1. How did you get started in quilting?
I have always been a crafter and I've loved sewing since I was very young. I even made my own clothes! I started quilting when I moved to Chico and I've been a member of Annie's Star Quilt Guild for over 30 years.
In addition to quilting, I am also a watercolor artist. Plus, last year, I started coiling pine needle baskets. I also quilt for others and continue to be involved in community service projects for the guild.
2. What is one quilting notion that you can’t do without?
My favorite quilting notion is, of course, the rotary cutter.
3. If you’re willing, please share a funny quilting experience that taught you a memorable lesson.
I decided to make myself a queen size quilt. I pieced the quilt top and even used wool batting. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best quilting job, as the machine's tension was terrible. But, I decided to leave it as it was since it was just for me.
Well, I washed it a few weeks ago and the batting shrunk SO much that I absolutely hate the quilt! I am now in the process of taking out all of the stitching and I will rebuild it. This experience has taught me so much. Always test your stitches before you begin a project.
4. If it’s possible to choose just one, what is your favorite quilt that you’ve made?
My favorite quilting project was a challenge quilt for the guild. We had to pick a season and make a quilt that measured 20" by 72". My season was fall and I chose to recreate, in quilt form, Multnomah Falls in Oregon. I loved the process and it’s one of my favorite quilts.
5. What do you do with your quilts/crafts?
I usually give the quilts I make to family members. My watercolors are sold and displayed at Broadway Heights. For the most part, my coiled pine needle baskets are for my enjoyment only. However, I was commissioned to make one for a friend.
6. Have you ever received a quilt as a gift? If so, please share a bit about the experience.
I had shown my daughter-in-law how to piece quilts and she loved it so much. She gifted me one that she had made that was even hand quilted! It’s a treasure. She makes really lovely quilts.
7. What type of quilting/crafting do you most enjoy?
I've always loved the full quilting process and I still enjoy it so much! I also work on watercolors daily and that keeps me very busy. Then there's my coiling of pine needles, too. Along with all this, I also love working in my garden.
8. We would love to include some personal details about you (anything you’d like to share) such as your profession, interests outside of quilting, future plans, etc.
Before I retired, I was an Insurance Agent. I still have a very active life and thankfully have the time to do exactly what I love to do. As stated above, the three most enjoyable things in my life are quilting for myself and others, painting for myself, and luckily getting to sell the art. My pine needle basketry is also very enjoyable. I have been married for 52 years. My husband Bill and I used to love to camp. My son, Alex, and daughter-in-law, Lynn, reside in Mt. Shasta and I have two grandsons, Tanner 27, and Beckett 17.