I’ve been a writer for… let’s just say a long time. My first writing memory is of a day when I was about 12 and I sat down at my mom’s ancient, black Smith typewriter to write, yes, “The Great American Novel.” I wrote nine pages and told my entire life story. Done! What’s so hard about that?

Later, I studied journalism at Rutgers University and then creative writing at the University of Denver. Unfortunately, when I was 25, my mother passed away, launching me into my ‘next’ novel: Grant Me Serenity. It was my therapy. Since that time, I have become a mother myself and I often wish I could share this journey with Mom.

I am continuously struck by the disconnect between what I am experiencing as a mom and what I see in greeting cards and gifts for mothers. Come on! We all sit around at play dates or moms nights out and talk about how hard it is! And yet, all the cards act like we’ve got it soooooo good.

I hope that my writing shares the real experience. If we can’t be honest about this, then our kids have won!

Color. I have always loved color. As a young girl, I knew the name of every color in the crayon box. As I got older, I doodled and drew with anything I could get my hands on: finger paint, markers, colored pencils, my mom’s oil pastels, pen and ink. And from my very first macaroni, glitter, and tissue paper creation, I fell in love with collage.

My love of color, form and visual imagery has influenced my life in different ways. I studied art and art history in Florence, Italy. I majored in graphic design at Drake University and have worked as a designer ever since. Pattern and collage have always found their way into my client work and personal art.

Since I became a mother, I have been disappointed by the lack of creative and supportive products for moms. I can’t take one more fluffy duck or teddy bear! My goal is to create something that moms can relate to — something that feels fun and slightly messy. Because, let’s face it, through all the joy and frustration, motherhood is wonderfully messy.