Box 280       Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96745      Email Barbara

I started designing patterns in 2006 when the local quilt shop owner here in Kailua Kona, Big Island suggested that I do so; the Tropical Fish Sampler was the first attempt at making a pattern for sale. At first I only sold to her store since I really didn’t think people would buy my patterns. Now my patterns are in other quilt shops in the island chain called Hawaii. Many of my original quilts can be seen at Quilt Passions in Kailua Kona where I also teach classes. After being asked to teach Hawaiian Applique I designed Hawaiian designs to use for those classes. So the adventure continues thanks to all my customers that have purchased my patterns and showed interest in where things are going since 2006.

I was born and raised in Minnesota. Sewing clothes was a normal event in our house. The town I grew up in was very small and no one my age lived in town, so at five years old a neighbor taught me how to knit. That was an obsession up until sometime around 1997.

We moved to New Jersey in 1995. While living there a neighbor asked me if I was interested in taking a quilt class with her. I said sure, since I am basically curious why not, but it isn’t really anything I would keep doing. Well here I am, still quilting. I draw my inspiration from nature and I like my applique to be realistic. It seems I can not get too far away from piecework though, since I often put some with my applique designs.

We visited Hawaii in 1999 and we just felt so comfortable here. The Big Island, where we live, is very much a rural setting and relaxed. We liked that since both of us grew up in . The people were friendly and it seemed like it would be a good place to retire. Then we decided why wait until retirement to move. We love it. It is not overly hot. Very seldom does it get over 90 and the humidity is not excessively high. For us it is our little paradise.