Thursday, March 3, 2016

Really Random Thursday, 3/3/16

A week ago I left for one of my favorite weekends of the year, a quilting retreat, Quilting in the Pines, put on by our local quilt shop, at a mountain lake about an hour away from Fresno. Over the years (this was the 12th annual), we have become friends with other quilters that we see this one time a year. We catch up, sew, eat, laugh...it's a great weekend.
Our group used to be much larger, up to 12 of us one year. This year there were five of us. Due to a variety of things, mostly choosing the wrong time of the day so the lighting was bad, we had a hard time getting a good picture
Each year, Jennifer makes us a personalized place card, with a scrap of the challenge fabric (more on that later).
Our quilt shop gives each of us 1/2 yard of a challenge fabric, to be used to make a quilt or another type of project. Jennifer and Dotty accept the challenge every year, for good reason. The projects are posted with only a number, and then everyone votes on their favorites for a chance to win a gift certificate at the LQS. Dotty and Jennifer are nearly always in the top three. This year, Jennifer won the top prize. I wish you could see this close up. The quilts on the clothesline are 3D.
Dotty came in third place.
I also really liked this entry.
This cool chess set didn't come in first in the "other" category, but it was my top pick. So clever.
I worked on these projects. The first was The Cascade Quilt (pattern by Initial K Studio), using the ombre fabric line by V and Company.
I had a hard time getting to sleep the second night. I think it was all those pretty scraps keeping me awake, begging to be sewn into a mini. The scraps even included a name for the mini--Detour. It didn't turn out the way I kept seeing in my brain all night long, but I'm pretty happy with it anyway.
Then I made these Basket Case blocks (pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew). Six more blocks to go and I'll be ready to sew the top together.
My friend, Jullie, had her sewing machine on this little selvage mat--a pattern I designed and which was part of the book Make It, Take It by Krista Hennebury. It's always so fun to see someone else's version. Also, isn't that pincushion/scrap bag cute?
While I was away sewing, a sweet note came in the mail. Mark and I have scheduled a date to take Gabe to the zoo. He didn't want us to forget. "Grandma and Grandpa, Don't forget that we are going to the zoo." *sigh* This just melts my heart.
And my QuiltCon quilts arrived back home, along with the judges' comments.



The third comment made me laugh. The quilting motif was chosen for the actual front of the quilt, which is the reason it didn't accentuate the back of the quilt, which is what I submitted to the show. However, I read (more about the judging process here)  that if there was a plus mark next to specific judging considerations, it meant the judges thought that specification was particularly well done. So they liked the innovation/creativity and the binding, even if they didn't feel the quilting enhanced the design.

They appreciated Darby's quilting. And I was the one who chose the Baptist Fan motif since I got my initial inspiration from upholstery of a church pew. And I'm still glad I chose the Baptist Fan--I like the curviness of it against all the sharp points. 

All in all, I'm very happy with the comments. It was a fun experience to have these three quilts included in QuiltCon West 2016.

Do you think this is true?
And obviously...

10 comments:

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Val's Quilting Studio said... #

Looks like a great time with friends for sure....interesting to see all the jusdges comments. ANd well, I wouldn't have been able to resist that closing picture if I were a red head too...so cute!

Robby said... #

Interesting Quilt Con comments, and I tend to agree. A little funny about the quilt design not enhancing (the back of) the quilt, but it goes to show you're a great artist coming and going!

Debbie said... #

Fun post. Interesting to read your judging comments...

Unknown said... #

Thanks for sharing your Quilting in the Pines photos. Looks like so much fun and it would be great to be involved in an annual retreat like this with some friends. What is your local quilt shop? Love the sewing machine mat AND I have the book! I better go check it out.

Wendy @ Wendysquiltsandmore said... #

Great post thank you Cindy. I'm very interested in those mini quilts. I haven't made any that small, but we have an exhibition of minis coming up in 2017 and I'd like to enter. I've saved that clothes line one - I love it.

Amanda Jean said... #

I love your detour mini quilt! how funny that the thought of all of those scraps kept you awake at night. can you hear me chuckling??? miss you, friend. xoxo

Sinta Renee said... #

Ah! You are in the neighborhood! I love seeing the challenge entries! Your Basket Case quilt is bright and fun! I love CCS!

Sue said... #

Thanks for sharing your Quiltcon comments. Looks like they couldn't fault your design choices or construction. It'll be the big prize next year!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

I think I'm jealous of all your quilty friends and retreats. Thanks for sharing the QuiltCon comments. I never find judging comments all that helpful as they don't always 'get' why you chose something. I agree the curves work nicely in contrasting the sharp points of Delta Breeze.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

I think I'm jealous of all your quilty friends and retreats. Thanks for sharing the QuiltCon comments. I never find judging comments all that helpful as they don't always 'get' why you chose something. I agree the curves work nicely in contrasting the sharp points of Delta Breeze.