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End of an Era

5/16/2015

 
Yahoo!  As of end of day Wednesday, I am officially retired. (Please note that this is early retirement.  I have quite a few years before I hit the official retirement age.)  After 17 years at UnitedHealthcare (UHC) it was time to leave my "safe" job and pursue my passion in the quilting business.

So what did I do in my full-time job?  I was the Program Management Director for the Operational Excellence program.  For those in the corporate world -- this translates to Six Sigma.  For those non-corporate types, this means we were responsible for fixing process problems in the company.  

Although there is no formal "retirement" at UHC, I was able to end my career on a high.  A few weeks ago, there was a team dinner with participants from all over the country.  (They even surprised me by flying in my staff person in Nebraska to join the celebration.)

On Tuesday, there was cake in the office with attendees from the groups I worked with over the years.  Here are a few photos.

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My primary team members at UHC.
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A few attendees for cake.

So What's Next

I left myself no time to relax.  After I turned in my laptop and other equipment on Wednesday, I drove to the convention center and started setting up my booth for International Quilt Market.

For those that don't know, International Quilt Market is the trade show for quilt shop owners and those who are in the business.  It is held twice a year.  Spring market rotates across the country and fall market is always in Houston.

Here are a few photos of my first ever booth.
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I hope you recognize a few of these quilts.  :)

In addition to pattern design, I am hoping to do more teaching (both online and at shops and shows).  So I suspect I will keep very busy.

I've even hired Morna McEver as a business coach to help me stay focused as I start on this new venture.  Morna McEver is the CEO and founder of the International Association of Professional Quilters and International Association of Creative Arts Professionals.
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Gifting the Elsa and Anna Frozen Quilt

I saw my niece Josie last weekend and was able to give her the Frozen quilt.  She carried it around all weekend -- so I'm guessing I can conclude it was a hit.

She was also a great helper -- opening all my pattern bags and even binding a portion of a table topper so I could get ready for market.  Is six a good age for girls to start quilting?  (She learned to tie her shoes last weekend and seemed pretty good at fine motor skills.)
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Happy quilting.

Kari

Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips.  As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt.

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Bobbie L
5/16/2015 12:41:21 am

Congratulations!! I enjoy your teaching and was afraid you were retiring from On Point when I first read the blog! Thank you for staying with us and I know you will be very happy.

Linda Hansen
5/16/2015 12:55:02 am

I am so happy for you! Your quilts are amazing! I'm sure these years of full time quilting will be a blessing to you and to others. Enjoy this special weekend as you network with many gifted designers and quilters. Our quilt is a treasure :)

Diana Wilson
5/16/2015 12:56:27 am

Congratulations Kari!

Rita Brackman link
5/16/2015 01:41:19 am

Congratulations Kari.....
I know you will be happy in your new FULL time career. I love your teaching, as I use Art and Stitch, and you have taught me a lot. I really enjoy your newsletter!
Keep up the GREAT work!

Helen T link
5/16/2015 02:05:34 am

Congratulations, Kari. I hope your Market experiences are as wonderful as mine were. I wish you raging success!!

Lilia
5/16/2015 02:20:00 am

Good for you Kari! May your transition from corporate to your new full-time quilting involvement be smooth and your cheery disposition only enhanced! I love the photo of your little niece and her quilt. You are a good auntie. It warms the heart when you see a little child show you just how much comfort there is in a quilt of their liking.
Years ago I gave my youngest granddaughter an embroidered fairy quilt for her big girl bed. Her mommy called to tell me that it was in the hamper for washing and a different one on the bed on the day of her first big BD party she gave with lots of noisy little girls in the house at the same time having great fun,
Following the party, Daddy took all those without a ride home and my little granddaughter went in search of her quilt. She pulled it from the hamper, wrapped up in it and laid on the floor saying, "Nobody say anything, I need some quiet time." Doesn't that just pull at your heart? It's good to know you quilt was a big hit!

Janet
5/16/2015 02:30:51 am

Happy "Retirement", now on to focusing on your passion!! As others have said, I am selfishly happy and relieved that you are not retiring from quilting and hopefully not retiring from blogging either!
All the best for a happy and busy future!

LeslieRoseK
5/16/2015 02:55:10 am

Best wishes for the future. How exciting to step out full time in this venture.

Melanie Gillette
5/16/2015 02:57:32 am

Congratulations Kari!

Annie
5/16/2015 03:21:37 am

Congratulations!

Bev Inglis
5/16/2015 03:33:01 am

Congratulations Kari
You have hit the ground running. No wonder you are so gifting in you teaching to all of us. Being in health care and caring about others definitely shows.
Good luck
Bev

Deb Kloss
5/16/2015 03:41:15 am

Good for you! I know you will be very successful in your business. Your booth looks just wonderful! Best of luck!

Linda Vanderbaan
5/16/2015 03:44:56 am

Congratulations on your 'retirement' - I'm also 'retiring' at the end of next month - after a whopping almost 5 years of full-time employment - I've never been big on full-time employment, so this is a huge record for me.
Can't imagine how you will be occupying yourself - or maybe I can...

Pat link
5/16/2015 06:22:35 am

Congratulations Kari. It is so nice to hear of someone, especially as talented as you, perusing something that they love. Life is to short not to!

Carmen
5/16/2015 06:43:21 am

Very excited for you. God's blessings to your new venture. Love, Carmen

Marty Bradbury
5/16/2015 09:23:30 am

Congratulations! Best of luck with your new focus. I hope some of your teaching will be at Four Seasons!

Nola Jackson
5/16/2015 09:31:41 am

Congratulations Kari. I wish you all the best in your new venture.

Maggie link
5/16/2015 10:39:53 am

Good for you. I hope you have a successful Market

Kelly
5/16/2015 01:06:01 pm

Congratulations! How exciting to be able to now do what you love full time - your booth looks great! I'm so happy for you-

Kathryn
5/16/2015 01:24:34 pm

Congratulations! Very best wishes for you. I am so glad that you will try to keep on blogging. Have a great time at market, the booth looks lovely.

Tana mateyka
5/17/2015 02:10:39 am

Congratulations retiree. Booth display looked great

Laura Brechin
5/17/2015 03:37:32 am

Congratulations Kari. I took early retirement 4 yrs ago and how wonderful it can be especially being able to pursue our passions.
Your blog has been my favourite to follow and I hope that you will continue and keep us informed in what you are doing. Your teaching is perfect for me, you are so easy to follow. Hope to get a chance to meet you in person one day.
Good luck and enjoy!

Diane Rose
5/17/2015 05:13:28 am

Again, congratulations on taking the big leap! Good luck with your business!

Nancy
5/17/2015 05:41:34 am

You go girl!

Jeanette
5/18/2015 01:37:54 pm

To retire when you fell like it is time is great. I did the same a number of years ago. You are going to be so busy you will wonder
how you found the time to work.
Congratulations

Sherry Perry
5/19/2015 05:26:23 pm

Wow Kari! I love your booth! I am so proud of all you have achieved and I am sure the best is yet to come...can't wait to see what is next! Congratulations!!!

Linda Larson
5/23/2015 12:43:16 am

Congratulations on your retirement Kari and best wishes on your new quilting venture! You are very talented and I'm sure you will do well!

Sandy
5/23/2015 06:03:06 am

Congrats! Now you will probably be busier than before. Your booth for market looked great. Hope it was a great success.


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    Kari Schell

    Electric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer.

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  • Blog
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