I will give you a little of my background - I have 2 boys and 2 girls (18,17,15 & 13), so I have sewn for both. I have always loved the look of heirloom sewing and knew that was something I wanted to learn! I received a pleater for Christmas when I was a senior in high school, but didn’t know anyone who smocked. I carted it with me to college and then to Texas, where I had my first job, and then to California, still not knowing how to smock! In 1988 after my first child (a boy) was born, my mother visited, and I took her to a tole painting shop. Next door was a quilt shop with a smocked pillow in the window and a sign that said ‘Smocking Classes’. I have been hooked ever since. I consider my self to be blessed to be in the right place at the right time - I have been privileged to take classes from Elizabeth Travis Johnson, Florence Roberson, Connie Harbor, Margaret Pierce, Julia Golson, Cindy Foose, Wendy Schoen, Lillie McAnge, as well as many others. I have also been privileged to travel with Julia Golson twice to Madeira, Portugal, and taken classes from the world renowned embroideresses at the Imperial Bordados Factory in Funchal. We also traveled to Glasgow, Scotland to take classes in Ayrshire work with Bunny Bryson. Smocking, Madeira Applique’, cutwork, and embroidery are all areas that I teach.

I love all forms of handwork! Hand is NOT a ‘4 letter word’ in my vocabulary! I started my heirloom sewing journey with smocking, so that will always be one of my loves, but I also find embroidery very relaxing, especially the pin stitch! And while I truly find handwork very rewarding, I hate to see a beautifully hand embroidered or smocked piece ruined by poor construction! Because of this I have several construction or construction related classes. All of my classes are either SAGA approved, or in their evaluation process. I have been involved in SAGA since I started to smock, and besides being involved in several local guilds, I have also been on the National SAGA board as the Region VI (Southwest) Rep, and have taught at several SAGA events. I am going through the SAGA Artisan program - I have passed the Apprentice and the Artisan level of the Smocking Program and am currently working on my Master Level. I have also passed the Apprentice level of the Embroidery Program. I am a contributing editor to Creative Needle and Sew Beautiful. I have also taught at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion.