I have been a sewing person for most of my adult life. I learned in Middle School/Junior High School. My Mom also sewed when I was young. Mom was actually such a beautiful seamstress that she took sewing in as a part time job. I owe so much of my sewing talent to her influences.

I started out with a little old Sears Kenmore Sewing Machine in 1974. Finally, around 2000, it went to the great sewing machine Heaven in the sky- Mom sent me a check for a new one. I am thinking it was for a Birthday. Bless her heart. I have a second Kenmore. Yes I know there are many more kinds out there but the basics serve me well. Plus, in truth, I hate to have to read directions.....

I began in 1992, with a Quilt for my daughter Keri. My friend Deb and I took a beginners quilt class. The twin bed quilt ended up, on purpose mind you- being a queen size quilt of yellow and purple and pink with a beautiful fabric of swirling butterflies as its main focus. I took it over to one of the Church Quilting Ladies, Miss Frances. She ooh-ed and aahhhh'd over it . Then she asked my son, Matthew- "Matthew what color quilt is your Mama going to make you?" My immediate reply was that I was never making another quilt again. Well, Frances looked at me and as seriously as the proverbial heart attack, she said, oh ---if you made one, for one child you HAVE to make one for the other. Hence a quilter was born. I have now made 8. Of course one for each child, and one for Mom and my sister, Jean, and myself, of course. I have at least 4 in the "pondering stage". That means I have material I just have not decided exactly what pattern to use.

My favorite thing to do is actually, next to garden, and cook, is to sew. My sewing room is a small room, but I have a wall of plants in the window. They like the North East exposure. And I like their company. I can listen to an audio book, sew and enjoy the peace and quiet while I choose fabrics and create and invent new patterns for my table runners, or perfect a walker bag for someone. I have discovered I can find fabrics on line. Who-ooh! I used to trek all over just to find the precise one. Now, I have such great resources on line that I don't have to do that! For someone who did not use the computer till 10 years ago- I have come leaps and bounds.

My Logo, or the Avatar, I suppose is the better name, has been made by my niece, Kaylyn. She is an artist in the graphic area. I sent a picture of me at age 3 and this is what she came up with. And I was called Cousin Patty as a little person, which was long ago and far away. Perhaps quilting has been an influence, since I grew up in Bethlehem PA, and close to the Amish area of PA. I love the symmetry and design of quilts. I love blending fabrics and making a new picture with them. Some people think that cutting up perfectly good fabric to sew it back together is ridiculous. Well, they simply have not tried it! Sewing and quilting are an art as old as people themselves. There are so many possibilities, and so many quilts or projects that have yet to be done! When I look at something- I can picture it in a fabric version. Obsessive? Well, maybe a little. But it is such fun!