Karen Combs, who is a fantastic designer and wonderful teacher/lady, had her teaching suitcase stolen out of a rental car in New Braunfels, Texas on Friday night (March 16). I’ve taken classes from Karen and have seen her work in shows for years. She’s just an all around good person and I’m so sorry this happened to her.
Above is a photo of one of the quilts. Karen’s quilts are all distinctively “Karen” and she has the stolen ones pictured on this blog post. These quilts could be anywhere by now. As Karen states in the blog post, they mean nothing to the thief and he/they were probably quite disappointed to see what they had gotten, but they are very valuable to Karen.
Please go to Karen Combs’ blog, read the story, and be watching for those quilts.
And, though it should go without saying, please teach your children and your grandchildren and anyone’s children you can speak with, that you never take things that aren’t yours! That seems to be getting lost more and more in our society. And, equally important, if you see someone doing something that doesn’t look right, call the authorities! Maybe if you can do it without getting yourself in harm’s way, take a picture of their license plate or their face. Hearing about Karen’s quilts, and other similar stories recently, really makes me sad . . sad for those who have lost their precious items but also sad that something is so lacking in our society that this is happening so much.
Laurel from Iowa says
The quilt you pictured is beautiful! I can’t usually see 3-D, but those blocks just pop out at me. I am so sorry that this happened to your friend. Maybe the thief will have a change of heart. . .
I agree with you about teaching kids right from wrong. Remember when Hillary Clinton pushed the “it takes a village” theory? She was right on! I was volunteering at our local movie theater last night when a 6th grade boy I know came in. He had no money and told one of the girls he was with to pay for him AND SHE DID! Then I heard him tell a different girl to buy him pop and popcorn AND SHE DID! Later he walked in and out of the theater talking on his cell phone. I said, “Bob, your mom called here looking for you because you didn’t go home after your walk. Don’t do that to your mother, ever! And it’s rude to tell someone they are going to pay for you. If I see you do that again, I’ll call your parents. You know better.” He apologized to me, but I told him he needed to apologize to the girls AND pay them back.
I sure hope Karen gets good news about her quilts.
Peggy says
I have know Karen for years. Long before she became famous in the quilt world. She is one fine person who like you has given so much to the quilt world as well as to people in general. It is sad that so many in our society today have decided that anything they can pick up is OK to pick up.
You are correct that Karen’s work is very well know and very “Karen” to anyone who knows quilts. I do hope she gets her quilts back as I know her schedule is very busy and finding time to remake these samples would be difficult.
Debbie B says
Very sad! I’m sure Karen is just sick!
Sandie says
I have to agree that our society has completely lost sight of the right and wrong of things in today’s world. I be lie e it is all due to not being taught respect… If you respect others you don’t cause them any harm, and if you respect yourself you don’t cause yourself any shame. I hope that Karen somehow, some way, manages to have these quilts returned to her! I can only imagine the heartbreak… She seems to be such a kind person from the small amount of time I spoke with her in the past… Sad.
Debbie R. says
My sis got her purse stolen in the same kind of circumstance… she left it in van during a baby shower because she carried in some other things… what a mess… I don’t leave anything in my car anymore…. ever…..even with doors locked.
sandra says
Judy you may want to post this to your facebook also I have put it on mine here in Houston. we maybe able to reach alot more people that way.
Gwen says
This is so very sad. I hate that it is becoming so very common. I am apalled when I talk with friends who are still teaching. The things the kids are doing and saying is beyond my imagination. I worry about what is happening to our world. If the person who took the bag of quilts didn’t know what they had sadly the nearest dumpster may be where they wound up. New Braunfels isn’t very large, but does have a lot of tourist traffic and spring break was last week. I’m sure someone thought the pickings would be good from cars at places on the interstate. So very sad.
Maria Elkins says
This information is also now posted on the Lost Quilt Come Home website at http://lostquilt.com/index.php/2012/status/missing/karen-combs-quilts/
Linda in NE says
So sad. There’s just so much thievery nowadays. Is it just a part of the “entitled” feeling so much of society has? Is it drug users looking for something to sell for a quick fix? I wonder.
Diane in CA says
Such beautiful quilts.. I sure hope they end up in a pawn shop and not the dumpster!!.. Sending good thoughts for the quilts return and bad karma to the scum that stole them..!
Paul B says
What a tragedy! I’m sure the thief had no idea what they were stealing or the impact it would produce for Karen and her students. So frustrating.