About
Born in southern California, Paula grew up in Germany when her father took a teaching position overseas. “Using fiber as a creative means to communicate is intrinsic to my very being. It links me to the continuum of men and women who have stitched their lives in fiber to provide warmth and nourishment for the body and soul.” Her passion for the stories behind the quilts is a leading theme in her work.
Paula's "elevator speech" boils down to the title of a song in Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, Oklahoma,“I Cain’t Say No.” Those words have led her to some fabulous quilt making experiences throughout her life. Paula has been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, which has lead to all sorts of fabulous quilting experiences. (Or, she could not sit on her hands when volunteers were requested.) She is a co-author of the book, The Quilts of Virginia – the Birth of America Through the Eye of A Needle, sponsored by the Virginia Consortium on Quilters; Past-President of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Quilt Museum; founder of Cabin Branch Quilters, Prince William County, VA; Teacher of the Year, The Professional Quilter Magazine; on Jinny Beyer’s teaching staff for 20 years; co-organizer of Along the Spice Route with Ann Reardon, a exhibit that toured the US for three years. Paula is someone who is passionate about quilts, quilters, their stories, and the techniques for almost 50 years. Her can-do attitude has resulted in a toolbox briming with solutions for pratically all quilting concerns!
husband share their home with a an overgrown puppy, three cats and the various wildlife that stops in to visit. Paula relishes sharing the history, techniques and art of quilting with students of all ages. Her passion for quilting encourages students to explore their own creativity in a positive, nurturing environment.