I promise I’ll update my blog as soon as I get everything finished. No, wait. That will probably be too long, wouldn’t it. (Will I *ever* get everything finished? No.)
Okay, I promise I’ll update my blog as soon as I get through this book and through the hand photography for the last book. I promise!
The out-pouring of love and appreciation for Jean Leinhauser has been overwhelming. I’ve read Facebook, Twitter and personal blogs. My favorite post was reading that Jean is now in “Crochet Heaven” and one that said that Jean is now basking in a shower of love on a puffy cloud of yarn.
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this woman. She was so sweet and seemed to have an everlasting smile. I will never forget that smiling porcelain doll face. I will miss her greatly.
I’m going to share with you my Jean Leinhauser story and I hope you all enjoy it as much as dear Jean.
About 12 years’ ago, I was attending a CHA event in Chicago. I was still a wee baby designer and I was pretty timid about the whole designing thing. I had brought lots of samples of my work. I had already had that scary visit with Kathleen Sams (Coats & Clark), Andy Ashley and Deborah Hamburg-Levy (both of Annie’s Attic). I had sold almost all of my work already and it was nearing the end of the day. (You can read more of that on my Publishing Page above.)
I just happened to be walking by the Leisure Arts booth (or maybe it was the Needlecraft booth, I can’t remember) and, although I didn’t know her at the time, I walked up and introduced myself to Bobbie Matela.
Bobbie and I had a little chat. I was showing her my work and she seemed very interested. So interested, in fact, that she told me to hang on a minute so that she could get Jean. She got up and walked away. (For about five seconds, I sat there. JEAN LEINHAUSER? She. was. getting. up. to. go. get. JEAN LEINHAUSER.)
Oh, my goodness. I was scared half out of my mind and literally picked up all my stuff and RAN out the front door. I kid you not. I RAN out the door!
Yes, I was scared to death of meeting this woman. This Jean Leinhauser whose name I had seen on so many of my books at home. I couldn’t bear it.
For over 10 years, I couldn’t bring myself to submit designs to Bobbie Matela or Jean Leinhauser or even Rita Weiss. I was soooooo embarrassed!
Then, about 2 years’ ago, I *finally* introduced myself to the great Jean Leinhauser. Mind you, I didn’t do it by myself. I had to take Drew Emborsky over there with me for… you know…. protection. 
And, I literally stood there, stammering, sweat on my forehead, heart beating 9000 miles a minute and what do I say to this woman after being embarrassed for 10 years? I tell her the above story! Oh, yeah, baby! I tell her about running away from her at a CHA event.
She laughed so hard, I think she cried. Then, she made me tell Rita. Then, she made me tell Bobbie. Then, the horrors! She made me tell poor BRETT BARA, who just happened to be standing nearby! Oh, goodness sakes alive. If I thought I was scared, imagine my fear in talking to BRETT BARA!
Brett was very sweet and stood there listening to my story, which I had no interest in telling a single soul ever again. I think I had to go up to my room and take a nap after that ordeal.
And, now you know.
