When I was a little girl, I had a vast array of stuffed animals that were literally spilling out of my closet. Sea creatures, safari creatures, dinosaurs, birds, kitty cats, and bears-- no animal was considered too unusual to be a special friend. I loved them all. Even though I no longer have a closet spilling with toys, that love of the animal kingdom has carried on well into adulthood. But that love didn't get to fully express itself until I discovered in December of 2012 that I enjoy sewing, when I put together just a few small felt animal ornaments for a local shop. Encouraged by a good friend, I started making larger stuffed animals and from there they have been nurtured into a diverse zoo. I guess you could say my studio has become like my closet years later, overflowing with all kinds of animal friends that you can share with your loved ones.