Preparing for the seasonal closing of a nursery, that sells mostly from its outdoor plant area, can cause as much hustle and bustle as the start of spring season. Winding down at a nursery can involve lots of organizing while at the same time chaos. Much like when you are doing major cleaning around your house -- you begin fairly organized, move to chaos, then return to getting everything back in place.
The beautiful vintage barn above, with a graphic tulip quilt square on its gable, stands above the disorganization of the fall scene at the nursery. Tulips, a symbol of spring, reminding us that the cycle of life returns after the winter ahead.
Hello Barbara:
ReplyDeleteThe stylized Tulips look wonderful set against the weathered barn. As you say, Tulips are such great heralds of spring. We love them.
I love seeing barns with quilt motifs on them. Perhaps these tulips will be refreshed with a bit of brighter paint before spring -- once the on-the-ground chaos is over.
ReplyDeleteI've seen barns with the quilts squares on them before in TN. Do they have a significant meaning? They're quite lovely to look at.
ReplyDeleteSuch an appropriate symbol for a nursery! Spring will come again. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteLance and Jane -- tulips are among the harbingers of spring -- always welcome after winter -- Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteSheri -- I bet you are the first customer standing in line when your local nursery opens in the spring -- you are then ready to dig and spruce up your garden -- Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteJune -- Don't know what kind of paint was applied etc. -- there is a group of volunteers that paint many of these and give them out to barn owners under certain conditions I am told. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteMama-Bug -- the new tradition was started by one woman who put up a painted quilt square on her barn. Quilt squares are recognition of woman in general who were important in history -- not the famous but the working householder. The most common denominator of women during those early times was quilting. So quilt squares actually are symbols of the role of women in our early histroy.
ReplyDeleteIt was a sad day when our local nursery closed owing to the onset of Alzheimer's in the owner. Six new town houses stand on land that was his nursery. Changing seasons, time, hopefully, your nursery will be there same time next year. I keep wondering if the quilt hangs there all year or if he only puts it out during the growing season? Dianne
ReplyDeleteLoved your words about major cleaning. You depicted it perfectly! Organized chaos, then chaos, then better organization. Yes, the tulips on the barn will remind us that spring will come again but I hope it takes a long, long time after the hot and humid summer we have endured this year.
ReplyDeleteDianne -- To answer your question briefly -- the quilt square will stay up all year. To find out more about how this quilt square movement works see my posts below.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that the nursery is now housing units. I know an old family nursery that now wedged in between some shopping plazas. It will history within a few years
http://folkwaysnotebook.blogspot.com/2009/08/quilt-squares-on-barns.html
http://folkwaysnotebook.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html
Darcy -- Yes, I hope that winter will be an extra long season as I'm still reeling from the hot summer KY experienced -- thanks for your comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely cheerful image!
ReplyDeleteWonderful observation. Now is the winding down period before a bit of a winter's rest...short of like a nice glass of wine to relax you before a much needed nap. I'd love to see the inside of that gorgeous old barn.
ReplyDeleteAlways intrigued by quit designs and what they represent.
ReplyDeletePerfect for a nursery!
ReplyDeleteHow neat. We just painted our out building. It is kinda large and white. I told my son and husband that I wanted to paint a quilt square on the back of it. Don't know when I will get around to doing it tho. I love seeing them on barns.
ReplyDeleteAlways, the seasons move forward. But, what a lovely reminder that Spring will come again.
ReplyDeleteLouise -- You write such lovely words -- Thanks -- barbara
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