Last day in Philadelphia

*I'm in the process of moving to California.  Here is a small update.*

Today is my last day in Philadelphia & I'm a mix of emotions.   I'm ready for this move, however saying goodbye to friends, places, & my childhood home has been quite the experience.

I had a going away party planned for yesterday, but hurricane Irene decided that I shouldn't have a going away party.  Seeing that my flight is first thing tomorrow morning I'm out of time.

As katy perry says in "fireworks" ...after a hurricane comes a rainbow.

I'm looking forward to my rainbow.

--

I'll miss so many things... so many people.  There is no way I could ever make a list that includes everything, but I want to thank a few people. {Really this is so I'll be able to look back.} ...and so many friends/family have already left the Philadelphia area... so this is really dedicated to those I'm leaving in PHL.

David Miller

Thank you for recruiting me to come to Drexel and study design.  I'll never forget the day we met and I knew then that Drexel was the right place for me.  Your support during my many major changes within CoMad means the world to me.

Stephen Rupprecht
Thank you for being an amazing advisor, teacher & boss.  You taught me many things during my years at Drexel that I'll keep with me.  "It's not constructive criticism... it's feedback"

Alexandra Pelberg
Thanks for taking a chance on a young designer.  That one contest changed my path in so many ways & I'll never forget it.

Joyce Armand
Thank you for being the best regional manager I have ever had the pleasure to work with at any company.  Your honesty & your faith in me pushed me to become better each day.

Mark Allan
Thank you for so many things.  You had the pleasure to be my boss while I was a student and post-graduation as a professional.  Your guidance helped me through the transition.

Susan DiBartolo
Thank you for giving me the push I needed to take the next step with Jaybird Quilts.  You are an amazing shop owner, mentor & friend.

Allison Benjamin
Thank you for believing in me & my quilting before anyone else did.  Your friendship & support during my early years of quilting put me on the path to start Jaybird Quilts.  I wouldn't be here without you.

Tricia Landes
Thank you for being my friend first & my support in the guild second.  Thank you for all the help you gave me to get ready for market.  You are an amazing friend and will be for the rest of my life.

Candi Weinrick
Thank you for being my friend when I needed a friend and a mom when I needed a mom.  Thank you for helping me prepare & survive market.  Thank you for all your work in the guild.  I'm lucky to have a friend like you in my life & know that we will always be friends.

Merryl

My second mom.  I have always been honored to be your pseudo daughter.  You were there through the ups and downs and I know I can always call you.

Liz Cairo
Thank you for taking me under your wing.  Lauren brought us together and I treasure our friendship that has developed over the years & look forward to celebrating with you at your wedding in a few weeks!

Rachael Pannepacker
My sister, my friend... words to describe what you mean to me are hard to find.  We have been friends for 10 years, but it often feels like forever.  Sometimes you know me better than I know myself.  You have always pushed me to be the best version of me that I can be.  I know this isn't goodbye.  Thank you for everything... and I mean everything.

--

I could go on for days & days.  I've lived here for 28+ years and had many good times.  I'll miss so many people, so many places... This isn't the end, it's just the start of the next chapter.

--

In the words of RENT...
"Forget regret or life is yours to miss."




© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

i miss blogging

*I'm in the process of moving to California.  Here is a small update.*

--

... and i'm tired of packing!
...but the good news is i can see the finish line.

Here are some photos from the week+ I spend in California earlier this month.{Sorry for the delay in getting them posted.... but I've just been swamped with packing.}
Sunset at the beach

Quilt in a Day - One of the 6 shops I visited on my trip.

My soon to be new sewing studio!

The view out my windows of my soon to be new studio.

My niece Aliyah rocking the new blue M&M outfit I got her

...and here is Elijah rocking his matching orange M&M shirt.

{He had the same one before but grew out of it.}

Sew Modern in LA ...right before my class

I wanted to buy this entire section of Lizzy House's fabric!

My 1001 Peeps version of Hugs & Kisses on display in the shop.

Here is a shot from the front door.The shop is beautiful & my class went great... so well that I forgot to take any photos once it began!

I also got to visit the San Diego Zoo

This woman was great & I learned a bunch of new things about elephants.

My trip was great... I didn't want to come back to Philly to finish packing... but my things weren't going to pack themselves.  I move in less than 2 weeks now... so things are crazy... but I'll post when I can.
Thank you for all the e-mails to check in on me... I know it was a long time to be away from my blog!
Talk soon!!


© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

One way flight

Later this summer I'll be taking a one way flight to California.  After 28 years in Pennsylvania I'm going to make the giant leap across the country.

PHL to San Elijo Hills

Why you ask?

Many reasons... but the #1 reason is family.

You see 14 years ago my brother moved to California.  It was clear pretty quickly that he was never coming back to PA.  So I've spent half of my life apart from him.  Well the time has come for us to all be together again.

Brad & Julie - Disneyland 2007

My brother was in town recently for a friend's wedding & it was great to have the four of us together.  But Karin was at home with Elijah and Aliyah.  We have only all been together so few times... and to this day we have never had all seven of us together.

7/9/11

I will miss Philadelphia.  I'll miss Rita's water ice and Wawa.

I'll miss my sorority sisters.

I'll miss Alumni events at our sorority house.

I'll miss my favorite cousin.

I will miss holiday dinners in this house. {But I won't miss getting a pie with candles at thanksgiving instead of a real birthday cake.}

I'll miss going to Phillies games.

I will miss my Philadelphia modern quilt guild.I'll miss my LP crew that I go to all my shows with.I'll miss my extended family.I'll miss my friends.I'll miss many things.
I won't miss driving in the snow.

I won't miss watching my dad try to clear the driveway. {Or trying to do it myself!}

It snows too much sometimes!

This house has a lot of memories... but I can take those with me.

I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family & making new memories.

I'm looking forward to watching Aliyah grow up. {She is walking since I last saw her!}

I'm looking forward to being woken up with hugs and kisses by Elijah.

I'm looking forward to regular trips to Disneyland.

Disney 2008 with Karin & Elijah

My parents are looking forward to more time with their grandkids... and both of their kids at the same time.

We are all looking forward to more tickle fights!!

In general... we are all just really really excited about spending more time together.

I'm also looking forward to being much closer to all the amazing quilters and friends I've already made in California.

I mean really... could you resist this face?

I didn't think so!

Of course I'm a mix of emotions.I'm sad & happy at the same time.I'm nervous & excited...
I cried as I called close friends over the weekend to tell them the news.  I cried as I wrote this blog post, but I'm ready for this move.  I'm so excited for the unkown... as crazy as that sounds.

My favorite quote has always been..."Forget regret or life is yours to miss."
-- Brad,Yes... it is "your fault" for moving to California.But I don't blame you... I want to thank you.I love you so much... and I'm so excited to be starting the next chapter of my life in Sunshine.  You are the best brother I could have ever asked for.  Thank you for giving me the nickname J-Bird, for believing in me, pushing me and for never letting me settle for anything but the best.

--
So...I'll be taking a blog break as we sort, pack & plan the big move.  When I have time I'll post a photo or two & maybe a giveaway here and there.  I will be having a GIANT online shop update as I need to decide what I can take with me and what fabric/things I have to part with.  If you e-mail me & don't hear back right away please understand.  Once the move is made I'll be back to regular blogging.  Thank you all for your love & support!!


© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/