from Morgan County, Colorado

Thanks to an attentive member of the Morgan County Arts Council, and the Morgan County Barn Quilt Group, I can add them to the list of Barn Quilt web-sites on the side bar. There are also some nice pictures from Morgan County at Eagle's Eye Photography. Thanks Ann, for the attentive (Eagle's) eye, and all of the wonderful Barn Quilts. Her comment (and links to more pictures) are on the July 24th, from Fort Morgan, Colorado post (below).

I'll be thinkin' about you...

Much is happening in my personal world, but I have also found myself with a few quiet moments to sit at the computer. Soon I will be leaving the cyber-world for a simpler world of sand, surf, shells and sea breezes. It will only be for a few days… alas, there are not barn quilts on the barrier islands of the Carolina’s (yet!). I will have to do some serious catching up here (and the day job), when I return. In the meantime, I want to leave everyone here with at least something positive to contemplate.

The Ning, social networking site (Barn Quilting), is up and running, with a few mildly interesting (forum), subjects to help start conversation. I was exploring the Ning world, and I discovered almost 40 sites that had some interest in quilting. [There is a search bar in the top right of the home page.] Many of these I will need to join (apply to join), before I am allowed to read the posts, or leave any comment. I hate being a spammer. I hope to visit most of these sites tonight, and I will consider this as leaving my calling card. Maybe I will get some interesting comments in return.

One of these Ning sites has been started by Donna Sue Groves, and it is called: National Quilt Barn Trail. If you are familiar with the history of the Barn Quilt Movement, then you already know who she is. I applaud what Ms Groves is doing, and I am certain that it is only a matter of time before there is a National Quilt Barn Trail. Hard work, organization and determination will help, yet I honestly believe that this is an inevitable step for such a great community of communities.

The other tid-bit I would like to throw out is the images that already exist on Flickr, and other image sharing sites across the web. It’s easy to search for these by typing in the words associated with Barn Quilts. I don’t have time this week to introduce myself to all of these wonderful and talented photographers, but it would be great to have someone drop a few pictures on the Barn Quilting page.

Share the stories…

from Greenville, Tennessee

The Greenville Sun reports tonight that "The Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council has received a $10,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission" which will provide "funding to develop a map and signage program for the "Follow the Quilt Trail" which is expected to attract more visitors to the area." I do believe that this is our federal tax dollars that will be spent. That is nice!

Visit ARD&DC

from Fort Morgan, Colorado

Today, from Fort Morgan, Colorado and the Fort Morgan Times is the story "Local businesses join barn quilt project". There are several pictures of local businesses that have (what appears to me to be) 2' x 2' quilt blocks on the outside walls or store front windows. It says that these are painted and installed free of charge. There is also a list of addresses for the 18 more barn quilts that have been put up in the past 18 months. I was only able to find one other reference to the project. The Morgan County Rural Electric Association ran a story last October titled: "Charming Barn Quilts Add Color Across Morgan County". I have not been able to find an active presence on the web.

The Quilter's Catalog

I love the early morning, and late afternoon sun, when the shadows are long and I have a since of actually living on a spinning orb in a vast universe. I am a morning person, so the summer sunrises for me are special. By (a little past), 6:00 in the morning, I am almost always awake. At this time of day (especially on the weekend), I am the only human that dares to stir in my neighborhood, not to mention my home. There is a symphony of songbirds (that is noticeably absent in the winter), and often a genital breeze to cool my coffee.

The morning is often a good time to sit at the computer and not be interrupted. It is also a good time for me to read, or muse on the events of the day. I am more often drawn to non-fiction books and one of the books I have enjoyed this summer is about quilting. I am not a quilter, and consider myself a newbe to the world of quilting, but know a good book when I see what’s inside.

I found this wonderful book about quilting a few months ago. After being invited to attend my nephew’s graduation from High School (I was honored to attend), I knew what sort of ceremony I was in for. I was eager to find some quiet, solitary entertainment for the time it took to read off many hundreds of names, countless introductions, awards, and speeches. Between the time that we dropped him off to get frocked and the time for us to find seats in the coliseum, my brother's family (kids in tow), and I descended upon the local Barnes & Noble. There is was… The Quilter's Catalog, a comprehensive resource guild, by Meg Cox, Workman Publishing, 2008. Current and Comprehensive!

I have rarely found a more complete compilation of history, information and current resources on any topic, than what Ms Cox offers here on quilting. There are a lot of how-to books on quilting. There are some books that list various patterns, and even some books on the history of quilting, but I would venture to say that if you quilt, then you may want to have a copy of this in the sewing room (or by the bed). It has been a joy for me, and quite educational. From hand & machine quilting, quilt shows & teachers, from beginner to expert, I think that there is something here for anyone with an interest in quilts & quilting.

Not to be critical (tho I am a critic), The Quilter's Catalog does not mention (that I could find), the Barn Quilt. For sure, Barn Quilts are not quilting! Could Barn Quilts be considered a part (a new part), of the quilt world? I am a firm believer that we will be seeing quilt blocks hung on barns and sheds from coast-to-coast (and further). I think that we all have a story connected to quilting, and that quilt blocks (traditional & new), all have a story to share.

Designer Barn

Several weeks ago I ran across the blog of a profesional photographer by the name of David c.h. Brown. He is from North Bay, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Nipissing. Included in the bolg is an image that he posted back in February '08, of a Barn Quilt just south of New Liskerd. He calls this a designer barn. I have not been able to identify any others in Ontario, or anywhere else in Canada.

Here is the link to his picture.

Does anyone know of any more in the area ?

There must be a story here...

Beam me back Scotty! I have seen the mountain... actually, I have a hard time getting back down the mountain. Mostly because it is so easy to find things that I would rather be doing. Even spending hours working on fixing rental property in the mountains is preferable to mowing the grass in the 90+ degree days just a few short miles away. My wife and I share two homes. One is above 3,000 feet in the N.C. mountains, and it is where I would rather spend my summer. It is a short drive to great hiking, paddling, and yes... We even like to ride bikes in the mountains. Last week, my wife and I were working our own bike & kayak shuttle (ride bikes to where we dropped our boats, and paddle back), when I experienced my most recent Barn Quilt Moment. If anyone can identify the name or origin of the quilt block, or if you happen to know the story behind it, I would love to know.

So... meanwhile... I pick my son up from Boy Scout Camp, and he tells me it was the best camping trip ever! Well, I am not sure if I should feel insulted, but I am certainly happy for him. A week of high adventure hiking and rafting, and his two favorite jokes are: What's the difference between a catfish and a river guild? One is slimy, smells and has whiskers... the other is just a fish. Then, What does a fish say when it hits a brick wall ? Dam!

It's great to be a kid! or have one!

Windmill

I have a moment to sit and check my mail, and to see what has happened in the world of Barn Quilts over the past 10 days. I am alone for an hour, but will be on the road tomorrow, for a weekend with the Scottish Clans on Grandfather Mountain.

I did notice a wonderful story in the Le Mars Daily Sentinel, about the Ahlers family of Le Mars, Iowa. They are living on the family farm that turns 100 years old this year. In honor of reaching this century mark, the Ahlers family (with four childern 12 - 16), have made an artistic (Barn Quilt), depiction of their windmill that still hangs in the Iowa sky. With symbolic colors, and lots of love, this is the type of Barn Quilt that beams pride, and inspires others.