Dear everybody,
I didn’t know Kathreen in real life. We weren’t regular online correspondents, either. But I felt I knew her. Her voice was strong and clear. Her writing on the Whip Up blog was smart, fair, kind and open. She showcased others’ work with the best kind of generosity: offhand and matter-of-fact. She celebrated other crafters, writers, and photographers, and helped their work gain a wider audience.

In the last few months, I came to know Kathreen in a new way that brought her very close. As she, Rob and their children traveled throughout Australia on their amazing adventure, I followed along on Kathreen’s Instagram account, also called @whipup. All of the photos in this post are screen shots of Kathreen’s Instagrams. In the days since her death, I’ve returned to these Instagrams several times. They show Kathreen’s view of the world, her sense of adventure and love of her family, in the same open, frank “voice”–a visual voice– that she had on the blog. Her life was beautiful. So many were enriched and inspired by it.

Here are a few of the posts from the Whip Up blog that, to me, were Kathreen at her most Kathreen.
Some Truths.
Life, My Friends.
Quilts for Political and Social Commentary


Please read Ann’s post below about how to help Kathreen and Rob’s children by contributing to a fund for their education.

And that knitting pattern we’re giving as a little gift to those who make a donation? The ends are woven on that thing, and Ann has taken to it with her blocking wires–in other words, it will be available very soon. Don’t worry if you’ve already made a donation; we will make it ultra easy to get a copy, no matter when or how you donated.

One final note: if you are participating in this week’s celebration of Kathreen’s life by posting on your blog, please let us know by sending us a link in the comments, so that we can send people your way. We really appreciate your graciousness in spreading the word.

Love,
Kay