Marilyn was born and raised in Manitoba. She graduated with a B.Sc. from the University of Manitoba, and worked in the Information Technology field in several provinces in Canada. She has called Richmond home since 1991. After retirement in 1996, Marilyn became interested in decoupage. She is self-taught and developed her own techniques for designing, applying the cutouts and finishing the surface of the pieces. The finish is built up through many applications of three types of varnish. While her goal is to make attractive " table art " for the home, she also wants her work to be functional and useful over a long period of time, and she wants it to be fun. This gave her the idea of making coasters that fit together like a puzzle to solve. She also creates pots, serving trays and napkin rings using the same decoupage techniques. At present, Marilyn divides her time between her decoupage craft and free-lance writing