Hopalong Hollow....

Hopalong Hollow, where the Blueberries grow sweet, and the moss feels soft beneath your feet.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Our Appalachian Quilt Trail


You may already know about the Quilt Trails. The idea started in Ohio, but soon spread to other states, In 2004, our county was the first in Tennessee to establish  it's own quilt trail. The idea was, that quilt blocks would be hand painted on 8'x8' squares and placed upon historic barns, buildings and art studios to attract tourists to the beautiful rural area of East Tennessee.  When first this endeavor began, we had about a dozen blocks along a scenic route, now, there are over 300 quilt blocks scattered across the eastern side of Tennessee. All of the blocks I am going to show you are along our route, and within 3 miles of our farm.
  This quilt block was painted right on the side of the building. This is a stain-glass studio just a few hops away from our house. The stain glass artist, Angie Slagle, kinda-sorta made up this design. Well, who can blame her, she IS a designer, after all.

This is my absolutely favorite barn, and I really love the block. Our county is dotted with dozens and dozens of historic barns.

This HUGE barn ( you can only see half of it in the picture) is the only Antiques shop in town. It displays one of the quilt blocks that I painted in mustard, forest green and BARN red. Doris, the owner, has some great antiques and she will always give you a good deal.



 Another aged clunker barn..no animals dwelling here anymore. I love the contrasting colors against the darkened barn wood.

This is a smaller block hanging from Ritter Farms, where they sell fresh farm produce, like enormous pumpkins and squashes, honey and our famous "Grainger County Tomatoes".   Yummm! It comes replete with bales of hay AND an antique buggy!

Here is a barn, painted black. Something you don't often see in Tennesee, most are red or aged grey barn wood. But one thing our barns always have, is a tin roof.

  You can't easily see this block. This is my neighbors barn and I was standing on the gate to take the photo. But isn't this a fabulous barn? It is over 200 years old.  The house that goes with it, was once a stage stop in the early 1800's.

  This block is on the Joppa Mountain Pottery, just up our winding mountain road and at the very top of the hill.

  And I saved my favorite block for last.. it is MY block called the "Whig Rose" ( I always preferred doing applique when sewing my own quilts, and it is still my preference when  painting a quilt)


 Not satisfied with painting a mere block, I painted the entire quilt. This is mounted on an old chicken coop on our property, just off the road and across from our house. People often stop to photograph it.
It is in serious need of some touch-up. I need to put that on my LIST.
  
There are many more quilt blocks in our area, these are just the ones I was able to photograph today.
 I recently learned of a new book entitled ,"Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement" by Suzi Parron and Donna Sue Groves.
 You can find it on Amazon.
PS. just got a comment from one of the authors, you can purchase a signed copy directly from her.Just scroll down to the comment from "Donna Sue"

 I am sure the photos in the book are much better than these that I took on the fly. Perhaps you could start a quilt block movement in your area! 
 Closing with the last of my garden flowers.
 Poor garden... it has been overrun with weeds, I am too tired and hot to fix it.

 

28 comments:

  1. Very cool Jeri-I have never seen these. I do love old barns and Tenn. Now I have something to look for if I get back there! Thanks Carol

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  2. Oh Jeri! Thank you so much for sharing this... What fun that was.
    I love all the barns, and the quilts are beautiful.. YOURS is my favorite too.. You know, I can tell your work the moment I see it.
    Such beautiful details.. Always, always..
    Jeri you flowers are simply beautiful!! Mine are starting to look a tad crispy from this heat! Today it was over 100, and then we had another thunder storm.
    Take care,
    fondly,
    Penny

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  3. What a wonderful idea. So creative and beautifully done. Thanks for sharing the quilt blocks in your area. They are lovely and must make travelling that part of the country that much more intriguing.

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  4. Dear Jeri ~ Thank you so much for the visual tour of your areas' barns and painted quilt blocks.

    I love your quilt the best! It is so you and so suits Hopalong Hollow.

    Your bouquet of blooms is lovely.

    Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  5. Hi Jeri!
    I am originally from Tennessee. Born and raised you might say. I am a quilter and I love photographing the quilt barns and there are so many nice ones to see. Have you seen Eleanor Burns book Quilt Blocks on American Barns? Your blog is beautiful and I love all of your photos and posts. Thank you for sharing.
    ~Clara

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  6. Hi Jeri. Oh I just love the Quilt Barns too. It is such a great project. That last picture of the quit is just a gorgeous one. The flowers are fading fast around here in my garden too. Everything was too early this year. Have a lovely weekend.

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  7. Jeri, thanks for posting pictures of your portion of the Appalachian Quilt Trail. I have admired your “Whig Rose” from afar and Joppa Mountain pottery has long been a favorite of mine. Thanks for mentioning our book - “Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement" by Suzi Parron and Donna Sue Groves. Should you or any of your readers like a signed copy I also have them for sale. $25 plus postage. My email address is > donnasuegroves@hotmail.com <. FYI – currently 44 states have now developed quilt trails. BTW – your Scherenschnitte art is breathtaking! Simply awesome!
    warmly,
    ~donna sue

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  8. What a wonderful way to draw people into rural communities. I was so excited I checked to see if the county I live in had any quilts...alas not one. If I still lived on the farm one of these marvelous quilt blocks would be going up. The whig rose is a gorgeous!

    Love the bouquet of flowers and I can't believe it's the last of your garden posies.

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  9. Jeri, thanks for the beauty you share with all of us, all the time! If I find a new post from you in the morning, it sets my mood on Happy for the rest of the day.

