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February 18, 2013

Copyright 2013
The content of this website is the property of Pretty By Hand. I'd be delighted for you to link to this blog, but please ask me for permission to use my original photos or writing. Thank you! 

 

 

 

I'm a walking cliche.  It's true. 

  • Married my high school sweetheart
  • Worked until we started a family
  • Am a stay-at-home mom
  • My two daughters inspire me
  • Waiting to find out what I'm going to be when I grow up
  • Favorite color?  Pink!

Told ya.

If you're interested in a little more background, I did all the regular things growing up like piano lessons, Girl Guides (I'm Canadian), assorted sports (which I wasn't particularly good at) and learned to sew from my mom and aunt. 

Made my first quilt when I was 19.

After earning an English degree, I realized that although it was a respectable achievement, on it's own wasn't very ... useful.  So I went back to school, got a Public Relations diploma and became employable.

PR people are, however, required to communicate with the public - as in "Live at 5:00, film at 11:00".   I knew media relations was a necessary evil in my chosen career, but figured out pretty fast that I'm SO not cut out for that sort of thing.  I'm a total doofus on tv.  So I looked for something more behind the scenes.

That's how I ended up writing computer manuals, policy & procedure manuals, training manuals, annual reports, newsletters ...  That might sound like all kinds of boring, but I enjoyed technical writing very much.  I like collecting potentially complicated information, analyzing it and then organizing & presenting it - in written form - all in a nice tidy package.

Got married.

Worked for a few more years.

Enter momsville.  So happy.  So wonderful.  (So tired.)  So life-changing. 

When my second daughter came along I decided to make myself a pretty diaper bag to replace the ratty old second-hand backpack we'd been using.  Somehow, I accidentally ended up selling handbags, wallets, pillows, Christmas stockings and lavendar sachets (all original designs of mine) at one of my all time favorite places to shop.

About a year after that I walked into a local quilt shop and said to the owner, "Well, if you say no I'm ok with that, but my friend told me I should ask you if maybe you might like me to teach a class on making handbags."  (I wish that quote was an exaggerated illustration of my lack of self-confidence, but it's not.)

The past six years have been so.much.fun!  I've taught many classes, written many patterns and made over a hundred display quilts and other things for the shop. 

I love being a mom.  I love sewing, writing patterns & teaching classes.