First Place Finish

My "Painting the Roses Red" quilt won 1st place, Art Innovative at the Utah Quilt Fest Show last week. The Utah Quilt Guild covers all of Utah, parts of Nevada, and parts of Idaho. Plus, many quilters from other states come with family who are part of this state guild. 

First Place Ribbon, Art Innovative, Utah Quilt Festival Quilt Show

I was so surprised when my name was announced as a winner, but so so happy.

My quilt came back from the AQS Show just in time for me to send it off to this show.  At the AQS Show, my quilt was part of a group showing. We made it to the semifinals, but didn't place. That is okay--I'm was just so excited my quilt was going to a national show.

Disclaimer: My quilt was competing in the beginner category as I had never won a blue ribbon before. From now on, I'll have to compete at the champion level. So, this might be my first and last blue ribbon. Gotta enjoy it while I can.

I'm a Winner!

Look what I won at my company's Christmas Party! 

New TV

It's been 2 days, but I'm still in shock.

Wednesday night was the yearly Nu Skin Employee party. They always put on a big bash and a lot of prizes. I go every year hoping my name is called, but never hear my name. I almost didn't even go to the party. S had a wrestling match that night, it is FREEZING cold outside, and my name is never called anyways! The family all went to the wrestling match together--S did really good. After the match, R took the kids home and I drove to the party by myself. The entire drive there I thought to myself "Why am I even going? I'm cold. I'm tired. I don't really care about the entertainment this year. My name is never called. But I know if I don't go it will be the year my name is called.  But by going, I'm sure my name won't be called." 

This year, they brought in LeAnn Rimes. I got there for the last three songs she performed. Then, the prizes started. They gave out all sorts of fun and awesome things. (They always do!) The very last prize they had was a 60" TV. I sat there thinking "That is huge!" They pulled a name from the basket and said "If your name has the initials of A and B this might be you." I still didn't think it would be me as it never is. Then they said MY name! MY NAME! I was shocked.

I couldn't believe it! I won a 60" TV! Me! I was shaking the whole time I was on the stage and a good 30 minutes after.

They asked how long I've worked there: 14 years next month

I was asked how many times I've been on stage: First time

What department did I work in: The call center

Then, they wanted me to sing for my prize: Wait. What?

Steve told me it would be the gracious thing to do.

I sang the first line of "Il est né le devin enfant," and Truman answered by singing the second line. 

This TV is so big, I couldn't get it home that night. The HR lady running the show said she'd take it to her office and I could get it from her the next day. I had to take out the back seats of my minivan and then even lift the middle seats up to fit the box in my van! 

R set up the TV last night. He is so excited, I can't even tell you. Just two weeks ago he was talking about getting a new and bigger TV. We had a 42" TV, which I thought just the right size for our small home. He wanted bigger. Well, he got his wish.

3rd Place Viewers Choice

I made this block for the Utah Quilt Festival's Save the Boobies Fundraiser.

Flower Quilt Block

The Fundraiser works by selling a Fat Eighth of fabric. Each person then makes a 12" finished block of their choice using that fabric. This year's theme was flowers. I found this pattern on craftsy.com.  You can find it here. At Quilt Festival, everyone then votes on their favorite block. There were 70+ blocks.  The blocks are then made into items to sell. They make money from selling the fabric and from selling the finished products. Funds raised go to support a women's hospital in Southern Utah.

I won 3rd place! 

 

Isn't this a cute prize?

Linked up at Anything Goes Monday at Stitch by Stitch.

Linked up at Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.

Linked up at Paper Piecing Party at Quite Play .

An Award Party?

Conversation with MK last night:
MK: Can I have some watermelon? Will you cut it?
Me: Not yet. It's for the ward party tomorrow night.

Conversation with MK this morning:
MK: *giddy with excitement* Tonight is your award party.
Me: *blank stare wondering what she is talking about--then it hits me* Um, no. Mommy's not getting an award. We are going to a party with our church ward.
MK: *sobers* Oh.
Me: But you're right--Mom does deserve an award.

First Place for My First Quilt

I finally finished my first quilt. It took me forever and a day, but I did it and love it.

I made it for C. I named it "Stars of Glory."

Here is a close up:

Stars of Glory Quilt

Here is the entire quilt, well, as much as I could get with the camera:

Stars of Glory Quilt

Mom convinced me to enter into the Eagle Mountain Quilt show and I won First Place in the Beginners Category. WOW! At first, I wondered just how many were entered. Did I win 1st place out of 2? But, there were actually quite a showing. I couldn't believe it.

C was so funny about the quilt. When I found out it won, I told him about it and that we'd go and see all the quilts. Later that day, C called R and told him, "Dad. The quilt mom and I made won First Place!" Yes, he's taking credit for the win.

I've made a quilt for S as well. Same fabrics, just different pattern. I haven't figured out what to name it yet. Haven't completely finished it yet.

Barbed Stars Quilt

Don't worry. I didn't forget about MK. I've found an AWESOME quilt pattern of butterflies (her favorite) but in the meanwhile, I'm doing this pinwheel one for her.

Pinwheel Block

I'm having fun with my new hobby. I've set up my "sewing room" in a small strip of house between the kitchen table and the back of the couch. I have to commandeer the table when I sew.