“Queens At Play”, 18” x 24”

I found this set of Russian nesting dolls checker set and love the all-female characters. When the women become “queened” they have little risers to stand on and even when set up as opposing teams, they still appear to work together.

"Primitive Avatars", 10” x 10”

"Mr. Ree's Suspects", 10” x 10”

"Weapons of Clue", 10” x 10”

Growing up, we played a lot of board games and cards; checkers and euchre being the favorites. These game parts hold so many memories of not only learning strategy and team-work but the joy of spending time together.

“Waste Not, Want Not”, 24” x 18”

Raising her family during the Great Depression, my grandmother saved everything including clipping the buttons from old clothes before cutting them up for quilt pieces or cleaning rags. The buttons were reused as she made new clothes for her children and eventually grandchildren. When my grandmother passed away, I was given the button tin still filled with the buttons. When I pop the top, a scent still emanates that instantly takes me back to sitting on the floor sorting the buttons as my grandmother sewed.

“Lula Marie Never Called Herself An Artist”, 20” x 15”

My grandmother was a fiber artist who sewed, embroidered, crocheted and tatted. She never called her creations art though. They were just things she made to save money, beautify her home, and keep her hands busy.

“French Market”, 15” x 11”

For generations, the women in my family have made quilts. As a child, I spent much time at fabric stores, garage sales, and markets helping to pick through clearance table remnants and haggling for the best price.

“Possibilities”, 15” x 22”

Sometimes the tools become the subject.