About me

Ok so the original version of this website didn't have this page, despite strong recommendations from my web designer (Love ya' Kendall), for the simple reason that I couldn't think of what to write.

Don't get me wrong, ordinarily I love to write, but for some reason writing about myself for the sole purpose of writing about myself turned out to be like pulling teeth.

However, I like reading other people's bios a great deal so I figured I should return the favor.

So here goes:

The Basics:

-Born and Bred in the burbs of our nation's capitol, where I developed a love of cultures, traditions, folklore, spirituality and art from around the world.

-Education: BA in Psych from George Mason University, which I've never truly made use of except perhaps in a philosophical sense...lifelong student of the human mind in all its varied complexities and capabilities...fascinating organ.

As far as quilting and sewing goes, I am largely self-taught. I haven't ever taken a class in either. I tend to like to puzzle things out for myself through books, magazines and simple experimentation and practice. Growing up, I always had my mother (a talented seamstress and artisan in her own right) to run to should I need any advice or help but I always try to figure things out on my own first.

-Career outside of Art Quilting: I spent 11 years working my way up the corporate ladder of a national fabric store chain. Here's where my being a fabric junkie came into play. Just out of college, burned out on school, no idea what I wanted to do with myself, I got a 'temporary' job at the local fabric store and got hooked, line and sinker.

I loved the fabric enough to do the not-so-fun stuff, like being the boss, for a very long time. Now, the only one I boss around is myself and I still get to play with fabric every day. I do sometimes miss the exchange of ideas with all the creative and talented people that shopped at my stores and worked for me but not enough to go back. Now I just have to seek those wonderful and creative people out on my own instead of them conveniently coming to me.

-Interests: sewing (quilting, fashion, costume, deco, craft, soft-sculpture, utility, u-name-it), design, dyeing, home-remodeling, jewelry-making, furniture restoration, upholstery, reading, writing, hiking, yoga, orienteering, camping, cooking, singing, ballroom dance, woodworking... people who think, places of beauty, things created by joyful and active minds.

The list gets added to on a regular basis.

My Work:

-As evidenced by what you see in the pictures, I'm predominantly inspired by natural themes, cultural traditions and folk art.

Fabric is my chosen medium of expression for the simple reason that I'm a sensualist at heart (and a fabric junkie, as I admitted above). I want to play with something I can feel as well as look at.

It appeals to my inner engineer as well as my inner child. My higher cognitive function loves the challenge of shaping and bending the fabric to my will, pushing the limits of what it can do. While my animal brain simply loves the pretty colors and curving lines, the movement and texture.

I find that fabric and quilting is also good for my personal growth. It beats the perfectionist in me into submission every time because, no matter how hard you try, it will never be perfect...but there is definitely beauty to be found in its imperfection.

My work brings me joy throughout the process, from inspiration, drafting, revision and execution to more revision and completion ...then more revision...(even when I'm swearing up a blue streak and threatening to throw my sewing machine out the window for not cooperating with me). My dearest hope is to share that joy and the love of the subject and medium with others through the final product.

"Thousands of candles can be lit by a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." -Buddha-