I’ve been sewing since the age of 8, but didn’t get into quiltmaking until 2013. I was immediately smitten with creating functional works of art. I purchased my longarm machine in 2022 and found that it’s even more fun to do longarm stitchouts than piecing. I’ve only been a member of QOVF for a less than a year, but find it very rewarding to be a part of the Long Army. I feel it a great opportunity to volunteer as the South Dakota State Coordinator where I can give back to those veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

My husband and I own an 1145 acre ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota where we’ve retired after working for most of our careers in the Chicago area. I have a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology, which I used throughout my career as a researcher, assistant professor, lab director and most recently a sales engineer for chromatography/mass spectrometry equipment sales in the Western U.S. I’ve been retired since February, 2023 and enjoy gardening, reading and walking my mini Blue Heeler when I’m not quilting.