Friday, July 13, 2012

A Celebration of Barn Quilts

Back in 2009, I received a phone call from friend Margot McMillen. A few weeks prior, I had published this blog post about our fun day at her diverse farm near Hatton, Missouri - Terra Bella. Included in that post was a photo of Terra Bella’s barn quilt. There was also a barn quilt painting activity going on that day.
BQ
Enter – Google Alerts. An author, Suzi Parron, was signed up to receive Google Alerts by email regarding these key words: BARN QUILT. She received the alert and link to my blog post, contacted Margot, and in turn the original bloggie photograph was published in her recently released book Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement. A few years in the making, this book is a feast for the eyes and heart, with gorgeous Barn Quilt photos across our nation as well as the tender stories involved with each barn quilt. I am proud and honored that my photo of Margot’s Barn Quilt was published in this wonderful book. Thank you, Margot and Suzi!!
book
Back to the Celebration part of this post: This week we were invited to attend an event at Hatton, coinciding with Suzi’s whirlwind book-signing tour across the American Barn Quilt Trail. What a wonderful evening!
And it was so great to finally meet Suzi! She is this bundle-of-energy-type person, with a true zest for life (and Barn Quilts, of course). A high school English teacher by day, and author/photographer by night (and down time from school).
Suzi
Lovely quilts by a famous Callaway County quilter were on display in Hatton Hall. The pieces were about the size of a postage stamp and the colors were so brilliant.
quilt1
Margot’s husband Howard Marshall, as well as our Fiddler and other musical friends helped provide the musical entertainment.
 Broadway Brewery chefs (Columbia, MO) were on hand with a delightful meal prepared for all of the attendees. All gourmet dishes were prepared by foraging for and utilizing local/Missouri meats and crops/produce. Several of these luscious items were produced at Terra Bella Farm. Broadway Brewery offered a nice selection of their always delicious (I am told Winking smile) beer as well. Mr. W and I must visit Broadway Brewery in person soon. It is the Fiddler’s favorite place to eat currently.
On the Menu: Patchwork Family Farms Pulled Pork, Missouri Rice Pilaf (I had forgotten there is rice grown in MO!), Pickled Lady Apples, Missouri Tomato-Cucumber & Wild Purslane Salad (I just pulled purslane from the garden today – apparently it’s a delicious weed!), Dilled New Potato Salad, Missouri Peach Cobbler (YUM).
food
beerS
Apparently, I’m not a great food blogger. I tend to eat fast. Too fast. Before I can snap a picture of the whole meal. Trust me, it was delish beyond compare.
plate
The tables were beautifully decorated on a quilting theme by Barb (Margot’s friend).
Side note, Barb and Margot introduced me to beekeeping about 10 years ago – this whole beekeeping thing we do now is totally their fault! Winking smile Back to the table decs and wall décor…
table1
Jenny Bondurant of Auxvasse Creative Arts Program and Bill Hart of the Missouri Barn Alliance and Rural Network told about their respective programs. Suzi Parron ended the evening’s festivities with a slide show presentation and delightful commentary – so much barn quilt eye candy! It left everyone truly excited about Barn Quilts, whether they had a barn or not!
I will also make mention that the evening’s events were a fundraiser for Missouri Barn Alliance and Rural Network and Auxvasse Creative Arts Program.
So, Bloggers, just so you know. Keep blogging and posting your photos. You just never know. One of them (or more) might end up in a book someday. And how cool is that for a little old country blogger like me?
If you’d like to order Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement, check out Amazon or Suzi’s website. I see she has a limited number of signed First Editions on her website. These books would make wonderful gifts for the quilt lovers in your life as well!
sig3
P.S. Presently, we are receiving a much-needed rain here at Flat Creek Farm. Praise God! Never lose hope.

23 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

that is so cool! a great subject matter to be documented in a book. glad your photo is part of it!

Debbie said...

