The Quilted Barn Rule #2 (finally)

FINALLY the silo is pieced.  Wheeww -- a load off my shoulders.  It is embarrassing to be one of the main hostesses and be late.

I REALLY wanted to hand piece the entire grey area with hexagons to meet the rule, but the silo just took too long and so I settled for a window.  Most of the block is paper-pieced with some hand applique on the curve and upper window. 

The words are kind of fun for me.  Grandpa Bud was a dairy farmer, and while this doesn't look anything like his milk barn, it stands as a memoir to him.  I played with several fonts on the computer until I found one I liked.  Next, I accidentally discovered that I could fill the words in with holstein cow hide.  That really sold me.  I then pondered for days how to get the words on my barn.  I finally resorted to fabric paint.  It was rather time consuming, but worth it.  I then outlined each letter in black thread with sort of a free-motion threadwork technique just like I did with the tree in my former block.

Here are both blocks together at last.  The silo is a little tall but ok.  I have no idea what inspired me to make a strip of red going down the silo.  I think it would have been better without, but too late now.   I will still try to put leaves on my tree.

I just wanted to add that the rules are making this so much fun.  There is no way I would have thought to put flying geese in the silo without the rule, and my windows were going to be rectangular in the original drawing.

Now I'm off to decide whether to finish building the right side of the barn or start something new on the left...hmmm.  Let me just admit that I change my mind EVERY DAY I work on this project.