I have a long background in the fiber arts. I was taught to weave as a child by Marietta Jones and wove for decades. With a focus on rug and tapestry techniques, shaft switching, and transforming delicate patterning into large scale pieces, my weaving won numerous first place and best in show awards, with pieces in both public and private collections.

I began Grafton Fibers (forerunner to DyakCraft) when our children were young, and created a line of spindles featuring a different breed of sheep each month hand painted on spindles turned by my husband, Tom Diak.

Tom went on to develop incredible hand spindles. I created a line of spinning fibers along with a method of carding that produced brilliant batts that resulted in soft color transitions.

From the spindles came crochet hooks and knitting needles. Tom turned the world's finest hooks and needles (www.dyakcraft.com) and I sewed cases to hold these incredible works of art. Searching quilt shops for fabrics led me to my first experience at a sit down longarm. It took about 20 seconds of quilting to realize this was what I needed to be doing.

As for the quilts themselves, a local restaurant had purchased a painting and the rights to it from Robin Arthur to use as their logo. Something said “quilt that.”. I took a menu home and dove in to making the piece, and I loved making that quilt. I had been in Ann Brauer's beautiful studio a few months prior and had told her I didn't know yet what kind of quilter I wanted to be. Well, now I knew.

Whether it’s a beloved pet, friend, personal hero, or favorite place in the world, I strive to bring forward expression and emotion. I love the joy my work brings both recipients and viewers.

I love what I do.