I have always loved art and needlecraft, my grandmother taught me many crafts as a child, knitting, embroidery and crochet among them. I remember learning to sew on my great-grandmother's old foot-treadled Singer which I now own and still use.

Whilst studying Fine Art in Leicester I had the good fortune to be offered a temporary job, silk screen printing embroidery patterns onto fabric in a local factory. The company had no design department at the time and when sketches were needed, being an art student, I was asked to help out. One thing led to another and on graduating was offered a permanent job and became the first in-house designer for DMC Creative World, that was back in 1989.

From printer to designer to design manager, I learnt a lot and really enjoyed my time there but with more managerial responsibilities I was doing less and less design work. After eight years I decided to go it alone. I moved down to London and after a short stint as a clerical assistant I landed a contract as specialist needlecraft consultant with leading part-work company Eaglemoss Publications. So with that and my other work with the Cross Stitch magazines I was finally able to pay the mortgage as an independent designer.

Well the rest, as they say is history. I now find myself back up in the Midlands with two gorgeous little boys, Lincoln and Hudson. I feel fortunate to be able to make a living doing something I have a real passion for.