Biography

I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved to California in 1959, when I was twelve. I was introduced to sewing early on although no one quilted in my family. My mother was a skilled seamstress and I remember the complete wardrobes my mom would make for my cherished Revlon and Ginny dolls!

My introduction to quiltmaking came in 1980. After spending 14 long years to earn my Masters degree in Psychology from San Diego State University, I decided I needed a break and took a quilting class. I didn't think I would have the patience to do all those hand stitches. Within one year I was hooked and teaching .. not psychology but quiltmaking! I love teaching. My motto on teaching: "When I teach, I feel like I am there to guide each student to produce what they want to make. It is important to me that each person's personality shine through in their quilt. Quiltmaking is a very creative process and I believe my job is to help each person's creativity and imagination come out. I continually marvel at all the quilts my students make and they inspire me greatly to continue to learn and grow."

In 1992, I originated "Swap-A-Block" quilt clubs and I'm affectionately known as the "Swap Queen" having introduced hundreds of students to their first swap. These clubs, where students make blocks to exchange with others in the club, have continued to be a great source of challenge and fun.

A whole new avenue of quilting began when my Swap-A-Block students asked me to design patterns for them. I now have a quilt pattern business, The Quilt Company, with my daughter, Melissa. Our first patterns are "The Century Quilt" with Sunbonnet Sue and "This Old Barn" Block of the Month patterns. I've been told that my designs are happy and bring a smile to your face. I'm glad if they do because I believe quilting should be all about having a lot of fun!

After all these years, Istill get asked from non-quilting friends, "How do you have the patience to do all that stitching?" My answer: It never takes patience to do something you love to do!

Publications:

Quilting Today Magazine, issues 56, 58, 60, and 62, articles on Block Swapping

Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, issue 229, featured in the Meetin' Place

Traditional Quiltworks Magazine, Feb '89, May '89, August '90

Visions: Quilts of a New Decade Book, 1990, C & T Publishers, p. 90

Contemporary Quilts 1993 Calendar, Turtle Press Publication