Barn Quilt Locations

6332 Nine Mile Road, Urbana

Barn Owners: Vince and Cheryl Olshove

Quilt Square: "Lavender Sprigs"

Sponsors: Henderson Land Investment Co.

We are new to Champaign County and love it! We bought the farm with eventual retirement in mind and reinventing our lives. I have always had a love for old things, barns being at the top of the list, and the peace of the country not far behind. The love of lavender was instilled in me by my now 94 year old (going on 40) Nana, when I was very young. I saw no reason why we couldn't turn this place into our own little piece of heaven, surrounding ourselves with what we love. I am originally from California and have a particular affinity for Northern California and wine country. We love our solitude here and the feeling we get as we leave the city and want to share this with others by having our lavender farm open for a few select events during the year, yet maintaining our little heaven. Our lavender farm is slowly evolving into the very clear vision I have in my mind. I also produce natural products (including soap), many of which are lavender based. We have a website and webstore that shares the story and sells the products of "Freckle Bear Farm". The name comes from the fact that I am freckled and my grandkids call me "Bear".

We are currently having repair work done on both barns by the Amish, using wood that we have reclaimed from 3 other barns in the past 7 years. This wood has been moved more times that we care to remember, although our backs remind us. To see it put back to use as it should be makes it worth the countless hours we spent taking down the other barns. Restoring and reusing are very important to us. These barns have years of life left in them, just a different life than was originally intended!