Jennifer Aikmann-Smith

Jennifer Aikman-Smith was born and raised in Montréal, Québec, Canada with tales of secret gardens, buried treasure, castles and giants, and surrounded by craft and art supplies.  She decided at age 11 that she would earn her living making pictures and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Mount Allison University in 1987.

She discovered cross stitching in 1992 and began self-publishing her own designs just a few months later. Jennifer lives in Moncton, New Brunswick with her Principal (and stitcher) husband, Nick, and two daughters, Erin & Bethany. 

She is in the final stages of earning her Education degree as well as being a published children’s author and illustrator, so her designs are full of whimsy, imagination and fun. 

When she approached Jo Gatenby about collaborating on a few designs, Jo was excited to have a chance to work with this amazing designer.  To date, they have created SIX designs together, each creating half the dragons, and taking turns designing the lettering... can YOU guess who did what? 

To see more of Jenn's own work, or to read about her chaotic life, click HERE.