NCW Fair

Here is my quilt being judged at the NCW Fair. I was so anxious watching them judge my quilt, that I snuck up real close and pretended that I was looking at another quilt, but I really just wanted to hear what they had to say. After hearing that I was missing a single stitch on each of my corners, I decided that I should stop listening!

After what seemed like an eternity, they pinned a blue ribbon on my quilt. Here are the comments from my entry card: "Nice design. Corners are bulky. Need to have corners trimmed. Good job." As it turns out, quilting judges are quite fussy about the quilt binding. (The tiny little edge of green fabric in the picture below.) Well, poop. After all that work, it's that tiny little edge that's subjected to the most critique. So - it looks like I'm going to have to learn to love binding. Hmmm...I love to bind; I love to bind...

When I picked up the quilt at the end of the fair, a judge was nice enough to give me some binding tips and show me how to fix my corners. At first I thought - there's no way I'm tearing out the four corners and re-stiching them - that's ridiculous! But, of course, I did end up tearing out the four corners and restitching them. And what do you know - they do look much better! I love to bind... I love to bind.

Here's the well deserved purple ribbon winner. I call this quilt Purple Haze - after my favorite Jimmy Hendrix tune. I have a feeling that the quilt more than likely isn't named after very purpley dope - but I think it's a good fit.

Spencer's theory that the quilt with the most purple wins the purple ribbon still holds true - which unfortunately means it's going to be a LONG time before Nicke or I win a purple ribbon. I don't see either of us making a very purpley quilt for another 20 years or so (30 for Nicke).

After checking out the quilts, Darin and I walked through all the animal barns. This funky chicken reminds me of David Bowie. I couldn't get China Girl out of my head for the rest of the day after seeing Mr. Bowie. I think I need one of these chickens. I think he would have fun with Ben.

The horse barn was the funnest. I think this horse looks like a fabulous super hero. Wonder what her special skill is? I think maybe she lifts her feet and shoots horse shoes. Darin, if you're reading this, I have a blue ribbon quilt that I will trade you for a chicken and horse, and yes, one of those mini goats, too. :)

Finale!

Okay, Nicke, here it is. I think Thelma must be the best long-arm quilter I've ever met. She's horkin' good! (Thelma uses the word 'horkin' a lot; it must be all the rage with 76-year-old quilters. I can only hope to be as cool as Thelma when I'm 76!) I'm putting this baby in two fairs - Douglas and Chelan!

So Close!

I'm finished with the borders and backing, and now I just need to get it to Thelma for quilting. I've got my fingers crossed that I will make it in time to enter this quilt in the Chelan County Fair!

A Good Night's Rest

When I wake up in the morning, Jake's often completely sacked out on the couch. I've started taking his picture before he gets up - to memorialize his funny sleeping positions.

Almost There