Several years ago when I was visiting Nauvoo, Illinois, I noticed that many of the old homes had cross stitch samplers on the walls.  I am always on the lookout for new stitchery patterns, and thought that it would make a meaningful souvenir to copy one of these samplers.  I looked and looked for patterns for one, but I could not find any and my photographs of the samplers did not turn out, so I decided to design my own.  This was the beginning of "Nauvoo the Beautiful."

"Nauvoo the Beautiful" went on to win 1st place at the Utah State Fair and many people asked for the pattern. I developed it into a pattern that has sold hundreds of copies across the country.  I have even seen other people's versions of my pattern win awards in fairs. 

Inspired by the success of this pattern, I started making patterns that I wanted but could not find.   Most of them have won 1st place prizes at the Utah State Fair.  The sampler "Come, Come Ye Saints" won an award of merit at the 6th International Art contest sponsored by the LDS Church History and Art Museum. 

In real life, I am a wife and mother of four children and a music theory and song writing instructor at Salt Lake Community College.  A former oil and water color painter, I have been drawn more and more to stitchery because it is portable (I sit through a lot of soccer games and music lessons), doesn't make a mess, doesn't smell and is quiet.