Mimi Dietrich ‘70, American studies, made her first quilt in 1975 as a gift to her oldest son, Jon. Now, 40 years later, she has a great many accomplishments in her sewing kit. She has written 17 quilting books, helped stitch the American flag that was displayed at Camden Yards on Opening Day of April 2014, and was named International Association of Professional Quilters Teacher of the year for 2013.

Her dream-come-true moment was filming her first Craftsy — an online crafts education platform based in Colorado — class in 2013 called “Finishing School” that teaches quilters how to finish the quilts they’ve started.

Dietrich beams as she shares the joys of teaching the Craftsy class and ecstatically announces the production of yet another class to be filmed at the end of June 2014. This class will focus on applique — Dietrich’s favorite quilting technique involving the sewing of cutout designs onto larger pieces of fabric.

Dietrich’s diverse background has more than prepared her for teaching online classes: Two years teaching English at Old Court Middle School developed her aptitude and enthusiasm for teaching. Her time at UMBC in the American Studies Program increased her appreciation of quilts and their significance in American history.

Now, with more than 14,000 students, she’s putting those skills to use in a very big arena, with great success. Having graduated in 1970 when technologies such as online classes did not even exist, Dietrich finds it amazing that she has been a part of such an adventure. She particularly enjoys the interaction she has with her Craftsy students.

“Talk about a dream,” Dietrich says as she reminisces about her past and all that she’s experienced throughout her very rich life. In addition to quilting, she fills her days with family, baking, and watching UMBC basketball.

“I really feel I’ve had a really fun life,” says Dietrich with a beaming smile on her face and thoughtfulness in her gaze. She gets to do what she likes to do, and that, for Dietrich, is sew rewarding (pun very much intended). Her advice to other quilters — both a quilting lesson and a life lesson — is this: “Don’t try to make a perfect quilt. Just have fun.”

–Jessie Orsburn ’14

Do you have a story of your own to share? Tell us in a class note!

October 4 – Mount St. Mary’s University IHSA Show @ Goucher College

October 11 – UMBC IHSA Show @ Goucher College

November 8 – University of Maryland College Park/Johns Hopkins IHSA Show @ The Other Left Stables

November 9 – University of Maryland College Park/American University IHSA Show @ The Other Left Stables

November 22 – Towson University IHSA Show @ Featherdown Farm

February 22 – University of Maryland IHSA Show @ The Other Left Stables

March 14 – Goucher College IHSA Show @ Goucher

March 15 – Zone IV Region I Finals hosted by the Other Left Stables

March 28 – Zone IV Finals @ Goucher College

Light Point Security Named Finalist for 2014 Maryland Incubator Company of the Year

We are pleased to announce that Light Point Security has been chosen as a finalist for this year’s Maryland Incubator Company of the Year (ICOY) Awards for the Best Cyber Security Company category. The Maryland ICOY awards support current clients and graduates of Maryland incubators by helping increase awareness and visibility for promising young companies.

The finalists were chosen by a team of more than 3 dozen industry experts and investors. The winners will be announced at the ICOY awards ceremony, which will be held at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore on Tuesday, June 10.

We are thrilled that Light Point Security continues to receive industry recognition for the amazing work we are doing to stop web-based threats.