Everything's Falling into Place!

So why in the world am I posting a fall photo in May? Well, this is the photo chosen to represent the book in the Ohio University Pres fall catalog! Isn't it beautiful? I can say that, since it was taken by Stephanie Rouse of Monroe County, Ohio. OK I would say that about one of my photos, but I am pleased for Stephanie.

I should also point out that this quilt block is painted directly on the barn surface--only a couple of trails have used this very difficult method which requires a professional's skill. The artist here is Scott Hagan.



I am also glad to be able to show off one of the photos that will be published. I have been posting a lot of great shots here, but of course the best are in reserve for the book. So here is an example of what is in store.

Speaking of stores, the book, Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement is now available for preorder on Amazon.com! It's a bit early to order a book that won't be in your hands for several months, but they are offering a great preorder discount, and I don't know how long that will last.

This is a really exciting time for me! I am thrilled to be able to share the stories of all of the wonderful people I have met, and most importantly the story of Donna Sue Groves, who originated the quilt trail, and her amazing mother, Maxine, who inspired the project.

Georgia Pride

I have bemoaned in the past our lack of barns in Georgia and thus the lack of enthusiasm for quilt trails. Finally, Judy Hulsey of Lavonia, right near the South Carolina border and the nearby state's Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail, gathered the troops, and began the Franklin County Quilt Trail. Lavonia's Chamber of Commerce adopted the idea, and the project was on!
They have put together a really lovely barn-less quilt trail, which is already expanding to other counties in the area.

Painting in progress:



On April 13, the first four squares were installed. Lavonia is a friendly town, so it was fitting that they began their project with Friendship, mounted on posts in front of the local welcome center. I love the bright colors!



Later, Rainbow Square was hung on an historic building downtown. Quilts on buildings are becoming more and more popular, both for areas where no barns exist and also in areas with barn quilts that want to encourage visitors to their downtown areas.



Next came the Flower of Friendship (are you sensing a theme here?) sponsored by the Lavonia Garden Club and mounted on a garden center owned by a member.


The fourth quilt square really embodies the spirit of community: The Seminole Patchwork pattern at the historic Whitworth School, sponsored by the Whitworth Woman's Club. This building dates back to 1770 and the quilt is patterned after a cloth quilt made many years ago and raffled to help pay to keep the building intact. The women of the club--including an 89-year-old lady who has been a member for 60 years---proudly attended the unveiling.



The crew went back to work and has since added a few more. Here is a great, colorful rendition of God's Eye. I have never seen this one as a cloth quilt but it stands out so nicely that it appears on the quilt trail quite often


Seven Sisters
I love this sampler at the Lavonia Cultural Center; such great detail! I heard a whisper that perhaps a couple of the men on the committee made a couple of late-night trips to do some touchups. I'll bet they had a hand in this one!

Top left is “Soldier Boy” which represents the National Guard Unit that occupied the buildng from 1962 until 2000. Top right is “State of Georgia” representing the late Governor Ernest Vandiver for whom the armory was named. Bottom Left, is “Circle of Life” representing life stories as told through the annual series of folk life plays called Land of Spirit; and, fourth is the pattern “The Last Hard Times” which was the first Land of Spirit production in 2008.

I have been invited to attend this year's Land of Spirit play, which was chosen to honor the opening of the Franklin County Quilt Trail. The Secret Quilt sounds like something worth traveling for--lots of real, true life stories related to quilting.

So, that's the news from Georgia! As always if you have updates and/or photos to share, let me know. And if you are heading out to the quilt trail, drop me a line and I'll help you navigate.

Happy summer!

Goosebumps!

Yes, I willl admit it--seeing this in print made me very happy! This is the flyer/press release for my book, which will be the featured book in the upcoming Ohio University catalog soon and available for preorder shortly! OK, so the book won't be in hand until February, but still--it's getting close!

You will have to click on the image, and then enlarge (ctrl +) a couple of times to read the text--please do.



