I was born in Michigan and raised on a dairy farm. As a youngster in 4-H clubs, I learned to crochet and knit, in addition to showing dairy heifers at the fair. My mother was an amazing quilter and seamstress, she could also crochet and knit. She spent many hours trying to improve my skills. My paternal Grandmother crocheted and my maternal Grandpa was a doilie maker. I cherish my precious memories of hours spent with my loved ones as we worked on projects, and use their love of fiber arts as my inspiration.
During a visit to the New Mexico State Fair, my husband and I attended an Alpaca Show; one look at those beautiful animals and I was hooked! We decided we would raise a small herd of Huacaya alpaca fiber animals, and Rancho de Los Sueños was born. I attended Northern New Mexico College, learning to spin, weave, dye yarn using natural dyes, and I helped to build my first Rio Grande walking loom. That was over 10 years ago.
Although we no longer have an alpaca herd, we still have a garage full of fiber that I'm sorting and grading, getting it ready to send to the fiber mill for a new batch of yarn. I now weave on a Schacht Cricket loom and my Rio Grande walking loom, and I own a beautiful SpinOlution spinning wheels. My small project bags always have something fun waiting to be completed.