Q: What does a day in the life of Patti Connor look like?
A: There is no typical day around here. Wake up time is somewhere between 4 and 6 a.m. depending on the daily hot flash factor. The calendar and email are checked and the "must do list" is made, then itÕs off to the YMCA to walk on the track and lift weights. If possible, a stop in the office and quick errands are run on the way home. When I am really efficient, I can jump in the shower and be ready to go in 30 minutes. Usually it takes longer because thatÕs one of the times my brain allows design ideas to pop in.Ź
Sam, my youngest, is still at home, so I get him up and started on school. He was diagnosed with Crohns disease last year and is unable to attend public school, so he gets an on-line education from a virtual high school in California. IÕm a single mom, so virtual school has been a life saver for all of us. Sarah is attending Eastern Illinois University, but is home for the summer now (hurray!) We really missed her plus we now get discounts at the pizza place where she works! Ryan, my oldest, lives in Iowa. Ryan, call your mother!
I also own half of Just Another Button Company which is my primary job and income. I make buttons two to four days a week, work in the office on Thursday and sit at the computer far too much (which pretty much negates my morning workout.) We keep in regular contact with our customers via package inserts, monthly email updates, catalog updates and our Stitch Every Day Series. All of these take time and accuracy, so I try to work on them in the morning when IÕm "slightly" more focused. There is a lot of switching gears depending on button "emergencies" and the things that just come up each day.
If I know it is going to rain on the weekend, I may do a bit of yard work or run errands. I can always make buttons or sit at the computer, but some chores are easier and more efficient when everyone else is at work. IÕm extremely fortunate to have such flexibility in my schedule. We try to eat dinner together, but it is often something thrown on a foil covered cookie sheet that the SchwanÕs guy delivered. I used to be earth mother, bread baker, baby food maker Š but I mostly got over that.Ź
The time I spend on SamSarah is quite limited. My desk is littered with ideas drawn on sticky notes and scraps of paper covered with possible phrases for future use. My degree is in graphic design, so IÕm very much dead line driven and not at all worried about where the next idea will come from. Everything to create a chart is set up as a template in my computer, so the actual work is minimal. Fortunately, the joy factor is immense. Creating something from a bit of linen and a little floss makes me a happy girl.
When the day is done, around 8:30 or 9, I sit down and stitch. It is such a great way to switch gears and settle down. If there are no extra kids in the house or I donÕt have a date, I really try to be in bed by 11 or 12.Ź
Q: When and why did you start designing?
A: I grew up in a creative household and was always allowed to make things, as long as I cleaned up the mess. My mother was a meticulous seamstress and worked as an office manager long before moms did that sort of thing. My dad had a work bench in the basement where I learned which end of the hammer to hold. There was never a shortage of wood and fabric scraps and office supplies for play time. After college and marriage, I worked for advertising agencies and large printing companies until Sarah and Sam were born. Luckily, my husband made enough for me to stay home with them. IÕm really glad we did that. When pre-school started, I began designing quilts on a free-lance basis for books and magazines. After we started the button company, I learned to translate my little drawings into stitching. I credit our very patient shop owner Karen Galer with most of my stitching education.
Q: What is your favorite SamSarah Design, and what has been your biggest surprise reaction to one of your designs?
A: Favorite design is almost like asking about my favorite child, but usually itÕs the one IÕm currently creating. ItÕs so fun to watch it take shape, stress when it isnÕt turning out like the one in your head, or just be surprised when a piece created in a couple of days turns out to be a top seller. Once a shop owner asked me to create a design to go with the phrase, "ItÕs beyond my control." That idea turned out to be a great chart. When she asked me to make another for, "ItÕs not my fault" I made a snake that had just eaten a small animal and had a big bump in the middle. I was trying to depict the nature of things. Well, I got some angry letters about my assumed views on abortion after that one, so now I really look to see if there could be more than one interpretation of my idea.
Q: What are your thoughts about being a part of the Cross Stitch Community? A: Even though I love creating, the best part of this industry has always been the people. Since both companies are wholesale only, I donÕt have that much direct contact with stitchers. But I absolutely love all the hard working, talented, creative people I have met that own shops or supply shops. Their support and encouragement, not to mention their inspiration, fuel me through the rest of the year. Additionally, the income has supported my now smaller family and helped create jobs for several stay at home moms in our town.
Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: I love to be outside. I have about two acres of woods, flower gardens, landscaping and yard. It is truly peaceful for me to be outside on the tractor or pulling weeds. Those are great times for working out problems, making plans, or not thinking about anything. I never know when a great idea come, but when I give myself a bit of time, they just pop in.
Q: Tell me about the Stitch Every Day series -- where did that come from?
A: Stitch Every Day is a series of monthly free charts I design for the button company to give to shops. The shops can then give the charts to customers who purchase the buttons or include them with kitted supplies. The first yearÕs designs were roughly seasonal and we began to coordinate the charts with new linen colors from R&R Reproductions and frames from East Side Mouldings. This year, the charts continue to be stitched on R&R linen, framed by East Side and celebrate some pretty funny lesser know holidays. WeÕll always have free charts, but I think IÕll take a break from monthly free charts (you just never know.)
Q: Are there graphs by other designers you personally collect?
A: Unfortunately, there isnÕt much time left in my day for stitching other designerÕs creations. I do collect charts for my retirement years and hope my eyes will hold up. The only other stitching I do now is for samples in the button company booth at trade shows.
Q: What does the future hold for cross stitch?
A: I am always an optimist, so IÕm looking forward to many more years of fun. IÕm hoping that if stitchers are creating fewer pieces each year, they will go ahead and use the best quality linen and floss they can afford. It is so satisfying to feel a fine piece of linen and see the color changes of hand-dyed floss. But whatever happens, I am so glad IÕve been here.
Thanks to Patti for her time and generosity. If you'd like to see Patti's full line of designs, visit
Have a great month everyone!
© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com
