I got my start in needle arts with cross stitch, many years ago. About 12 years ago, my search for a new challenge and my love of colour led me to a canvaswork piece called Pieces of Eight by Gayle Bicknell. I so enjoyed stitching this that I had to learn more. After stitching many more pieces and attending numerous EAC and ANG seminars, I realized that I wanted to design my own stitching pieces and share those with others. In order to expand my design palette and obtain my teaching credentials, I completed the Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels of the Embroiderers’ Association of Canada’s Canvaswork Correspondence Courses. The combination of learnings from seminars I attended and the research and sample pieces I did for my course work further expanded my approach to style and colour. I have been fortunate to have had my designs recognized with awards at both EAC and ANG seminars.
In recent years I have taught a number of my designs at the CreativFestival in Toronto as well as various EAC National seminars. I have started branching out from there, working with individual stitching guilds in Canada and the United States. My design style continues to evolve. I love to watch a design come alive through the exploration of colour and texture. There is nothing more rewarding to me than to see someone’s eyes light up when they see my designs come to life on their own canvas.
I graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in the Fashion Merchandising and Design program, more years ago than I care to admit, so I also have an interest and training in sewing. I also am an avid beader and jewellery maker. You will see some of these elements show up in my designs from time to time.
I belong to the Embroiderers’ Association of Canada, the American Needlepoint Guild and the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. I live in Aurora, Ontario, Canada with my husband of 33 years. We have two grown children and an 13 years old English Springer Spaniel who still thinks she is a puppy. Life is good.
