As a child at school, I made the obligatory cross stitch apron, a few puppets, and cushions. Taking needlecraft further was not really an option, so my experience of embroidery at that time was quite limited. Later my grandmother taught me to knit, and I took a few courses on dress making and soft furnishings. A year or two later a friend got me back into stitching. I booked myself on workshops and would follow books on how to do things.
A few years later through my local Embroiderers Guild, I became aware of City and Guilds courses; particularly the Embroidery course, I decided it was something I would really like to do in the future. So, a couple of years later I enrolled on the course at Missenden Abbey, studying at both Certificate and Diploma level.
I use both machine and hand stitch in my work, but my real love is to stitch by hand. I enjoy making 'one-off' bespoke pieces for myself, family and friends. I am inspired by pattern, and I am always photographing the strangest things for inspiration.
I have exhibited my work at various places, including with my Textile group at Ely Cathedral, Worthing and Milton Keynes, Wycombe Museum, previous Art Weeks and with a stitching group I belong to, I have also taken a few small workshops.