Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she sits down with Tian Connaughton, a talented knitter, crocheter, designer, and tech editor who made the bold leap from corporate finance to pursuing her passion for handmade crafts. In this inspiring episode, Tian shares her fascinating journey that began with learning to crochet from a coworker in 2001, evolved through watching knitting shows during naptime with her toddler son, and ultimately led to creating her groundbreaking book "Cardigans for Everybody." Discover how a corporate layoff became the catalyst for building a fiber arts business, her mission to create wearable garments that fit every body type, and her approach to blending financial savviness with creative passion.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Tian's unexpected entry into fiber arts - learning crochet from a suspicious coworker who turned out to be a gateway to her future career
• The transition from hobby crafter to professional designer after a corporate layoff provided the perfect opportunity to reassess life priorities
• Her revolutionary approach to inclusive sizing in knitting/crochet patterns and why standard pattern grading often fails real bodies
• The business side of creativity - implementing "CEO days" and using corporate finance skills to build a sustainable craft business
• Why she tells beginners to skip washcloths and scarves and start with what they actually want to make
• Her philosophy on celebrating bodies that "have done a lot" rather than constantly seeking the "perfect" fit
• How she's inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs by involving her son in business discussions at the kitchen table

Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she sits down with Deb Strain, Moda Fabrics' longest-standing designer with an incredible 27-year career. In this captivating episode, Deb reveals her extraordinary creative journey from public school art teacher to greeting card entrepreneur to becoming part of the Moda family after a serendipitous trade show encounter. Discover how she creates beloved fabric collections entirely by hand using traditional pen, ink, and watercolor techniques that haven't changed in centuries. Learn about the surprising technical constraints that shape every collection, witness a live demonstration of ancient damask creation methods, and see how Christmas color trends have evolved over nearly three decades of design.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Deb's unexpected journey from art teacher to greeting card company owner to Moda designer after a chance trade show meeting 27 years ago
• Her completely hand-drawn design process using pen, ink, and paint - refusing to go digital despite family pressure to modernize
• The 17-color printing limitation that constrains every collection and how she hand-mixes paint recipes for consistency across years
• Live demonstration of creating symmetrical damask patterns using the ancient mirror-and-paste technique
• How fabric collections are designed like stories, with panels as main characters and coordinating prints as supporting cast
• The evolution of Christmas color trends from deep primitive '90s colors to bright neons to today's traditional palette
• Working 18 months ahead to predict future trends and the partnership with quilt designer Barb from Coach House Designs

Join host Misty Doan on Homespun as she sits down with Jen Bellnap of The Smitten Chicken, a mom of six who transformed her darkest moment into a thriving quilting business. In this deeply moving episode, Jen shares how a late-night purchase of a rainbow jelly roll became the foundation for her healing journey after pregnancy loss. Discover how what started as a creative outlet evolved into pattern design success, the surprising realities of running a quilting business (hint: it's 80% computer work!), and why breaking the silence around difficult topics creates unexpected community. From stitching herself back together with that first rainbow baby quilt to designing patterns that help other women feel less alone, Jen's story is a powerful reminder of creativity's healing power and the quilting community's incredible support.

Key Episode Highlights:

• The pivotal rainbow jelly roll purchase that became a healing "rainbow baby quilt" - literally stitching herself back together during her darkest time
• How a late-night creative outlet for a busy mom of six organically evolved into The Smitten Chicken pattern design business through social media
• The surprising reality of creative entrepreneurship - spending 80% of time on computer work (photography, marketing, editing) and only 20% actually sewing
• Design philosophy born from necessity - creating large-block patterns that come together quickly while drawing inspiration from family travels
• Breaking the silence around pregnancy loss and the overwhelming response from women sharing "that was me too"
• The collaborative quilting community that taught essential business skills from Adobe Creative Suite to newsletter management
• Future aspirations in fabric design while building a portfolio and expanding from pattern designer to potential fabric creator