Artist's Statement

A self-confessed fabric-aholic, I can't pass up beads, buttons, yarns and other wonderful things. I am perpetually pushing myself to use new media, techniques and embellishments including sheet metal, old keys (flattened and curled) and leather. My latest obsessions are hand and snow dyeing, and using recycled fabrics. Color, texture, light and movement are an important part of my work. I especially like being challenged to brainstorm and work "outside the box" with a theme for a specific show or event. Most recently, I have been focusing on wearable art, fun accessories, and art quilts. Please contact me about my award winning garments, scarves, purses, patterns and quilts I have for sale.

Biography

Stephanie creates colorful quilted fiber and wearable art for competition and sale, often using hand dyed and recycled fabrics, embellished with beads, yarn and other trinkets. Her inspirations come from dreams, doodles and travels.

Stop in to Katie's Cup in Rockford, Illinois during Spring and Fall Art Scene to see an assortment of Stephanie's work. Joyful Garden is currently traveling with the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) Fibrations exhibit which will be at the National Quilt Association Convention in Columbus, Ohio June 17-19, 2010. Garments will be shown in October at The Fine Line's Uncommon Threads runway event and boutique.

Stephanie's award winning garments include:

   - Paisley Pizzazz, 2010 Honorable Mention, Mid-Atlantic Quiltfest
   - Twilight on the Dogwood Trail, 2010 Judges' Choice, Road to California
   - Curacao!, 2009 Best of Show, Road to California
      Honorable Mention, Mid-Atlantic Quiltfest
      2008 Third Place Professional, AQS Paducah
   - Postcard: Greetings From China, 2007 Third Place Professional, AQS
      2007 Best Fabric Manipulation, Road to California
      2006 First Place, IQA Houston
         First Runner-Up, Mid-Atlantic
      2002 Hollyhock, Most Interesting Interpretation of a Threads Article

She has been published in SAQA's Portfolio 15, 16 and upcoming 17; Art + Quilt by Lyric Kinard; The American Quilter 2008 and 2007 (show winners); and Threads Magazine May 2003.

Stephanie's art quilts have traveled in several PAQA and SAQA shows. Effervescent Joy won Best Of Show at Prairie Heritage in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, First Place at Quilt Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, and Third Place at IQA Houston.

After sewing for others, owning a line of children's wear and launching her kids, Stephanie decided to join them in higher education. She attended Harper College in Palatine, Illinois where she received her AAS degree in Fashion Design.

Stephanie was born in Wisconsin and raised in the Rockford, Illinois area before she moved to Arizona, Wisconsin, Texas, and back to northern Illinois. Her studio overlooks Candlewick Lake where she lives with her husband, Bill, and golden retriever, Sadie.