Hi Rebekah! We have a problem growing corn too… those pesky things called raccoons just tear the place apart. I gave up last summer and said NO.MORE. NEVER.AGAIN. But my husband is a little stubborn and said, “I can do it”. Ha Ha Ha!!! Corn has been destroyed again! And I actually had to laugh!

As for your wooden barn quilt. It’s gorgeous!!! I made one a few years ago for my daughter to hang in her house and it was so much fun. I plan to make one for our barn (when we build it) too! How fun that you could take a class. I would love that!

So, my thoughts on the colors. This comes strictly from a sewing quilter, not a barn quilter. But I know that fabric blocks that have as much bold color as your barn quilt has, usually look best with a “low volume” color in the background. It really makes the brights stand out. So, if you didn’t want to go with bright white or cream how about a nice grey? But my opinion, for what it’s worth, is to stay away from any more bright colors. You really want your hearts and trees to stand out. And your turquoise center and corners will stand out really well with a low volume color for the background. I would choose a beautiful grey – that is what I would do! 🙂 No matter what it will be beautiful and I can’t wait to see pictures of it on your barn!

Happy Summer!

– Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

Hi! I think you should leave it white because it allows the other colors to really pop out where adding another color may “dim” the colors already there! Okay so much for my opinion! One question – what are you painting on? I’ve wanted to do something similar to a shed wall but thought the wood might be to rough. Help! Liz

Only you could find a “carpet-bagging” snake.

Yeah! You are making a barn quilt! I love the Christmas trees and hearts design. I will put my two cents in on the background colors. I think that the white really makes the colors pop! Maybe an ivory or soft butter yellow instead of white. I wouldn’t paint different background colors because it would be too busy and the trees and hearts wouldn’t stand out. Remember it is going on a barn and will be viewed from a distance. If you want to do the background behind the center diamond a different color, I would do the pink. You can also add painted stitches for quilt lines if you want to differentiate the blocks. Looks fantastic! Can’t wait to see it done. Do you coat it with UV blocking polyurethane when you are done?

I share your feelings about the snakes. For years I had such a phobia that if I even saw one up close I would have a panic attack. Then a few years ago I was at a fairy festival with my grandkids and a lady had a large snake that she was holding and letting folks pet. At first I kept my distance, but then I told myself, “you’ll never get over this if you don’t put on your big girl pants and do something about it.” So I walked up to the lady and asked her if I could pet her snake. It wasn’t cold and slimy as we have been led to believe, but was warm and dry and felt like a leather belt I once had. I still don’t like them but I do respect their right to live in peace. I give them a wide berth when I see one and send it my regards. Peace on earth, good will towards snakes!

I no just what you mean about snakes. We live in a small country town called Cornville AZ. We have Diamond back snakes and other kinds. The Diamondback are really dangerous. We had 3 on our front porch last year. My husband got some snake granules and put around the house and garage. So far we saw only one, but not on our front porch! I don’t scream when I see one, I just say, OH my God , help me to stay
strong. It is very hard , very hard to get used to them. It is against the Law to kill a Diamondback in AZ. So we put them in a bucket and our friend Rick, takes them out far awaaaaaaaay, from our houses and lets them out. I think the blue or yellow would be good for your quilt.

Rebekah: I think I would leave it white, so the other colors POP. Also with a white background it can be seen from afar better.

I completely understand your snake phobia! At our very first house we had a snake get inside. I remember screaming and grabbing my dogs to “save” them from this viscous snake. I locked the dogs in the other room and called my husband to come home from work to get it. The whole time I’m watching from a distance to make sure it didn’t disappear. Once he got home to fix my problem he couldn’t stop laughing. It was a baby snake that was completely harmless. He picked it up with his hands and took it back outside. Needless to say, after the large amount of spiders on steroids and snakes that came inside the house ( and I swear there was a ghost too) we moved after only being there 6 months!
Your horse is absolutely beautiful. I hope your new fly spray helps give him some relief. Your barn quilt is looking really nice. I’m not much help in telling you what colors to do. I know absolutely nothing about fancy quilting of any type!
Good luck!

I’m thinking a warmer background color, country gold? Deep cream?