---

I cannot go into a fabric store and keep my hands to myself. Every fibre, thread and notion must be looked at and/or touched. The creative juices start flowing freely and soon, before I know it, I am all too consumed in what wonderful things I want to create. A quick glance at the time (notice how they never have clocks on the walls in those stores?), lets me know that in what seems like 20 minutes, realistically two or more hours have gone by!

If sewing can be an addiction – I have it bad!

Over 25 years ago, I started using my Mom’s old “Brother” sewing machine. We had a small spare room in our house that was called the sewing room. This is where my Mom first taught me how to sew. She had sewn clothes for me all my life, but this was the first time I sat down with thread, fabric and a machine…nothing but me and the foot pedal that powered it. I was instantly captivated! The sound of the stitches forming in the fabric was magical…I was creating!

As time went on, we moved several times. Each house had a bigger sewing room and soon I was granted my own sewing machine, a hand-me-down “Riccar”. Now I didn’t have to wait for my mom to finish sewing – I could sit alongside her and do my own projects. We kept great company to each other when we were in there together. Sadly, my mom passed away a few years later in 1989. All these years later, I still miss her very much. The sewing she has taught me however, will be with me for my lifetime. It is like a legacy, as I am now teaching my own child to sew.

Over the years, my thirst for more knowledge in sewing and quilting began to envelope me. I bought my first computerized sewing machine in 1994 (I have since upgraded that several times), the year before my son was born. I would tape all the sewing shows on TV that I could find and then sit and watch them on my days off. I remember thinking that I wish I didn’t have to go to work so all I could do was sit in front of my sewing machine and create. But I needed to make money to buy more fabric…it’s a vicious cycle, I know!

---

Now the hard part…

I had been living in the Greater Vancouver, BC area for about four years before the unthinkable happened. I was out riding my bike with my son and my step-son on a sunny September afternoon, celebrating the first day of school. The kids were going into Grades 3 and 4, respectively. In the blink of an eye my step-son’s front wheel slipped off the curb and he was struck down by a large vehicle. He fought hard, but didn’t make it. A very bright little light that made many people smile was now missing in the universe.

Life changed forever…

Over the next few months I threw myself into sewing even more. It’s how I was able to cope with things (and it’s still how I cope with stress). I made my then-husband a photo memory quilt to honour his young, beautiful son. It was a real labour of love. Not long after it was complete, requests for more from family members began and I was happy to oblige.

Fast forward to summer of 2019, now separated and divorcing, I always need to keep moving forward. Sewing has really been my therapy during this time. Remember how I said it’s how I cope with stress? Some people go on a cleaning frenzy – well, I throw myself into sewing!

As time moves on I continue to try to quench my never-ending thirst for sewing and quilting by making beautiful memories for clients, friends and families. I get to learn amazing stories about real people dealing with loss and grief, that I can relate to!

We are now well on our way in 2021 and my beautiful baby girl has grown and blossomed into a beautiful and admirable young lady with many talents. My son has grown up to be a remarkable, kind and handsome man who is very grounded. For now the story ends there. Time will only tell what the future brings…but whatever it is, I know it will be good because I truly believe that when one door closes another one opens! My positivity moves me forward and my life enriches my soul, always.