My name is Kelley Amato and I have spent most of my life as an elementary school teacher. My business has grown from what I refer to as "The Great Sadness" which began when my father passed away in December 2019. It was devastating, as I have lived across the street from my parents for thirty years. Little did I know that the worst was yet to come. Three short months later, in March of 2020, my mo
ther and I were both hospitalized for three weeks with Covid 19. I was still so sick with heart and lung complications that I was barely able to do anything. I retired from my teaching career to focus on my recovery. Shortly after my mother's death, I found out that my son and daughter-in-law were expecting a baby! What joyful news! I threw myself into making baby hats and blankets. This was something that I could do while lounging as my body tried to heal, and it was HAPPY. After Henry was born, I realized that there were virtually no unique baby things available during the lockdown. I had inherited my mother's sewing machine and I thought, "Heck, I know how to sew...I can make him some adorable baby clothes." My niece was also expecting a baby girl! What fun! Throughout this creative happiness, my family was hit again and again with loss and sadness. Two uncles, my father-in-law, and my cousin passed away. My widowed aunt began stopping at my house once a week for a visit. She was an avid quilter and talented crafter. She would bring pattern books and sit with me to teach me how to do anything that I was unsure about. With her help, I was able to become quite good at both sewing and crochet. Astoundingly, my aunt passed away the summer after Henry was born. While she was in the hospital, she told her children to bring all of her quilting and crochet supplies to me. A few months later, my cousin dropped off three truckloads of supplies! This was the beginning of my obsession with quilting! I began using my artistic abilities to create my own quilt patterns and make quilts for all of the Lockdown Babies in the family. When the babies started teething, I found that the bibs available were just not cute, and if they were cute the prices were exorbitant. I created my bib patterns by trying different things until I found the best design. Your baby needs a sun hat? No problem! Here you go, Baby Dear! a sunhat just for you, and two more to match all of your outfits! At each moment of my grandson's life, there were more things that I needed but could not find. I have long Covid. My life has been altered in so many ways. I have been able to find an immense amount of joy in making baby things. My niece and her beautiful baby girl are my biggest promoters! Everywhere she goes, people ask, "Where did you get that _______?" I have decided to create this page so that she can answer that question. It is a big, happy, exciting step for me.
