My name is Miki Miller.  I am a mother of three children ranging in age from 23 to 4-years-old and am blessed to be married to my best friend who has always been supportive of my creative endeavors.

I've been a crafter since I was a little girl trying to entertain myself at my father's motor rebuilding business.  I remember thinking, "Those copper shavings are so cool!  What can I glue them onto?"  Ever since then, knitting, cross-stitch, stained glass, drawing, sewing, and a passion to create original art has been a part of who I am.

I graduated with high distinction from the University of Iowa in 1996 with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from the College of Business.  After graduation I worked as a Market Research Assistant for an appliance manufacturer.  Then I worked in the insurance industry as a Customer Service Associate, Team Leader, and Database Designer.  While I was successful in these jobs, I kept asking myself, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" 

Finally, I found my answer in 2002 when I jumped into the quilting industry full-time with my hand-guided machine quilting business, Heartmade For You.  I've never looked back. 

Since 2002 I have enjoyed free-hand quilting for customers on my longarm quilting machine.  I've also designed a few patterns for local shops and have taught classes on a variety of techniques.  I love working with quilters who are pursuing their own passions.  The only time I felt my creativity drained was when I allowed myself to become side-tracked into ventures that didn't allow me to freely pursue my own original ideas. 

I am so excited to share my creativity and ideas with my sister (and fellow!) quilters and crafters through this pattern design partnership with my dear friend Diane.

 

My name is Diane Kula.  I am the mother of three daughters, two who have left the nest and one that is a sophomore in high school.  I have been married to the same man for nearly 27 years and plan on, at least, another twenty-seven.   My grandmother taught me to sew, cross-stitch, knit and crochet while in elementary school.  She is a very special lady and has the patience of a saint.  She holds a dear place in my heart.   I graduated with distinction from Mount Mercy College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a minor in computer science.  I received my CPA designation in August of 1994.  I have worked for a government contractor, a photography studio, in public accounting and am currently self-employed.   While raising our children, attending college and working full-time, my crafting all but ceased to exist for nearly 20 years.  When the older girls left for college I found a few spare minutes in my life and two empty bedrooms in the house.  I quickly merged their remaining possessions into one room and created “my sewing room” in the other.  This is where you will find me when not attending our youngest daughter's sporting events.   My dear friend Miki is one of the most creative people I know.  Our strength lies in the fact that we are enough alike to be able to collaborate on every aspect of designing, and different enough to provide a new perspective on each design.  This partnership came into being as if it was always meant to be.  I look forward to creating many designs for you to enjoy as much as we enjoy creating them for you.