Forest Therapy
Forest Therapy
2023
My husband participates in forest therapy as part of his healing plan for PTSD. In our town, there is a forest where he walks to calm his mind. In the centre of that forest is a very large Cottonwood tree and a piece of the Cottonwood fluff has been tucked into one of the blocks so he can be wrapped in the forest with this quilt.
What is forest therapy?
Forest therapy is different than a hike in the woods. It is a gentle practice that takes place in an area of a forest.
By slowing down, we awaken our senses and bring our bodies into a deeper awareness, which calms our nervous system and promotes an inner state of relaxation.
Our bodies benefit by being mindful in the forest as we start the natural healing process of the body and mind.
2023
My husband participates in forest therapy as part of his healing plan for PTSD. In our town, there is a forest where he walks to calm his mind. In the centre of that forest is a very large Cottonwood tree and a piece of the Cottonwood fluff has been tucked into one of the blocks so he can be wrapped in the forest with this quilt.
What is forest therapy?
Forest therapy is different than a hike in the woods. It is a gentle practice that takes place in an area of a forest.
By slowing down, we awaken our senses and bring our bodies into a deeper awareness, which calms our nervous system and promotes an inner state of relaxation.
Our bodies benefit by being mindful in the forest as we start the natural healing process of the body and mind.
Around the World
Around the World
2023
I can't get enough of colour and I estimate there to be 1200 different fabrics within this quilt. Do you recognize any from your stash?
2023
I can't get enough of colour and I estimate there to be 1200 different fabrics within this quilt. Do you recognize any from your stash?
Insomnia
Insomnia
2022
We have all spent nights lying in bed, wide awake because of never ending thoughts and an overactive mind. What is going to deprive me of sleep tonight?
Worry, restless pets, a hard mattress, cold feet, stagnant air, indigestion, a sick child, TO DO lists, unsent emails, last chapters of a book, grief, barking dogs, hunger, car alarm, anxiety, creative inspiration, work, TV binging, a lumpy pillow and too much caffeine.
Will I, once again, be awake at sunrise?
2022
We have all spent nights lying in bed, wide awake because of never ending thoughts and an overactive mind. What is going to deprive me of sleep tonight?
Worry, restless pets, a hard mattress, cold feet, stagnant air, indigestion, a sick child, TO DO lists, unsent emails, last chapters of a book, grief, barking dogs, hunger, car alarm, anxiety, creative inspiration, work, TV binging, a lumpy pillow and too much caffeine.
Will I, once again, be awake at sunrise?
$10,000 Is Not Enough
$10,000 Is Not Enough
2021
2022 Juried into Small Quilts Category Quilt Con, Phoenix AZ, USA
Every Child Matters, thousands of unmarked graves and counting ……
Between the 1830’s and 1990’s, the Canadian Government and Christian churches forcibly removed 150,000 Indigenous children to live in Residential Schools as a way to “civilize the Indians”, “to kill the Indian in the child” and to convert and assimilate them into Canadian culture. Children were starved, abused and forced to do hard labour. Children no longer had their traditions, cultures or families. Children died in these Residential Schools.
“You can’t put a price tag on the lost cultural languages or the people begin taken from their homes for years” – Mike Benson, Executive Director of the National Residential School Survivor Society.
Yet, the Canadian Government thinks that by giving survivors $10,000, this is adequate compensation for the lasting damage Indigenous Peoples and their communities have endured as a result of Residential Schools.
$10,000 is not enough.
2021
2022 Juried into Small Quilts Category Quilt Con, Phoenix AZ, USA
Every Child Matters, thousands of unmarked graves and counting ……
Between the 1830’s and 1990’s, the Canadian Government and Christian churches forcibly removed 150,000 Indigenous children to live in Residential Schools as a way to “civilize the Indians”, “to kill the Indian in the child” and to convert and assimilate them into Canadian culture. Children were starved, abused and forced to do hard labour. Children no longer had their traditions, cultures or families. Children died in these Residential Schools.
“You can’t put a price tag on the lost cultural languages or the people begin taken from their homes for years” – Mike Benson, Executive Director of the National Residential School Survivor Society.
Yet, the Canadian Government thinks that by giving survivors $10,000, this is adequate compensation for the lasting damage Indigenous Peoples and their communities have endured as a result of Residential Schools.
$10,000 is not enough.
Happy Birthday To Me
Happy 50th Birthday to me!