And isn't Iowa photographer Ruth Ratliff's photo of the barn with the wildflowers stunning? Ruth is an amazing woman who loves photographing barn quilts and has lent her artwork to both the book and my calendar. So pleased that her work will be published here!

I feel like a kid at Christmas--wonder what it will be like when the actual book arrives??

The Kindness of Strangers . . .

Blanche DuBois, the main character in Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire is often quoted, "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."

For me--and for many of us, I hope--the kindness of strangers has played a pivotal role. It was a kind stranger who took the time to tell me why she had a painted quilt hung on her barn, another who directed me to Donna Sue Groves, and the kindest of all--Donna Sue, who was a stranger at the time--who gave me the opportunity to tell this story.

Along the way, many "strangers" were kind enough to offer all kinds of help and hospitality, from a simple map to a guided tour, to food and lodging. And some of those strangers became friends.

But most who will read this are strangers to me, so to you I beg a bit of indulgence.

Here is a request/offer for those of you who are planning to purchase my book when it comes out in a few months.

I am participating in a fundraiser for Georgia River Network--a nonprofit organization that safeguards our water supply in Georgia. I will be kayaking 106 miles in a weeklong fundraiser in June. That's over 15 miles a day, folks!

For those who don't know me, and am 51, and for those who have never been to Georgia in June, it will be HOT. But I am determined to do this, and now that I am committed to it, I want to make a difference.

SO--I'm trying to think of creative fundraising ideas. Here you go:

For every dollar you donate (up to $20) to Georgia River Network in my name, you will receive a 1% discount on an autographed copy of the book, "Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement." So--donate $10, your autographed copy of the book will be discounted 10%. Donate $20, you will receive a 20% discount.

Of course, you may give more, and you may give whether you intend to purchase a book or not.

If you didn't do anything for Mother Earth yesterday for Earth Day, now is your chance! I will be doing all of the work (did I mention the 106 miles?), and both you and the environment will benefit.

Thanks in advance for your kindness. Be sure to leave a message here after you donate, so that I can keep a record.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/parron/Paddle-Georgia-2011


Our Easter barn quilt is Flower Basket at the Bingley Barn in Kankakee, Illinois. I featured a snow shot of it last winter, but spring really is its season! And Easter is the day for baskets!

Not Exactly the Beach

I've been bad; spring has been with us for a few weeks now, and I haven't posted any springtime photos!! Scott County, Kentucky, was one of the earliest stops along my journey a couple of years ago on a perfect April weekend like this one. The black barns really set off the painted quilts.

As I walked around enjoying today's spectacular sunshine and cool breezes with all of the dandelions blooming, I was reminded of this photo.

It's the perfect combination for this particular spring, since the quilt square is "Storm at Sea." Though these last few days have been spectacular, we have had the most frightening weather these past few weeks. I'm glad I didn't head to the beach for spring break!

Here is a closeup of the painted quilt block; I think they did a great job at replicating the fabric look.

This was actually a fun photoshoot, as I had a consultant nearby.

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He posed for me, but his big head kept getting in the way of the barn quilt--I do believe he thought I was there for his sake!

As always, if you have photos to share of your projects or those that you have seen along the way, do pass them along. I love your comments here, but if you have more to share, contact me at americanquilttrail@yahoo.com

Almost Barn Quilting Time!

First, I have to apologize for my absence. The book is in production, and it's out of my hands for a while. For the first time since July of 2008, I took a brief respite from this project. Soon, I will back in the thick of things--finalizing the manuscript and helping to promote the book.

Thanks to those who sent notes inquiring as to my health and whereabouts; I was touched that some of you took the time to do so.

So--Spring is barn quilting season--most of the existing committees are gearing up, and some new ones are putting their plans together as well. But I just got this photo last week, and--well--you know I am a sucker for a snow photo! So--the last one of the season.

Funny thing is, I don't know a darned thing about this one. It was sent to me by Bonita Simshauser, who said that she and a friend painted it one weekend a couple of years back. It's a twelve by twelve foot square, and though Bonita didn't say so, it appears to be painted directly on the barn door. If so, that was quite an undertaking!

