"Summer Rain''
I
live in the most amazing place in Australia, the stunning South Coast of New
South Wales, Australia.
I
began my working life as a Radio Announcer in Outback Qld and traveled around
the state working in the Radio Industry. When I met my Husband Tom, we decided
to move to Victoria to be closer to my dear old Dad. We were desperate for a
family and were blessed almost immediately with our Daughter Molly. Chloe soon
followed.
I
had always been creative and wanted to find a career that made use of my
creativity so I began a Tafe course and eventually ran my own Nail business,
specialising in Acrylic Nails and nail art. Then around 6 years ago I had a fall
which was both the best and worst thing that ever happened to me.
I’ll
save you the details, but 6 years later I’m still in and out of a wheelchair,
and awaiting more surgery. I don’t often let myself feel sorry for myself
though, because without that little puddle of cordial, I would never have found
my true calling.
Working
with fabric and keeping my hands busy through all those hospital stays and
Doctors visits has kept me sane.
At
first I tried knitting and Crochet but I found it too slow. My Mum was the one
who suggested I try sewing and Quilting in particular. I thought she was crazy
and asked how on earth I could possibly use the foot pedal on a sewing machine
with my leg stuck up in the air in a brace and being wheelchair bound. Mum being
Mum of course said ‘What’s wrong with your other leg!’ So I taught myself to use
my $99 Kmart sewing machine with my left leg. Still to this day I use my left
leg to work the foot pedal while I'm sewing, although I have since upgraded to a
much fancier Machine. ;)
I
had 2 more beautiful babies after my fall, Jack my amazing son and then my
precious Emma. There is simply no better feeling than seeing my children wrapped
in a Quilt that I have made, or dressed in clothes I’ve created from scratch,
thankfully they are still young enough too actually like wearing things I
make.
My
current passion is making quilts in a new and different way. I think that in
Australia we as quilters have an amazing opportunity to break out of the mould
and create our own look and style. We have so little Quilt making history of our
own, which I think is a huge benefit. We are able to break the ‘rules’ and
non-quilters are starting to realise that Quilts are more than just a blanket
for your bed. We don’t ‘need’ to make quilts to keep us warm, instead we are
creating works of art.
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