be featured in another magazine...well, actually it's not me as much as it is my sewing studio! That's right in may Abby and I are going to be featured in the Mother -Daughter issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors, STUDIO!!!!

and then....can it get any better...next weekend, April 9th Chadwick Heirlooms is hosting a "Meet the Designer" event for me! So, if you live anywhere near Richmond, VA please  stop by and say "Hello"! I will give more details about that during the week so check back for more information!

I cannot tell you how incredibly blessed I feel to have so many truly spectacular things happening in my life. I would have never imagined that this could have happened to me and I am so very thankful to all of you who have been so supportive. Olabelhe's success is all because of so many of you!

Dawn

14 comments:

Sarahnthegirls said...

Fantastic!!! I am so happy for you and your success, Dawn! I can't imagine how proud and blessed you must feel right now. Enjoy it because you deserve it! :)

Laurie said...

Congratulations! I'm glad you told us about the conversation with Kathy. I'm excited too! I had no idea SB was a measure of success for you.

Oh boy! I'm so glad I know when this is going to be published! Can't wait!

Oh and I'd love to meet you at Chadwick's. I just don't know if I have the frequent flyer miles. Maybe you will need to come to MI. I have something I've been up to also!

Where would one find "Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine?

Dawn said...

Laurie, all this is because of you...you got the ball rolling. I am so grateful, I can't even tell you!!! You can purchase CPSS at Barnes and Noble and I'm sure other major booksellers have it as well!

Bethany Lynn said...

Congratulations! So fun and what a blessing!

Gail said...

SUPER-Fantastic!!
You are so talented, Dawn. You deserve this so much! Congratulations!
Gail

Martha said...

Congratulations. Enjoy every minute. Good job.

mummy_chelle said...

Woohoo for you! That is so fabulous and so well deserved Dawn! Many more exciting things are in you future I am sure...

Samantha Caffee said...

Yay!!! You can finally talk! I'm so proud of you! Now just sit back and enjoy! ;) Love ya Hun!

xo,
Sam

Jan M said...

Congratulations! Enjoy this special and well-deserved time.

Karen said...

Dawn, I have always admired you, not just for your incredible talent but for the person you are. It was never a matter of IF you would be recognized, but WHEN you would be recognized. I'm so honored and blessed to call you a friend! Congratulations!!!!

Annette said...

Congratulations! You have been on my blog roll for a long time so I feel your excitement and I am sooooo happy for you! You deserve the recognition!
Hugs,
Annette

Dawn said...

Thanks so much to all of you who were so sweet to comment! I am so glad that I was able to share this wonderful news...I hate keeping secrets...

Fabienne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Fabienne said...

Congratulations Dawn! I am so happy for you. You really deserve it and I hope that someday your business will reach Germany! ;)))))

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