needlewings

Things don't always work out like we plan in life... I had wanted to either be an airline stewardess or a fashion designer but was in the wrong spot at the wrong time in life, but my life did incorporate some of my dreams. My favorite things in life are to travel the world, love to sew, draw, paint, create art in any shape or form, explore new techniques and share by teaching. I love to do anything with fibers, paints, dyes and found objects. I love to paint with a needle or a brush! Give me a theme and a challenge and I am quite content in stretching my limits of imagination! I love anything to do with fantasy and mythical creatures, such as faeries, dragons, trolls and mermaids. I am also drawn to texture, color and design. I love glitter and shine and even raggy things! I am a former high school art teacher but these days spend my time designing patterns and have a quilting business.
I design bags, trinket boxes, folded things and generally fun stuff! I have taught across the country teaching mostly dyeing and painting at venus such as MQS, MQX and Innovations as well as at various craft shops and quilt guilds. I have taken a break lately due to gas prices. OY VEY!!! It eats up into your profits! I plan to do more publishing in the near future and I have also had several things published which is a thrill in itself!

I am originally from ND and have lived in England, Germany, Sicily and now Ohio. My husband is retired air force, but not totally retired as he is working on his third retirement. In a couple of years, we may take up a new adventure in our lives. but fortunately my art follows me where ever we go. We have raised 3 children and have 3 granddaughters. One almost 17, 15 and the youngest almost 12. Unfortunately they don't live close. Now we are raising 7 cats and 1 muscovy duck! Anyone care to swap something for a cat or two? ha. I really have traveled the world and would love to see more. Having been a military wife, one gets the gypsy life in their blood! I have been to all 50 states and 16 countries. Amongst my favorite places are Alaska, England, Switzerland and the Caribbean! among my other talents, I have a great sense of humor and you will find that I have the ability to make others laugh. If you ask me to sing though, you are purely doing that at your own risk!

More of my favorite things...... My favorite colors are electric blue and neon greens.(Think of the spectrum in a peacock feather!) I have never met a color I didn't like! They all belong on an artist's palette! I love the Quilting Arts magazine and The Art Doll quarterly. I also love to make jewelry, stained glass, and pottery. I am also fascinated by origami. I collect antiques and unusual eclectic things. I love to swim and walk when I like to relax. I don't read novels and such, but I do especially thrive on art and technique books. I also love altered art and thinking outside the box. I love variety in life and love working large (as in large quilts and murals) and small work( as in miniature paintings, ATC's and inchies!) I also love photography, silkscreening, monoprinting,leno block, rubber stamping and other print making techniques. I collect things with the alphabet. Amongst my favorite are the Welsh Alphabet that hangs in my living room, some illuminated manuscripts, an antique printing stick and Chinese lettering. I use to freelance sign work, and logos in the mid 80's for shops and businesses.

I enjoy pin up girl art and nude art. I love scrounging through yard sales, thrift stores, junk and antique shops for unusual finds to create art with. I have started to become a bead addict! I love to play with beads,crystals, feathers, charms, ribbons, laces, paints and lots of pretty threads and fabrics. I love to play with fimo clay, sculpty and the like! I also love making dolls and my latest passion, icicles and dottees to trade!

Other things I hope to do one day are to ride in a hot air balloon and to parasail.

MUSIC..... I love a variety of musicians and groups. They include Jewel, Jesse Cook,Enrique Iglesias, Phil Colins, Vanessa Mae, Bond, Paula Abdul, Kelly Clarkson , KT Tunstall, The Magic Orchestra, Enya, Aria, Anugama, Behzad. Bryan Adams, Cascada and many more. I also love classic rock. I don't care for country, alternative or rap. I like a good blues once in awhile, but Jazz isn't really my thing.

Unfortunately, despite working as a floral designer for 4 years, I can no longer tolerate strong floral scents or perfumes:( A shame too as I dearly loved the job!) I developed an allergy and had to go on steroids, but finally just plain had to quit the job. My voice changes so it affects my airway and I get an extreme headache. Woof! Who would have thought something so pretty can cause problems. I also can't wear earings or jewelry with a nickel alloy against my skin. I don't mind medallions made with them if they are on a nylon or leather cord. I am also allergic to rabbit, horse, hickory and processed wheat. Ironically I am not allergic to cats.... too bad too! lol no more though...I have plenty thankyou! Will even give you one or two if you are in need and they are all spayed and neutered....well except for the duck and have one for a reason! lol