Madison County Quilt Trail

05/01/2026

Today's feature is on the Sharp County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by the Paula and Stephen Stauffer family. #15-25, Carpenter’s Wheel, is at 3901 Highway 167, Ash Flat, AR. Both Gary and Ruth Rogers grew up with quilters in their families. They recently purchased a barn quilt to display in loving memory of Gary’s mother, Mattie Rogers of Ash Flat, and Ruth’s grandmother, Maye Lewis of Lynn. Both were avid quilters all of their lives. Like many local ladies, these two quilted out of necessity at times, but also as a hobby, giving many treasured gifts to family and friends over the years. Our collection of family-made quilts dates back over 100 years, and many are still in use today. The Rogers farm is located three miles south of Ash Flat. Earlier owners of the land were Wes Casey and Vester Herron. As a lifelong resident of Sharp County, Gary purchased the property in 1973. Before then it was used to grow cotton, row crops, and cattle. The quilt pattern is the Carpenter’s Wheel, meant to wish safe travel to all who pass by.

Find the locations of 24 barn quilt trails with over 700 painted blocks along with the story behind each at ArkansasQuiltTrails.com.

03/22/2026

Today's feature is on the Washington County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by Son's Chapel Quilters. #6-39 Bees and Flowers, 14539 Greasy Valley Rd., Prairie Grove, AR. It is one of three quilt blocks that hang from the pergola on the property. Pam shares: My grandmother told me to always provide flowers for the bees; and she had gardens full of flowers! She was a very wise lady! Their farm is now called the Woolsey Homestead, between Fayetteville and Farmington. Owners Pam and Terry Lakey painted the quilt blocks.

Find the locations of 24 barn quilt trails with over 700 painted blocks along with the story behind each at ArkansasQuiltTrails.com.

03/06/2026

02/27/2026

Today's feature is on the Jefferson County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by Relyance Bank. #11-10, Mimi’s Garden, is a 4 ft x 6 ft barn quilt hanging on the South side of the shop at 7416 Camden Cutoff, Pine Bluff Arkansas. The property is part of Lazy V Farm, owned by James and Barbara Varnell. Drive to the red farm gate for quilt viewing. Ever since the family moved here 13 years ago, the farm has yielded surprises each season. The surprise spider lilies pop up each fall, represented by the outside border of this quilt in deep red. The spiderwort flowers here are the bluest color variation Barbara has ever seen and add contrast to flower beds and fields alike. There’s a spot along Dyson Creek in the middle of their property where spiderworts bloom blue beside red cardinal wildflowers, the moss there is a bright green and the chanterelle mushrooms are the same golden yellow in this quilt each summer. It’s untamed and a favorite spot to sit and watch the natural world. The paint colors were chosen to attempt to replicate that beauty. The four spiderwort quilt blocks flank the dragonfly, honeybee, cardinal and hummingbird blocks and encircle the sunflower in the center. The honeybees and sunflowers were personal additions to the flora and fauna of their place. The McIntire family lived on the property from 1942 until their estate sold to the Varnell family in 2006. They try to honor Mrs. Mac’s legacy by caring for the mature plantings of pecan trees, crepe myrtles, spring bulbs, and wildflowers she left behind and then add to them each year.

Find the locations of 24 barn quilt trails with over 700 painted blocks along with the story behind each at ArkansasQuiltTrails.com.

02/08/2026

Love 💕 Arkansas Quilt Trails

Today's feature is on the Carroll County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by Carroll County Historical and Genealogical Society. #19-21, Tree of Life, is at 4127 E. Van Buren, Eureka Springs. Eureka Springs was founded in 1879 when people flocked there for the healing springs of the area. The earliest dated tombstone in the cemetery is July 14, 1880. More than likely there were burials prior to that date as there are hundreds of unmarked graves throughout the cemetery. It was established in 1889 when the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a benevolent organization, bought 46.5 acres for the cemetery. Families of those buried here, still come to visit the resting place of their ancestors. The Eureka Springs City Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 2018 under the National Park Service. Gloria Stevens chose the Tree of Life to represent the Eureka Springs Cemetery. The leaves are represented as hearts. “Even though our loved ones have passed through the gates of death, our hearts are forever entwined.” This quilt block is designed and sponsored by Gloria Stevens. It was painted by Chris and Starlene Lee and Gloria Stevens.

