I Love Learning and Trying New Things!

Being creative isn't a choice for me. It's simply who I am.

Looking back, I realize I've always been a creative person, even when my career didn't seem particularly artistic.

I graduated from college with an accounting degree, began my career in government accounting, and later earned my MBA. This was back when computers weren't nearly as much a part of everyday life as they are now. But I was fascinated by what they could do, so I taught myself how to use them to make my work easier and more efficient.

I've always enjoyed thinking outside the box, finding better ways to do things, and figuring out how something works. Eventually, my career evolved from accounting into more of a business analyst role, with a little software engineering thrown in along the way.

But my creativity didn't stop when I left the office!

When my children were young, sewing was my creative outlet. I loved designing and making clothes for them, often working from nothing more than a picture and an idea. I rarely needed a pattern. Over the years, I've made countless outfits, several wedding dresses, and many baptismal gowns.

It wasn't until my children had all graduated from high school that I really began exploring my artistic side.

After we purchased land to build a cabin, I decided I wanted to learn how to make rustic stick furniture. So, I taught myself! That adventure led to wood carving and wood burning, and before I knew it, one creative interest was leading to another.

During COVID, I found even more opportunities to explore. I taught myself to paint, starting with acrylics and much later discovering watercolors.

Quilting became another passion. So far, I've made 11 quilts, most with matching pillow shams, all from patterns I designed myself. Lately, I've been experimenting with smaller projects, including quilted wall runners and wall hangings.

And then there's cooking! I've always considered cooking another form of creativity. I love experimenting in the kitchen, and I'm finally putting the finishing touches on a cookbook I wrote back in 2014, with plans to publish it.

More recently, I've ventured into writing and illustrating children's books, which are now available on Amazon. It's been another wonderful opportunity to combine storytelling, imagination, and creativity.

If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that I don't have to stick to just one creative pursuit. I love the challenge of learning something new, figuring things out as I go, and seeing where an idea takes me.

For me, creativity isn't about mastering just one art form. It's about the joy of exploring, learning, and making something with my own two hands.

Welcome to my website! I hope you enjoy exploring my many creative adventures, and perhaps even find a little inspiration to try something new yourself.

After all, you never know where following your artistic heart might lead!