Going to Guild - Challenge Winners

Today I bring you the challenge winners:

Our third place winner was Laurie.  She said she was inspired by the Peggy Barkle class back in February.  You can see her paint chip with all the lovely golds on the left.  I love this little quilt featuring a barn, and the "no place like home" fabric on the back.

 

Our second place winner was Diane.  Hers was called "Bird Houses and Bugs."  The applique on this was absolutely gorgeous! 

Finally, our first place winner.  No surprises here -- Beth has won her share of ribbons!  These row houses are even more stunning in person. 

Not to be satisfied with one "simple" quilt, Beth also made a pieced back with the Statue of Liberty. Again, the pictures do not do it justice.  The beaded night sky sparkles around Lady Liberty.

Congratulations to all our winners, and thanks again to Suzanne for the gorgeous ribbons!

Going to Guild - Challenge Quilts

I realized that, in my absence, I never showed you the challenge quilts!  Since the next guild meeting is in a week, I guess I'd better get on it.

Just to refresh your memory, the challenge details are here.

I was supposed to be a little early for last month's meeting, both because I was in charge of the challenge and because it was my turn to bring food.  Murphy's Law kicked in, and I was racing to get there on time (forget early!) after the Bear's basketball practice.  I had no idea how we were going to display the quilts, how many people had actually completed one, and how on earth we were going to entertain the troops if only two people showed up with a completed challenge quilt.

Not to worry.  I arrived to this:

November 1, 2010 ~ QOV Challenge

...and nearly burst into tears.  Suzanne had been planning, and the rest of the Stars had obviously jumped in to assist.  The quilts were hung...oh! so many beautiful quilts!

It was awesome to hear the stories behind each "home" and to see how each quilter incorporated her colors into the finished work.  I welled up a little each time someone said, "This is for donation."  "This is for the troops."  "This is for Quilts of Valor."

In the end, there were 28 completed quilts with 13 donated.  I will show you more pictures over the next few days, but look at these beautiful awards Suzanne made.  At the top are the little house beads that each participant earned for her nametag. 

In the meantime, I am working with a friend whose brother is safely home after three deployments.  They are going to help me find soldiers for the quilts, and I will definitely bring you pictures of that.

Thank you, Allison, for the awesome idea, and Alycia for her information and support.

Hope you all have a great week!

P.S.  True confessions - I never got my challenge finished.  But I WILL!  

Holiday Grand Plan Week 14 - Holiday Decor Week

It's Week 14!  Did you think I fell off the earth?  Almost.  Between Gracie having some oral surgery, my oldest being Confirmed, a cluster of sinus and upper respiratory infections, and lots of sub jobs (not to mention Thanksgiving!) I have hardly been at the computer for a month.

But it's back to the plan, and we have some catching up to do.  In theory, by now the house is pretty clean.  I can say that mine is not perfect, but definitely in good shape.  We had everyone back to the house after Confirmation, so I had to get the main floor and basement "company ready."

This week we need to get out the holiday decorations, plus clean and organize that storage space while we're at it.  Do you have decorations you haven't pulled out in years?  Donate them!  Are there lights that don't work but keep getting shoved to the bottom of the box?  Pitch 'em!

Do you have a real or artificial tree?  If it's real, do you know when you're going to get it?  From whom? 

Are you planning a party?  Luckily we just go to other people's parties, so I don't even have this on my list.  But I do have to figure out what we're going to wear!

What about Christmas dinner?  I'm still searching for the perfect menu, trying to decide between a traditional turkey or a crown roast of pork.  Or a standing rib roast.  Decisions decisions!

Are the gifts bought and wrapped?  Try to take care of anything that has to be mailed by this week.  Again, we're lucky that I only have one box to mail.  I have that about halfway taken care of, with just a few more items to box up.

I have a lot of posts just waiting for you.  I hope to get them up quickly and earn your forgiveness for being silent over the last month.  I guess Blogtoberfest really did me in!

Enjoy decking your halls and fa-la-la-ing this week.  I've missed you!

Texts from My Teenager - 2

What a considerate brother! Texting me from school to see how his little sister did at the oral surgeon.