Find the locations of 24 barn quilt trails with over 700 painted blocks along with the story behind each at ArkansasQuiltTrails.com.

01/23/2026

Today's feature is on the Washington County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by Son's Chapel Quilters. #6-37, Family Tree, is at 15881 Bush Valley Road, Cane Hill, Arkansas. The Jarva J. Seay family farm is located on Washington County Rd 11, also known by locals as Bush Valley Rd. south of Lincoln, AR. In years past, this was called the Bethesda community. Close to where the granary sits was a blacksmith shop and a school house which was district number 55. The south end of the Seay property was donated to the community for a cemetery and is now one of the largest cemeteries around our area. The only remaining buildings still standing on the Seay property are the old granary, the front of a milk barn and a rock well house. A barn and the house both burned down over the years. After the house burned in 1916, the Seay family moved into the granary until timber could be cut and a new house built. There is still an old bedspring in the upper floor of the granary. The granary was recently reinforced, painted and a barn quilt was added to it. Jarva J. Seay passed away in 1969. The farm went to his children and was rented out for several years. It is now owned by all the cousins. This is why I call our barn quilt “Family Tree”.

Find the locations of 24 barn quilt trails with over 700 painted blocks along with the story behind each at ArkansasQuiltTrails.com.

01/09/2026

Today's feature is on the Saline County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by MySaline - The News Group for Benton, Bryant & All of Saline County. #17-18, Decoupage Six-Point Star, is at 123 N Market St., Benton, AR. After a Saline County History & Heritage Society program presented by Debbie Susky, Saline County Quilt Trail Coordinator, we decided to design a quilt block of our own. We used a six pointed star pattern based on a family heirloom quilt of member Betty Walker that she brought as a “show and tell” piece for the program- just beautiful! Our block features images from Saline County, including scenes of the river and lakes in blue, forests in green, farmland and fields in gold, Bauxite ore at the star’s tips, black and white photos of the Saline County courthouse, and blue skies of the future! It is a decoupage creation on 2‘ x 2‘ wood board designed by Sara McClain, 2025 SCHHS Board President. Be sure to visit downtown Benton for a look at our quilt block in the window. For more history of SCHHS and Saline County: See website: SCHHS.us

Find the locations of 24 barn quilt trails with over 700 painted blocks along with the story behind each at ArkansasQuiltTrails.com.

12/31/2025

🎊 Happy Holidays from Arkansas Quilt Trails 🎊

Today's feature is on the Saline County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by MySaline - The News Group for Benton, Bryant & All of Saline County. #17-17, Mariner’s Compass, is at 1713 Chitwood St., Benton, AR. Owner Amy Solomon shares the story behind her 3’x3′ barn quilt. I’ve been interested in quilt trails for years and have seen them all around Saline County and beyond. Every time I see one, it gives me a thrill and makes me fondly think of old times. On our way to Gulf Shores in 2022, I saw this design, the Mariner’s Compass, on a small-town diner, and I instantly knew I had to have it. The colors, the design, it just spoke to me somehow. I could just imagine an actual mariner using a compass to guide their way, to point their way home. Home! The most sacred place I know and hold in my heart. My home is where the barn quilt is displayed with love and the hope that it’s enjoyed and inspires others.

Find the locations of 24 barn quilt trails with over 700 painted blocks along with the story behind each at ArkansasQuiltTrails.com.

12/20/2025

Today's feature is on the Montgomery County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa. #18-3, Ava’s House, is at 16 River St., Caddo Gap, AR. This quilt block titled “Ava’s House” is in honor of my granddaughter Ava Clair. Ava is an unusual girl for a 17-year-old. She likes antiques, vintage quilts and all things from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Ava’s house was built in 1909 by Mrs. Susan Bassinger. The Bassingers were part of the original settlers of Caddo Gap. The small cottage was originally a three-room house and was built at the same time as the River Street Boarding House. The boarding house was owned and built by Mrs. Susan Sherfield. The cottage that sat next to the boarding house, however, was moved across the street and renovated in 2014. It now serves as the guest house of the current residents and owners of the boarding house.

Find the locations of 24 barn quilt trails with over 700 painted blocks along with the story behind each at ArkansasQuiltTrails.com.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 from Arkansas Quilt Trails