I grew up with papers, pencils, paints, and fabric that nurtured my creativity. I am continually fascinated with textures, shapes, colors, and patterns. I visited the Shakespeare Theater in Ashland, Oregon where I was born to explore their costumes and details. Lithia Park in which is beside the Shakespeare Theater brought more beauty and colors in its nature, a variety of flowers, a few ponds filled with swans and ducks (that was when I was young, and I am not sure if swans are still there), and a creek running through the park. Playing with fabric scraps left behind from my mother was one of my favorite past times. I watched my mother cut and sew the fabrics together, while not realizing I had slowed my mother down, I became extremely fascinated with the process. I got a toy machine in which you run by hand by cranking the handle to get the needle moving. I eventually got to touch my mother's sewing machine when she thought it was safe for me to use. I made clothes for myself, because in those times it was cheaper to make clothes yourself, and I did save more money and got to have a bigger wardrobe of clothes. Sadly today it is not as cheap to do so. (It is a lot cheaper to buy at store.) I designed and modified the patterns to create unusual clothing to fit my extravagant personality.
Then when I did not have much money and ran out of fabric, I got antsy to get my creative juice flowing. Seeing extra yarns sitting around, I took one and taught myself how to knit with help from mother and grandmother to get through the frustration when I did not understand the instructions well. I then came across Japanese knitting magazine, and oh my goodness.....WOW.....I could understand their instruction because their charts were very visual and easy to follow, there was no need for words. My creativity exploded. In no time, I designed and created sweaters. Sold some sweaters through commissions and customized orders. Then I became thirsty for more knowledge in textile field, I went to Rochester Institute of Technology to major in Weaving and Textile Design. I learned weaving, felting, spinning, dyeing, designing, silkscreen, silk painting, crocheting, and knitting by using the knitting machine. Two Professors dropped the ball that I was to take quilting for my senior thesis after my knitting proposal was rejected. Disappointment, frustration, determination, fear of the unknown, and resistance flooded my mind, I stayed out of the studio for a moment.
I realized that I could use my experience with pattern making, designing, color choosing, and manipulating the fibers to let my creativity flourish with the needle and scissors. I swallowed my pride and returned to studio with a fresh mind as I was open to new creativity. Professors did not want me to use traditional patterns or anything I find from the books, but told me to use my own ideas and designs. This was the moment of my personal transformation. I flourished with my creativity.
Thus unique quilts have been born ever since......
Then when I did not have much money and ran out of fabric, I got antsy to get my creative juice flowing. Seeing extra yarns sitting around, I took one and taught myself how to knit with help from mother and grandmother to get through the frustration when I did not understand the instructions well. I then came across Japanese knitting magazine, and oh my goodness.....WOW.....I could understand their instruction because their charts were very visual and easy to follow, there was no need for words. My creativity exploded. In no time, I designed and created sweaters. Sold some sweaters through commissions and customized orders. Then I became thirsty for more knowledge in textile field, I went to Rochester Institute of Technology to major in Weaving and Textile Design. I learned weaving, felting, spinning, dyeing, designing, silkscreen, silk painting, crocheting, and knitting by using the knitting machine. Two Professors dropped the ball that I was to take quilting for my senior thesis after my knitting proposal was rejected. Disappointment, frustration, determination, fear of the unknown, and resistance flooded my mind, I stayed out of the studio for a moment.
I realized that I could use my experience with pattern making, designing, color choosing, and manipulating the fibers to let my creativity flourish with the needle and scissors. I swallowed my pride and returned to studio with a fresh mind as I was open to new creativity. Professors did not want me to use traditional patterns or anything I find from the books, but told me to use my own ideas and designs. This was the moment of my personal transformation. I flourished with my creativity.
Thus unique quilts have been born ever since......