AQS Des Moines 2011

The show is over and I wasn't a winner, maybe the next show I enter. The one thing I don't like is that you do not get a critique from the judges at this show and the only show that they do give one is at the Paducah show. I'm debating about entering it in Lancaster AQS show, again I won't know what the judges have to say about it. I still have a little time to decide. I did talk to many women about my quilt, apparently there is a large following of Kaffe's fabrics lovers. I did see one older lady make a terrible face at it and couldn't move fast enough away from it, must thought it was going to jump at her. LOL. It was sent to Paducah for photography as it may be in the 2013 AQS engagement calendar.

I haven't been commenting on blogs much this summer, like many others I couldn't get it to work and gave up on it then finally took the time to figure it out.

Since I'm not working now, (job cut and I'm perfectly fine with that, it was getting in the way of my quilting, LOL) I have been sewing up a storm. Have finished sewing, embroidering and appliqueing 8 small wall quilts and 2 queen size quilts, all need quilted. My next adventure is taking a class to learn to machine quilt starting with the large ones. I prefer to hand quilt, especially my own designs but I will never live long enough to get them all done. I always hire a gal to do my machine quilting but I have too many and it does get quite costly.

Take a look at Civil War Bride blog, my friend, Karen won 2nd place at AQS DM 2011. Such a beautiful quilt, much deserving win. Since we both knew we would be in the same class in this competition I stopped working on my CWB quilt and put all my time into the Bizzy Bird Farm.

I'm working on the border of an applique quilt as the center 9 blocks are done. It has blue denim looking fabric for the background and the applique is done with medium & light blues and white/blue toile. Again different looking style for me. My Basket Medallion quilt (Kim's) is on my list to get done, soon....

Update on The Bizzy Bird Farm

Just thought I would let you know that I have outlined the entire Roseville quilt and have the binding on. I have used exactly 400 yards of quilting thread, had about 10 inches left on the spool when I finished hand quilting. I'm planning on doing a circle type stencil between the blocks and panels, starting on this tonight. It just needs something more to fill in the space. I will show a block later of what I chose to quilt. Oh yes, I did count the circles, I have 630. I sure did appreciate the help of my Mother and friends with all the circle basting that was done for me. Just in case you were wondering, I use a 23" quilting hoop, switch to a 11" X 17" ?? oval hoop on the borders, YLI quilting thread, one thimble and have 4 very callus & sore fingers. I use a emery board to file away the roughness on my fingers to keep it from snagging the threads and use a medicated hand cream, Gold Bond with Aloe every night when I go to bed (yes I do sleep). LOL

The Bizzy Bird Farm

Thanks for all the wonderful comments. Yes, I plan on entering this into competition the first one being AQS Des Moines. This has to be done by May 20th, this year!!! So this is my first goal and all I can do is try to make it. I have already made a big change, yesterday had it basted together but I tried to hand quilt but the batting was too thick. I ripped out the small area of quilting and the basting and replaced the batt with Mountain Mist Polyester low loft batt. I just finished outlining the center fruit block and my hand quilting is much, much better. Glad I made the change. Planning on outline everything first then go back and add the "creative quilting". Still thinking about using large circles in the blocks, will let you know later when I decide.