I am a textile artist living and working in the North Bedfordshire countryside. I started making quilts in 1988, after being captivated by Mennonite quilts in Canada. Traditional techniques gave me ideas for experimentation and this led to me devising my own methods to enable me to express ideas, concerns and emotions in my own particular way.

Artists such as Paul Klee have had a great influence on my work, as have the Roman mosaicists in Morocco, Tunisia, Italy and here in England. I put quilts together in ways similar to their floors, building images then joining them to make a whole statement.

Inspiration comes also from the English countryside - its colours, moods, textures, history, myths and folklore. All are combined to enable me to create works that reflect my love of the natural world. My love of cats is reflected in my sometimes zany cat patterns.

I have exhibited quilts at many international shows and have won several major awards, including two Championships at national level. My quilts have been chosen to represent the British Isles in exhibitions in Canada and America. I have held both solo and joint exhibitions. My next one will be for the whole of September 2012 at The Three Hares Gallery, Olney, Bucks.

I teach quiltmaking in the UK and overseas on a variety of levels for the sheer joy of sharing the colours, textures and patterns. I enjoy encouraging and inspiring my students to take up this ancient craft and turn it into the art of quilting. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see the look on a student's face when she sees that big ribbon attached to her quilt!

In short, I am passionate about my quilting and my teaching.