I guess it started when I was around six. I took a piece of my mom's beautiful cotton, sat down on the floor, just started cutting, and cut out what I thought was a blouse. Well, at least it looked like a blouse to me -- and all I had to do was sew up the sides. My mom was furious with me (times were tight then and she certainly didn't have the fabric stash I have today!) That was my first tough lesson in fabric appreciation.
From there, at my mom's insistence, I took sewing classes in 7th thru 12th grades in our public school system. (You can't find a sewing machine in our schools today).
Mom didn't make quilts, she was a seamstress and made clothes for other people, but my love for sewing and creativity came from her. I opened a magazine one day (after I was married and was raising five kids) and saw a beautiful quilt and where to get the pattern and instructions on how to make it. From there, I was hooked.
I quilt because I can.
I quilt because I am.
I quilt to leave a legacy.
At least that is the plan.