The Shock of My Life

If you've been reading my posts, I mentioned yesterday that I would be attending the Machine Quilter's Showcase at the Overland Park Convention Center. I entered two quilts in the show. This morning, on the first full day of the three-day event, I went to the show by myself. First thing, I wandered the aisles, admiring gorgeous longarm quilted quilts, one after another.

When I reached the last aisle, I spied my Snowflake Medallion quilt, and was thrilled to see a ribbon attached to it. Hoping for an Honorable Mention, I peered closely and nearly fainted when I saw this.

When I stepped away, emitting garbled squeals, I saw this.

Oh my goodness! That's when the tears began to flow, and I dropped to my knees! Literally. I couldn't stand up for the shock. I didn't have friend or family with me, so the lovely women who happened to be standing nearby during my break-down were there to talk with me, and offered to take my picture.

I still can't believe it.

Snowflake Medallion, 77" X 77"
Domestic machine-quilted on a Pfaff Grand Quilter with wool batting and Sulky thread

After calling my husband and then my friend, Lola, it occurred to me to check my other entry. Another shocker... another ribbon!  

Second place!

"Life is a Celebration: Nature" 22" X 28"

Eventually, about an hour later it occurred to me that I ought to find out if I won anything. After a bit of investigating - and MQS staffers' inquiries as to why I didn't attend the awards ceremony the previous night (I knew nothing about it!) - I learned what I won. More tears!

For the Best of Show "Snowflake Medallion" quilt I won a Bernina Aurora QE 440 sewing machine! That's the one that includes a BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) which I've never used, and a walking foot. Myron Schwery, owner of Bernina Sewing Center of Overland Park was the nice man whose shoulder I cried on, again.

For the second place "Life is a Celebration: Nature" quilt I won $300 worth of YLI thread! Nancy in the YLI Thread booth helped me select a variety of cone-sized threads - cotton solids, cotton variegated, and polyesters, in assorted weights for piecing and quilting. 

I'll humbly say that these honors go a long way toward affirming any doubts I've had about my free motion quilting. The possibilities should serve to remind all of us who domestic machine quilt that we can compete with the "big girls."

After spending the whole day at the show, wearing my "Winner" and "Winner" ribbons on my badge, looking at other quilts, encountering a few quilters I know, phoning and texting friends, and generally walking on air, I returned home with my prizes. What a day! Whew. I hope I can sleep tonight!

And tomorrow is quilt market! Linda