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(Lead-in, Classes taught and so on)
Matt: Where were you born and what is your birth order?
Barbara: I was born in a teeny tiny town in Idaho named Malad and I am the eldest of three, 1 sister and 1 brother.
Matt: Where did you grow up?
Barbara: Ogden and Roy, Utah
Barbara: I saw a beautiful quilt in the window of a quilt shop and stopped in to find out how to make it. I was taking my first class within about 2 weeks and have never looked back! I have never made the quilt that lured me but have the pattern and know I could! Matt: Describe your “quilting studio” — is there something in it that you just can’t live without?
Barbara: My “studio” right now is in two separate places! I have a have very small warehouse and production space where my fabric is housed. I sew in a little bedroom at my home when I am doing machine work. I appliqué while stating in front of the tv in my living room. Matt: Does anyone else in your family quilt?
Barbara: Unfortunately not. Matt: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting?
Barbara: I have tried every craft known to man but quilting was the only one that held my attention for so long. I have always crocheted and have knitted a little bit. Right now I have once again jumped back into the knitting pool and am working on mastering felted intarsia. It turns out that I love color in any medium and that’s why like I like intarsia. I also love the challenge of mastering a new skill. Matt: Do you have children, grandchildren etc?
Barbara: I have one child, a grown son. He and his wife had five beautiful and unique children that inspire many of my quilts. Matt: Do you have any pets?
Barbara: No pets yet. I have toyed with the idea of getting a dog but am not sure if I would really want the responsibility and the mess. Matt: Do you have a favorite food, what is it?
Barbara: I like bland, bland, bland comfort food. I love “Sunday dinner” which is roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, boiled carrots and hot rolls. I have a huge sweet tooth which as made another part of me huge as well! I don’t like chocolate……can you even imagine that? Matt: What is your favorite recipe for entertaining?
Barbara: A reservation at a terrific restaurant. Matt: What would be on your “Bucket List” if you could do anything and money was not an object?
Barbara: I would move closer to my grandchildren. I would like to go to Wales, Ireland, Spain, Paris, Italy and Canada. I would also like to visit several areas of New York City and the lavender fields of France. I want to learn how to weld. I want to work in the set or props dept of a film company on one movie. Matt: What is the best class you have taken?
Barbara: I have been very fortunate to have taken many great classes. No one stands out more than the rest.
Matt: Where have you traveled in your quilting career? Any favorite locations?
Barbara: I have been to Houston, Portland, Minneapolis, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and California. Most recently I was in Kansas City, MO. My all time favorite is Ontario California and the Road to California Quilter’s conference. I have the best time there of anywhere I go. And I must say the weather is lovely and we are warml received by the quilters. Thanks for making it such a good time for us! Matt: What is the last book you have read, and who is your favorite author?
Barbara: I am reading a book called Housekeeping right now and just finished the Dukan diet. I like th Harry Bosch novels by Michael Connelly. I also recently finished the Hunger Games trilogy and loved them. I am working on Miss Pelican’s School for Unusual Children which my daughter in law keeps on the nightstand for me at their house whenever I go to stay with them for a few days.
Matt: What’s the best thing about teaching?
Barbara: Seeing my students realize that they too can succeed at hand appliqué. I love to pass the tradition along.]]>
