Thank you for posting the pictures, Kate. I'm so glad I brought my laptop to my daughter's today so I could see them. Awesome! I'm thinking about starting a challenge for myself next year....will post about it soon.

Sharon

Thanks for posting this. I can't possibly get to all the shows and I get great work to study.

Hey, Kate - when were you there? I was there Thursday. I saw you had several pictures of that one appliqued quilt - sort of dark blue background and lots of bias strips. I can't believe that one only won 2nd place! I didn't notice which one got first. I was a little disappointed with their best of show selection - I thought there were others that were more impressive.

I had a good time and (gasp!) did not buy ANYTHING except lunch!

Donna

Donna! I'm sorry we couldn't have arranged to meet there. I was at the show on Friday. One of my quilting co-workers and I took the day off so we could avoid the crowds on Saturday.
I bought a bundle of fat quarters from the quilted jacket people and a couple other small things, but I was pretty good and didn't go over my budget.

I agree about the Best in Show quilt. It was skillfully done but I didn't like it and I thought there were several more amazing quilts. I'm pretty sure it also took 1st Place for applique - but I'm not sure. It had a blue ribbon for something in addition to the Best in Show ribbon.

Here it is:

This is a larger picture of the 2nd place applique

And here's the one that took 3rd place for the applique, I think:

Yowza! Thank you! for posting pictures. I just don't know about what's come over me lately, but everything orange pops my eyes open. For all the amazing quilts I just loved the orange and pink Baltimore album type quilt. And the little tree with black silhouette rabbits was too cute.

I never thought I'd have an orange phase, but here it is. :0

Thanks Kate, I haven't been to a quilt show in so long. I think the second place applique should have been first.
Rosa

Kate, I loved that one with the wild animals, too!

Since I was SOOO good and didn't buy anything at the show, I ordered that "Bella Bella Quilts" book on the Internet when I got home! :)

My guild's next show is Jan. 2011. I decided at the Jax show that I want to try to make a really amazing quilt - really take my time and be very accurate - and enter it in next year's Jax show as well as my guild's the next January. My guild's show awards are viewer's choice. I haven't entered anything in a judged show yet.

I have 4 Judy Martin books, so I was thinking either one of hers or one from the Bella Bella book. Not that I don't have a big ol' box full of projects already! :)

Donna

Donna, the prize winning quilts usually seem to be original designs. Since you have time before your shows, maybe you can use the Bella Bella and Judy Martin books as inspiration but come up with something that's uniquely yours. The Bella mosaic style, but more use of color like Judy Martin's quilts. I think your idea to make a quilt specifically for the shows is a great plan! The Bella Bella mosaic style quilts are stunning and sure to impress any judge. Most quilters look at them in awe!

Kate

It is so humbling to see the quilt show quilts on display. In a thousand years, I could never achieve such talent. TFS.