Kona Challenge Winners!

I'm a member of the newly formed Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild. Back at our March meeting, each member received a charm pack of Robert Kaufman Kona Solids, in one of four colorways: classic, bright, dusty, or pastel. We then agreed on the following parameters for the challenge:

-Use at least 30 of the charms in the package (there were 41-46 in the packs, depending on the colorway)
-At least half of the charm must be used
-Overall circumference must equal at least 120"
-May use up to (3) additional Kona solids
-Entries must be bound, backed, and quilted (no quilt tops).
-If not all your own work (i.e. quilted by someone else), provide credit.

Submissions were due at our June meeting, where we were able to view and photograph all of the quilts. Then, prior to July's meeting, two winners were selected: a guild choice, chosen through the anonymous votes of our guild members; and a judges' choice, selected by Jill and Marny at Modern Quilt Relish. Jill and Marny were sent photos of all of the quilts, including full and close-up views, but did not know the names or identities of who completed them.

And now, our winners:

(l top and bottom): Judges' Choice winner Natalie and (r top and bottom): Guild Choice winner Jenna!

There were a lot of great entries.  Here are the others:

1. Emily 2. Ginia 3. LeeAnn 4. Kathy 5. Angie 6. Lucinda 7. Lisa 8. Debbie 9. Carol 10. Brenda 11. Ann

Unfortunately for me, my sewing machine decided to stop working the week before our quilts were due.  The good news is that it turned out to be an easy fix without a huge expense.  The bad news is that I was unable to finish my entry.  I am still planning to finish it--stay tuned for photos.

Be sure to check out the Flickr pool to see all of the other Kona solids challenge quilts from guilds everywhere.

Thanks to Jill and Marny of Modern Quilt Relish for judging; Brenda, our president, for organizing; Emily, for help with prize procurement; Debbie, for soliciting our fabulous guest judges; and of course, all of the guild members who entered. It was so much fun to see what everyone came up with!

Have a great weekend!

~Anna

A few Summer Quilt Alongs

There are a number of fun quilt-alongs happening in blogland lately, it has been hard to choose which ones to join! Or rather, how to limit myself to a reasonable number without going crazy. I've finally decided on two of them, and as for the rest, I'm enjoying reading about how the others are progressing. Here are a few to check out:

Summer Sampler Quilt Along
Farmer's Wife Quilt Along
Rockin' Robin Quilt Along
Warm Cool Quilt Along

Recently Completed but still worth a look--(instructions are posted on all of these sites, so you can still complete them on your own)
Bottled Rainbows Ticker Tape quilt-along
Supernova Quilt Along

So I have decided on two quilt along projects for the summer (for now...:). First, the Kaleidoscope Quilt Along with Don't Call Me Betsy, and, as a bit of a more long-term project, the Double Wedding Ring Quilt Along with The Plaid Scottie. My machine was in the shop for a few days, and then we were out of town last weekend, so I got a little behind on sewing. I'm trying to get caught up this week. For the DWR, I finished getting my arcs printed and cut out, and am now trying to decide on fabric. I'm considering using some of the new Joel Dewberry Heirloom line when it comes out, but I also have my eye on some Hope Valley my friend Brenda has in stock in her shop...

I'm a little further along with the Kaleidoscope QAL. I have the main fabric cut out with the kaleidoscopes sewn to the triangles. Next I need to cut out my background fabric and start piecing. I spent some time this morning working on possible layouts:

Option A: squares


Option B: stars


Option C: kaleidoscopes


Option D: scrappy


What do you think?