Donna Chivis relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, from her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, after retiring following a 50-year career in social work, administration, and human resources recruiting. She holds two degrees from Western Michigan University and moved to North Carolina to be closer to her two daughters and grandchildren.

Donna's love of sewing began in childhood. Inspired by her mother, who made clothing for the family, she took sewing classes at Sears and soon began creating many of her own garments, including formal dresses and gowns throughout high school. Her quilting journey started when she became a young mother and transformed fabric scraps into a crib quilt for her daughter, Candace.

Over the years, quilting became both a creative outlet and a practical skill. Living through Michigan's cold winters inspired Donna to make several large quilts for her home, while her sewing talents kept her daughters dressed in handmade outfits throughout their childhood. Today, quilting allows Donna to combine artistry, craftsmanship, and cherished family memories into every piece she creates.

In addition to quilting, Donna enjoys community involvement and has participated in beauty pageants for nearly two decades, earning numerous titles at the local, state, and

national levels. Through her quilting, Donna continues to celebrate creativity, family traditions, and the joy of handmade art.