At age 16, I learned how to quilt from my grandmother who taught me the English paper piecing technique. For many years, I made traditional quilts both by hand and machine. Now, however, the quilt “sandwich” serves as a platform to create images from a variety of materials including paper, beads, threads, found objects, and all types of fabric. I especially enjoy the spontaneity and surprise of collage. My goal is to express my odd sense of humor and hopefully make the viewer smile. My works frequently champion nature’s less-loved creatures—rats, mice, alligators, worms, snakes, and cockroaches. In this regard, the haiku of Kobayashi Issa is a great inspiration.