Sad News

kathreen ricketson

I’m deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague, Kathreen Ricketson, founder of Whip Up, author of quilting and craft books, and the creator of Action Pack family magazine. Although I never met Kathreen in person, we worked together on a number of projects and I have been inspired by her amazing blog for years. A force in the handmade world, she influenced so many people with her creativity and her integrity.

Beyond her honest and thoughtful words, she really lived a beautiful and creative handmade life. This year she and her family left home to travel around their native Australia to live the slow life, to explore the natural world and connect with one another on a new level. The incredibly sad circumstances of her death and the tragedy of her two children losing both of their parents in a single day is too much. I hope her children will somehow feel the love that is pouring in for them from around the world. Kathreen touched so many lives through her work.

It looks like they have created a fund for Kathreen and Rob’s children, so please check in over at Whip Up for more details. Or just click the button below to go directly to PayPal to donate now.


The photo above was posted by Kathreen on her blog just a few months ago.

13 Replies to “Sad News”

  1. This is devastating. The craft world has lost a wonderful teacher and inspiration. I’ve followed Whip Up for many years and will dearly miss it.

  2. I read about her passing on Whip Up earlier today and I just remain in shock. What a tremendous loss!

  3. Oh dear, what a sad, sad, day….Kathreen was so inspiring to me personally….her poor children. She will be missed by so many.

  4. Oh, that is so sad. Thank you for letting me (us) know and please, whatever I can do for the children…

  5. I am shocked and saddened. I can’t believe their children witnessed all of it, and lost both parents at once. I will pray for strength for them, and hope they will be able eventually to remember all of the happy times with their wonderful creative parents.

  6. I am just finding out about this today, 5-20, and I am beyond devastated. As the mother of two young boys, I have cried all morning for these 2 precious childrens’ loss and for the loss for the creative world.

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