As a youth, I had bold and explosive energy, which I funneled into competitive gymnastics, earning a BFA in Dance, and eventually a career in massage therapy. In each of these disciplines, I found my way to teaching, which means my teaching experience now spans four decades.

After I got my “wriggles” out, I found quilting. It started with piecing about 10 years ago and quickly evolved into longarm quilting. Honestly, I felt like there were never enough hours in the day to soak up all the skills I wanted to learn.

I have taught the basics of longarm quilting as well as Pro-Stitcher® classes, helping quilters learn to use digital designs with their longarm machines. I especially enjoy one-on-one sessions with new owners, showing them the potential of their new quilting “gem.”

I love making kaleidoscope quilts and have designed a class to teach others how to choose fabrics and construct these beautiful quilts. To quote Eudora Welty, the process of making a kaleidoscope quilt is a “continuous thread of revelation.”

I use repetition, humor, and some of that kinetic energy I mentioned earlier to make every classroom engaging and enjoyable. My goal is to create a learning environment where students feel safe, productive, confident, and successful.

Growing up in a military family gave me the opportunity to live on multiple continents, in several states, and even on an island. Today, I call Bunker Hill, Illinois home, where my husband, our two cats, and I enjoy life while I operate an in-home longarm quilting business.