Tammy, that's just about the neatest thing I've heard all day. Congratulations! The pic is beautiful (I love barns AND quilts)
and the food looks divine. Isn't it amazing that they grow rice in the south? What a wonderful experience. So glad to know someone of importance! :D
Debbie

charlotte's menagerie said...

Congratulations. Looks like a great time.

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

You lucky duck!
I ordered the book and it's being personalized with a note about your photo in it! I can't wait to get it.

Anonymous said...

That is just wonderful! Congratulations on the book and the rain!

Dog Trot Farm said...

Congratulations Tammy! Your photograph is wonderful and how exciting to be published. Glad to hear you are receiving a bit of rain, it is hot and humid here in Maine. Hope you are enjoying the joys that only summer can bring! Blessings, Julie.

Melinda said...

Oh how fun--I love barn quilts.
I bet you had the best time!

Congrats to you in regards to the pic.
Could you send us some of that rain PLEASE!

:)

PS: Great to see you at Dreaming-hope to see you soon.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

How cool is that! Congratulations on having your photo in the book! I'll have to get a copy. I love barn quilts!!

Kilauea Poetry said...

Hey there Tammy..how exciting- very happy for you!
I'm just learning how to sew (my Christmas present.) I'm mostly doing appliques- blankets, but have a friend who does quilts. I think I appreciate them and notice all the colors and details more now.
Anyway, looks like fun..oh, cheers to your Purple Martins this year (will always remind me of a farmer who wanted to bring them here)
Well, wishing you an enjoyable weekend:)

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

How neat! Congratulations!

Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarm said...

That's funny. I love google alert - you can find so much with that little tool. :)

Cheryl said...

Congrats on your photo being in the book!! Several years ago I used to get Country Woman magazine, and one issue had an article about barn quilts and they were the most beautiful works of art!! I love barns!! You take such lovely photos that I'm not surprised your was chosen, keep up the good work!!!

McVal said...

Oh that stuff looks yummy! We've got lots of barn quilts around here.

Suzi Parron said...

Tammy, I so enjoyed my visit--what an amazing event! I may just post a link to your blog for those who want to know about it--your photos are fabulous!

I am glad to see that you are excited about your photo being in the book--you were so gracious to let me use it without any questions asked.

Thanks for passing the word along about the book. We are in Kentucky now; after traveling through nine states, we will be home tomorrow. Yay!

SO glad to hear that the rain came your way. I hope it found its way to Georgia as well.

All the best,

Suzi

Blondee said...

How very cool! Looks like a lot of fun!

Paula said...

How awesome! Your barn quilt photo is gorgeous~ no wonder it made it into a book! :)
And the food looks SO delicious...

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hi Tammy! What a great post...LOVE the 'barn quilts' and CONGRATS on having one of your photos published in the book! Oh goodness the meal looked delish...made my mouth water just looking at the photo's. I hope your day is a good one and that you've got some rain over at your place. Have a wonderful Friday!
Maura (Lilac Lane Cottage ;)

Diana Ferguson said...

Too cool!! Congrats to you.

Lynda said...

It is so much fun to live life with friends - - - and after journeying down the road with them a bit - - - to take time to look back at how you got where you are - - - and celebrate together!!!

Anonymous said...

Just wanted you to know I watch your blog from time to time and I rather enjoy it! I also wanted you to know that I nominated you for 2 inspiring blog awards because I think your blog is awesome and if it will help others to venture to your blog then that will be awesome too. You can see the lil wards at my blog here: http://senselessblather.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/inspiring-blog-award/

Q said...

Dear Tammy,
So very cool your photograph is published!
Congratulations!
I am so happy you received rain...please send some my way. It has been 5 weeks since we had any...and temps are 100 degrees plus....
Hope the bees are doing well.
Sherry, who is praying for rin

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Oh WELL DONE! How exciting and congratulations on your photo being accepted...WOW! The book looks wonderful.

jerilanders said...

I have painted two barn quilts in our Tennessee county, one hangs on our old "chicken coop" barn, the other on the local Antique store (HUGE barn). I wonder if they are in this book... I will have to purchase the book,either way

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