Michelle and husband Bernie live in Bozeman Montana with her two boys. She was born and raised in Southern California. Her Dad sparked her interest in wood working when she was just a little girl. She would experiment with pieces of scrap wood found in his workshop. He showed her how to use his band saw and tools. One of the first things she remembers making was a music jewelry box. She eventually made her 1st peg wooden lady and man, pegged with screws at the arms and hips. Little did she know, she would be making and selling these little dolls later in life. After moving to Montana, Michelle spent lots of time with her family at her father's cabin up in the Crazy Mountains. Her father bought her a chainsaw with a carving bar. He suggested she give it a go. Once again her father sparked her interest and she still continues to chainsaw carve every chance she gets. Michelle has carved many bears and figures over the years, which decorate homes in Montana and California.

In 2000, Michelle saw a peg wooden doll online and decided to make one for herself. This successful endeavor led her to carve and sell dolls online. In 2003, after many customer requests to carve Hitty, Michelle researched the dolls history and read "Hitty: Her First Hundred Years". That first doll and subsequent sales encouraged her to continue to carve Hitty.

After many successful years of carving and selling Hitty, Michelle's husband encouraged her to combine her two talents of Chainsaw carving and doll making. The pair began planning and drawing up sketches for Life Size Hitty.

In the summer of 2005 work was begun in the Crazy Mountains of Montana. Logs were felled in the forest and carving began. Her head and torso were carved from a solid Doug Fir log, her arms were hewn from Lodge Pole Pine and her legs are Doug Fir.

After the chainsaw work was completed, Hitty was smoothed with a sander, distressed and hand painted. The final touch was a layer of antiquing to provide an impression of age. With her husbands help, the doll was drilled and pegged, fitting the arms and legs to the torso.

With the doll now naked but together, it was time to clothe her. Michelle contacted her mother, Liana Rebhahn in order to design and sew appropriate clothing.

Her lace and ribbon pantaloons were sewn first, fitting them to Hitty's exact size.

The dress color was chosen to match Hitty's lip and cheek color. The lace trim finishing off the dress was purchased from an antique store. Hitty was donated to the Great Cranberry Island Museum in Maine along with a recent chainsaw carved statue called, "Hitty Montana." Michelle was featured in the Doll Castle News magazine in 2004 and 2007.