My interest in sewing and creating began when I was a little girl. I would often observe my mother making us clothes on her old-fashioned treadle sewing machine. Many nights during the summer months, I would fall asleep to the sound of her sewing on her machine. I loved the dresses she made me and proudly wore them to school! The entire process fascinated me: from choosing fabrics and other supplies and notions to the actual sewing of each item.

My earliest recollection of creating something from fabric was when I was about 5 or 6 years old. My mother gave me some scraps of fabric. I helped myself to a spool of thread and a needle, ran off to my room and I hand sewed a dress for one of my dolls. I remember that my mother seemed pleasantly surprised by my handiwork and I felt pretty proud of myself and my little accomplishment.

My grandmother also had many creative talents. She knitted and crocheted on a regular basis, creating some of the most beautiful sweaters, mittens, blankets and tablecloths I have ever seen. Being the recipient of so many beautiful handmade items at Christmas from my mother and grandmother gave me an early appreciation of handmade gifts. The quality of a handmade gift and the love and care that went into every stitch made these items very special to me.

In Junior High I had a Home Economics teacher who further nurtured my desire to create. I can still hear her telling me how to place the bobbin into the sewing machine. I ran into her a few years ago and we talked and laughed about that very subject!

I am very fortunate to have had the influence of these talented women in my early years. They all contributed to my fascination, love (perhaps obsession) of fabric and the creative process. I truly love what I do!