I have been incredibly fortunate the last two (plus) years to work alongside some amazing individuals who have been nothing but family to me:
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I have loved being Chief Creative Officer at Quilts Inc., but I have been giving it a lot of thought lately, and have decided to be the Chief Creative Officer…of me.
Last week, I submitted my resignation, and after teary hugs with coworkers, and a wonderful meeting with Karey Bresenhan who has always been so supportive of me, I departed, and am officially now my own CCO.
I resigned for no other reason than I am ready for a break after a lot of change in my life the past few years.
My bucket list over the next few months:
• See if I can train Tyrion, my new puppy to be a service dog, and go to hospitals to bring smiles to children’s faces.
![photo[3]](http://70.39.148.206/~pokeybol/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/photo3.jpg)
• Finish the baby quilt for my great nephew who was born last October. (I hope to finish it before he turns five in 2018.)
• TRAVEL! To date, the roster for the next couple of months looks like this:
Hawaii next week, with a trip to San Francisco, Napa, Marin County, and Monterey the following week. Later in May, I’m heading to Costa Rica, and in June, I’m going to Zurich, Amsterdam, and London…where I will sit court side at Wimbledon (and eat strawberries and cream).
While I replenish my creative tank and embark on my Eat Pray Love adventure, I will always remain a friend of Quilts Inc. Although I am sitting Spring Market out, I will attend the Festivals…but as a civilian. 😉 And of course I am going to champion Festival’s Pet Project at the 40th anniversary of Quilt Festival this fall!
As I make this transition in my life, a picture from my childhood came to mind:
Above, I am at the helm of Freedom, the 12-metre racing yacht, which a few months later, won the America’s Cup in 1980. (Skipper Dennis Connor, my dad’s friend, is cheering me on behind me.)
I am ready to be the skipper of my own adventure.
Thanks to all of my quilting friends who have been so supportive of me over the last 14 years. I hope you’ll continue to read my blog and stay friends as I craft a new life.
With love,
Pokey
Congratulations Pokey! I look forward to hearing about all of your adventures and wish you the best of luck!! <3
Good luck to you in your new adventures. I enjoy your blog and hope we will hear some exciting things from you as you travel. You’ve been wonderful supporting animals and I admire all you’ve done. I hope to meet you sometime at festival or in Houston at some quilting event.
Marilyn Kowalski
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Good for you. I still enjoy watching you on old episodes of QATV. I remember meeting you at the Lancaster show when you were just starting in Stow.. have a wonderful adventure.. Who knows who you will meet. Eat , Pray love was a great book.
karin
Good for you Pokey to realize the importance of taking a break sooner, rather than later.. You will experience many different areas of life, and have time to breathe and fly!!
I’ve done Costa Rica, Zurich, Amsterdam, and London…….. Wimbledon (and eat strawberries and cream & champagne) and …….don’t forget Austria, Italy, Sicily (always another world) and Spain. Great places too! I am so happy that you are able to indeed break away and enjoy and breathe in the new phase in your life. With luck for continued happiness…… Tyrion looks like the perfect visitor puppy. He has those loving eyes of Louie and a gentle spirit and the children will adore him….Keep in touch and be forever happy! …The tulips and daffies are peeking through in Massachusetts finally!
Onward Pokey! Deborah
Bon Voyage Pokey. I hope your travels are as wonderful as they can be and not as boring as the ‘pray, love’ of the book. The ‘eat’ was pretty terrific so I recommend you add Italy to the mix. Best wishes.
Pokey you rock! Congratulations and I can’t wait to hear about your new adventures!
Congratulations! Here’s to the next chapter in your life! I am very happy for you! Onward and upward!
Best of luck and I admire you for taking the helm. You have been such an inspiration in helping me to transition from being a chemistry teacher to an artist and having the courage to feed my soul.
Best of luck on your new path. All your travel plans sound very exciting. Of course I will be interested to hear updates about your inspiring life.
Enjoy the process!
Good luck on your new adventure, glad you are still dong this year’s Pet Project, I gave organized some friends to come to my home and help make a bunch!
Mary Geehan
Sent from my iPhone
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Sounds exciting, Pokey! Best wishes to you as you embark on a new adventure! Thank you for starting the Pet Postcard Project at Festival- my Geisha Kitties will be returning this year!
Very best wishes to you. I think it is truly marvelous that you are doing this. Here’s to Living!
