Not novelty, But I have to BRAG

 About a year ago I joined my first quilting guild, a relatively small country guild near my home.  Prior to Covid changing my work schedule so dramatically, I was never able to make any meetings regularly so I only connected with other quilters online.  Joining this local guild has been lots of fun, meeting new people.  They have a quilt show once every two years so I decided to enter five of my quilts (many discussed in previous posts here).  Well I was so thrilled to win ribbons on every applique quilt and one of them even won Judges choice. It was so amazing to walk in and see my quilt at the front of the room with that big ribbon.  And even more fun to talk with people about the quilts.

My Christmas Frame quilt won a 2nd place ribbon and Judges Choice.  The judge was extremely complementary, even going to far as to say she admired my work.  Wow.  And my quilting was Outstanding.  Really? Didn't she see all the places were the beads weren't round or crossed over the line, or where the stitch in the ditch wobbled?  Lesson learned - at least at this local show - perfection isn't required - even though sometimes I expect it of myself.  Every stitch doesn't have to be exacting, the overall effect is what is important.  Not saying I'm changing to the "back of a galloping horse" camp - I still like precision.  And I always want to do my best.  But sometimes things are good enough.  I'm the only one putting my nose up to the quilting and expecting machine perfection.  Ok, enough introspection.

My reverse applique won 3rd place.  The looped binding was a big hit with the other quilters.  Lots of discussion around the quilt, almost as much as the Christmas Frames. I got to explain how the loops were made and also how reverse applique works.  This wonderful pattern is from Eye of the Beholder Quilts - they have so many wonderful patterns.

This next was a prepared edge applique quilt I started 10 years ago on a trip with my daughter.  The pattern by J. Michelle Watts was very intricate & I only ended up making 4 of the 12 blocks.  I had been too afraid to quilt it, that I would "ruin" it, so I had my sweet friend Ami quilt it for me.  Her quilting is amazing.  The quilt won honorable mention - my other quilts had already won 2nd & 3rd, so I almost swept the category.  

My hand pieced forever project won 3rd place in the medium size category.  The judge especially appreciated how I did the border.  Which I have to admit, I am pretty proud of my solution there.  That border is the reason why it took me so long to finish it as I was stumped how to solve the problem of that uneven edge.  I kept thinking I should applique it but couldn't figure out how to do it so it would be flat & even.  Finally the light bulb moment was when I decided to just piece it the same way I had pieced the flowers, drawing special shaped templates from the originals.  Easy as could be, kind of embarrassed it took me so long. 

I'm thinking about entering the Christmas Frames in the Dallas show in the Spring.   I'm a little nervous about trying a big show, but who knows.  In the meantime, I can't wait to decorate for Christmas this year - looking forward to enjoying it through the holidays.