Knitting and sewing began for me at my grandmother's knee.  I grew up in her house because she needed my mother's help in caring for my invalid grandfather.  Grandma Green taught me to knit, and she taught me to sew on her Home treadle sewing machine---you had to pedal it to make it go---no electric Singers in our house in the 40s
I continued to knit in college (I'm not sure our professors were too happy about our doing it in class, especially when needles dropped on the floor).  Argyle socks were the rage in the 50s and all kinds of sweaters, too. 
 In 1956, after sewing a dress for myself completely by hand (the Home machine was no more), my parents agreed to buy me a portable Singer sewing machine that I used off and on until 20 years ago when we moved to North Carolina.  Thrilled to be retired, I got into quilting, embroidery, knitting, and sewing for my grandchildren, other family members, and friends.  My daughter has been my inspiration with many suggestions for children such as the  bib and burpie cloths, bunny blankets, tabby blankets for babies, and my hand puppets that I produced for The Artisans Gallery and now for The Gallery on Howe. 
 My oldest grandchild, now 24, could not say Grammy when she first started to talk, so she called me "Mimi."  That's who I am to all 13 grandchildren.  When I was looking for a name for my work, it seemed only natural that it be "Designs by Mimi".  I love what I do and the many projects that define "Designs by Mimi."