Creating Memories

I grew up on a working dairy farm in Burlington, Connecticut. It was started sometime in the 1840’s and was purchased by my grandparents in the early 1920’s. The farm’s name is Pleasant View Farm and was a working farm until the late 1970’s when my father became ill. It was originally over 100 acres, but as time passed, parcels of land were sold off and many of the out buildings were left in disrepair and eventually torn down. In the end, all that remain are the milk house and barn.

The barn is a classic English Barn otherwise known as an eave-entry barn, meaning it is a simple building with a rectangular plan, pitched roof, and a door on the long side of the building, using timber framing. The upper level is divided into three distinct areas, which are called bays and originally were used for animals, grains, and equipment.

When my husband and I decided to take over the land in 2007, the barn was restored back to its original charm. We are currently working to complete restoration of the inside of the barn, including the basement which was once used for the milking of cows, a major part of the farm. That is how Candlelight Barn was started.

While cleaning out my parent’s house, we found a beautiful double wedding ring quilt, made by hand by mother. I remember when she sewed each square together using scraps from clothes she had made and from clothes that my brother and I had worn. She was so proud of it. It went on my parents’ bed to be used and displayed with pride. I remember her making the quilt and how much work it had been, but then as the years went by and my father became ill, things got packed away and it was forgotten. Someone had packed it away in tissue paper in the attic, and it was still in good condition, well worn, but still beautiful. This quilt brought back so many memories.

Because my mother was such an avid seamstress who truly enjoyed sewing, making our clothes and quilting, she passed her love of sewing to me and I learned from her how to sew. I still love to sew. I have made many quilts including piecing pieces of clothing from my children’s clothes together to make squares for several Around the World quilts. I also made a quilt using ties that my husband wore at his job for many years, to make a beautiful quilt which was my own design. My quilts have also included the more conventional types like Log Cabin, Bear’s Paw, Dresden Plat, and Ohio Star. I even did an abstract quilt that someone commissioned me to do which was very modern. My favorites are appliqué because you do all the piecing by hand instead of by machine. Any extra material left over from the quilts I use to make the clothing for my Raggedy Ann dolls which are one of my specialties. I have sold many of my quilts, and I always take a picture of each so I know which ones I have made and the history of each one. Quilts help to sustain the body and spirit and help to create memories.

When it was time for my son to do his Eagle project for the Boy Scouts, and after seeing an article on “At Risk Baby Crib” or “ABC Quilts”, a national organization for babies with AIDS, decided to have his Troop help him make quilts for his Eagle project. His fellow scouts and volunteers from the area stitched, patched, pinned, and clipped pieces of fabric to make over 30 quilts which were donated to the organization. As you can see, sewing and quilting are a big part of our family.

Candlelight Barn is a family adventure, and we are all involved in the many aspects of the day to day operations, from setting up the website and filling the orders as they come in, to making the crafts, and organizing each event that we attend. We truly enjoy this adventure and it is a labor of love. We are proud to begin to offer a wide range of custom made gifts and collectibles including gift baskets which we make to your specifications. We customize scrapbooks, quilts, and cards. Garden designs and gardening supplies are also available on request. Our line of products include dog and cat decorations and crafts, leashes, and all natural treats. We have crafts for the Christmas season and are looking forward to the New Year as we expand our products for the upcoming holidays, and Spring and Summer months. Our specialty is called “Cups of Comfort” which are mugs for teachers, friends, and family for any type of holiday or occasion, including vintage material mugs for a quick thank you or hello. We hope to create memories for others.

In the coming months we hope to add our new line of spa beauty gifts from every day products and baby gifts. Please check out our website, Candlelight Barn, and keep checking back as we continue this journey together.