Blue Skies and Roses

I have been hanging out in my studio all week (still feeling a bit worn out - thank you for all the well wishes), working custom project bags...lots of them. I have a tall stack cut and ready to assemble (and more orders arrived today), so I am looking forward to a few solid days at the sewing machine. I've also been preparing materials for a large needlework finishing order - choosing Christmas fabrics for ornaments...so those on are the table, as well. In my spare time, I've been listing more cross stitch stash items in my Etsy shop and doing some freelance design work too...the list is LONG (as usual).

In the midst of all the irons I have in the fire, I decided to design several quilt blocks for AccuQuilt's 2017 Quilt Block Contest. If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know how much I enjoy designing quilt blocks and projects...I just love working with shapes, design, and color...and I have fun putting together my entries for this contest every year. The voting for the contest is now live...and I am hoping you will check out all the entries for this year...and if you like my blocks, throw a vote my way. The criteria for the contest is to design an original block that can be created with available AccuQuilt dies...plus it really should look good enlarged to fit a 17' x 17' sign displayed at AccuQuilt Headquarters in Omaha, NE. My cheerful and colorful blocks all follow these specific guidelines and were designed especially for this contest.

This year, you can vote once a day for one block - now through September 5th (so make sure you pick your favorite). You can view all 107 entries by visiting:
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest
All three of my entries are on page 3.

...to vote for one of my blocks, simply click on the link below your favorite image below...there are some great prizes up for grabs, so I would really appreciate it!

Signature Star
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest?entry_id=166274063

Star Spangled Pinwheel
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest?entry_id=166276088

Blue Skies and Roses
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/contest?entry_id=166274111

It is fun to look through all the entries and see the diverse group of talent this contest attracts....even the entries that don't follow the guidelines are interesting. So, go check out all the design inspiration and cast one vote for your favorite each day...and if that happens to be one of my entries, I would be thrilled!

A Colorful and Inspiring Day

Friday was a road trip day...and thank goodness...I needed it even more than I thought! My dear friend Lorrie and I made a trip to Omaha, Nebraska for the 4th Annual AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Unveiling event...and we had a FABULOUS day. We left Des Moines a little before 8:00 and made it to AccuQuilt a few minutes before 10:00...perfect timing, as the festivities started at 10:00 AM. We were greeted with a very warm welcome from Steve Nabity (CEO), Linda Pumphrey (National Sales Manager), Lynn Gibney (Director of Marketing), and all my favorite AccuQuilt staff members...seriously AccuQuilt has the friendliest staff around...and they were all outside to greet us! Once inside, I couldn't wait to meet the special guest Ricky Tims (woohoo!)...he was kind enough to autograph my GO! Arabesque #3 die (one of his designer dies for the AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter) and pose for a couple photos (here is where I thank Lorrie for taking the photos of me with Ricky Tims). I was also thrilled to see a bunch of familiar faces from last year...always so much fun to see quilting friends from across the country (and Canada)!

After meeting celebrity quilter Ricky Tims, we entered the AccuQuilt Quilt Gallery (always worth a visit if you are in the Omaha area) where some of his AMAZING quilts were on display...they were breathtaking...I mean SERIOUSLY incredible! I managed to get most, if not all, of them photographed for you...even with the hoards of people crowded in for viewing..click on any image for a larger, more detailed photo...

Asternoon Delight
Year made: 2009 - 36" x 44"
Created by Ricky Tims

Bears in Bertie's Log Cabin
Year made: 2004 - 53" x 53"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Dad's Lone Star
Year made: 2002 - 92" x 92"
Pieced, appliqued, and quilted by Richard Tims and Ricky Tims
(Father and Son Quilt)

Viva Violetta
Year made: 2007 - 58" x 58"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

New World Symphony
Year made: 2002 - 90.5" x 90.5"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Time Warp
Year made: 1999 - 82" x 82"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Self Portrait
Year made: 2012 - 22" x 22"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Bohemian Rhapsody
Year made: 2002 - 88" x 88"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Simple Gifts
Year made: 1996 - 88" x 88"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Lifelines III
Year made: 2012 - 50" x 50"
Pieced, Embellished, and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Next we entered the AccuQuilt Dream Studio, where attendees of the event were busy making pillow cases  for American Patchwork & Quilting 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge...it was insane in the dream studio (as you can see from the photo) - wall to wall people busy sewing pillow cases...it was almost overwhelming just to walk across the room!

