Just before we approached the bridge, I had asked my husband to turn the car around. I wanted to take a couple of pictures for another project I'm working on. I took the pictures as it began to sprinkle.
We crossed Fernbridge (the last crossing before the Eel River arrives at the Pacific Ocean) and headed to the Victorian Village of Ferndale, California. Before we made it to the other side of the bridge, the sprinkles turned into a downpour and the wipers were adjusted from intermittent to high.
When I spotted the large Barn Quilt at the dairy farm on the right, I knew we couldn't stop for a picture with the heavy rain and traffic.
This is the first Barn Quilt we spotted -
the photo was taken the next day, in sunshine.
The large Barn Quilt, displayed on point, was visible against the faded wood barn. My husband thought it was a fabric quilt and asked why anyone would hang a quilt out on the side of a barn, especially in this weather.
BARN QUILTS
The Beginning: A movement created to honor mothers, quilters, and rich American history through the diverse, colorful patterns of quilt squares.
From Barn Quilt Info's History Page: Barn Quilts started with Donna Sue Groves in 2001. Contrary to common myth, Donna Sue was not a renown Amish quilter from generations past, but a contemporary quilter in Adams County, Ohio. Donna Sue wanted to create a project to honor her mother, Maxine, and her Appalachian heritage.
She decided to use her biggest, most visible canvas: the side of her barn. She partnered with some local artists to create not only a quilt block on her own barn, but a completed “sampler” of twenty quilt blocks, encouraging people to follow the trail and travel through the beautiful Ohio countryside.
No one has been able to document the location of a painted quilt square that existed prior to the Ohio Star that was painted in Adams County, Ohio in 2001. Donna Sue Groves' idea continues to inspire folks across the country to join what has become the largest grassroots public arts movement in our history.
This Barn Quilt photo was taken as we departed the Ferndale area and headed back across Fernbridge to Loleta. Still raining, you can see the raindrops on the windshield blurring areas of the photo. I spotted a road in front of the barn and was determined to get a photo of the sunflower on a return visit.
The next day, we went back to take more photos - this time in the sunshine. We drove past this barn and parked. While stepping over puddles, I was able to maneuver myself to take this close-up of the hay hood and doors. The two 4'x8' sheets of painted plywood are solidly attached to the doors.
A simple quilt pattern makes Barn Quilts visible from quite a distance. This is the only photo that I was able to take of this red barn before a grove of trees blocked our view.
We continued on our way home and wanted to make a stop at The Fat Quail Quilt Shop, in Laytonville. Although the shop was closed, we were able to take a photo of her Barn Quilt, prominently displayed and visible from the parking lot.
Surprisingly, my husband spotted two other Barn Quilts a couple of hours later while we were driving through Lake County. To find Barn Quilts in your area, check out the Barn Quilt Trail Map.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Congratulations on your successes this past year.
May you spend some quiet time reflecting on all that you have accomplished.
Here's hoping that you reach some realistic goals you've set. But, know that it's alright if you just move in the direction - it's not necessary to reach each goal.
Cheers to your creativity and your outlet of choice for self expression!
Currently, mine is Quilting. What's yours?
Quilts are LOVE you can touch. ~Lisa Bongean