The Spirit of Sacagawea: A Textile Tribute to an American Heroine
Laurie Simpson: A lifelong needle artist, Laurie's quilts grace galleries and private collections. She has been featured inCountry Home,Coastal Living,Architectural Digest,American Patchwork and Quilting,McCall's Quilting,Quilt Sampler MagazineandQuiltmania.A patchwork quilt in a magazine inspired Laurie to take up quilting at the age of fourteen. Drawn to traditional themes and techniques, she prefers to piece, applique and quilt by hand. "Handwork is calming and meditative. It's the way I was meant to work," says Laurie.She joyfully spends her time quilting, creating, teaching, writing and designing fabric for Moda Fabrics with her sister and design partner, Polly Minick.Laurie lives with her husband, Bill, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They share their home with Gibby, a rescued Boxer.Polly Minick: Polly Minick began hooking rugs in the '70s. Being an avid antique collector, she wanted a couple of rugs to go with her collections. The rugs she saw at antique shows were not always in great condition, so she decided to make her own.Her style is primitive and she draws inspiration from what is around her - family, home, country and nature. Her patriotic works were inspired when her youngest son, Jim, was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps; he is currently serving as a colonel and recently returned from the Middle East. Jim's service has also inspired her to work diligently for Semper Fi, Injured Marine Fund, which she says is "a labor of love."Polly's enthusiasm for fiber art has led her to national acclaim as a creator of primitive-style rugs and is a highly touted guest lecturer. She enjoys traveling the country and meeting with others who share her passion.Polly and her husband, Tom, currently live in Naples, Florida, with Annie, their Airedale, to keep them company. They have three grown sons and seven cherished grandchildren who love to visit.