Hi! My name is Cathy. I've been sewing almost my entire life, so when I found myself unexpectedly needing to fill a void at the age of 56, using this creative outlet seemed the natural thing to do.

Growing up, my first sewing project was an apron which I made as part of 4H in the 4th grade. I then moved on to a jumpsuit made of pink and green patterned kettle cloth. I thought it was and I looked amazing (never mind my knobby knees and toothpick legs). Fortunately my wonderful Mom stepped in to save me from my OCD self, because I would cry as I ripped seams if they weren't EXACTLY perfect.

I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in (gulp) Home Economics, with a focus in Textiles and Clothing. (It has been mercifully renamed The College of Design). I sewed most of my clothes during the years that I worked in an office as a computer systems manager/programmer. Because my husband, Peter, and I moved to Germany, I never worked in my chosen field. I then chose to stay home with our two kids, through moves to New Jersey, Michigan and back to NJ, sewing the occasional Halloween costume (some great ones: buffalo, Michael Schumacher, etc.),a bridesmaid dress or two, and eventually sewing for high school plays. It was there, actually, that my love of sewing was rekindled. And during that time that Peter was diagnosed with kidney cancer.

Peter fought his battle for five years. He died in May 2012. He was the love of my life; I miss him every minute of every day, and I carry him with me in my heart in whatever I do, wherever I go.

Peter's passing happened at a time in my life when I thought that it would be the two of us together. Our kids are grown. We're so proud of them. They have clear, meaningful paths. Andrew is married (to Mary) and they are changing the lives of many, many young people through education. They met in the Mississippi Delta through Teach for America and now are working at STRIVE prep in Denver. Bailey is also helping so many young people through her work as a child life specialist in the burn unit at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.

So, what to do with myself? Five years ago Peter had suggested that I be trained with our German Shepherd to be a therapy team, shortly after we moved to NYC. I've done so. Our journey with Kerry is a story in and of itself. She has been my savior time and again during Peter's illness and since his passing. And I LOVE the therapy work I do with her. We visit hospitals, hospice, autistic kids and at-risk teenagers. It's given me a purpose in life that I never could have imagined and I look forward to every visit.

But I still wanted a creative outlet. A few years ago I had tossed around the idea of making children's clothing. Peter liked the idea, and I'm quite sure he would be supporting me in this. I've had so many incredible experiences with butterflies since Peter died, whereby he's let me know that he's not far away. Kimimila is the Lakotah Sioux word for "butterfly". Growing up in southern Minnesota, Lakotah territory, I always felt a connection to the Native American culture there. Somehow it all seemed to come together. The perfect storm, if you will.

The result is Kimimila New York. It's just me, creating and sewing. I'm using organic cotton fabrics. I'm sewing when I have time, wedged between my numerous therapy hours with Kerry and my travel. I'm flexible and will try my very best to accommodate your needs. Please feel free to contact me. Drop me note. I'd love to get to know you!

Check out my blog at www.kimimilanewyork.wordpress.com!