Our next stop was the AccuQuilt warehouse where there was shopping...yes, I said shopping! AccuQuilt had set-up a merchandise area with all sorts of goodies for sale...including "gently used dies" at greatly reduced prices...and how could I pass that up...both Lorrie and I found several dies we *had to* have!

We then made our way outside to the where Ricky Tims would be making his presentation to a tent full of enthusiastic quilters...and what a marvelous presentation it was...thoroughly enjoyable. Ricky is so down to earth...and listening to his life story was inspiring and uplifting...

Next was a performance by "Steve and the Stitches"...and to say it was amusing would be an understatement...the whole entire crowd was smiling, clapping, and enjoying the entertainment!

It was then time to reveal the 2013 Barn Quilt Contest winners and unveil the grand prize winning block...I must say it was sad to see a new 17' x 17' block in the place where my winning block has been for the last year, but Sue's block definitely looked FABULOUS on display and I was so excited for her!

After the unveiling, it was time for lunch...and barbecue really hit the spot...but more importantly,  it was time for door prizes! Lorrie and I had a conversation about how we never win drawings of chance...it just doesn't happen...and we watched quite a few happy quilters take home some stellar prizes. When Linda held up an adorable pink GO! Baby Fabric Cutter Tote, I leaned over to Lorrie and said "you could use that" and her response was "yes, I could"...and guess what, they called her name...we were dumbfounded....and SO excited!...I was just thrilled for her to win a prize to take home. Then the most incredible thing happened...as they called names for the last few prizes, I heard my name too....what?!...this never happens... My door prize the coolest thing ever...the book "Japanese Quilting Piece by Piece" by Yoko Saito (it is a DELIGHTFUL book) and an assortment pack of SCRUMPTIOUS AURIfil Threads (so totally awesome!). WOW, WOW, WOW...what a perfect treat for our trip...

After saying goodbyes and gathering our purchases and winnings, we headed off to one of our favorite quilt shops...The Quilted Moose in Gretna, NE...this shop is a must visit whenever we are in the area! We managed to find just a few a TON of marvelous things to take home...yes, we did some power shopping...in fact, time flew by while we were in there...and although we had plans to possibly visit other shops in the area, we knew we had a two hour drive to get home (and I had an anxious puppy in the kennel that I knew needed dinner and a potty break)...so after enhancing the economy of Greta, NE, we headed for home.

So, there you have it, my day at the 4th Annual AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Unveiling event...it was a perfect day - I couldn't have asked for more - time with a dear friend was just what the doctor ordered (all the quilty goodness was a bonus!).

Happy Dance Day!

My Top 100 Finalist Quilt Blocks
 in the the 2013 AccuQuilt  Barn QuiltDesign Contest
Top: #97
Bottom: #50

Today is a happy day - I just found out I made the "Top 100 Finalists" in the AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Design Contest again this year...so, friends and followers, I could really use your voting help...

If you read my blog regularly, then you know how much I ADORE my AccuQuilt Fabric Cutters...in fact, I use at least one of them pretty much every single day. When AccuQuilt announced the 4th Annual Barn Quilt Contest, I just had to enter again - in fact, I have entered multiple blocks every single year since the contest started. Well, imagine my shock when I checked out the Top 100 Finalists and two of my designs had been selected once again - I was over-the moon with excitement!! I'm sure they had at least a gazillion entries, so to know that two of mine made the first cut makes me giddy... 

