Flying Swallows

Raised December 8, 2011

“Flying Swallows,” Owners, Steve and Karen Riggins, 655 Patterson Road, Nonesuch, KY, VC 37̊54’32.36”N-84̊45’55.42”W.  Karen is an art quilter, fiber artist and avid gardner.  As a quilter, Karen chose Flying Swallows because it is one of her favorite blocks.  The design is full of vitality and grace.  Birdsong Farm is named for the “symphony of birdsong” that surrounds them most of the year.  Barn and Tree Swallows nest here all summer.  Karen and Steve love watching the swallows swoop through the evening sky in search of insects.  She chose the star and bird colors to reflect the beauty of the swallows. “I wanted the background blocks to be blue and white, with the added detail of sponge painting. The idea was to have the block be part of the sky around the barn. It works beautifully.”  Karen’s studio, Birdsong Studio, is also on the farm.  She feels very fortunate to have such a beautiful place to create her art quilts and other fiber and bead art.

This small farm was originally part of a much larger farm owned by the Forrest Parrot family.  They bought this farm from Forrest Parrot, Jr. in 1997. “It was always a dream of ours to have a place in the country where we could farm and have flower, herb and vegetable gardens.  Everyone who travels our way is always impressed by the beauty of the landscape. I hope the barn quilt square brings additional joy to those passing.”