The spring 2018 Machine Quilters Showcase New England, Manchester, NH was awesome! I am so humbled that 3 of my quilts were juried into competition and amazed that my Vintage Handkerchiefs took a 3rd Place ribbon in the New Traditions in Textiles category!
New Traditions in Textiles Sponsored by ABM / Innova
3rd Place Vintage Handkerchiefs by Rhonda Dort
2nd Place Solitaire by Bethanne Nemesh
1st Place Mesa Verde Cliff Palace by Kathy Adams and Joanne Baeth
Wondering how the entries were judged? Here’s the judging sheet for Vintage Handkerchiefs:
The other 2 entries and their judging sheets were:
Roses:
and My Pansy Doily Quilt:
Why am I showing you the quilts and their judging sheets? I want you to know what judges are looking for in a quilt show dedicated to the art of machine quilting. Now that you know there’s no mystery, why don’t you consider entering 1 or 2 of your quilts into the next show? Sure it’s scary the first time you enter, but once that’s behind you, the sky’s the limit!
I flew into Boston on Wednesday. My sweet travel agent/chauffeur/quilt show companion and all around awesome friend Kathryn (accompanied by my new friend Jill) picked me up at Logan and it was “off to the races!” Our first stop was at the historical Wayside Inn where we had a fantastic lunch:
We had to said goodbye to Jill after lunch as we were headed to Manchester, NH to the MQX, needing to be at the show venue by 6 pm for the Awards Ceremony.
Thursday (the entire day!) was spent at the show and can I just say the true masters of machine quilting were represented in the amazing quilts. I was so inspired by every piece hanging!
Congratulations to Janet-Lee and Mary, they hosted an awesome show! I know countless hours and many sleepless nights went into the production, their 22nd (or was it 23rd?) show!
Friday found Kathryn and I headed for Center Harbor, NH to shop at Keepsake Quilting and my-oh-my did they have the fabric!
We stopped for a fantastic lunch at the Lakeside Deli & Grill in Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Leaving Meredith, we set out for Henniker, NH to the Quilted Threads quilt shop. What a beautiful and well stocked quilt shop! 3 levels of shopping, classrooms and fabulous Bernina machines of all kinds.
Our last quilt stop of the day was to The Quilted Crow in Bolton, MA. This proved to be a devastating shop-to my wallet… they had the most wonderful selection of fabrics, many of which came back to Houston with me.
Our final stop on Friday was a lovely dinner at Arturo’s Ristorante, Westborough, MA where “Mr. Kathryn” joined us. I was really wanting to speak out loud about my dislike of the Patriots but Mr. Kathryn told me I could easily be booted out the front door by the crowd around us. I pretty much kept my mouth shut… 🙂 If I’d known the Philly Eagles fight song I might have hummed it throughout the meal… just saying…
Saturday we spent the day running here and there, a book store so I’d have something to read on the plane that evening, a fantastic fabric store, lunch at Legal Seafood, a quick tour of part of the route for the Monday Boston Marathon and then it was off to pick up Mr. Kathryn who drove us to the airport for a 5:04 flight that actually left at 6:24 and arrived in Houston way way way behind schedule 😦
It was a wonderful whirlwind trip! