Whimsicals began in 1997 when my mom (Jackie Conaway) and I (Terri Degenkolb) tightly closed our eyes and took a plunge of faith to follow a dream and a prayer.

I grew up in rural Indiana and learned to sew at a very young age. In fact, Mom loves to tell how she would sit me on her lap while at the sewing machine, and I remember many days spent on the floor in her sewing room creating anything from hand puppets and doll clothes, to pencil drawings and embroidery. I loved it when the electricity would go out and I could stitch by candlelight, pretending I was a pioneer (of course, now I realize that I wouldn’t survive long without a bathroom, a hot shower and hair dryer!) After many years spent making all kinds of things including cross stitch, crocheting, clothes, drawing and macrame, I took a quilting class in 1990 and have been hooked ever since.

Then, in 1996, while working as a CAD drafter, I found myself without a sitter for my two young boys and decided that it was time to try being a stay at home mom. Being a person who finds it hard to sit and do nothing, I found that my creative spirit took over and I began making things for craft fairs and friends as something to do. At the same time, my mom had just retired from her job and we found that we had lots of time to create together. Mom was more proficient with the traditional quilting style, while I, being a doodler and tactile person, added whimsy with the applique shapes and woolen textures. So, in 1997, Whimsicals was born on a whim and a prayer, when we combined our different skills and styles to self publish our first set of patterns.

Since that time, we have worked together to self publish 40 patterns and 14 books. In 2001 we were approached by a company to design quilting fabric and have designed ten lines of “quilt store only” fabric. Mom has since retired (again) as of December 2005, but continues to be a part of Whimsicals with her undying support and encouragement to me. I continue to self publish my books and patterns, and currently am designing fabric for Red Rooster Fabrics. But don't think for a minute that I am doing it all on my own. My husband, Tom, is now helping whenever he can, so we are truly a family business.

It is an amazing journey that I’m on. I never would have guessed that what began as something to fill my creative spirit while staying home with my boys would grow into a full time business of designing and publishing, but I know that I am incredibly blessed. I love what I do and pray that you find enjoyment in it too!

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