My interest in fiber arts began as a toddler sewing buttons onto scraps of cloth. I remember sitting on Grammy Carrie's bed with a box of buttons, a scrap of cloth, a threaded needle and sewing away as long as that thread lasted; asking for more when I came to the end. I remember Grammy Lee giving me needlework kits to stitch, beautiful embroideries and more. My parents bought my first sewing machine for me when I was in the 8th grade and I never looked back.
My creative side took some twists and turns along the way. When I married my husband, who was in the US Navy, moving made it difficult to maintain a studio. I made custom needlepoint pieces for a shop in Jacksonville, FL, for many years; designed and stitched-counted cross stitch pieces for a shop in Norfolk, VA; and participated in craft fairs along the way. I have over 5,000 volunteer hours with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society knitting baby layettes. Additionally, I sewed, knitted, crocheted and painted for both of our children. When our daughter joined Colorguard with Drum Corps International and Winterguard International, I began designing and sewing Colorguard flags (silks) and have worked with several Guards. Also, I have designed and sewn Guard uniforms.
After relocating to Maryland for my husband's second career, I delved into my creative side even further and have taken over almost half the house for studio space. My best days are spent “playing” with fibers of various forms. It is not work — I find joy and pleasure in creating and designing. Lately I have fallen down a rabbit hole of what I call “fabri-gami”, a blend of traditional and non-traditional origami made with fabrics treated to hold the folds and shapes. and also more traditional origami/kirigami. I love exploring the shapes and forms, where they can go and what alternate ways they may be used along with their traditional applications. I seem to have an eye for finding interesting or unusual papers to use for some pieces and love to see them come together to blend and meld to make just the right piece.
It has been a long and winding road with my art, and I'm constantly growing and exploring still. I never know where my interests will take me, but I always enjoy the experiences.
