I have been a Fashion Designer, Dance teacher, Home Economics teacher, a teacher for Emotionally Disturbed Criminal Teenagers, a teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired, a teacher of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, a Special Education Staffing Specialist, an Assistant Principal and a High School Principal in my 38 year educational career. I taught in New York, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., South Carolina and 25 years in Florida.

Now I am Keeping Tradition Alive by sharing my passion of Pine Cone Quilting.

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I learned to sew from mother and my ​6th grade Home Economics Teacher. My mother told me hand sewing was the way she learned. Therefore, she made me hand sew a blouse and a skirt, first, before buying me a sewing machine at 16.  I later appreciated those lessons and used that method with my students before using a sewing machine. I developed an appreciation for construction and patience.

I am an African American born in Westchester County, New Rochelle, New York. I was raised and schooled in New Rochelle and Mount Vernon, New York. I graduated from New Rochelle Academy (69)and went on to an all girl college – Bennett College (71) in Millbrook, New York, Dutchess County to receive an Associate Degree in Fashion Design, Art, Dance, Music and Drama. I then went to Bard College, Annandale on the Hudson, New York to receive a Bachelor Degree in Art, Dance, Music and Drama. I have a Masters Degree in Special Education from the State University of New Paltz in New Paltz, New York and a Masters in Educational Administration from the State University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina.

I started making Pine Cone Quilts in 2004 under the apprenticeship of a 92 year old African American woman in Sebring, Florida at her home, after I saw her beautiful hand sewn quilts. My apprenticeship with Arlene Dennis, known as Miss Sue, went on for 6 years and I completed 2 quilts with her supervision, she however, completed 4 while I was with her. After she passed in 2010, I wanted to teach others how to make Pine Cone Quilts.  The quilts were very unique and I had to do some research to find out more about the quilts. I then became obsessed and starting making them for show and for sale.

Here is a video Demonstration

I first started teaching individuals Pine Cone Quilting at my antique store - Miss Ruby’s Den in Sebring, Florida. Upon retiring from the Highlands County School Board and selling my shop, I began teaching Pine Cone Quilting at South Florida State College in the Community Education Program and to individuals and groups around Florida. 2016- 2018