Hi Everyone,
Today I was suppose to be on here announcing a new Design Team. Instead I've got something else to post-something that has been a difficult decision but one that has needed to be made for several months now. I didn't know how much to share but sometimes it's good to get it all out..so here goes:
2013 dealt my family many personal struggles. Some of you may or may not know that I was diagnosed with Lyme Diesease the end of 2009. Unfortunatley, for me this has become a chronic illness and it is something that I have to deal with on a daily basis. Last spring and summer my symptoms worsened and it was a very scary time for me, my symptoms were at the worst they had been in the last four years. I found out in August that I was pregnant and was very concerned with the state of my health and the health of my baby. A few weeks later I did miscarry. It was a very sad time for me as you can imagine.
Then just a month later our family received another blow as my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in October. She had received her yearly mammogram in March of 2013 and it came back clean so we were definetly not prepared for the news. Thankfully, she was given a 100% full recovery after treatment. She underwent a double masectomy in December and will start 6 rounds of chemo here in the next few weeks. After that she will receive radiation treatments. So she still has a long road ahead.
SO-during this time I kept going and going and it's now catching up to me. I'm simply to the point where I am just burned out at the moment and need to take a break. February will mark the 5th Year Anniversary since I debuted Lily Bee Design. During all these years I have been a small operation. I've designed 95% of the collections, prepped them for production, overseen production, filled orders-you name it I've done it. Besides the enourmous amount of work and dedication that goes into running a business, I am also a mom to three little boys. I simply need to take a break. Phew, feels good to get it all out!
I want to thank all of my designers over the last year who stuck with me when times were tough. Heather Leopard, Lisa Dickinson, Summer Fullerton, Leslie Ashe, Stacey Michaud, Wendy Sue Anderson, Diane Payne, Diana Fisher, and Nicole Nowosad. And to Amy Heller-it was a rough road for me when we were getting her collection together. Thank you for hanging in there with me! To the new Design Team applicants who applied. I am so sorry! I was so excited by our applicants and I had a team chosen but in the end it made me realize I couldn't move forward.
I hope you will not forget about Lily Bee. I hope to be back sooner than later and hopefully better than ever. Time will tell. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lily Bee Friends!
I'm so sorry for all that's happened. What an awful year! Lily Bee will be missed. Wishing you a new year filled with many more ups than downs and peace.
Posted by: MichelleB | 01/27/2014 at 03:47 AM
I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear about all your family illness, and my heart goes out to you. Please take the time to care and look after yourself. I know it must have been a difficult decision but it sounds like the right one to me. Get well and re focus. X
Posted by: Sandra F | 01/27/2014 at 03:52 AM
What a sad, sad day... My heart goes out to you and your family! Take all the time you need to take care of yourself. I'll be here waiting for you to come back <3 I am going to miss Lily Bee :-(
Posted by: Alex | 01/27/2014 at 04:00 AM
Kristen, how devastating for you and your family...please take care and all our thoughts and prayers are with you....big hugs to you and no we won't forget LilyBee xxx
Posted by: Tarrah McLean | 01/27/2014 at 04:32 AM
I am so sorry to hear that, take care of yourself and your family. We'll be here when you come back.
Posted by: Toni From | 01/27/2014 at 04:33 AM
I'm so very very sorry to hear this. What an awful time for you and your family! Wishing you all a very quick recovery and lots of happiness xoxo!
And keeping you in my thoughts. Going to miss Lily Bee terribly! But I'll wait patiently for your return. Hugs!
Posted by: Monique liedtke | 01/27/2014 at 04:41 AM
I'm so sorry to hear all this Kristen, you and your family have been through a lot these last couple of years! Even though we will all miss Lily Bee, you have made the right decission. You need to think about yourself and your family now. When the time is right, I know you'll come back better than ever! hugs
Posted by: Danielle de Konink | 01/27/2014 at 05:29 AM
I am so sorry that you and your family had such a rough and hard year ... I am glad your Mom is ok! I will miss Lily Bee but totally understand your decision ... we will be here for your return! :)
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | 01/27/2014 at 05:49 AM
OH no, I am so sorry! Hugs!
