Sue Howard

I was so blessed to have a creative Mother. At the age of seven, she encouraged my first piece of needle work – Jack Be Nimble. From there I made doll clothes, my own clothes through high school,knitting and in my late teens she taught me petit point.

My first exposure to serious quilting was when my husband & I received as a wedding gift from my sister Nancy Williams (The Quilting Garage) a hand made quilt - which had won 1st prize at the fall fair in Arnprior Ontario in 1973.

At this point I really wanted to quilt but found it very difficult to find classes or people willing to teach. When we moved to Victoria , I went to the Monterey Seniors Centre and “watched” the older ladies quilting – trying to catch all the tips I could. (I was not allowed to participate because I was not of age – only in my early 30”s).

Armed with heavy scissors and sand paper for templates I set to work – with absolutely no idea of what I was doing. I am a self taught quilter and love the traditional quilts from the 20’s & 30’s. My two quilts from my GranMa are among my most prized possessions.

My husband Paddy, is a local artist – I could never married anyone more supportive of my “hobby”. Our son Bob is married & lives in Cranbrook. Our daughter Janine is also married and lives in Australia. We have no furry pets – just the dust balls that accumulate while I quilt. As long as we are all healthy & I can quilt – I will ask for nothing more in life.

~Sue Howard

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Shania is a self- taught artist, quilter & pattern designer who resides in Victoria, B.C.

She graduated from Emily Carr College of Art and Design with a design degree, majoring in Industrial Design, with a minor in Graphic Design.

Shania’s artistic interests began in designing and making quilts. She then expanded into painting acrylic miniatures of flowers, birds, and animals. Her interests grew even more into drawing and painting after being commissioned to do several pet portraits. Eventually her love of fabrics led her to combine both acrylics and fabric into making fiber art.

Now she is using her art, design and quilting background to produce wildlife, appliqué patterns to share with other quilters. Her inspiration for most of her work, whether it is patterns or art, comes from her great love of animals and nature. She spends her days working with a little Amazon parrot perched on her shoulder, happily contributing his opinions on all of her designs.

Her diverse talent appeals to many people who enjoy the beauty of her artwork, which hang in offices and homes throughout Canada and the U.S.

~Shania Sunga