My interest in textile and fiber arts was awakened by a trip to a Virginia historical site - I was fascinated by the rugs, quilts and hair-weavings on display.  After the trip, I learned to sew and started making some of my clothing.  I kept sewing and added the needlework skills of cross stitch, crewel, and embroidery to my repertoire.  Next I taught myself patchwork and quilting, but eventually realized I wanted to learn more about art.  So I enrolled in classes at our local university and immersed myself in learning 2- and 3-D design, as well as art history.  I was able to take a independent study class with a professor whose practice was in fiber art, and his guidance and appreciation for my work helped me to grow the quality of my work.  I moved through making traditionally designed utiitarian work to making contemporary art crafted with the traditional techniques, but not limiting my materials to traditional materials.  I began embellishing the surfaces of my wall pieces - with no limit to the purchased and found items I'd attach to them.  I hope that viewers appreciate the traditions from which my work was initially inspired, and also appreciate and enjoy my design aesthetic.  The embellished pieces add a though-provoking element that add to the stories being told by the works.