So, here is where I need your help - I need you to vote for my two blocks, so they make the Top 10, where celebrity judges Alex Anderson, Ricky Tims, Eleanor Burns, and AccuQuilt management will choose the Grand Prize winner. Please, please, pretty please take a moment and vote for my quilt blocks again this year...I would REALLY appreciate it!...and if you ask your friends and family to vote for me too, that would be AMAZING....please help me spread the word...

Since my winning quilt block in 2012 was a star block, I decided to go in a different direction this year. I knew I wanted a geometric block (#50), but I also knew I wanted a block with some floral flair (#97)...and the sunflower seemed perfect addition to a more traditional block - especially since AccuQuilt's headquarters (where the block will be displayed) is located in the Midwest.  I really thought about the history and tradition of the barn quilt when working on my entries...and the type of block I would actually see on a barn when traveling along a country road...

Here is how to vote:

Visit: http://www.accuquilt.com/barnquilt/voting.html

My finalist blocks are #50 and #97

Click on the boxes ABOVE my blocks. You can vote for up to five entries per e-mail address/per device...and I hope my two blocks will be on your ballot...

To learn a little bit more about the barn quilt movement visit: http://www.accuquilt.com/barnquilt/facts.html

Thanks for taking a moment to do this for me...wouldn't it be cool to see my quilt block design hanging at AccuQuilt Headquarters for a second year in a row?! Just think, if I win more AccuQuilt products, I can make more things to share/giveaway... 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and for your votes...I'm sure you all know how much this means to me...

Top 100 Finalist Block #97

Top 100 Finalist Block #50

A Day With Girlfriends...

What's an outing with girlfriends without cupcakes??....
Salty Dog, Cinnamon, Turtle, and Tiramisu

I have been so busy trying to catch-up after my bout with the flu, that I have barely been out of my studio/office...there are about a million things on my ever-growing list....but yesterday, I did take a little timeout to go on a short road trip with my girlfriends Lorrie and Mary. We made plans over the last couple months to drive out to Winterset, Iowa (the birthplace of John Wayne...and known for its covered bridges) to visit the Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting Quilt Shop, the Ben Franklin (yes, they still have a Ben Franklin and it is a treasure trove of fun stuff), and have lunch.  We left bright and early and arrived in the Winterset town square at 9:00 - perfect timing, as Ben Franklin opened at 9:00. After taking a few photos, we headed inside and began shopping - it was quite the "blast from the past" and we saw all sorts of items that made us smile - they have a full service crafting/sewing area, so we were all right at home. I picked up a few fun fabrics, some ribbon, two itty bitty wooden embroidery hoops, and of course some Scotch pink Hair Set Tape that is almost impossible to find (I use it for needlework and machine embroidery).

After an over an hour perusing the aisles of Ben Franklin, we walked a couple shops down to the Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting Quilt Shop. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting television show seen on PBS stations or their fabulous quilting magazine(s). The two-story building is on the town square and has a grand view of the Madison County Courthouse...it houses a retail shop and mail order business on the ground floor and Love of Quilting editorial offices upstairs. This is a quaint shop - and we really enjoyed our visit - the customer service was wonderful - they allowed me to take some photos and gave us wonderful advice on where to have lunch. If you are looking for a specific Fons and Porter publication or quilting tool, than this is the place...although some of us (who will remain nameless) have pretty much all of their special tools and accessories. We all managed to find some treasures to take home...and I found some great bargain fabrics...and we each found an issue of Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting magazine in with our purchases (a gift from the shop!). Although this shop is a small space, it packs a good punch and we had a wonderful time!

We stepped inside another shop on the square and did a little looking, then we were off to a recommended place called "The Cellar" for lunch - a coffee house that serves lunch from 11:00 - 2:00. It was a windy and cool outside, so we all had soup and a sandwich...and the soup was Savory Portobello...yummy!  After lunch we headed back to West Des Moines...and I just *had to* stop to take photos of a barn quilt, just before reaching Bevenington, Iowa. Once back in Des Moines, we visited a couple favorite shops (and a new shop called Hinge) in Valley Junction...then of course went to Scratch Cupcakery for cupcakes (where I got to open some early birthday gifts from Mary). It was a perfect day....

