close up of the Barn Quilt at Lapacek’s Orchard 

Wow!  As I was typing up the title of this post I realized we’re half way through the 3rd season.  I don’t know about you but I’ve really enjoyed myself this far – can’t wait to see what the last three challenges bring us!
Sticking with tradition, before we get to the challenge – let’s go over all the

PRIZES

Prize 1 QuiltsbyBarb is giving a gift certificate for $20 off machine quilting. The coupon expires in 6 months from the date issued and is not transferable

Prize 2 Quilties is giving away an adorable ‘I Love Quilting’ Keychain!

Prize 3 Marcia’s Crafty Sewing and Quilting is offering a Gift Certificate of $30.00 off Quilting on a Baby size or larger. The Gift Certificate will be good for 60 days from the date of issue. The gift certificate is transferable so you can share it with a friend if you’d like.

Prize 4 The Fat Quarter Shop will be giving one lucky winner a layer cake of their choice!

Prize 5 LoveBugStudios is giving a Quiltspirations! Mystery Card Pack  from her latest venture, quiltspirations.com.

Prize 6 Dye Candy is donating one yard of stunning hand-dyed fabric.

Prize 7 Fabric Fascination is donating a Fabric Bundle: 6 Fat Quarters from Kathy Davis Happiness Collection for Free Spirit in Indigo – 1 1/2 YDs (ps. I have this collection in another color way – SPECTACULAR!

Prize 8 Quiltology is giving a coupon for her longarm quilting services for 20% off with a minimum $40 purchase. All of her patterns are online.

Prize 9 PennyFabricArt is donating pretty little mini quilts from for a prize!

Prize 10 OddStuffbyXanthe is giving a beautiful small, original collage on a wooden block and a fun pin with a print of her original art work. 

Prize 11 TheApple is donated $10 to be redeemed at her etsy store on her handmade jewelry.  (aka my other etsy shop)

AccuQuilt’s Barn Quilt

The Challenge – Barn Quilts

As many of you already know, we have a barn quilt at Lapacek’s Orchard.  Last week, a new barn quilt went up a few miles for us on a barn that is being converted into a wedding venue. Since barn quilts are on my mind, this week’s challenge is inspired by barn quilts.

1. Your inspiration for this week is Barn Quilts.
2. Your project must include at least one block that would make a great barn quilt. Official barn quilts are usually 8 feet square, but you can make yours any size you choose.
3. The block can be manipulated and/or incorporated into a larger project, or it can stand on its own. 
4. Both the block and the project must have a name.  It is OK for the name of each to be the same, but it is not necessary.
5. Please remember that these projects need to be created during the week of the challenge.
6. POST your entries with a description of your creative process, including where you are (ie, I create in Madison, WI) and the size of your project by Sunday, February 26th, 2012, at noon, CDT, to this flickr group – Project QUILTING with KimsCraftyApple: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1401824@N21/ OR email a picture/description of your completed project to {lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com} with PROJECT QUILTING in the subject line.
7. If you wish to receive critiques on your piece – the good and critical – please add your photo’s to this group as well:http://www.flickr.com/groups/1628629@N24/
8. Are you stuck?  Need a little ‘Tim Gunn’ advice during the week?  Or are you just so excited on how things are going along and what to share your WIP?  We have a group for that!http://www.flickr.com/groups/1430386@N24/
9. If this is the first Project Quilting challenge you’ve participated in, please email Kim at {lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com} with PROJECT QUILTING in the subject line so that Kim can keep you updated on the behind the scenes going-ons.

Illinois barn Quilt – photo by wantadog 

EXTRA LINKS for this week!

If you want to see how our Barn Quilt was put together check out these blog posts:

• Barn Quilts
• How to Make a Barn Quilt
• Barn Quilt – Orange
• Barn Quilt – Time for Purple
• Barn Quilt – Poppy
• Barn Quilt – Last Color – Bumblebee
• How to Make a Barn Quilt – Hanging the Quilt

• Cre8tive Quilter from Wisconsin has a ‘Quilt Block son Barns’ Block of the Week Blog you should definitely check out!

Barn Quilt photo by burke_wicker

If you want your name to be entered into the drawing for the prizes your piece has to follow ALL the rules – including being a FINISHED quilt and completed within the allotted time.
Remember, these challenges are intended to help you “Think Outside the Square”. Be creative. Take a risk. DO SOMETHING NO ONE ELSE WILL THINK OF DOING and of course, HAVE SOME FUN!

View from the road of Lapacek’s Orchard’s Barn Quilt