Good morning everyone! Sorry about my little tantrum yesterday. I think when I'm in a funk like that I should just Step. Away. From. The. Computer! ;-) Thanks for all the virtual hugs and encouragement. I went to see the Odd Life of Timothy Green with Sweet Pea. We enjoyed it. I had a good cry. That helped. Oh, yeah. And a couple glasses of wine when I got home. LOL.
And then this morning, I had a text message from Shelly, telling me I was a finalist. For what? I had to think for a minute. I then realized she must be talking about the Texting While Quilting Challenge. I couldn't believe it. I had to go look for myself. But there it was. I really am. I can't believe it. I'm so honored to be amongst the 10 finalists. There are some pretty amazing blocks in there! Go check it out! This news this morning went a LONG WAY to cheering me up!
Last weekend, the AQS show was held in Grand Rapids. I went. It was pretty awesome. I took a lot of great photos to show you. But when I was reading the book I bought when I came in the door, it said that you could take photos, but only for personal use. You weren't supposed to put any photos on the Internet unless you got express permission from AQS and the quilt maker. Well, that sorta messes up my plans! So, I'm sorry I don't have more photos to share. I'll share a few, and I'll show you what Sweet Pea and I worked on as a result of our visit!
I did stop by the Primitive Gatherings booth to visit with Linda, The Quilted Pineapple. She was helping them at their booth. She has become such a rock star quilter, quilting for Lisa Bongean, the owner of Primitive Gatherings. Very exciting. I haven't seen Linda in so long. It was really good to see her again. We need to get together when we can actually talk, Linda!
I went by the Come Quilt With Me booth and saw my Lincoln's Watch quilt on display. Pat told me it was a hit, and she had to tell people to quilt touching my quilt. Haha. She said some of my friends came by and took photos. Thanks, guys!
One of the highlights of the weekend for me was meeting my friend Maggie in real life. I have "known" Maggie for at least 4 years now, maybe more, via the Internet. But we have never met in real life. I told Maggie I credit her for me having a blog. I met her through The Quilt Show website. I put up some show and tells on a block-of-the-month program, and Maggie was kind enough to comment. I did the same for her work. We would strike up conversations, and just got along well. (Before I joined The Quilt Show, I never would have believed I would have virtual friends. But Maggie changed all that for me. But that's a whole other post.) When I moved away from Idaho to Michigan, I was so lonely for quilting friends that I really relied on my "virtual friends" to give me that social outlet. Maggie was just a wonderful support for me. So, I was really happy to meet her. She is an amazing quilter, too, by the way. She had a quilt accepted in Paducah last year! Maggie, thank you for your friendship over the years! I had a blast meeting you and having dinner with you and your husband!
I actually had a bunch more to show you...some pictures of a project Sweet Pea and I did together. I had it all written up, with photos and everything. But Sweet Pea forbade me from posting it. She said, "Mom, that's private. Just between you and me." So, there you have it. Sorry!
Well, I sure hope you're having a good day. I'm having a better day today. ;-) Have a wonderful weekend!
Until next time,
Hip, hip, hooray!!! I know, I went on Amy's blog this morning and saw you were in!!! Hooray!!! I feel like in a very small way, I am apart of this. I so enjoyed hearing your thoughts as to what to design! Keep you head up, I've got your back!!!!!!
Posted by: Brooke | August 31, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Congratulations on being a finalist, Stephanie!!!! That is really awesome!!! I think you are going to win!! Yours is my favorite, but I may be a bit biased. :-) Thanks for the shout out. Yikes on that photo!!! LOL!!!!! Seriously, sweet chin. Yes, I agree we HAVE to get together!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Linda | August 31, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Ya know hon, maybe your mood coloured how you felt about your little quilt....because really, it's brilliant. I hope you win!
Bummer on the no pics, but so glad you got to meet up with Linda and Maggie.
Posted by: Allie | August 31, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Sweet Pea is so cute. Mini-me sometimes says "Do NOT put this on Facebook!" It's hard to resist when they're so darn cute.
Posted by: Jana | August 31, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Forgot to mention, your Lincoln's Watch looks awesome!!!!
Posted by: Linda | August 31, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Congratulations to you!
I am such a dense-head that I forgot to take a picture of the beautiful Linda! What a great photo! That was an awesome quilt show and I feel a great success:)
Posted by: Sue | August 31, 2012 at 03:03 PM
Congrats on making the top ten! Looks like a fun quilt show, especially seeing your beautiful quilt on display. How fun to get together with your friend in real life. You even have matching shirts!
Posted by: terriaw | August 31, 2012 at 03:40 PM
Congrats on being a finalist! I know the AQS show was wonderful and you got to see Linda and your beautiful quilt. I would love to meet you two!
And thanks to Bonnie for you having a blog!
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | August 31, 2012 at 04:30 PM
OMG, I was ao amazed when I went to the site and saw your block. Swaney Equipment and Vanourny Implement just leaped out at me and brought tears to my eyes. And what a beautiful block! You captured the essence of the great state of Iowa with the sun setting over gently rolling hills that are exactly the color of kernels of corn mixed with wheat! I hope if some of the judges are from the Midwest, they can see that. What an artist with fabric you are. I am so proud of you!
Posted by: PegVan | August 31, 2012 at 05:30 PM
I have to add one more comment. I showed your dad your block, and he said first it was beautiful, and second, it reminded him of a Grant Wood painting! I agree - so beautiful and so artistic. You should win the competition hands down!
Posted by: PegVan | August 31, 2012 at 05:36 PM
Congratulations on being a finalist! I love your block. Enjoyed seeing the AQS pictures too. Wish i had gone and then i could have seen your quilt in person! Beautiful quilt.
Posted by: carolld | August 31, 2012 at 07:54 PM
Congratulations! All the finalist blocks are great! Stiff competition!
Posted by: Lynn | August 31, 2012 at 08:46 PM
Your block is so different than all the others. So...organic.
Posted by: Terri | September 01, 2012 at 03:21 AM
Your block is the best of the bunch! I love the look and the message! And it was so great to get to meet you!!! Wayne thinks you are pretty awesome!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | September 01, 2012 at 07:24 AM
Nice block! And your Lincoln's Watch quilt looks great in the booth. AND you got to meet Maggie! I haven't been on The Quilt Show site for a while but I remember how sweet she was to always comment on my quilt progress during the 2009 BOM - I'm just now starting to quilt that quilt :-)
Posted by: Deb | September 05, 2012 at 12:06 AM