2021
Remember Harvest Gold, Avocado and Brown from the 1970's?
What about the bright neon colours of the 1980's?
The 1990's were famous for Dusty Rose and Forest Green.
Colours became a bit brighter in the 2000's, a fresh perspective throwback to the 80's.
Marsala, Rose Quartz and Serenity, Ultra Violet, Greenery brought us up to 2021.
This carefully curated selection of fabrics tells a story of colour trends as well as low temperatures (blues, greens and purples) and high temperatures (oranges, yellows, pinks and reds) from every September 1st from 1971 to 2021.
2021
Remember Harvest Gold, Avocado and Brown from the 1970's?
What about the bright neon colours of the 1980's?
The 1990's were famous for Dusty Rose and Forest Green.
Colours became a bit brighter in the 2000's, a fresh perspective throwback to the 80's.
Marsala, Rose Quartz and Serenity, Ultra Violet, Greenery brought us up to 2021.
This carefully curated selection of fabrics tells a story of colour trends as well as low temperatures (blues, greens and purples) and high temperatures (oranges, yellows, pinks and reds) from every September 1st from 1971 to 2021.
Not Your Grandma's Dresden Plate
Not Your Grandma's Dresden Plate
2019
2020 Juried into Wedge Challenge Category, QuiltCon Together
2019
2020 Juried into Wedge Challenge Category, QuiltCon Together
Darkness Visible
Darkness Visible
2019
"for now the thought, both of lost happiness and lasting pain, torments him"
Lyrics from Darkness Visible by Mumford & Sons
2019
"for now the thought, both of lost happiness and lasting pain, torments him"
Lyrics from Darkness Visible by Mumford & Sons
Leap of Faith
Leap of Faith
2018
Have you ever been intimidated to create?
I could think of all the reasons for NOT jumping in with both feet.
My insecurities were holding me back, until I finally made up my mind to begin.
I was standing on the edge and then I took that leap of faith.
And now I look back and wonder why was I so scared.
2019 2nd Place Modern Quilt Category, National Juried Show, Quilt Canada Ottawa ON
2019 Juried into Modern Traditional Category, QuiltCon Nashville TN, USA
2018
Have you ever been intimidated to create?
I could think of all the reasons for NOT jumping in with both feet.
My insecurities were holding me back, until I finally made up my mind to begin.
I was standing on the edge and then I took that leap of faith.
And now I look back and wonder why was I so scared.
2019 2nd Place Modern Quilt Category, National Juried Show, Quilt Canada Ottawa ON
2019 Juried into Modern Traditional Category, QuiltCon Nashville TN, USA
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
2017
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back- haven’t we all felt like this before?
Life is full of accomplishments AND setbacks. Some are important milestones while others are devastating setbacks. It is easy to get discouraged if we feel our two steps back far outweigh our going forward.
But look closely at the tiny steps, both forward and back, hidden within the quilting and know that even events that seem minor have shaped our lives.
Take time today to notice both the larger things as well as the smaller ones because combined; these events have brought us to where we are at this very moment.
2018 Juried into Flying Geese Challenge Category, QuiltCon Pasadena CA, USA
2017
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back- haven’t we all felt like this before?
Life is full of accomplishments AND setbacks. Some are important milestones while others are devastating setbacks. It is easy to get discouraged if we feel our two steps back far outweigh our going forward.
But look closely at the tiny steps, both forward and back, hidden within the quilting and know that even events that seem minor have shaped our lives.
Take time today to notice both the larger things as well as the smaller ones because combined; these events have brought us to where we are at this very moment.
2018 Juried into Flying Geese Challenge Category, QuiltCon Pasadena CA, USA
Speak Even LOUDER
Speak Even LOUDER
2016
For every 1,000 sexual assaults, only 33 are reported; of these, 12 result in charges and six go to trial, where only 45 % result in conviction.
This is why we need to believe survivors. We need to support them, and give them hope that they can get through this. It takes courage and strength, but knowing others have been in a similar situation might be what inspires a victim to become a survivor.
If anything, this is a reason for all of us to speak even LOUDER. (Statement by the victim SURVIVOR in the Brock Turner case)
2017 Juried into Improv Category, QuiltCon Pasadena CA, USA
2016
For every 1,000 sexual assaults, only 33 are reported; of these, 12 result in charges and six go to trial, where only 45 % result in conviction.
