A little about me.
I have lived in and near the special little town of Elsie, located in southwest Nebraska, nearly all of my life. The only times I didn't live here were when I worked toward and received my two degrees - B.S. in Home Economics from UN-L (now the politically correct Family and Consumer Sciences) and a B.A. in Arts Education from UN-K. I taught at Wheatland Schools and then Perkins County Schools for a total of twenty-eight years. I have been touched by innumerable students and fellow staff members and enjoy reliving old times whenever I have the chance. I retired on May 19, 2011, exactly 38 years since I graduated with my Home Economics degree from UN-L on May 19, 1973. I taught my first class and my last class in the very same classroom. The first was Bachelor Living with 16 eager Junior and Senior boys, last 7th grade art exploratory.
My greatest passions and roles are being married to a wonderful and supportive man, Steve, for over fifty years, doing my best to be a mother of two great children, mother-in-love of two wonderful young people (at least I like the the relationship), and being the grandmother of five. I love taking the time to share with them whenever possible. Our two children, Nick and Laura, and their families are very busy in their own lives and we are so proud of them and what they have accomplished.
The inspiration for the quilts comes from many sources - the agricultural land that my husband, Steve, and I live on and love - the opportunities that I have been lucky enough to experience through travel with friends and family - and other life experiences too numerous to mention. My association with other quilters has changed me in ways I could not have imagined.
In my studio that I love to spend time in, I try to be creative every day - quilts, watercolor, papermaking and many other craft projects. I love to make "art" with my grandchildren in the room.
I love life and making the most of every minute. I hope you enjoy the journey through some of my quilting experiences.
My greatest passions and roles are being married to a wonderful and supportive man, Steve, for over fifty years, doing my best to be a mother of two great children, mother-in-love of two wonderful young people (at least I like the the relationship), and being the grandmother of five. I love taking the time to share with them whenever possible. Our two children, Nick and Laura, and their families are very busy in their own lives and we are so proud of them and what they have accomplished.
The inspiration for the quilts comes from many sources - the agricultural land that my husband, Steve, and I live on and love - the opportunities that I have been lucky enough to experience through travel with friends and family - and other life experiences too numerous to mention. My association with other quilters has changed me in ways I could not have imagined.
In my studio that I love to spend time in, I try to be creative every day - quilts, watercolor, papermaking and many other craft projects. I love to make "art" with my grandchildren in the room.
I love life and making the most of every minute. I hope you enjoy the journey through some of my quilting experiences.
Five reasons I retired from full time teaching. :)
I had an incredible summer of travel with wonderful people. Below are just a few photos of my adventures.
Perkins County Quilt Block
I was excited to visit the Nebraska State Fair at its new site in Grand Island, Nebraska and see the Perkins County quilt block that I had made to be a part of the "Stitching the State Together" quilt project. The quilt block represents the agricultural pillars of Perkins County - wheat and corn. Also important to our county are cattle and ethanol production. These last two pillars are closely associated to corn so the steer head is formed from the corn husks and the ethanol is represented as a drip from the corn leaf. All of the blocks were completed by 2011. Don't miss it next year when you attend the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island!
Visiting the International Quilt Center on opening weekend.
I stood outside on a chilly March 30, 2008 to visit the newly opened International Quilt Study Center and Museum in Lincoln with my sister, Amy. She is a knitter by desire and recently taught me how to knit. My first project is a pair of socks - not sure why I didn't start with a scarf - and I am learning a lot. The second sock was much more true to size - the first one would fit a sprained ankle. I first thought I would redo it, but then it wouldn't be my first sock. It serves to remind me to work hard and be creative every day. It continues to be a fun adventure for me.
Also there was my friend, Pennie Reese, with her daughter and husband. Pennie is an avid quilter, teacher and special friend myself and to many.
Demonstration at the International Quilt Center in Lincoln, Nebraska
One of the emotional moments in my life was when I was given the opportunity to share a demonstration in the reception area of International Quilt Museum at the 2009 Fall Conference of NATA. I had just started my presentation to 80-90 attendees at the conference when I choked up and couldn't continue. After some encouraging applause and with tears briefly in my eyes, I forged on to successfully complete my demonstration, thinking all the while about the great quilts made by master quilters just next door in the main gallery. I will never forget the moment.
2009 NATA K-12 Art Teacher of the Year
The final thrill of the 2009 NATA Fall Conference was to be awarded the 2009 K-12 Art Teacher of the Year. It is quite an honor to receive this from my peers.
