I reside in Willoughby, Ohio with my cat, Harley.  What began as a grade school interest in sewing progressed to a degree in clothing and retailing from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.   Upon graduation, I worked for the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service until I “retired” to raise three children with my husband, Doug.  During that “retirement” I became hooked on quilt making and it wasn’t long before I was teaching others to piece something wonderful.  Teaching led to a hunger for better supplies and in 1979, I opened Erie Street Quilts in Willoughby.   During the 1980’s, I attended eight seminars with Mary Ellen Hopkins, author of It’s Okay to Sit on My Quilt.  The skills and techniques I learned studying with Mary Ellen continue to influence my work style and teaching approach.  My consulting work with Kings Road Imports of California during the 90’s expanded my experience as a designer and led to designing annual mystery quilt projects for my shop and the Northern Ohio Quilt Shop Hop.    

In 2005, after 26 years, I closed my quilt shop (Erie Street Quilts in Willoughby, Ohio) to focus on teaching quilt making and expand my pattern line.  I teach and lecture extensively along the southern shore of Lake Erie.   I'm committed to nurturing creativity in my students, and have mentored a group of quilt makers since 2001 who focus on the aspects of quilt making that keep them inspired.  My classes and workshops are designed to stretch students at all levels, from beginner and on, and to challenge them to step up to new levels of satisfaction in their skills.