This is why we need to believe survivors. We need to support them, and give them hope that they can get through this. It takes courage and strength, but knowing others have been in a similar situation might be what inspires a victim to become a survivor.
If anything, this is a reason for all of us to speak even LOUDER. (Statement by the victim SURVIVOR in the Brock Turner case)
2017 Juried into Improv Category, QuiltCon Pasadena CA, USA
Pickled Peppers
Pickled Peppers
2016
With fabric colours called Pickle and Pepper, these two are destined to be together!
Now how long will it take to get the Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers rhyme out of your head?
Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century Exhibit
2019 Whatcom Museum (Smithsonian Affliate) Bellingham WA, USA
2019 Southeastern Quilt & Textile Museum Carrollton GA, USA
2018 Schewinfurth Art Centre Auburn NY, USA
2018 Dairy Barn Arts Centre Athens OH, USA
2017 Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century book
2017 Juried into the American Patchwork and Quilting Nine Patch Category, QuiltCon Austin TX, USA
2016
With fabric colours called Pickle and Pepper, these two are destined to be together!
Now how long will it take to get the Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers rhyme out of your head?
Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century Exhibit
2019 Whatcom Museum (Smithsonian Affliate) Bellingham WA, USA
2019 Southeastern Quilt & Textile Museum Carrollton GA, USA
2018 Schewinfurth Art Centre Auburn NY, USA
2018 Dairy Barn Arts Centre Athens OH, USA
2017 Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century book
2017 Juried into the American Patchwork and Quilting Nine Patch Category, QuiltCon Austin TX, USA
You + Me
You + Me
2014
2016 Juried into Modern Category National Juried Show, Quilt Canada Mississauga ON
2015 Juried into Modern Category AQS Quilt Week, Grand Rapids MI, USA
2015 Juried into the Minimalist Category QuiltCon, Pasadena CA, USA
2014
2016 Juried into Modern Category National Juried Show, Quilt Canada Mississauga ON
2015 Juried into Modern Category AQS Quilt Week, Grand Rapids MI, USA
2015 Juried into the Minimalist Category QuiltCon, Pasadena CA, USA
I Want My CBC
I Want My CBC
2017
We moved to a town with no cable. Our National TV station- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) was also discontinued because there was not enough demand for the digital antenna service. How can a Canadian live without watching hockey on CBC? It’s just not right!
The quilt is a direct representation of the CBC logo and the circle quilting represents the coverage from the TV antennas- clearly not found in my area.
Some press for I Want My CBC
2017
We moved to a town with no cable. Our National TV station- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) was also discontinued because there was not enough demand for the digital antenna service. How can a Canadian live without watching hockey on CBC? It’s just not right!
The quilt is a direct representation of the CBC logo and the circle quilting represents the coverage from the TV antennas- clearly not found in my area.
Some press for I Want My CBC
Steal Like an Artist
Steal Like an Artist
2016
After being told one of my quilts was not an original design I set out to making a quilt and proving my point.
This quilt was inspired by an artist, a quilter, a book title and a public domain traditional quilt block.
I saw Ellsworth Kelly's White Curve V painting and thought it looked very similar to an HST block with a slight curve to the centre seam. I was also intrigued by Gina Pina's technique where she layered fabrics so one fabric shows through the top white fabric. The quilt is named after Austin Kleon's book titled: Steal Like an Artist and the block is a large scale traditional HST block.
Inspiration is everywhere and all this previously created art inspired my own original quilt.
2016
After being told one of my quilts was not an original design I set out to making a quilt and proving my point.
This quilt was inspired by an artist, a quilter, a book title and a public domain traditional quilt block.
I saw Ellsworth Kelly's White Curve V painting and thought it looked very similar to an HST block with a slight curve to the centre seam. I was also intrigued by Gina Pina's technique where she layered fabrics so one fabric shows through the top white fabric. The quilt is named after Austin Kleon's book titled: Steal Like an Artist and the block is a large scale traditional HST block.
Inspiration is everywhere and all this previously created art inspired my own original quilt.
White Curve V, 1973
Ellsworth Kelly (1923-2015)
Artist's statement:
"I'm interested in the space between the viewer and the surface of the painting- the forms and the way they work in their surroundings. I'm interested in how they react to a room."
Ellsworth Kelly (1923-2015)
Artist's statement:
"I'm interested in the space between the viewer and the surface of the painting- the forms and the way they work in their surroundings. I'm interested in how they react to a room."
