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Spring Has Sprung April 03 2015, 0 Comments
Spring has sprung and warmer weather is here to stay! Check out the website for our quilts that radiate Spring like this one! Our quilts will last you years as they are made from vinyl that withstand all weather.
Martha's Larakeet Flower Barn Quilt Story September 16 2014, 0 Comments
Recently, I made this quilt for Martha from Cranford, New Jersey.
It always excites me when new clients are as enthusiastic about barn quilts as I am. When I received Martha's order for this specific design, I asked her what got her interested in barn quilts. She proceeded to tell me about a trip she had just taken where she noticed quilts on barns and homes. She wondered, "what were these beautiful pieces of art? They were not Amish Hex Signs, but we're big, beautiful and full of vivid color! What did they mean?" Unfortunately her tour guides did not know much about the quilts, but after hopping online she found me in no time.
Martha decided on the Larakeet Flower for its vivid colors and beautiful design. She states, "my home is a gray color with blue shutters and this color design will really draw your eye to the quilt." To her belief, she will be the first in her home town of 23,000 to have a barn quilt on her home. This news is just as exciting for me as for Martha! "My hope is that other people will see my beautiful quilt on the front of my home and want one of their own, I would love to see this art form on as many houses in Cranford as possible!"
I'm so happy to be a part of this new found joy in a town far away from mine and hope this beauty can be spread far and wide in the years to come :-)
Thank you Martha, I hope you enjoy your new quilt!
Coopersville Farm Museums " Lone Star" barn quilt July 28 2014, 0 Comments
What a fun day that was to see American Barn Quilts, Grand Rapids ArtPrize 2013 entry go up on the Coopersville Farm Museum. The “Lone Star”.
Lee Ann, the gal who runs the farm-museum, had a friend who was working a bucket truck right down the street renovating the train station a few buildings away. We scheduled all of us to meet around 4:30 last week Tuesday 7-8-14 In no time at all, the Lone Star was lifted up and attached to the Farm Museums silo with heavy duty zip ties.
In through the grommets, then around the metal bars that held, the silo together.
I truly believe this is the perfect place, for this big 6x6 foot “Lone Star” barn quilt to be.
The Coopersville Farm Museum has a yearly Quilt Show, a Quilting Bee that meets every week, a Farmers Market, and Kids Crafts. Oh, did I mention a Jam Night, every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month.
The Coopersville Farm Museum is such a creative place for teaching, sharing and enjoyment. The " Lone Star" barn quilt was my way of honoring all of those great and generous folks, who teach and share their talents with those around them.
What better place for American Barn Quilt 2013 ArtPrize entry to be displayed then on the silo of the Coopersville Farm Museum.
Keep on the look out for all the different barn quilts, on the many Barn Quilt Trails here in Michigan.
I've been told that only 3, of the 50 states in the US, don't have Barn Quilt Trails.
That's a lot of Quilt Trails and tons of barn quilts to see.
Barn Quilts - The story. January 01 2014, 0 Comments
The history of the American Barn Quilt can be traced back almost 300 years, to the arrival of immigrants from the central regions of Europe; Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. It is widely believed that barn painting/quilting originated in Pennsylvania with these immigrants and then spread too much of the New England and Midwestern states. Paint was very expensive in those days and painting a decorative yet distinctive quilt pattern on their barns was a wonderful way of allowing for decoration. It also became an excellent way for travelers to find particular families or cross roads, as towns people would just tell them which pattern to look for.
Paint became less costly around the 1830's to 1840’s and at this point, barn painting/decorating became an actual trade with specialized artisans. These artists combined many folk designs as well as specific geometric patterns from quilt squares: Snail trail, Bear claw, Mariners compass and Drunkards path.
Decorating barns with colorful designs and quilt squares peaked by the beginning of the 20th century and slowly gave way to a more pragmatic form of barn painting; advertisement. Gone were the colorful quilts and in their place came the paid ads for Red Man Chewing Tobacco, Ceresota Flour, and Mail Pouch: A nostalgic part of the history of American barns in their own right.
Today, barn quilts have become popular again, with more and more becoming visible. Quilt trails have been developed in many states. After a number of barn quilts have been displayed in an area, a map is developed that guides the viewers to the location. The map will have an address, maybe a picture of the square and a name or explanation of its meaning. A few of the states that have developed quilt trails include: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa and of course, Michigan.
The quilts can be put on any type of building; from houses, garages, and sheds to parks or yards where they are mounted on two posts and displayed.
Horse Quilt! December 09 2013, 0 Comments
Have you ever fell in love with one of your animals?
Well, one of my daughters loves horses. She loves to train them and give riding lessons…well just about anything, that would deal with horses.
I got to ride this handsome horse, which was on my bucket list, while getting a horse riding lesson from my daughter.
Isn’t he just the most beautiful horse you’ve ever seen?
While looking at her photos the other day, I saw this amazing picture of Tecumseh, yes, I have fallen in love with him too.
I decided to do some creative designing…. I wanted to see, if making a photo of him into a Barn Quilt might be an awesome thing to do.
Well, what do you think?
What pet would you put on your Barn Quilt and what caption would you put under the photo?
If you might like something like this, contact me at: www.americanbarnquilt.com or email me at: marilyn@americanbarnquilts.com
Tina’s symbol December 02 2013, 0 Comments
Nothing warms the heart like a fire in your Wood Stove, and a beautiful Quilt.
Here is Tina's symbol of both!
Blessings, my friend. May you and your family stay warm this winter.
A True Horse Lover August 15 2013, 0 Comments
A True Horse Lover
My brother Don was a true horse lover. When he was a little shaver he had a sweater with a horse on it. I believe if you were to ask him what his favorite sweater was, he would have told you, his horse sweater.
While driving down my country roads, I look at all the barns. I think to myself, "what kind of barn quilt is that barn calling for?" Like I think the barn might personally talk to me…
There is a horse stable down the road from me, and it makes me think about my brother Don and his love of horses when he was a kid.
So one day I sat at my desk, feeling inspired to make a barn quilt with a horse on it. Hours passed by and finally I had one I was happy to call Tarzan. Named after my oldest brother’s horse and pony. Yes, they both were named Tarzan.
My hopes were to make one up and give it to him as a gift. But he moved on from this temporary home, to a permanent one. Before I could have the pleasure of giving one to him.
I decided to put it up on my American Barn Quilt website, where people can purchase the barn quilts I design. Much to my excitement, an order came in for, a “Tarzan” barn quilt! How exciting it was to chat with this gentleman about the “Tarzan Horse” barn quilt he was ordering from me. He said, I’m getting this design to hang on my barn, because of my love for horses. Just typing about this now, brings a big smile to my face. I’m sure my brother would be smiling about this too.
Now there is a 4×4 ft Barn Quilt displayed on a red barn in Kentucky honoring the man who loves his horses, and honoring my brother at the same time.
I love how making barn quilts connects people with beauty, love, honor, and their passion.
What are your loves and passions that you could share with others?
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Marilyn Anderson – Artist & Designer