Going to Guild - Storybook Challenge

Monday night was challenge night at our guild, and it was a sentimental evening.  First of all, it's always overwhelming to see twenty-eight challenge quilts hanging around the room.  It amazes me how much incredible creativity and talent we squeeze into one suburban senior center.

Quilt for Osa's Pride by Ann Grifalconi

The Storybook Quilts project was the dream of Janie Stokes, a longtime guild member and former teacher.  Janie loved books, especially books with quilts in them.  She had collected over a hundred of these books, and challenged us two years ago to make a quilt to go with each one.  Guild members made thirty-five quilts that year, and the committee earned a grant from NQA to get the project started. 

This picture of Patty's quilted cape does not even remotely do it justice.  It is gorgeous!

When choosing the challenge for this year, we decided to do another round for the project.  Janie had been battling ovarian cancer for years, and I think we all knew that time was running out.  I thought for sure that she'd get to see these quilts at the meeting, that her determination and strength would win out one more time, but it was not to be.  Janie finally got to rest in April of this year.

Doris's quilt

So, of course, the meeting last night was emotional.  Janie was remembered - and occasionally cursed - for the challenging books she pressed into the hands of certain members.  She made some of us step outside our comfort zones.  And last night, Janie's husband and one of her dear friends were there with us to celebrate and remember and see this incredible legacy.

Ben's quilt won first prize.

Closeup of the work boots on Ben's quilt.

 When the blind voting ended, it was no shock that Ben and Patty had won the top two prizes.  But the really sweet moment was when we realized that one of Janie's quilts had the third most votes, and to watch Doris and Julie present the ribbon to Janie's husband.

My quilt for Under the Quilt of Night by Deborah Hopkinson

No, my quilt didn't get any votes.  My prize is that it was finished!  Although I must confess that I covet these beautiful awards made by guild member Carol.  Aren't they gorgeous? 

I will try to come back and fill in the names of books and quilters.  I thought I would remember, but you know how that goes!



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