A Kentucky Treasure

Earlier this week, I received an email from a quilter in Australia asking for information about the book; she mentioned that she would just love to create a Courthouse Steps barn quilt. I had already been pondering what to post this week, and I was inspired to share a story of a really beautiful barn quilt that I visited in Hardin County, Kentucky, last summer

For me, there is nothing better than a barn quilt that is a replica of a cloth quilt. And this quilt has quite a bit of history.

The Lincoln Museum located in Hodgenville, Kentucky is about three miles from Abraham Lincoln's birthplace on Sinking Spring Farm in Hardin County. The museum houses memorabilia related to the president and his life, but it also contains artifacts of historical significance to the era in which the president lived. The Courthouse Steps quilt donated to the museum by Hardin County resident Thelma Stewart Ford is one of the treasures of the collection.

The quilt was begun by Thelma’s great-grandmother, Elizabeth Smith, who was born in 1831, and completed by Thelma’s grandmother, Mary Nay Stewart. The heirloom passed to Thelma’s father, Berney, and then to Thelma, who was born in 1918.

Though quilts were made for everyday use, Thelma says, “I never recall seeing this one on a bed. From the time I was a child, we knew that it was a family treasure, and it had its own trunk.” The quilt square now has a prominent place on the barn where Thelma and her husband, Edward, farmed.

Isn't it gorgeous? And it was a perfect day--rare for me--for barn quilt photography!

Save the Date!

Can you find the red spot on the map? That's Adams County, Ohio, home of the very first quilt trail.

Do you know how to get there? Start checking your maps; break out the trusty GPS.

Then mark your calendars for May 13-14, 2011, when we will gather to to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the quilt trails!

The event will be hosted by Donna Sue Groves along with Sonja Cropper of Brown County, Ohio, Tourism.

Check back for details--I'll share them as they are available.

Hope to see you there!

The Gospel of Groves

I heard recently from Barb Childers, who lives in Clermont County, the next county over from Adams, where the quilt trail began.

The photo is Barb's husband Russ, putting the finishing touches on a Bear Paw quilt he painted on a salvaged road sign--recycling at its best, no?

The Childers also painted the same pattern on their mailbox--I'll bet it makes the mail carrier smile.

Barb said she was pleased that those who read about the quilt trails will learn the "gospel of Groves," but she wasn't talking about just painted quilts.

In her work with the Ohio Arts Council, Donna Sue helped Russ move from the corporate world into a new life as a traditional Appalachian artist. He shares his love for Kentucky music, dance, and storytelling with school kids and throughout the region.

SO--what is this "Gospel of Groves?" Simply put, Donna Sue's understanding of the ability of grassroots arts to inspire and empower, to bring joy to those who participate.

The First Day of Spring brings another First

From my friend Barbara Webster of the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina--the 150th quilt block on their incredible trail, and the world's first quilt block sundial!

Barbara says, "It was dedicated on March 20, the first day of Spring. It was designed by Bob Hampton and Martin Webster. and tells local solar time--the time everyone used before we had time zones. It is extremely accurate--designed for the spot where it hangs."

This block is also the 150th block in the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina. The area is very dear to me--my first research trip was in October of 2008, when the 100th block was hung!

Since then I have visited half a dozen times, and despite an unfortunate driving escapade (look back to July 23 of last year for a scary photo!), I have to keep visiting-- a wonderful welcome and new adventures always await.

Visit if you get the chance--a lovely town and beautiful countryside just full of quilts! In the meantime, check out their website: http://www.quilttrailswnc.org/

A Beautiful Find

Mary Winegar of Oswego, Illinois, sent me these two photos of a gorgeous barn quilt in her town. There is no quilt trail there, but that doesn't stop barn owners from creating quilt art!

I love the pattern and also love the closeup shot of the quilt through the trees. Great photo art inspired by barn art.

Thanks, Mary for sharing this.

I can't wait until the weather gets warm so I can head back out into barn quilt world!

I Stand Corrected!

Mary Simpson dropped me a note indicating that there had been quite an extensive trail created in northern Ontario in conjunction with the International Plowing Match in 2009. I couldn't believe that there had been no mention of it anywhere, but sure enough a couple of hours of Googling, (interesting verb usage) and I found it!

The trail is in northeatern Ontario in the Temagami Wilderness. I found a mention of it on a blog created by Caryn Colman, who had a hand in its creation.

I am waiting for details from Caryn and will pass them along as I discover more.

Thanks so much to Mary for making me aware of my misinformation. I am still thrilled about the Wardsville project that has been started and from what I have seen, it's going to be quite a standout.

It will be interesting to find out how in the heck barn quilts popped up all of the way up there!

Vote for Barn Quilts!

The Barn Quilts of Kewaunee, Wisconsin did a wonderful job with their trail. They emphasized education and included high school kids in all aspects of the project.

Even the photographer for the Kewaunee project is a high school student, and one of her photos is slated to appear in the book!

Meanwhile, the group is competing for a grant from Pepsi to improve the community, and their plan includes expansion of the barn quilts.

Friends of barn quilts--please go to the link below and place your vote. Bring some of these funds into the rural community and support their efforts!


http://www.refresheverything.com/barnquiltsandorganicfarming

Border Crossing

The first quilt trail across the border to our north is now a reality!

The blocks along this trail are part of Wardsville's Bicentennial Celebration; the project is now officially underway with the creation of the first quilt in the sampler that will tell the story of community founder George Ward.

Denise Corneil of Wardsville has been one of those hard at work getting the project off the ground.

Denise explains the meaning behind this strikingly beautiful creation. "The Farmer's Wife: Margaret Ward is in honor of all of the women who worked and toiled by their husbands' side to settle this great land. Working with little complaint and never able to tell their story. We honor them."

The spirit of the quilt trail lives in Wardsville; I hope to visit in June when the entire sampler is complete. I can even take Gracie, the quilt trail pup--how cool is that?

Spring Flowers for a Wintry Day

The big news is that the manuscript is off to the press!

I haven't posted in a while because I have been proofreading and making changes--quite a task. I try to be so careful, and yet every time I go back through the text, I find another error!

And I had to make some choices, as I have enough material for two books and--at least for now--only one being published.


There are so many stories and dozens of photos that I dearly love and just couldn't find room for, so I will begin sharing some of them here.

This barn quilt is part of the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina--one of the most prolific barn quilting groups in the country.

The Bradford Nine Patch lives on the Warrick farm; it is a family pattern that the owner's mother enjoyed. Look at the detail--some talented painters involved in this project!

Heartwarming Beauty

Such a beautiful photograph from barn owner Maria Piacenti of Kankakee, IL. Could there be anything better? A barn quilt in falling snow --at night. Just makes you want to snuggle!




























And here is a sweet gift from my friends in Kankakee:
A Heartland Valentine--take a few minutes to watch:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I5NK3DFApA


Enjoy!