About

I am drawn to line, shape, color and texture and I enjoy exploring these elements through fabric, stitch and occasionally paint. 

Much of my inspiration comes from where I live in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I am constantly inspired, on a daily basis, by the grace of the aged lines and odd shapes found in the very old, worn and weathered barns and farm structures that abundantly dot the surrounding countryside. (Although more and more are falling away to severe neglect and once they are gone they are gone forever.) The ever changing beauty of the  farmland itself, from the earthy colors that change with the seasons, to the lines of a freshly plowed field, to vistas where swatches of grass, hay, soybean, corn and dirt join to create a patchwork effect that rolls over hills and down valleys... all of it fills me awe and sparks my imagination.

Along with these lovely everyday inspirations, I have also gathered inspiration along the way from  old utilitarian quilts, Japanese boro, Indian kantha stitch work, Korean pojagi, America folk art and outsider art, abstract art and mid-century modern design.

Using simple materials I explore all of  these elements and inspirations, funneling and channeling  them through my own unique perspectives and sensibilities, striving to create beautiful and well constructed pieces. It is my sincere hope that when others view my work they feel a connection and a spark to something deep within themselves and know that they are not alone, and that through creativity; whether by the act of making or the act of appreciating, exists a thread that connects us all... to each other, to our collective pasts and to our hopeful future.

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Published Works

Periodicals: 

~ Quilting Arts Magazine, Fall 2021, Issue 111: "Story Fragments" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 74-78

~ Quilting Arts Magazine, February/March 2018, Issue 91: "Objects of Comfort" - Cover Art, front cover 

~ Quilting Arts Magazine, February/March 2018, Issue 91: "Objects of Comfort" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 16-20

~ Sew Somerset, Summer 2014, Vol 8/Issue 1: "Whimsical Embroidered Houses" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 14-17

~ Art Quilting Studio, Winter 2014, Vol 6/Issue 1: "Rimmed in Red" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 28-33

~ Quilting Arts Magazine, October/November 2010, Issue 47: "Boro Bobbles" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 48-50

~ Quilting Arts Magazine, June/July 2010, Issue 45: "Stitching from the Soul - Layering the Past and Present" - Artwork and article, pages 32-36

~ Somerset Studio Gallery, Summer 2008: "Good Morning"- Artwork, pages 129-131

~ Somerset Studio Gallery, Winter 2008: "Gypsy Girl Zoolie" - Artwork,  page 22

~ Sew Somerset, Summer 2008, Vol 2/Issue 1: "Vintage Bling Brooches" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 8 - 10

~ Somerset Studio, July/August 2007, Vol 11/Issue 4: "Tweet", "Bird Calls" & 'Best Wishes" - Artwork, page 101

~ Somerset Home, Vol 2, 2007: "Reflections of Home" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 18-20 

~ Somerset Holidays & Celebrations, Vol 1, 2007: "Vintage Paper Posies" - Artwork, and instructional article, pages 65-66

~ Sew Somerset, 2007 Vol 1/Issue 1: "Happy House Pins" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 9-11

~ Somerset Studio, March/April 2006, Vol 10/Issue 2: “Alternative Housing" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 12-17

~ Legacy, August/September 2005, Vol 4/Issue 5: "Family Photo Pins" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 66-67

~ Legacy, June/July 2005, Vol 4/issue 4: "Pendants of the Past" Artwork and instructional article, pages 70 -72

~ Somerset Studio, March/April 2005, Vol 8/Issue 2: The Last Page, "Dad" - Artwork and article, page 152 

~ Somerset Studio, March/April 2005, Vol 8/Issue 2: "Dottie Dreams" - Artwork, page 116

~ Somerset Studio, January/February 2005, Vol 9/Issue: "Betty Goes Red" - Artwork, page 117

~ The Reporter - Woman's American ORT, Fall 2004, Vol 54/no1: Illustration artwork, pages 14-15

~ The Reporter - Woman's American ORT, Spring 2004, Vol 54/no1: Illustration artwork, page 6

~ Somerset Studio, July/August 2004, Vol 8/Issue 4: "Bathing Beatty Treasure Boxes" - Artwork and instructional article, page 46

~ Legacy, Winter 2004, Vol 3/Issue 1: "Glenda Jean" - Artwork and words, page 94

~ Somerset Studio, January/February 2004, Vol 8/Issue 1: "Textile Tech" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 14-16

~ Legacy, Spring 2003, Vol 2/Issue 2: "Two Cool Chicks" - Artwork and words, page 63

~ Somerset Studio, November/December 2003, Vol 7/Issue 6: "Star Gazing" - Artwork, page 125

~ Somerset Studio, September/October 2003, Vol 7/Issue 5: "Shrines of Virtues" - Artwork, page 122

~ Somerset Studio, January/February 2003, Vol 7/Issue 1: "Half-Past Love" - Artwork, page 125

Books:

~ 50 Little Gifts, by Susanne Woods, Lucky Spool 2018: "Pyramid Patchwork Pincushion" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 120-121

~ The Prettiest Girls in Euphoria, Kansas, by Bruce Kellner, Mondial 2010: Cover art - Untitled mixed media collage, front cover

~ Mastering the Art of Embroidery, by Sophie Long, Chronicle Books 2010: "Work Quilt no.2" - Artwork, page 198

~ Whip Up Mini Quilts, by Kathleen Ricketson, Chronicle Books 2010: "Grasshopper in my Garden" - Artwork and instructional article, pages 90-95

~ Quilts, BABY!, by Linda Kopp, Lark Books, 2009: "Morning Glory", "HoJo Space Spores", & River" - Artworks and instructional article, pages 107-112 

~ Transparent Art, Stampington and Company 2005: "Mini Art Quilts with Transparencies" - Artworks and instructional article, pages 74-77

~ Material Visions - A Gallery of Miniature Quilts, Stampington & Company 2004: "Evelyn was a Saint", "Non-Smoked Sugar", & "Remembering Alice" - Artworks, pages 86-87, 122-123, & 130-131

Other

~ Collage - Artplay for Your Creative Spirit, 2009 Calendar: "Best Wishes" - Artwork for the month of March

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Molasses BooDill 1996 - 2009

The Original Silly BooDilly

and for whom this blog's 

name was inspired by.

xo