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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

I went a Quiltin’ today

Ha Ha!  Lest you think I suddenly decided to take up the fine art of sewing, let me assure you that I have not.  Instead, Emma and I went off on a quilting party more geared to my interests and abilities. 

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In Tennessee there are sixteen counties where the Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail can be found.  I decided to make a road trip through two of those counties today looking for quilts.  “These painted replicas  reflect treasured family heirlooms that were originally constructed from scraps of excess fabric and made into useful, meaningful quilts.  The Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail honors local quilters – both past and present – who have contributed to this emerging cultural collection of original artwork.”

67 On the way to NC 201237

I must admit that it wasn’t easy finding these quilts.  I had addresses for some, and others I tried to find using the not exactly specific maps I had of Jackson and Smith counties.  Most all were on back roads or found on the sides of buildings in some of the very small towns.

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It was kind of like geocaching without coordinates.  Disappointed smile  See that little place in the lower left?  I just might return there tomorrow.  It is out in the middle of nowhere, and contains homemade treasures for sale.  It’s just not open on Wednesdays.  Next week, I’ll be putting Emma in a kennel, leaving the rig at an Escapee’s park, and driving the car to Dyer, IN.  My daughter, Robyn, will be celebrating her retirement after 20 years service with the Army.  Now I ask you, what do you get for a 38 year old retiring Sergeant First Class to honor her service to our country?  I’m stumped, but I’m hoping that little place in the back woods of Tennessee will solve my dilemma. 

67 On the way to NC 201238

As we traveled around, I passed through communities such as Carthage, Chestnut Mound, Dixon Springs, Gainesboro, Pleasant Shade, Flynn’s Lick, and finally Granville, TN. 

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Not all roads led to success.  This particular diminishing road ended at a dead end with an encounter with a very large Rottweiler who suggested that we turn around.  Needless to say, I took his advice. 

67 On the way to NC 201239Some of the quilts were found on museums or historical society buildings, but all seemed to be closed on Wednesdays.  That’s too bad.

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When we arrived in the historic little town of Granville, I had to stop in to see the Ben Sutton Store & General Merchandise.  I wasn’t in the market for a hat or overalls, so I didn’t purchase anything while there.  If I were going to be here on Saturday, I’d sign up for the country dinner.  Afterwards there’s Blue Grass Music with a band performing for a one hour radio show.  I wish I had known that last Saturday!

There was a very nice Veteran’s Memorial Park in Granville which I thought would be the ideal place to stop for the picnic lunch I had brought along.  It started out just fine until a stray dog found us.  It was just a large pup with very big paws and a lot of growing yet to do, but it came after Emma and wouldn’t leave her alone or stop barking and lunging.  Emma did a good job of trying to behave, but after gulping down half my sandwich I felt it was best to just leave. 

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I had a hard time deciding which quilt location was my favorite today.  Many of the barns in the area are red with white doors, and that appealed to me.

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But, my vote went for this rustic barn with the surrounding hay bales.  The quilt reproduction really stood out, and I liked the surrounding mountains/hills.  The drive from location to location took me through some very scenic rural lands.  I truly enjoyed myself (other than the canine encounters), and just wish I had time to do all sixteen counties this way.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

31 comments:

  1. Another great post. Love the photo's.

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  2. What a cool place...love the quilts!!!

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  3. Interesting adventure. Part of the leisure days of a full time RVer.

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  4. Great Quilts. I once drove through an area that had single quilt blocks painted on barns, but it must be a lot of work to do these detailed quilts.

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  5. Great post! I have several quilts my Aunt Jennie quilted for me with the help of her Mother & sister. One is the dutch doll quilt in your picture. She taught me to crochet a little, but did not learn to quilt. She went to the Smithstonian with some of her sewing friends to put on a quilting expedition during Nixon's presidency. Their quilt was given to an ambassordor, not sure which country. My mother-in-law also quilted. My husband is from Roane County, west of Knoxville. I am from Sullivan County, Kingsport, North East TN. They are also part of the quilt trail. Thanks again for memory lane. Lynn (no blog)

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  6. Now that's something you don't see everyday! Loved the tour and the paintings of all the quilts. I don't quilt but I sure admire the work and artistry involved. Hope Paulette sees this one.

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  7. A quilting geocache would be fun to find. I like the patterns in the quilts. It's always fun to have a purpose to our explorations!

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  8. Those are great, good job!!! I like that little rustic barn too!

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  9. oh my goodness! When I saw that header photo.I said"that looks like my area of Kentucky!!" Jackson county is not too far from where I lived. Made me miss it a little, for sure. A place grows on you even if you lived there only 9 yrs. And, yes, I remember seeing lots of quilt blocks on barns in my old area. Glad you could enjoy some of that. Thanks for posting these photos.

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  10. I'm with you I like that old barn. Those bright colors bring it back to life.

