challenge accepted . . .

Shoulder recovery continues to go well . . . I'm still in the sling, which makes typing difficult.  So consider this post a labor of love!  ;)

Our guild -- Heritage Quilters of Huntsville -- helds its bi-annual challenge show at the July meeting, which was last Thursday, July 19th. 

The challenge, Stitchin' the Blues, was introduced in November and involved creating a quilt using only blue and white fabrics, maintaining size parameters, and keeping projects top secret.  Which for me was the HARDEST part! But since the show has come and gone, let the revealing commence!

I had an idea almost the minute the challenge was introduced.  Seriously, when I came home from the guild meeting that evening, I sat down at my laptop and came up with this basic concept . . .

Which eventually morphed into this finished piece . . .

(the front -- one of my favorite things about this quilt 

is that the musical notes play out a classic blues riff)

(the back, which I love almost as much as the front)

(the label, which I printed)

Y'all, I expected with seventy-plus entries of small quilts in blue and white, that the exhibit would be impressive.  I was blown away by just how impressive it was in actuality!  Here are a couple of shots of the exhibit and a few of my favorite entries (my photos are not up to par...I was taking them one-handedly and it shows!):

photo by Pam A.

photo by Teresa C.

Here's a closeup of the center of that one:

And now for the money shot . . .

You see that goofy grin? I was incredibly humbled and thrilled that out of all those gorgeous quilts, mine was chosen to be one of the top ten of the exhibit.  On top of that, I think I nearly broke into tears when it was announced my piece, Blue Melody, took second place in interpretation of the theme! Giddy, giddy, giddy!  It was a lovely evening -- one I had the pleasure of sharing with my mom!

I'm going to make a quilter of her yet!! It was a good choice for her first guild meeting. :)

And each participant received a lovely gift ... a beautifully handmade blue and white apron. The challenge committee made these.  Isn't it pretty?  I *adore* toile.

The perfect momento!

This was the best guild challenge experience I've had (and that's prior to the ribbon winning).  I enjoyed the process, finally understood what a challenge was (an upcoming A Quilter's Journey article coming on that), and felt like my finished piece exceeded my expectations.  A terrific--albeit challenging--experience!

:)