I’m exhilarated at having Missouri Splendor chosen as Best of Show at the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild show this weekend. There were over 550 quilts entered, not all in the judged categories, but a spectacular collection of creativity and workmanship. I had hoped for some sort of recognition like honorable mention but was quite frankly overwhelmed to have been acknowledged with the highest honor. I have to admit I sometimes have to pinch myself and say yeah, I made that. It is a desire accomplished to have made this quilt. It took 3 years to complete. That is the most asked question to me about it. Hats off also to April Wells whose longarm talents added the icing to the cake so to speak.
I also made and met a new friend who is also as dedicated to hand applique as me.
Here are some quilts that caught my eye at the show. Unfortunately I did not take as many photos as I should have or wanted to, I was still processing having been chosen Best of Show and wasn’t thinking clearly.
I was drawn to this quilt for its creative use of quilting.
If I recall correctly this pattern appeared several years ago in one of the quilting magazines. I was intrigued by it then and mentally filed it away as a possible bucket list quilt. It is still lovely and still draws my attention. I have a wonderful collection of homespun plaids just calling out to me to make this pattern.
Oh be still my heart. Just look at those vibrant colors. I have collected Janet’s books and this has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Love, love love this quilt.
I bow to Kim McClean’s artistic talents. I am such a huge fan of hers. Actually on my to do list for 2023 is her pattern Stars and Sprigs. I previously made her pattern A Boy and A Girl. Combine her patterns with Kaffe Fassett and it’s always a winner in my book.
I apologize for not offering more photos. I got side tracked.
Onward for me is I have finished my TO DO LIST of quilt tops to be made for 2022. Celebration going on here. I have 2 christmas table runners to make which I will fit in between quilting my completed tops. I would like all to be finished by 12/31!!!
These are my most recent finished tops.
This is a Jen Kingwell pattern, Golden Days
This is my version of Moda Blockheads 3. I took the liberty of adding some of my own designed blocks. I graphed out the layout and then made blocks to fit the size I needed. A little bit of creative mental exercise was required at times. But I am mostly pleased with the outcome. At the beginning of the sew a long I chose to use a layer cake by Moda called Fantasy.
Time to let the adrenaline settle down and get back to working on my quilting projects. But in my head I hear this little voice telling me, you are now an award winning quilter. Aaahhhhh that’s so exciting for me. It’s something I have strived towards for years. I feel like I just won a Gold Medal. I sort of did, there’s gold printing on the ribbon, does that qualify?
Happy Stitches All
Sissy Malone
Appliquenut 