Posted by: Maja | 01/27/2014 at 05:49 AM
My heart goes out to you and your family. Maybe some rest and time to take care of yourself is just what you do need. I am sending well wishes and lots of hugs your way. Take care of yourself and your family and when you are ready to make pretty things again, I am sure your Lily Bee fans will still be there. ((hugs))
Posted by: Tegan Skwiat | 01/27/2014 at 06:16 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Posted by: Juliana | 01/27/2014 at 06:24 AM
We will never forget Lily Bee and the beautiful, unique products you brought to the scrappy worlld! I sure hope you are able to come back to the industry down the road but for now wish you the very best, Kristen, for you and your family and your health.
Posted by: Becky Williams | 01/27/2014 at 06:24 AM
Ohh, this is so sad and something I never expected. But my heart goes out to you, just reading all that you have been through has made my heart heavy. You are so brave for having dealt with it and keeping on all the work. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I wish you and your mother recover soon and feel better and that Lilybee Designs comes back with a bang!
I will be waiting to see ya back. {{HUGS}}
Posted by: Ujjwal Goel | 01/27/2014 at 06:34 AM
What a soldier you have been! You definitely have made the right decision because in the long run it is your health and family that are important. Your Lily Bee fans will be here for you whatever path you choose in the future. HUGS!!
Posted by: Janet Zeppa | 01/27/2014 at 06:40 AM
I hope you take the time you need to heal and take care of yourself. Beyond that, know you are strong and well loved. And your fans will be here when you are ready to return.
Posted by: Rachel | 01/27/2014 at 07:02 AM
Big hugs to you and your family, Kristen! You're putting you and your family first and that is the most important thing. You will come back stronger and better than ever and all of your fans will be here when that day arrives! Best wishes! xo
Posted by: Adrienne Alvis | 01/27/2014 at 07:26 AM
I am broken hearted over this news, as Lilybee is one of my favorite companies out there, but you and your family come first. Just take the time you need, and we'll be here when you're ready to come back!!!
Posted by: Amy Coose | 01/27/2014 at 07:30 AM
I am sorry for all that you have gone through this past year and think you are doing the right thing! I know how tough this was for you to decide and I hope you take the time you need with your family! I can't wait for you to be back in action though too - will be watching for that :)
Posted by: Nicole N. | 01/27/2014 at 07:34 AM
Kristen, dear, take care of yourself and family. I had no idea how rough the last year had been. You all are in my thoughts. I will always love Lily Bee. Hugs
Posted by: Katrina | 01/27/2014 at 07:44 AM
I am so glad you are doing what is eat Kristen. Prayers for a better 2014 and that the break will do you and your family good. Thank you for the year and a half and giving me a break in the industry. Will always love LB.
Posted by: Patricia | 01/27/2014 at 07:49 AM
I am so sorry to hear about all of the health struggles you and your family have been dealing with this year. A break sounds like it is the right decision for you and your family. While I will miss Lily Bee, I will eagerly look forward to its return!
Posted by: Vivian | 01/27/2014 at 07:56 AM
I wish you the very very best. I love your papers (I also have 3 boys...) and hope you will come back soon, but take care of you first !
Posted by: Isbaha | 01/27/2014 at 07:56 AM
Much love, health and happiness to you and your family, Kristen. I hope you know I love ya and wish you a wonderful 2014!!!
Posted by: Heather Leopard | 01/27/2014 at 08:19 AM
I am so sorry for your struggles the past year. I can't imagine the toll it has taken on you emotionally and physically. We're here for you when you are ready to start your adventure back up again. If you need anything, let me know!
Posted by: Diana Fisher | 01/27/2014 at 08:21 AM
Gosh, I can't say how sorry I am to hear that! I hope that things look up for you soon. I will look forward to when Lily Bee is able to come back! I've loved working with your products and hope to be able to do that again!
Posted by: Stacia Brandt | 01/27/2014 at 08:35 AM