Woo Hoo my Missouri Splendor aka Baltimore Album Quilt, was awarded Best of Show at our local county fair. This Saturday it is being entered into the Ozark Empire Fair. I still enjoy competition. I have a friend who has expressed some negativity about competition quilts as looking for approval or filling some void. That’s okay she can have those thoughts and feelings. I still enjoy it. I remember early on in my quilting life (novice is a better description) going to the Minnesota State Fair, if you have never gone I recommend it, and standing in awe at the quilts and admiring them. The skillfulness in which they were made encouraged and challenged me to pursue classes from various instructors to learn different techniques and improve my own skillset. I have to admit that I traveled to California to take classes and specifically took a tour at the DAR Museum to study early applique quilts. These early quilters were my mentors and I am thankful for having been exposed to their work. Without those positive influences and encouragement and viewing competition quilts I may not have become the quilter I am today.
I recently received a compliment that I am holding dear to my heart about admiring my quilts and hoping to become as skilled as I have. That compliment reminded me of my own journey, viewing quilt shows, the state fair and other exhibitions and my mentors along the way of achieving a Best of Show award and I smiled and thought to myself if I can be a positive influence and encourage any one to pursue the art of quilt making or improve upon their skillset then I would gladly become a mentor for someone.
Afternoon Delight a pattern by Sue Garman is also completed and has been assigned a new name, “Oh My Giddy Aunt”. She is complete and this time I will be quilting her on my Q16.
Currently under my needle is a Jen Kingwell pattern, Golden Days. Challenging with many curved pieced blocks. I have made a Drunkards Path quilt before but I hand pieced it. I am challenging myself with the different curved blocks to machine piece them. The offset is there are lots a applique blocks to relieve the anxiety of curved piecing.
Still working on my To Do list for this year. The happy news is finishing Golden Days and Moda Blockheads 3 will complete my list of quilt tops to make for 2022. I will then start quilting them and hopefully have them done by the end of the year so that 2023’s list can get started. Yes, I already have that list put together.
Also on my list for 2022 was a cute little Pickle Dish pattern. I paper pieced it and modified to the border but also used fabrics from my 1990’s feed sack repro fabrics. This top is also completed and added to the to be quilted stack.
This time of year I notice all the colorful wildflowers of Missouri. I am particularly drawn to this vibrant orange flower. I do not know its name but I enjoy its beauty. And notice the lovely little purple companion flower, don’t they make a nice couple.
Well off to quilt a baby doll quilt for a friend. Happy quilting everyone and stay inside and cool as our temps are soring to triple digits this week.
Have a blessed day.
Sissy Malone
Appliquenut 