OK, so it's not as much fun as tracking down Waldo, but we really have been traveling quite a bit, and I haven't told you much about it!
Our trip to Missouri was just incredible. We started off at the home of Margot McMillen, who began the barn quilt project there and is hoping to gather some momentum. Just over the doorway as we entered the house, we were able to reach up and grab a couple of grapes and pop them into our mouths. It doesn't get much fresher than that!
We set out into the beautiful countryside to see a few of the barn quilts. Farmer's Daughter is just gorgeous, especially with the blue roof!
The dinner that night was amazing--all locally produced food, including the beer! Unfortunately, I was too busy meeting and greeting to get any photos, but Tammy Williams captured it all on her blog here:
http://flatcreekfarm.blogspot.com/2012/07/celebration-of-barn-quilts.html
On to Iowa; one thing that is great about the long flat stretches of highway is that barn quilts pop up along the roadside. Sometimes it's hard to stop for a photo, but I liked this one a lot, so we made a U-turn and came back to get a shot.
In Independence, we had one of the most successful book signings yet! Buchanan County is home to a terrific quilt trail and some very enthusiastic barn owners.
We also got to meet the quilter who created the quilt after which one of my favorite barn quilts is patterned--what a pleasure! It's one photo that is reserved for the book only; it is such a treasure and was so hard to find that I just can't bring myself to post it online.
Our stay in Green County, Wisconsin brought us to a tour that overflowed the bus! Once the second bus arrived, we were on our way. This is barn quilt land extraordinaire!
Nancy Meyer drove over from Iowa to meet us; she later put together this really wonderful collage that captures the excitement of the day:
Italian Tile adorns the barn at the Devoe barn. I just love the brilliant colors--another fave.
Speaking of bright colors, how about this one? Love it!
Our hosts, Lynn and Jerry Lokken, treated us to a wonderful steak dinner, where we got to know Lynn's "partner in crime" Kris Winkler. They sent us home with a treasure trove of Green County goodies--cheese, venison bologna, Spotted Cow beer (a fave of mine, which can only be bought in Wisconsin) and Lynn's award-winning maple syrup! What fabulous hospitality!
On to Lodi, where I spoke at the Ag Fair. It was hot--OH, it was hot! But the crowd hung in there with us, and Trish Frankland made sure to point us towards the best goodies--brats and fried cheese curds. Yumm!
Headed south at last--Georgetown, Kentucky, was one of the first quilt trails I visited and remains a favorite. After a sweet reunion with the folks who had helped me get my research started four years ago, we got back on the road. A long day--seven hours on the road--to make our schedule!
This Log Cabin is a bit unusual, in that they recreated sixteen blocks so that we can see the pattern of light and dark. Log Cabin appears quite a bit along the quilt trail, but I haven't seen another put together like this.
Finally, back to Georgia. The Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild in Clarkesville was such a welcoming group. Pat Jones was one of the first to book me for a speaking appearance, and she I am already booked there for a return engagement!
Wow--2200 miles in eight days. I am not sure we will take on a trip of this magnitude next year, but you never know! Right now I am preparing to get back to work and making plans to attend Festival in Houston in November!
Next stop will be the Hudson, Ohio, Library and Historical Society on the 19th and the Pickens County, South Carolina, Museum of Art and History on the 25th. Whew!
As always, I appreciate everyone's emails and updates, and I encourage you to check
barnquiltinfo.com for the latest happenings in barn quilt world.
