Summer Barn Quilt

 It has been a long time since I made a barn quilt for the side of our house. I have one for Thanksgiving (fall), one for Christmas, another for winter and this one for spring. 

I happened to have a 24" x 48" canvas on hand.

I worked up a design....

and went to work.

First I put a coat of paint (sometimes I use
gesso) on the canvas.

I find it easiest to do this outside where I can use a baking bench knife to spread the paint.

I had a bit of paint left from painting my sewing room that I used for this base coat.

I began taping out the design,

and started painting the first color. 

More tape...

more paint.

More tape...

more paint.

More tape...

more paint! 

Slowly, tape begins to come off.

(See the ball of tape on the left, middle of the picture?!)

Finally, it's close to being finished.

I used a black Sharpie to put in 'seam' lines.

The final step was to add several layers of clear acrylic to protect it from the elements. 

Most barn quilts are painted on wood. 

I tried using the canvases to make it easier to handle the barn quilts. 

Since they aren't outside all year, and since they are somewhat protected by the overhang of the roof, 

this has worked for me.