Congratulations Pokey, you are an amazing and inspirational woman. There is nothing quite like listening to that still small voice within and following your heart.,All the best in this new phase of your life, travel well on your wings of song. I still miss you from Quilting Arts, and CREATE, all your fans will miss you but continue to cheer you on. Good Luck! From the one who crossed over to the dark side.
Good for you, Pokey! Onward and upward!
Good luck, good fortune, and fabulous health. I for one will miss your positive and creative influence on the quilting world… MY quilting world. Enjoy this adventure of life.
I don’t personally know you but it seems like I do! I can only wish you the best in whatever your future holds!
Have fun, Pokey!!! I look forward to reading about your new adventures!
Dear Pokey,
I’ve only known you through QA and QInc, (14 years after all!) and I am inspired by a courageous, vivacious and tenacious woman. A new journey is always a bit unsettling but I have no doubt that you will find your new voice and make a success of whatever shows up on your path.
Have fun and keep us posted!
Line from Montreal
Best Wishes on your new adventure! I remember meeting you at my first Market and being so blessed to be featured in your magazine …. Can imagine, issue #6? Hugs to you on your travels ❤️❤️❤️
I’m happy for you and confident that the next phase of your life will continue to be a fun adventure, just different. I wish you great happiness and health.
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
PS – What island are you going to?
I’ve enjoyed following you on Quilting Arts and online. I wish you peace, health and happiness in the next chapter of your life. I will definitely continue following your blog.
Thanks for having given so much to so many for sew long.
Congratulations on the promotion 🙂 I look forward to watching your next new adventure develop and grow. I wish we could meet for a glass of vino in Napa but I will be down under. Big hugs!!!
Yay, Pokey! Eat Pray Love it up! Congratulations on your next adventure. xoxo, Carrie B.
Good Luck on your EAT PRAY LOVE adventure. You are such a sweet and kind person and deserve only the best. I am so lucky to have met you and look forward to reading all about your travels. Take care and God Bless. =)
Yay! You will be free to take on new challenges and adventures. May they bring you joy and stimulation! All the best wishes for whatever is ahead!!!!
I’m thinking about all the visual inspiration you are going to gather in your travels! So exciting! Thank you for being an inspiring individual. Glad to hear you are filling up your creative tank. I look forward to seeing the new trail you blaze! Congrats and Cheers!
AMEN Girl!!! Good for you….breathe and enjoy your life where ever you are!!!
Wow Pokey! I’m looking forward to hearing what comes next. I’m sure it will be wonderful. Enjoy!
Wow, I just got introduced to you for the houston show but. Certainly wish you the very best:) Godspeed and you go girl with that bucket list, Cindy:)
Congratulations on the new chapter in your life! I’m looking forward to reading about your adventures on your blog — and maybe in a book???
You are always welcome to visit our mountain house/ studio, play with our JRT who lives for visitors. I have fabric to spare, share, spare room with quilts, no traffic or street lights here! But I could get strawberries.
Hugs, Yvonne see you at QF
Good luck to you. I know I will miss you. Enjoy your adventures, looking forward to hearing about them
All the best to you pokey as you Kay down the reins of quilt show bureaucrat!
Or “lay” down. Lol
May you be blessed in your future! I also do not know you personally but you have inspired me to be more creative by branching out in my quilting and art work. Congratulations to be brave enough to start a new future.
Hi Pokey I am happy for you. Good for you. My motto has always been If not now then when? hugs from Edie Hedman
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The acts of today are the destiny of tomorrow. Best of luck, brave woman!
Wishing you safe and happy travels! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.
Europe is full of textile events, a must see if you come to us
best regards of Switzerland
Congratulations Pokey and best wishes for all your coming adventures. I’m looking forward to reading about all your adventures and what being CCO of your own life will bring.
Pokey, that is awesome news and an amazing opportunity for personal growth. David and I wish you all the best.
Pokey, you are one smart lady to know it is time and to go with that. Congratulations
I can only say good luck and have a wonderful time. You don’t know me but I feel like you are a member of my family. I have been inspired by you and my life has been richer for it. I’m not just a lady who likes to makes things….. I’m an art quilter! You have touched so many women over the last few years, you’re next project will be even better. Take care of yourself “Life is too long if you’re not happy” .
Your viewer/ reader and fan
Peggy Imbert
New Smyrna Beach Fl
Awww, Pokey. I’m so happy to hear that you are doing this. I will keep following you to hear about your adventures. Best of luck to you. Congrats!
