When my
sister and I were children, my mother taught us crafts. We started
with pulling thick yarn through sewing cards, and then progressed
to potholders made on a small metal frame, and eventually to
crocheting, needlepoint, and sewing. We ironed fall leaves between
sheets of wax paper and created pencil holders out of orange juice
cans. We were always working on something.
One of
my favorite memories seems so simple now. Mom taught us
needlepoint by letting us pick out a canvas with a pre-stitched
bird in the center (a cardinal for me, a bluebird for my sister),
and then we filled in the background. It sounds like it would be
boring but I loved it. It made my heart sing.
Over the
years I've tried lots of different crafts: needlepoint, pottery,
quilting, cross-stitch, and stamping. My family and friends are
always pleased when they receive handmade gifts from me and that
has really encouraged me.
I
started Pine Tree Designs in April 2003 as an outlet to share my
wares with people outside my family and friends. I am thrilled to
have discovered my creative niche - embroidering designs on paper
with specialty threads. My motto is the smaller, the better, or as
I tell my customers at my shows, "I love teeny-tiny!" I
get to combine my two great loves: paper and stitching. Throw in
some dark chocolate and I'm one happy woman!
Craftiness
is in my DNA. Mom got me started but I’m also inspired by Dad
who is a woodworker and my sister, Gretchen, who mostly crafts
with words but also quilts, knits, and stencils. It’s always
been this way in my family: we make things. I’m proud to be part
of that heritage.
Stefani