Today, it is back to work (and reality)....I have charting to do....photography to take care of...a pile of paperwork and correspondence....and more items to list in my Etsy shop...part two of the mystery sampler is in printing production....and my embroidery machine is humming. Tonight, I am taking a painting class at The Social Canvas with my dear friend Lorrie - this is our first time visiting this new local artistic business, where you can enjoy an (adult) beverage while doing an acrylic paining project - they supply all the materials (canvases, paint, brushes, easels, and aprons)...and the class lasts about 2.5 hours. We are taking the "Love Tree" class and I plan on enjoying a glass of red wine while I paint my Valentine tree....

A Grand Unveiling

(L-R) Me, Merry, and Monica with our GO! Mini Totes adorned
with special wool flowers the AccuQuilt team made for us....

Are you enjoying your peek inside my prize-winning trip to Nebraska? - well, today I thought I would share with you the actual Barn Quilt Unveiling. For those of you who are new to my blog, AccuQuilt holds a Barn Quilt Design Contest each year (2012 marks the third year for this creative competition)...the basic premise - design a barn quilt block for display at AccuQuilt's Headquarters. Being born and raised in Iowa, I definitely have rural ties and a fondness for barn quilt designs...in fact, I have entered blocks in the contest all three years (to learn a little bit more about the barn quilt movement visit: http://www.accuquilt.com/barnquilt/facts.html).  Over 100 prizes were awarded this year - including $25 in AccuQuilt Rewards Points to each entry that made it to the Top 100 Blocks. The Top 100 Blocks were narrowed down to 10 by the voting public (a special thank to those who voted!)...and believe it or not, there were more than 25,000 votes....then the winner was chosen from the Top 10 by a panel of celebrity quilting judges. Well, imagine my shock and delight when I won the grand prize this year!! My prize included a $1,000 AccuQuilt Shopping Spree (yeah, I will definitely be putting it to good use - I just have to narrow down my wishlist of more than 50 dies!) and a trip for myself and a friend to the Barn Quilt Unveiling  Event and the 2nd Annual Let’s GO! Quilt Retreat in Fremont, NE....yes, you all know I was in "heaven". The last couple days I shared all about the retreat and the VIP tour of AccuQuilt's new headquarters...and today, I am sharing with you the Barn Quilt Unveiling Ceremony.

Lining up inside AccuQuilt Headquarters
 to meet Alex Anderson...

Two large buses full of exuberant quilters loaded up on Main Street in Freeport, IL on Friday morning to travel in style to the Barn Quilt Unveiling. Country Traditions got everyone excited during the ride by handing out a pair of quilting sunglasses to each attendee - seriously - the lenses had quilt blocks printed on them...and the frames have a quilt block on each side. As we arrived at AccuQuilt, we could see a large tent for the outdoor events and of course my winning quilt block (17' x 17'), which was completely covered by a blue tarp until the unveiling. Excitement was brewing, as we were all going to be meeting celebrity quilter Alex Anderson (you know, from the long-running HGTV television show Simply Quilts)!! Upon departing the buses, we were each given one of Alex's books, so we could get an autograph...then we all set out to enter the building and line up to meet one of the biggest stars in the quilting world. What a treat it was to watch Alex in action - she was so generous with her time, posed for photographs with each attendee, signed everyone's memorabilia...and the smile never left her face, which is a true testament to her gracious and kind personality! I watched Alex on Simply Quilts for years and she has always been a "friend in my head", so to meet her was a true honor.

After the meet-and-greet we headed through the warehouse to the big tent outside...and who did we run into immediately?? - Steve Nabity, CEO of AccuQuilt...who took the time to pose for photographs - and even had the idea to climb up onto the combine on display (for those of you without a farming background - a combine is a machine that harvests grain crops) for a fun photo op with me and a couple of my friends (special thanks to Lee Nakamoto at AccuQuilt for taking this photo with my camera to commemorate the moment)!

