I’m having a whole lot of fun creating beautiful things!
Hi there, I’m Natalie, so glad you stopped by. I’m a pediatric speech language pathologist (SLP) with artistic inclinations and a strong need to create things with my hands. It may be surprising, but I talk a lot at work. Having quiet contemplative creative time is something I thoroughly enjoy. As an SLP and previously a prekindergarten disabilities teacher, I found my greatest strength was nurturing the growth and development of the children I was fortunate enough to teach. And so my pseudonym “nurture” was born.
Nurture creations has two fold meaning for me. First, I love to teach and develop programs for quilters, and so, I nurture the creations of others through education and demonstration. Second, nurture creations are my creations, simple as that.
I have been an artistic maker most of my life - drawing, painting, basket weaving, jewelry, stained glass - these endeavors have drifted in and out of my life. But sewing, sewing has remained at my core. I am a self-taught sewist, having learned from reading patterns and trying to make my own clothes. Just thinking about my fabric choices back then makes me laugh! While my daughter, Tasha, was growing up, I delighted in making all those great dresses and hats for my sweet little girl. She had the best Halloween costumes, thanks to her mom.
Fast forward 20 years or so, and I found myself drawn to quilts. I have several quilts from my great grandmother, and a trip to the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY, solidified my resolve to learn this art form. I bought a fancy new Bernina sewing machine, some quilt patterns, fabric, basic notions, and started sewing away. Twenty quilts later and I haven’t looked back!
I spent a great deal of time using quilt patterns and making beautiful quilts, but I always found myself changing them in one way or another. I didn’t want to make what everyone else was making. Then three things happened and I found the creative freedom I was craving.
*** I joined The Modern Quilt Guild through ECMQG,
*** I started working through the exercises in the book, “The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters: A Guild to Creating, Quilting & Living Courageously” by Sherri Lynn Wood, and
*** I took a workshop with Nancy Crow at the Dairy Barn Arts Center.
Now, I delight in making my original quilts. I have so many ideas and so many things I want to try! I look forward to the creative journey ahead. I hope you will enjoy visiting my sight from time to time and see what I’m up to.