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  10. One of these days I am going to
    descend upon East TN and after getting thru all the hugs with you and the Master, we are going to make
    B-line for Doris'and the pottery, but not until I play with the menagerie and tuck a duck or 2 into
    the back of the van. Your Rose of Sharon is a tour de force sitting on
    the side of the barn. Such splendor
    in the countryside...
    Bows to your beauty....
    Gentility

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  11. Jeri, I do believe your barn quilt takes the prize. They are wonderful. I love the barns and the blocks. Thanks for sharing, Bonnie

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  12. GOOD MORNING JERI DARLIN'!

    You know, this is what I love about a community of LIVE PEOPLE! People who use the old way of sharing life....in ART. As we were walking yesterday in Stillwater Minnesota, one of the things that captured my attention was the attention to detail in the public gardens, the art around the town, the sense of public spaces and communal gardens and so much more. Now I see this and it warms me to know that this country is NOT just about big cities and big MONEY-MAKING, but also of the values that people want to guard and cherish and communicate THROUGH ART. I would love to bring back public theatre to share insights into the human experience, in the fashion of the European/Greek theatres.....oh this is just FABULOUS! Anita

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  13. Oh Jeri, these really are fabulous and the spirit of camaraderie is what I LOVE. The gifts we have been accorded should be used to uplift the community, indeed. YOU DID TWO OF THEM! That does require a lot of time and energy! I remember painting murals on the walls of the hospital I worked in once; it was in the children's ward. I will never ever forget painting Cinderella and other Disney characters on the walls of a winding staircase. I felt I had accomplished quite a feat!!!

    THANK YOU DEAR ONE for visiting me. I LOVE haunting paths, music and ideas. It helps me to unlock otherwise forgotten doors.

    HAVE FUN!!!!!! Anita

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  14. Good evening Jeri,
    Thank you so much for visiting. Yes, I had many quiet conversations with Leo during this project.. Especially when I was measuring the baseboard.. haaa

    I think I spent more time painting the trompe l'oeil than I did painting the bricks on the backsplash.. Thank you for your kind thoughts, I am so happy you enjoyed viewing.. The white cabinets does open the kitchen up.

    I hope you are doing well.
    Now I can get back to my art.
    fondly,
    Penny

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  15. Incredible Jeri! As always you always make things so incredibly beautiful. I love your barn block.
    xx

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  16. thank you for sharing these! i enjoyed each one, very much, especially yours!

    such a great idea and yes the barns are awesome!

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  17. Oh! I saw that a new post came up, but I WILL BE BACK to see the MASTERPIECE that the Lord of the Manor created!! Anita

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  18. What a lovely tour and all those quilt blocks are marvelous.
    We have some in our area as well. Always wanted to do one for our barn just haven't gotten around to it.
    Thanks for sharing and the great photos.
    Hugs, Amy Jo

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  19. Hi Jeri
    I have tried a few times to see if your new post was up.. Still says does not exist.. I am excited to see what the Lord of the manor has created for you! Will check back later.
    fondly,
    Penny

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  20. Jeri, those quilt blocks are beautiful! I want to come visit your area when we retire in a few years. Love the one you painted, what is that pattern called? My Mother in law quilts all the time, I'm such a slug since I've never learned :( The details of your artwork are one of the things I love, folk art has always told a story and it's my favorite! Everyone's garden is a mess this year, too hot in He LL to weed! Stay cool sweetie!

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  21. What a wonderful idea Jeri, i had never heard of this before. I too especially like the last one. I have always love the barns you guys have over there too. I hope one day to get across and visit your part of the world, Mr O has to work over there every so often, so you never know ;)

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  22. They are beautiful, and yours are gorgeous dear Jeri!
    This is really a brilliant, and I must say, heartwarming movement.
    Hope you stay nice and cool...
    Blessings,
    - Irina

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  23. Hi Jeri!
    I am visiting from a friend's computer for we have not had internet in months!!
    (although I have been able to veiw blogs from my grandiedaughter's phone, i haven't been able to figure out how to leave comments or send emails from it)

    When we moved here to this part of NY I noticed so many barn quilts out here and I am soooo intrigued by them...I wanted to know "who what where and how" !!!
    (My barn will have to have one too some day)!! Hee! Hmmm I wonder how fun would a crazy quilt be???

    Well, sending you warm thoughts and many Blessings and Love, Long Lost Linnie
    I LOVE yours!!

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  24. Hi Jeri,
    Just wanted to stop in and wish you all a beautiful weekend.
    Take care my friend.
    fondly,
    Penny

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  25. Those are all yummy! Makes me wish for a barn of my own to paint a quilt on. Have a great weekend.

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  26. Dear Cousin Jeri,

    How we love the barns decorated with quilt blocks! We absolutely LOVE your Whig Rose Quilt! It reminds me of my great grandmother's cousin's quilts; she made fantastic applique quilts. The colours in your Whig Rose quilt are beautiful! Your flower bouquet is lovely! Again, the colour combination is so pretty! Phlox are such a wonderful old fashioned garden flower that both of my grandmums had and they make my gardens smell old fashioned, too!

    Your cousins,
    Diane and daughter Sarah at the Corgyncombe Courant

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  27. I was happy to see this post. We traveled some of the trail last Fall and I did a post about the ones we saw:

    http://homewiththebears.blogspot.com/2011/10/appalachian-quilt-trail.html

    Thanks for the link to the book.
    Mama Bear

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