Over Challenged--Under Idea'd

Wow, it is a season of challenges. I am currently involved in three, participation-wise that is. So far I have only started working on two, of which, only one is actually fabric at this point. Anyway, my three challenges are: (1) the Door Challenge for a small local art group (width 30"-60" x 30"+), (2) MCQG Challenge (40x40 max) - Stars, Stars, Stars, and (3) PSLCQ Member Challenge (24x24 max) - What's in Your Garden.

Now, I've never been very good at doing things in the correct order, because here are the respective due dates: (1) September 2011, (2) October, 2011, and (3) November 2011.

(1) I have drawn out my Door Challenge and am still not ready to commit my idea to fabric. I have made two attempts at this so far, but something is telling my brain to wait. My experience with my brain tells me to listen! So my door remains a drawing, waiting for a few more tweeks and the a-okay from the brain, then, and only then will I enlarge my drawing and turn it into a beautiful painted fabric masterpiece. In other words, the last week of August I will be a mad-woman thread painting and quilting wood and stone!

I'm jumping to (3) because I have done nothing on this challenge, not even a thought. I know, it is awful, but it is true. All my creative juices have gone in total other directions... good thing is I have until November!

Okay, now on to (2) My Star Challenge. This one is just about done. Well, no, not really, but close - at least it is fabric!

Here are the fabric choices, at least one of these must be used in the challenge - and yes, they are lame'.

Here is my original design. Yes, I am so old-school -- paper, pencil, scissors, photocopies, tape, and to think I am somewhat of a computer genius and have a background with graphic arts. I don't know why but, I am my most creative doing it the old-fashioned way!

So, the design resulted in the following fabric choices: the lame's and a beautiful silk for the main elements and black sateen for the background. I chose the black sateen for the background because the quilting shows up amazingly beautiful on this fabric; well, that and the sheen factor to match the silk and lame'.

Here is the progress since the design conception (beginning of April) until now. Soon I'll begin the invisible applique and then start designing the quilting layout. (If you peek at the left side of this photo you can see a tiny little piece of the door challenge.)

So that is my Challenge delirium in a nutshell. Hoping to keep you all informed as each challenge progresses -- I've been told that I share too much, don't worry, I'm sure a post on sharing is bound to follow!!!

Another MQS ribbon...

Yeah!!! I will never, ever, ever, get sick of hearing those words, nope, not ever!

"Clouds in My Latte" has received a Judge's Choice Award at MQS 2011 (click here for a link to ALL the winners). The Judge that chose my quilt was none other than Linda McCuean... totally awesome!!! Totally! I am on cloud nine once again, I know, it doesn't take much! Really, any ribbon is fantastic, but Judge's Choice is my favorite!!! Here goes my second Thank You to Linda, this means so much!!

Here is "Clouds in My Latte" hanging at MQS with her ribbon. She does look fantastic!

For those of you that don't know, MQS is the Machine Quilters Showcase which is an annual convention/show by the International Machine Quilters Association (http://www.imqa.org/). A super big, super loud shout-out to ALL the winners, the quilts are amazing!!!

I must also formally congratulate Lisa Sipes, her awesome quilt "BeDazzleder!" took 2nd Place in the Machine Embroidery category... YEAH!!! And she was also the first to notify my of my ribbon. Here is a peek at her award-winning beauty:


Best of Show went to the totally awesome Claudia Pfeil with her "Magical Mermaids Castle". I have watched little pieces of this quilt as Claudia shared them on facebook, and can't wait to see it in person one day, but until then, I will be amazed by photos.

Thanks again to Lisa for notifying me, and for the pictures too! And yet one more thank you to Linda McCuean... for my awesome ribbon!

Catch up...

I have once again fallen behind on my posts, not far behind, but I forgot to post a few things, so this is going to be a super-quick show and tell (unless you read really slow)....

Mary's "Don't Look Now" (pattern by Lilly Pilly):

Donna's antique quilt -- it was her husbands grandmothers and she thinks it is from the 1920's:

Billy's "Home Tweet Home" (McKenna Ryan pattern), along with some extra blocks:

That sums it up, I think! Anyway, tomorrow is Mother's Day -- wishing you all a wonderful day!