Please join me in welcoming the first Guest Blogger to the Quilting Gallery. If you’re interested in being a Guest Blogger, just drop me an email to discuss.

I am pleased to be a guest blogger for the Quilting Gallery! My name is Barb Aguiar. I have a blog, Ocean Waves Quilts. I have been a quilter for about 20 years, but sewing since I was a child. I had always loved quilts, but never even thought of making one until I went to Sturbridge Village in Mass. There I saw a hand appliqued and hand quilted queen sized quilt that I absolutely fell in love with. This was in the 80’s. I looked at the price tag, and nearly fell over in shock! It was $1,800.00! I said: “I could make that”!

Well, let me tell you, by the time I was done with that quilt, the price seemed nominal! I learned everything there was to learn by making that quilt, and made every mistake there was too! But it started me on quilting, and I have never looked back! I have tried almost every type of quilting there is, but I have a love of designing my own quilts, and I love handwork more than any technique. I still work full time, so I don’t have as much time as I would like to hand quilt. I also love to do photo quilts, they make great gifts, after all everyone likes to look at pictures!

I now have grandchildren, it is such fun to make things for them! I do a wide variety of quilting techniques, and I try to share any new techniques I learn with my fellow bloggers. I have recently designed three quilt patterns. I have always loved to do original work, so I decided to try my hand at designing some easy to use machine applique patterns. So far, they are getting great reviews. My “Tooth fairy pattern” will be for sale in Nancy’s Notions’ fall catalog.

My biggest joy in quilting though, has been the wonderful friends I have made, because of having this hobby in common. I have had a quilting group that has been together for over 20 years. We have shared our many different quilting techniques, and our many different views on life.

I also have met so many wonderful people in the blogging world. I have learned so much from my fellow bloggers! It is amazing to “talk” to a quilter on the other side of the world! I look forward to meeting many more new friends through the Quilting Gallery, thank you Michele!

Barb