ABout

My Background

I was born in Toronto in 1961 to immigrant parents from Switzerland and Scotland. I was raised on a cattle farm surrounded by antiques, handmade quilts, hand hooked and braided rugs. My Swiss father instilled in me the value of handcrafted items. After raising my 4 daughters in England, Singapore and Canada, I returned to a rural lifestyle in the countryside of Erin, Ontario. The farm is where I have my studio, teach creative workshops and hold fibre retreats.

I have always been drawn to textures and colours. After careers in Photography and Montessori teaching, I feel I have finally found my passion in textile art.

education

Fibre Arts Certificate Haliburton School of Art and Design 2022

Oxford Punch Needle Certification The Oxford School 2018

Photography Certificate Sheridan College 2000

Montessori Teaching Diploma St Nicolas Montessori College London

UK 1990

BA Sociology The University of Western Ontario 1983

Member associations

The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers

(President 2021-2024)

Oxford Punch Needle Instructors Guild

Burlington Hooking Craft Guild

Ontario Hooking Craft Guild

Ontario Craft Council

Association of Traditional Hooking Artists

Ontario Handweavers and Spinners

International Feltmakers Association

Fiber Art Now

Surface Design Association

Studio Art Quilts Associates

Rue Pigalle

AWARDS

Founder's Cup

The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers 2024

"Nigel"

First place in 3 Dimensional

Ontario Rug Hooking Guild 2024

"Expansion ll"

First Place in Alternative Fibres and Techniques

Ontario Rug Hooking Guild 2024

Craft Ontario Affiliate Award 2023

Haliburton Highlands Award 2023

"Nigel"

First place in 3 dimensional

Sauder Village 2023

"Migration"

First place in Wool Applique

Sauder Village 2023

"Pumpkin Hill"

First place in Primitives

Ontario Hooking Craft Guild 2021

"Fraktur Vogels"

Honourable Mention in Primitives

Ontario Hooking Craft Guild 2020

"Casual Friday Sheep"

Honourable Mention

Burlington Art Gallery Kaleidoscope 2019

"Hippie Sheep"

Member's Choice Award

Burlington Hooking Craft Guild 2018

"My Nest"

First place in Alternative Fibres and Techniques

Ontario Hooking Craft Guild 2018

Exhibitions

Magnificent Bugs in Rugs Co-Curator 2024-2027

Color in Context: Red Studio Art Quilt Associates 2023-2026

Wrap It up Haliburton School of Art and Design 2022

All Guilds Show Burlington Art Gallery 2022

Re-Imagined Global Textile Hub (Australia) 2021

Sauder Village Rug Exhibition Sauder Village Ohio 2021