UPDATE:

I heard back from Bonita, who lives in Winimac, Indiana, with a bit more about her barn quilt. Her friend Ginny Smith, who lives in Gibralter, MI had seen barn quilts but didn't have a barn. Ginny and her husband came to visit for a week, and while the men were re-roofing the henhouse, the women painted the quilt. Bonita admits that the guys did help to make it square!

The project took only two days. The men were hard at work, and the women were a bit sad that their fun had come to an end so quickly. So they painted the double star on the garage--what a beauty!

The women were still having fun, so they purchased (3) 4ft. x 4ft. plywood, primed it, and went back to work. Ginny was able to go home with quilt blocks for the back of her garage. Bonita writes, "I was so happy that she too has something beautiful to enjoy after all OUR fun work!"

Barn quilting is fun, and I miss sharing in it! I look forward to a bit of traveling over the next couple of months, to visit old friends, to see some new barn quilts, and to take photos for next year's calendar. So there will be some new tales from the trail to share soon.

Meanwhile, as always--send along any news or photos that you would like to share, or head over to Facebook, where you can post them.

No Barns in Atlanta

We may not have any barns in Atlanta--But we do have some great photographers! I was at a friend's home a couple of months back and someone mentioned my book. I love talking about barn quilts, but here in the barnless part of the world, folks' eyes kind of glaze over when I start to explain. But this time was a bit different.

As it turned out, one of the women I was talking to was an incredible photographer--Ali Laipple. She had taken photos of barn quilts on the way back from a friend's wedding in Southern Kentucky last summer. Aren't the effects wonderful? I keep looking at them over and over--so refreshing to see barn quilts depicted through her artistry. Now if I can get Ali back on the road--wouldn't a calendar of photos like these be amazing??

Beauty in the Blizzard!

These aren't exactly "barn quilts in blizzards" photos. After all, those of you who are still digging out from under all of that snow probably don't have photography on your mind! But I still do have a great love for barn quilt snow photos, and a few friends have been kind enough to oblige--enjoy!

These two were sent by Ed Williams of Calhoun County, Illinois. They have some beauties! The first one is an homage to International Harvester--notice the red and black symbol? I was amazed to find out just how adamant farmers are about the brand of farm machinery they use. Some are red and black folks, and others yellow and green.

One of the first farms I visited was that of Bruce and Debbie Bacon, in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Debbie sent this great photo of snow falling in front of their LeMoyne Star

Hope everyone is staying warm; we are having a false spring--50 degrees today--but more snow in the forecast for next week.

Snowbound!!

I know that for many of you six inches of snow is "Ho-hum, business as usual." But here in Georgia where we seldom see more than a few flakes or have to settle for nasty ice, we revel in it!

And of course, the good/bad news is that the city doesn't have the equipment to clear the roads, so we are snowed in.

I haven't posted all week because I was craving a snow photo and had none to share.

Of course my good friends Clayton and Carolyn Pratt of Kankakee, Illinois picked up my psychic waves and sent this gorgeous photo today!

This is Card Basket, on the barn of Phil and Kristi Moritz. Kristi took this lovely shot of their barn quilt, which is painted in University of Illinois colors of blue and orange.

Of course, this Florida Gator girl found this barn quilt particularly attractive!

Back to the stove--making batches of yummy soup. Stay warm and safe. And check Facebook for another incredible photo from Iowa that one of my friends out there just posted!

Pursuit of Happiness

I like not to make my New Year's resolutions too specific--that way I can usually acheive them! This incredible quilt block in Kankakee, Illinois seems like a good theme for a new year--Pursuit of Happiness. That's an attainable goal, isn't it? My resolution for 2011--to pursue happiness! And yes, I do think that sometimes it must be sought and not taken for granted. Another great block by the Kankakee home school students. For more about their exemplary barn quilt program, visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/kankakee/barn/index.html 2011--As my work on this project slows down, it's time to pursue something new that will add joy to my life. It shall be interesting. Happy New Year to one and all!