(Top to Bottom) Steve Nabity, me, Monica, Merry

...and here is a photo of (L-R) Steve Nabity, me, my friend Merry, and Greg Gaggini (president of AccuCut - sister company of AccuQuilt - a whole new branch of addiction)...don't they look great in their cowboy hats and boots?! (Thanks to Monica for taking the photo with my camera!)

Then it was time to have a seat in the tent for the start of the unveiling event (and you guessed it - I was in the center of the front row!) - first Steve spoke to the crowd...then he introduced Alex Anderson for her presentation. Steve addressed the audience wearing a pair of the "quilt sunglasses" we received on the bus...and I managed to get a great candid shot of Alex sitting off to the side (with her signature smile), next to all the great door prizes. Alex's presentation was delightful - she spoke about her history in quilting (right from the beginning), with an amazing slideshow of personal photographs...she talked about her family...and she encouraged each and every quilter in the audience to continue their creative path, grow, and even step "outside their box"....her passion and enthusiasm for quilting was evident...and her warm, inviting personality captivated the entire audience...the entire presentation touched me.

After Alex inspired everyone in attendance, it was time for Linda at AccuQuilt to talk about the Barn Quilt Contest and announce the winners - first she brought up Carol, the 2nd runner-up winner to the stage...and then she announced me. Both Carol and I had been warned we would be given the microphone for a few words - 30 seconds to be precise - and I was actually prepared...in fact, I knew exactly what I wanted to say...but when the time came, she only asked me about my block and I didn't have a chance to say what I had planned. So, for those of you reading, here goes - I really wanted to thank everyone at AccuQuilt - everyone at Country Traditions - my fun fellow retreat attendees - and all the voters who so kindly voted for my block for making this trip a dream come true...then I wanted to take the last of my 30 seconds to take a photo of the crowd so I could remember the moment - I wanted to have everyone wave at me/my camera....in all actuality, I didn't get to say any of that or ask the crowd to wave, but I did get a good photo of the crowd before they dispersed to help celebrate the moment.

I enjoyed seeing everyone scurry out to see the unveiling of my quilt block - the crowd formed all around the display and we waited anxiously for the tarp to be removed....

And when the tarp got caught in the upper corners, we continued to wait...until the hero (Greg Gaggini from AccuCut) made his way to the roof of the building with a long piece of wood to free the tarp from the corners...and the suspense continued to build...

Finally, the tarp fell free and my winning quilt block was unveiled! For me, it was kind of a surreal moment...the 17' x 17' block seemed HUGE...and even more exciting, it will be on display for all to see for an entire year....

The tarp breaks free....

Alex Anderson poses with me under my quilt block...

Another shot with Alex Anderson...

Posing for a photo - (L-R) Carol Johnson (runner-up), Steve Nabity, and me...

After the unveiling - (L-R) Carol, Steve, Me

It was a "postcard day" with clear blue skies and a nice breeze...a little warm, but perfect for the unveiling. After my block was revealed, we headed back to the tent for lunch (a delicious plate of barbecue), while door prizes were handed out to very lucky recipients throughout the crowd. It was a lovely way to spend the day...and before I knew it, the event was ending. I guess I better start early on my contest submissions for next year, because I definitely want to do this all over again....and next year the celebrity quilting guest will be Ricky Tims (how awesome is that?!)!

A HUGE thank you: to everyone who voted for my winning quilt block, to everyone at AccuQuilt who made this such an AMAZING experience, to Alex Anderson for making the trip and being so gracious and kind, to everyone at Country Traditions for throwing the BEST retreat EVER, and to all the retreat attendees and  barn quilt unveiling guests - you made me smile...and thank YOU for following my journey - it truly was a FABULOUS adventure. 

Tomorrow I will share photos with you from the Omaha Quilters' Guild Show we visited on Friday afternoon...you will not want to miss this portion of my journey - so many breathtaking quilts were on display....