Recurring themes in my textile art have to do with natural configurations: rocks, trees, grasses, flowers, and the land. I am fascinated with line, pattern, shape, color, and texture, and how to design with these elements capturing the essence of what I see and feel. My favorite quotation is from Emerson, “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.”
As 20-owner of The Stitchin’ Post with my daughter Valori in Sisters, Oregon for 48 years I have been involved in quilting industry as an author, workshop/lecture presenter, and founder of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. I received the Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year award in Sisters, and was the first independent retailer to be inducted into Primedia’s Independent Retailer Hall of Fame. In 2010 I was inducted into the Quilter’s Hall of Fame in Marion, Indiana and received the Michael Kile Award of Achievement honoring commitment to creativity and excellence in the quilting industry. The Stitchin’ Post was one of the first stores to be included in the American Patchwork and Quilting top ten quilt shop issue. I am the author of 30 books, the most current ones being Intuitive Color and Design, 2nd edition, and Journey to Inspired Art Quilting. In 2020 I was awarded the Ben Westlund Memorial Award by the Deschutes Cultural Coalition of the Oregon Cultural Trust. (The honor is awarded to those who have served tirelessly throughout the years to forward arts and culture in Central Oregon.)
I have participated in many gallery shows, won numerous honors with my quilts, as well as been featured as a quilt artist in Japan, England, and France. My most recent award is a Judge’s Choice award at the Houston Quilt Festival. My love of sharing ideas and techniques in the classroom is what drives my creativity whether online or in the classroom.
Workshop: Of The Earth
Land — stone — wood — water —plants —inspiration is anywhere you choose to look. Peaks, valleys, ancient earth, rich colors in a sunset, the possibilities are endless in this exploration of design possibilities. Nature’s lines shapes, textures texture and colors are unique unto themselves. Let the magic “Of The Earth” be your beginning as you explore design possibilities in an abstract like process of simplifying what you see. Find your own voice through a series of mini assignments and move on to interpret what you feel about the earth. My books Intuitive Color and Design and Journey to Inspired Art Quilting are good references.