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      Each year the International Quilt Association in Houston, the largest quilt organization in the world, selects and commissions one quilter from around the globe to create the annual IQA Quilt. In 2004 I received the extreme honor to do the quilt for 2008, and I presented Autumn in Indiana to the Executive Board October 30, 2007.

     Nowhere on earth equals southern Indiana in autumn. Deciduous forests softly scream as their leaves fade into brilliant variations of red, orange, reddish-orange, gold, golden-yellow, and finally dry into warm putty colors, falling to the ground and each becoming a small part of a very rich tradition.

     Fat pumpkins sit quietly as they wait for those big days yet to come. Holiday pies baked from our own garden pumpkins are always favorites.

    And the end of autumn has its own significance as dried corn stalks turn to elegant golden-browns, and fill the crisp, fall air with a wonderful organic fragrance. The brittle leaves and fly-away husks rattle in response to every gentle breeze, and each October landscape becomes more beautiful than those before.

      As cooler days settle across Indiana, mallard ducks become restless and appear a bit impatient as they prepare for long flights to warmer, winter quarters of unfrozen ponds and lakes.

     Sunflowers in October are mature and nod forward on their tall stems, working hard to support their mellowing blossoms of drying petals and black seeds. Cardinals and black capped chickadees spend endless hours opening each seed for the kernels inside.

     I often travel far from home. I meet many gracious folks and I visit extreme scenery, but my heart will always be in Indiana.

Patterns for this quilt will be sold for twelve months only by IQA, ending at close of IQA Houston Festival 2008. After Festival 2008, patterns will be sold only from this website.

J. Phil Beaver

716 Maple Street

French Lick, Indiana 47432

philbeaver.com