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  11. I've always wanted to do one of those quilt tours and have never taken the time. I see a quilt here and there in our travels and just love them. Thanks for sharing your tour.

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  12. This is on my list, although the mention I'd seen was for a Quilting Trail in Kentucky. Nice to see some firsthand pictures of another trail.

    Early congrats to your daughter on her retirement and service to the country. You might think about contacting her rep in Congress or the House and see if they can get you a flag that's been flown over the Capitol in her honor. We did this for my uncle, who had fought in the Pacific Theater during WWII and he was tickled by it. It won't get to you/her in time for the ceremony, but it would be a nice surprise; if I remember correctly, it comes with a little note.

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  13. Stumped as well when it comes to gift giving.

    Your dog encounter reminds me of our stay in Puerto Rico. For the year that we lived there, we had a brand new car, which received nary a scratch, with the exception of one tiny mark on the front bumper.
    There was a back road, a big black dog, and he didn't want me there! Had I not swerved to go around him, I'm sure I would have broke his neck, because he was coming after the front of the car, and was going to BITE IT! Hence the scratch mark. Silly bugger.

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  14. What a great post Judy. I would love to do the quilt trail even though I don't quilt either. I have many antique quilts that I cherish, one being from the mid 1800's.

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  15. What a fun task, to find all of those!

    Hope the stray pup finds it's way home again.

    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com

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  16. Oh, I want to do the Quilt Trail--had never heard of it. I too vote for the Sunbonnet Sue quilt on the old, old barn. I don't think you have ever mentioned before that your daughter Robyn was in the military or did I just miss it??? Good for Robyn--that's a super accomplishment!

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  17. I would have loved to been in the front seat with you today. What a fantastic adventure. Shawano County, WI is starting to put quilt squares on some of the rural barns. They are fun to look at. Good luck finding something for your daughter. Be sure you give her a big hug from me, in appreciation of all she has done to serve our country.

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  18. A heartfelt "thank you" to Robyn for her service to our country...Quilts are something I really loved in my younger years..and we still have Den's Great Aunt Clara's handmade quilt...My decor now leans toward Native American history...or Oriental in my upstairs bath...That trail would have made a very fun day...Some of those little towns are just a hoot in of themselves!!

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  19. Now that is something I would have just loved to do..thanks for taking us on the tour, Judy. Your photos are just wonderful and colorful, and I loved the way you organized so many of them in groups..congrats to your daughter on her years of service. My daughter, 35, is in the military, too...she's got a few more years to go before she can retire. How about a scrapbook for her to put in of some of her military memorabilia and photos? The sophistication of today's scrapbooks is a far cry from how we use to scrapbook when we were young. But I'm sure you will find something wonderful and just perfect for her in your travels.

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  20. What a tour! I sure hope Paulette doesn't see this post or we'll be headed to Tennessee soon!

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  21. Way to go Robyn. All our gratitude and thanks go out to you for your service to our great country. This is the kind of tour I like to do. And even with having a lousy map, you did a great job of finding some gorgeous quilts.

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  22. Wow!! I loved every moment of this tour!! Looks like I won't be going in person so this was the next best thing! I sure hope you find lots of goodies when you return to the Craft Shop...Make sure you take your camera...I REALLY want to go too! Take care and safe travels!
    Paulette

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  23. This felt like a real treasure hunt Judy. Quilts are beautiful and when hand done are truly amazing with their tiny tiny stiches. I have several done by my grandmother and great aunt. I treasure them.

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  24. I love going on road trips like this. We have looked for different painted sheep, horses, quilts, pigs, etc. So much fun, and we got to see the beautiful country.

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  25. I hope you come see our little corner of the world while you are in Tennessee.... we are in extreme northeast 10 miles from Virginia state line and 10 miles from North Carolina state line.....beautiful place -- lots of history

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  26. I of course love the flower quilt...This is my kinda treasure hunt :) Miss you two! Email me Robin's mailing address pls

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  27. butterbean carpenterJune 15, 2012 at 5:53 PM

    Howdy Judy & Emma,
    Please thank Robyn for her service to our nation for 35 years!!! GREAT JOB!!
    Thank you, for the great quilt trail tour of East Tennessee!!! There are still a lot of quilters left, but not many young ones!! We have 5 'circles' in our county and the youngest 'active' members are in their 60s!!! My grandmother was A QUILTER; MAKING HER'S WITH THE TINIEST STITCHES YOU EVER SAW!! She wouldn't even call someone who used a sewing machine, on a quit, a 'quilter'!!

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    1. Please thank Robyn for her service to our nation for 35 years!!!

      Where did that come from? Twenty years of service is more than enough after all she is only 38.

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  28. Your blog is an inspiration! Thank you for all you do and the awesome pix! The quilt trails are on my list as well. BIL painted quilt desgns/patterns on their bedroom ceilings centered around oldfashioned light fixtures. Works great for those of us without a barn...lol

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