Terry was born an artist. Among her 8 brothers and sisters are artists, musicians, a master carpenter, a fantastic nurse, an adventurer, teachers, cooks, gardeners and singers. Many of these talents overlap in her siblings.

Her mom is an artist and interior designer, her dad was a creative engineer holding patents in the tube mill industry. So, creativity was encouraged in their big noisy home....and Terry could draw.

Terry's fascination with the needle arts started early inspired by her two Grandmothers' gifts. Her Nana would make fantastic Mardi Gras costumes which would end up in the girls' dress up box. Her Grandma Blanche would send accessories which she purchased at flea markets. The fabrics, trims, and beautiful costume jewelry delighted the senses.

Terry began to draw for needlework projects. She learned embroidery, crochet, knitting, macrame', simple weaving, needlepoint, crewel, black work and applique so she could realize her visions in fiber. Each time Terry wanted to make something which required a new technique, she would learn it...usually from books and magazines....but she always created her own designs for the project.

Growing up in the south suburbs of Chicago, Terry could hop a train and spend a whole Saturday wandering around the Chicago Art Institute. She spent one afternoon laying on the floor in front of an old altar covered in gold threads and stumpwork. She decided she would write a needlework book when she grew up. At 51 years old, she realized her dream with the publication of,"Thread Painting Made Easy". She has since written two more, "All Beaded Up by Machine" and "Enhance Your Quilt-Embellish".