Madison County Quilt Trail

07/11/2026

Today's feature is on the Pike County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by McKinney Tax Service. #8-20, Nana’s Retreat, is painted on an old metal sign purchased at Amity Trade Days. It measures 18” by 24” and was painted by Marla Stewart, AKA Nana, for her garden at 23 Stewart Farm Rd in the community of Kirby. This is the fourth barn quilt she has painted for her property. She created the design herself using only triangles and diamonds. After retiring from teaching, Marla became active volunteering for several community organizations. Her husband was diagnosed with FTD, frontotemporal degeneration, a non-curable progressive disease of younger men and women that leads to dementia. For more information on this disease, please visit aftd.org. Realizing that she needed to be at home more to help her husband, Marla decided that she would spend more time gardening. Her garden serves not only to produce nourishing food but also as a place to retreat from the concerns of life. Her garden is a no-till garden that limits digging and hoeing and helps develop a healthier ecosystem. She states, “When I was growing up, my dad planted a huge garden. I couldn’t understand how he could work full-time and put that much work into a garden. Of course, we had a large family and a limited income, so we needed the food. Yet, he seemed to enjoy the garden and even find it relaxing. I’m finally beginning to understand that a garden is not just about work.”

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

07/03/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Independence 🇺🇸

06/28/2026

Today's feature is on the Van Buren County Quilt Trail which is sponsored by City of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas A&P. #3-02, The Lucas Strawberry at 8246 Highway 16 East near Shirley uses a broken diamond pattern displaying a center strawberry to represent Wade Lucas Farms’ most famous crop. The quilt block is 4’ X 4’ and painted by Shelley Moix. Wade Lucas Farms is best known for strawberries but also grows sweet corn, peas, cantaloupes, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, onions, greens and as of this year lettuce. In 2007 Wade Lucas and his wife Marlene started working the dirt and moving many rocks preparing the land to grow strawberries. Wade grew up in Florida on a farm and has farmed all his life. The Lucas family was the 2017 Van Buren County farm family of the year. Fresh produce can be purchased at the farm’s cedar clad store. Lunch of fresh cut salads, sandwiches, baked goods, pies and cakes can be enjoyed on a covered back porch overlooking the farm that is nestled in a valley. Marlene Lucas’ baked concoctions are well known and highly sought after.

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

05/25/2026

05/15/2026

🟩🟥🟪 IT’S OFFICIAL! 🟥🟪🟩

The block at the Madison County Library marks the start of the countywide quilt trail!

Now that the Arkansas Quilt Trails has begun blazing the trail in Madison County. Block by block, you too can make your creative stamp by helping forge this path countywide. Want to learn more about the Quilt Trail?

🟩🟨🟥🟧🟦

Easy peezy>>>

Request the informative brochure explaining “What is a quilt trail?” plus all the “How to’s?” >>> Have more questions? Or interested in a collaboration or community event?

No problem, just ask your local coordinator - that’d be me. Better yet, get to creating your very own quilt block.

After all, we are excited to add your block and location to the tour…

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.

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.