Quilt Trail

In the image to the left can you find 8 cows, 4 cats, 4 tomatoes, 4 beakers, and 8 books?

This is one of the first thirty-five squares on display along the nascent Northshore Quilt Trail that has begun to wander through Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, Livingston, St. Helena, and Washington parishes. To date the largest concentration can be found in Ponchatoula.

While designed to look like giant quilt squares, the blocks are actually created on durable materials that can be outside on view for all who pass by both the private homes and public buildings where they're displayed.

“So many of these are personal stories, it’s about their life and their interests,” explains Kim Howes Zabbia, director of the Art Station in Pontchatoula, and one of those who established the trail. She also lends a hand to folks who’d like help with their desigh. “ I design it and they paint it.”

The square shown here, which belongs to Jim and Judy Hulsey, is a perfect example. ”They’re both retired educators. He was in charge of the ROTC and she was a science teacher," explains Zabbia of the couple that display this square outside their home. Now they raise cattle—and cats—and thus the disparate contents of a panel that also includes a stripe like the one on Jim’s Marine uniform pants leg.

Anyone in the participating parishes can can design, paint, and install a quilt block to join the quilt trail, which will have its formal unveiling later this year. Find details and more quilt images at the Northshore Quilt Trail Facebook page.