|
|
Want to know more about the people behind MRD patterns? Mount Redoubt Designs is driven by a dedicated team located on Alaska's Kenai Penninsula. Known for remarkable natural beauty, the Kenai provides an inspirational setting for MRD's design work. The bios below will help you get a feel for who we are, what we love, and how we work.
Designer, Owner - Mount Redoubt Designs
My love for designing and the arts all began at the impressionable age of 9 with the dream of so many little girls. My grandmother, a war bride, worked at a doll clothing factory in Seattle, Washington.
We would sit for hours and create new designs for these dolls. It was at this time that I discovered my love for fabrics and the art of designing. This was a way to express my feelings and release my creativity.
In high school I began to design and sew all my own Prom and event dresses. They were a huge hit and filled me w/ a great sense of accomplishment. This is the point where I knew what direction I wanted to go in my life, and so this path I chose. After graduating High School at age 17, I attended Bassist College in Portland, Oregon. The lessons there taught me the technical aspect of designing clothing and costumes.
Shortly thereafter I was employed by the Alaska Repertory Theatre as the Lead Seamstress for all the Broadway productions. It was this theatre experience that helped refine my sewing skills.
At age 19, I enrolled in the Art Institute of Seattle graduating w/ a degree in Illustration and Graphic Design. This schooling gave me the tools I needed to not only create my designs but to be able to incorporate them graphically on my computer. After graduating, I did freelance jobs for several large corporations including Pacific Northwest Ballet.
All the while a romance was blossoming w/ my future husband. We decided to move to Kenai, Alaska and start our lives together. I was drawing, painting, designing, and creating while starting our family. We now have 2 beautiful daughters ages 11 and 15.
During this time my first pattern was hand drawn for a local quilt shop owner in Soldotna, Alaska. Realizing I had a passion for quilt and Batiks design, this is the direction I decided to pursue a career in.
As I travel and meet new people I always look for the beauty in those lives and in the wonderment in the nature around me. My design ideas always start here!
From there I begin to fine tune the intricate textures it takes to recreate nature. As I am constantly gathering information, I begin to draw.
Sitting alone by the fire place looking out over Magnificent Mt. Redoubt or the World Famous Kenai River, the images begin to flow onto paper. All ending w/ the exact numbers and measurements being put into my Mac Computer, the Images come Alive!
This I offer you, a glimpse into my world. My designs clearly reflect my love for life and everything living. I strive to bring balance between my contemporary flair and the simplicity of all things living. The “Story” within each Quilt! Traveling and being honored by teaching those with a love for quilting is the way I stay connected with my peers and admirers. To teach someone is to grow myself, so I thank everyone for the opportunity you have given me to become a part of your lives.
Marketing, Customer Service
Born on the Kenai Peninsula, Valerie is relatively new to the quilting industry. With marketing experience from other professional fields, Valerie loves helping quilters and quilt shop owners find exactly what they need for success. When she's not in the office Valerie can usually be found with her kids and family, maybe even rafting or fishing on the famous Kenai River.
Assistant Designer, Writer
Sarah took her first quilting class in West Virginia when she was 10 years old. Since then, she has developed advanced skills both in quilting and sewing. Sarah has helped design several of the MRD patterns and specializes in dimensional flowers. Sarah is also largely responsible for writing and checking each pattern before it reaches the quilt shops.