I started sewing at a very young age, mostly clothes and crafts with the help of my mother and grandmother. I started quilting about 20 years ago when I was still working.
I retired in 2013 after 40+ years as a University Administrator including 16 years as a University Registrar. One of the many benefits of retirement has been time to quilt, and I have made many quilts, most for family gifts and for fund raising items for local organizations.
My husband and I have been married over 48 years, and we have two daughters and six grandchildren. My husband retired from a University extension/teaching position. He also served for 30 years in the Iowa Army National Guard, retiring as a Colonel.
I am involved in two local quilt guilds and also help tie quilts at a local church for distribution to those in need. I chair a local Quilts of Valor group that is organized within our larger quilt guild.
My first Quilt of Valor was for my father-in-law who served in WWII. I collaborated with another high school classmate and we awarded seven Quilts of Valor at our 50th class reunion last summer. More recently I have been working on QOV tops for awards within the State of Iowa. I have awarded a few quilts to individual veterans, and it is such a thrill to see their joy when they are honored with the quilt and the ceremony.