A fourth generation seamstress, I started designing when I was 5.  Often I would create a design only to have my mother tell me "you can't do that, it won't work" only to prove her wrong!  Although I remained creative my whole life, I received a college degree in the sciences and ended up with a long career as an engineer.  Now when it comes to my creations, my Mom will say "only an engineer could make it work!".  I'm lucky, those years as an engineer allowed me to travel the world, which allowed me to see and experience many cultures and creative ideas.