All the best on your next chapter- I remember first meeting you many years ago- you were sitting on a table and there were complimentary copies of the first quilting arts mag… Look at what you have accomplished since that time- one can only imagine what your next contribution, first to yourself and no doubt to so many others will be, once you take care of you! happy trails…
Wow…it takes my breath away.
Pokey, you amazed everyone with quilting arts and cloth,paper,scissors. You gave me a voice early on for which I will always be grateful . Best of luck to you on your new adventure, and smooth sailing!
Congratulations on your new adventure(s). You have kept me going through the creative process. Please blog and let us know how you are doing. And no matter what, have a blast in all your next endeavors.
You go girl! I am a lot older than you and have been thinking of retiring early and taking some time for myself (which will include lots of quilting!) as I slide into my golden years. This post has given me additional inspiration to take the step!
Looking forward to continuing to read your blog about all of your great adventures!
Hello Pokey. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing you on Quilting Arts TV since its inception and have also been happy to spend a few minutes chatting with you while in Houston a couple of times. I will miss seeing you on Quilting Arts but know that Susan Brubaker Knapp will handle it just fine. The wonderful Quilting Arts magazine you started opened up a whole new world for me and so many others. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I wish you all the best on your new journey. May you find happiness, joy, excitement, fun new challenges, and peace. I will continue to follow your blog. My best wishes are with you on this journey. Peace be with you. Sincerely, Deb Ward Council Bluffs, Iowa
“I’m satisfied just being alive, give me one more day.” – Alabama
Obviously you are steering a great course with your life. Go forth and conquer!
Congrats on doing what YOU want to do! I’ll be following you on your adventure and hopefully will see you somewhere along the way!
Pokey, I’m so happy for you. Over the years I’ve learned so much from you, and admire that you are taking this next step- good luck and I hope your dreams come true- Vivka
There doesn’t seem to be anything “pokey” about you! I only know you through your magazine and your blog, but I feel as if I have known you for a long time. Godspeed and safe travels on your adventures.
Many blessings on your upcoming journeys: of the heart, and on this planet! You’ve inspired countless people along the way already. You’ll touch countless more as your life continues. Safe travels!
I am so excited for you and thrilled that you are putting you first. Can’t wait to see what you do next.
Congratulations! I know you’ll enjoy your new adventures and I hope your creative well fills back up!
Your plan sounds awesome and I can’t wait to hear/read more about your adventures!
Enjoy the journey…..
Congratulations on your new direction and all my best wishes!
Welcome, brave new world. Couldn’t be happier for you. Hit us on our celly if you need advice about travel in Latin America. 🙂
I can’t wait to hear about your new adventures Pokey!! You have been a great inspiration to me and have encouraged me to break into the “art quilt” box, there is more to quilting than a nine patch 🙂 If you would like to extend your travels into Canada, we would love to have you for a trunk show or workshop, I know of a place on the lake where you can stay. Essex, Ontario – Canada
Pokey, You’ve been such an inspiration to me. All of a sudden I find myself in my 70’s and am determined to continue my quilting endeavors. You’re classes and videos have taught me to jump in and try new materials and totally enjoy the experience – the good and not quite there efforts. Please know, all the encouragement and fun you shared was and is contagious. Have a wondrous time in your travels, which are well earned. Susan, Los Gatos, CA.
Pokey, if you are going to be in SF Bay Area give me a shout. Always looking for an excuse to go to the City, Napa etc. Take care, Marco
Pokey!
What a beautiful inspiring life you lead. You made a mark on mine. Be well. Keeping you always in my prayers.
Wishing you joy and peace,
Dena
best of luck to you Pokey. i admire your courage and your artistry. i hope that you will record your thoughts and experiences on this blog. blessings to you.
Wishing you love, luck and smooth sailing.
Congratulations Pokey! I have been following your adventures, but had not caught this post before.
When I was 42 I left a very lucrative position (and a job that I basically liked) that required me to live in a state that I just was not happy to be in. I had fallen in love with a remote island. My boss, who is still a friend all of these years later, asked me if I knew what I was giving up – the money, the benefits etc.
My sort of work was non transferable to a small island and so I had no clue what I would do, but my cats and I moved anyway. I was terrified. I worked some ‘get by’ jobs, but eventually secured a stable government position that worked for 17 years. It was one that I liked a quite a long time too . Last year, mourning my loss of artistic time, I resigned . I’m still trying to figure out what to do when I really grow up!
You will fly and you will love the journey too!