Barbara was born in Chicago and received her training and degree in Medical Technology from Triton College.

Barbara and her husband and children moved to the North Texas area in 1986, where she currently resides. She is presently employed at the University of Texas Student Health Center Laboratory and the Country Quilt Shop.

Barbara took up quilting as a hobby in 1994. Her talent was evident early on and she has developed a style that has made her quilts in demand for custom orders and for exhibitions.

In 1998, Barbara, joined a volunteer group at AIDS Services of North Texas to help families impacted with AIDS, to make quilt panels for their family members. She began to donate quilts to raffle or sell for this organization. In 2000 her "Stars for Stars" earned over $6000. Each subsequent year she has donated a quilt to this worthwile agency.

Barbara has donated many of her works to charities to be used for fund raising purposes. Her sold quilts have ranged in price from $600 to $2200. She makes donation quilts for two of the following organizations each year: The North Texas Prenatal Clinic, Child Protective Services, Friends of the Family (a local shelter for women and children victims of abuse), and the Cumberland Children's Home (a local senior citizen's home).

Barbara has memberships in the following organizations:
International Quilt Guild
Quilter's Guild of Dallas
Denton Quilt Guild

Barbara has also been involved in teaching her art with the following classes:

Another Way to Applique, Denton Quilt Guild, Quilt Country Quilt Shop

Paper Piecing Techniques, Quilt Country Quilt Shop

Hand Quilting, Quilt Country Quilt Shop

Barbara McCraw

Mishka & Barbara