In 1980, I launched my first business, “Sew What? Almost Anything,” from home while raising a young family. A gift of matching appliqué sweatshirts sparked my fascination with appliqué, which soon led me to selling my designs at craft shows. However, after developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, I had to stop the repetitive sewing that I loved. In 1992, with encouragement from my husband, I pivoted and founded The Whole Country Caboodle, focusing on selling patterns instead of finished products. The transition was challenging, but each obstacle helped shape me as a designer and business owner.

Determined to grow, I debuted 18 new patterns at the International Quilt Market in Portland, Oregon—a leap of faith that paid off. That success deepened my passion for design and fueled my desire to keep learning and evolving. Two years later, I was approached to design fabric, which began a journey that continues today with Henry Glass Fabrics. Over the past three decades, our business has expanded to include laser-cut appliqués, patterns, and kits—all inspired by my faith, family, nature, and life’s little moments.

Now located on 12 peaceful acres overlooking Cedar Lake, our workspace has grown alongside our business. One special addition is the “Janny Shack,” named in honor of my mom, whose legacy continues to inspire us daily. Surrounded by wildlife and the beauty of nature, we remain grounded in creativity, family, and the joy of doing what we love.

Growing up in the front bay window of my mom’s shop, I spent countless hours playing with my Little Tikes kitchen, unaware that those early moments of imagination would shape my future. Surrounded by creativity, I absorbed the values of hard work, family, and artistic expression. Though people often said I’d one day join the family business, I initially took a different path—studying Nonprofit Youth Administration and working in youth ministry—until a graphic design class sparked a new passion and opened my eyes to a career in digital design.

In 2010, I began splitting my time between a student ministry design job and helping my mom with The Whole Country Caboodle. By 2019, I officially joined the business full-time. Now, we work side by side—my mom hand-draws our fabric collections, and I bring them to life digitally. We challenge each other, collaborate closely, and create designs that are fun, meaningful, and full of heart. I especially love drawing inspiration from the people I love, including my daughter Elyse, who reminds me daily of the joy in creating.

At the core of our work is a commitment to relationships—with each other, our team, and the community we serve. These connections fuel our creativity and keep us grounded. As the industry evolves, we continue to adapt, grow, and dream—trusting each new season will bring opportunities to do what we love with purpose and passion.