Barn Quilts Marshall County, Indiana

My husband loves to plan little get aways.  I had heard there was a new barn trail in Indiana, but did not have the information about it.  He got on the Internet and started checking and had some brochures sent.  He planned a little  two day trip.  This was the first barn quilt we found called "Pine Forest".  I love the pine trees and the colors were wonderful. This one was on Union Road in Plymouth, Indiana.

Here is "Basket Collection Quilt".  This one, also had a Plymouth address.  In our searching we found the barn quilts were presented on a variety of venues. This one is on the side of a house, and is probably my favorite.

Here is "Poor Handmaid Heritage Quilt" on the site of Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Clare House in Donaldson.  As you can see not all quilt blocks are traditional patterns.

This is a free standing block called "Gristmill".

"Sweet Nectar"

Here I am in front of the The Marshall County CVB in Plymouth.  This block is called "Indiana Farmer". They had this block represented  in two colorways.  Marshall County Tourism is housed in an old fire station. (Oh, that is me!)

Cori Holzwart is the Administrative Assistant at the tourist office.  She was so helpful in sharing information about the Barn Quilt Trail.  As each barn quilt is set for the trail, a 12 inch block is made and recorded on this wall of blocks!  As I said we found blocks on the side of houses and barns, free standing, in a yard or the end of the driveway.  The Map Key was so helpful in identifying where we might find the block. 

Here is "Diva" on Lawrence Lake Drive in Plymouth. Some of the blocks were very easy to spot, a couple not so much.  We put a bunch of miles on the van locating them.  The countryside was gorgeous.  Corn had already tasseled out. We thought were were looking at eating corn, now not so sure.

Here is "Bluebirds".  Ron said the pattern looked like bluebirds before he knew what the block was called!  He is learning.

"Corn and Beans" on the old Lincoln Highway in Plymouth.

"Star of the Fair" on Michigan Road in Plymouth.

We stayed in Syracuse, Indiana, at the Brook Pointe Inn.  It was a little off the beaten path and so lovely.  It is situated on a large plot of land surrounded by woods.  There was a wonderful screened in porch on the back with great rocking chairs. I was hoping to see some deer, but no luck.  The singing of the birds though was so nice. 

Ron found out that there was an old stern wheeler that sailed in the evening.  After a great supper at the Frog Restaurant in Syracuse we were going to take a ride.  Our supper at the Frog was an adventure.  It is right on a canal of Lake Wawasee.  You can sail your boat right up to the restaurant and eat on the dock.  It was so neat to watch the people, boats, ducks and wild swans.  They even have their own pontoon boat that takes people on trips around the lake.  They even help with the Sunday church service on the lake. 

We got to ride on the Dixie Stern wheel Paddle Boat, which sails on the North Webster lake.  We had a beautiful trip around the lake.  Our captain gave us historical and current facts about the boat, lake and people living  around the lake.  It was hard getting off the boat, it was so much fun.  Even though it was 7:00 in the evening, I was glad I had my hat on.  We got a bit of sun.  There were a lot of people on the lake having fun boating and swimming in this heat.  It was still in the 90's in the early evening.

Tuesday we were up bright  and early to resume our back road traveling. I did get to stop at one quilt shop in Warsaw. Now how can you not stop and pick up a couple of pieces of fabric!!

"Farmers Daughter" on Filbert Road in Tippecanoe. There was a bonus one of a " Lone Star".

"Lombardy Lily" was on W 17th Road in Argos.

Ron found this sign and I thought it was appropriate for us quilter's.

It was a great get away.  My Father is not doing very well, and I have been under a lot of stress.  Ron felt it would be good to take this little trip.  I keep my cell phone with me 24/7, which is new for me.  I am one of those that only kept it on once in a while. 

Today I was with Dad as we celebrated the 4th of July.  Instead of an outdoor BBQ it was inside.  It got up to 100 degrees today. The chef at Alden Gardens is positively fabulous.  His chicken and ribs are so good.  I wish I could cook like he does.   Dad called later this afternoon to let me know they were having lobster tails tonight for dinner.  He is in good hands when it comes to food!  Actually, he has a lot of wonderful people caring for him.

Hope everyone is having a great day. 

Mary

May was a busy month,

May was a busy productive month.  This is my first finish for the month.  Kris at Dandelion Quilts had a small quilt swap.  This is what I made for my partner, Carol at, Carol's Crafty Creations.. I liked how it turned out.

Saturday, May 12 was the walk for ALS.  Here is Kerri Anne and my son Andrew.  Kerri Anne did walk the first mile, the second she had a little help from a lot of friends.

Saturday night my sister Linda, arrived from Maine to visit with Dad and I for the week.  We enjoyed a wonderful brunch with Dad at Alden Gardens, where he lives. 

My husband drove to Elma, New York, to spend Mother's Day with his mother.  He did surprise me with this beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Linda and I went to IKEA one day. What a cute way to move your lunch.  We each could not resist a few wonderful things from this great store.  Linda does not have an IKEA up in Maine.

Dad and I one day.  Have to check out the wildlife. No baby swans yet!

Then I went to the lecture and workshop with Bonnie Hunter.  That was so good.

I purchased these cool magnets from Bonnie.  As you can see I used mine for sewing, Linda on the other hand is not a sewer, so she attached her corkscrew to hers.  Now she was ready for anything! Have corkscrew will travel!

One the way home from the airport after dropping Linda off for her flight home, we stopped in Wheaton to check out the Farmer's Market!.  What a wonderful stop.  The flowers and produce was looking so good.  I bought all sorts of fresh produce.

Then I started on projects I wanted to finish.  In all I made 17 new zipper pouches.  I have a variety of zippers that have wanted to play with fabric.  The pouches became all sorts of sizes.  I love making these.  They are always great for quick gifts.

Finished these 2 needle keeps.  About time.  They have been sitting in a partial state of finish for a couple of months.  Sometimes all things need are a few stitches and they would be done.  Why do I wait?

Another pouch.  I love how this one turned out.  The patchwork are all Japanese linens. It is just so cute.

I put together a small quilt top. These are siggy blocks from the last 2 years Dear Jane siggy swap.  Can't wait to show when this one is done.  I took it to be quilted today.

Here is the workings on Bonnie Hunter's. Patchwork and Pinwheels.  I am really enjoying using my scraps for this quilt.

Here is progress on Patchwork and Pinwheels.  I think mine is going to be pretty colorful.

Another finish.This quilt is from  a yahoo group I belong to.  The center of all the blocks are signed by members.  The block is called Prairie Flowers.  I received this one back from the quilter, Wendy, and got the binding on and it is done!! I like how it turned out.

This is the wonderful quilt I received from my swap partner, Carol.  She used the big stitch method for the quilting.  I absolutely love it.   It is just my style.

3 more of the pouches I made this month.

Last but not least, "Cottage Garden Path."  This was a project I started in 2006,  It is a pattern I found on the internet, Jeanne rae crafts.. It came out monthly.  This was another quilt top, that I found out all the pieces were there, they just needed to be put together, then quilted.  I got this one back from Wendy, and now it is done.

So, like I said it was a busy month.  I hope I can keep up the momentum for the next couple of months.  I have 3 more quilts that need to be bound and finished.  Plus, I really would like to get this Bonnie Hunter quilt done. 

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week. Stay happy and healthy.

Mary