TWO MORE BARN QUILTS FINISHED!

Here are a pair of BQ's I finished for a coworker of my youngest daughter. The "Father's Choice" (which I posted about earlier) was done on a 2 foot board and the "Stars and Squares" on a 1 foot board. I didn't know exactly how hard it would be doing all the stars for that size but they came out pretty well I think. These two designs seem to be quite popular.

RALLY AROUND CARROLLTON

Participated at "Rally Around Carrollton" today. Even though I did not sell any of our inventory or get any orders I really enjoyed talking with a lot of people. Some said they would contact me to possible order a barn quilt in the future.

When I arrived it was about 41 degrees. I set my table up in the sun on the East side of the courthouse out of the wind. It felt pretty good until about 10-11:00. The sun went around the building and I 'bout froze until 3:00 when I tore down. It never got over 50 degrees, but thankfully, I was mostly out of the wind.

One thing there was not a shortage of was kids that kept bringing other kids to get my Curved Illusion gospel tract that I gave away. I only had a couple left when I left. That made the event a good event.

"FATHER'S CHOICE" CHOICES

What’s great about making barn quilts is that there are practically no rules. I do set some myself that I like to adhere to, one being that, I only want to make one that is of an actual quilt block pattern so that it has a name, or names, along with some history behind it. But, when it comes to colors, anything goes. Yet, sometimes, changing the colors of a pattern will also change the name, but not always; or at least that’s what I’ve found out in what little time I’ve been making them.

I especially like the quilt pattern called “Father’s Choice”. I believe it was one of the first, if not the first, barn quilts I ever made.

I like it for a number of reasons. Laying out the design is not really hard but it’s not the easiest either. But, there is something about the design that just appeals to me and other people as well. It’s very easy to recognize no matter what color combinations you use. I like the red, white and blue colors to help represent our country. But, as you can see from one of the pictures, you can use any colors you want.

Plus, when I think of the name “Father’s Choice” I think of how, as a Christian and child of God, I was chosen by God Himself, before I was even born, to be in His family. When I became a born again Christian, I chose to accept the Gospel message of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for my sins, but God chose to accept me, when I cried out to Him in repentance and put my faith and trust in Him, His Son Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. He knew I would someday give my life to Him and He predestined it that way. Now, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I am so thankful that He did that for me.

So, in a way, the Father’s Choice quilt pattern holds a special meaning to me and I’m happy to make it for those who also see the beauty in it; even if not always for the same reasons I do. I know I’ll be making this design many more times in the future.

This was one of the first, if not the first one, I ever made.

This is one on a 2 x 2 board I just complete for one of my daughters co-workers.

This is one that was done by Katie Heaford of Kate's Barn Quilts.

And this one was done on a small 12 x 12 board with a flat Red Apple color instead of the usual semi-gloss that I use. Also, I used a different shade of blue. Plus, my adorable grandson Aiden helped in positioning it.

Thanks for looking and may you have a blessed day.

Mark

GOD'S EYE

A very nice couple from Carlinville, Richard and Carol Edwards, ordered this BQ from us while we were set up at the Prairie Land Steam Show. It's a design that I had planned on making sometime in the future so it was great that some one else liked it too.

They did a great job of picking out the colors of java brown, kiwi green, wheat bread beige and apple red. They'll also be sending me pictures to post once it's hung. Stay tuned.

WINDMILL STAR

This is a nice design I did on a 2 x 2 board. It's called what the title says. It's one that I have in my inventory for sale.

PRAIRIE LAND HERITAGE STEAM SHOW 2013

We had a great time at the Steam Show this year and along with our booth in the barn for Livingwaters, Bibles For the World & Lanterns of Light, we included the barn quilts. It was tough putting all our stuff in a small 8 x 10 booth and it was really crowded most the time. We didn't sell any of our barn quilt inventory but got about five orders. We also gave out a lot of info about BFTW and gospel tracts.

Here are some misc. pics of the event.

Above is my nephew Nathan's little Ford tractor. Dad drove it in the tractor parade on Sunday.

The above picture is how they make their famous ham and beans. They are good!

This is the view we got most often at the booth; kids taking Livingwaters gospel tracts. We ran out of a number of different ones.

Everyone had a great time. Even my little grandson Aiden. It was his first time at the event.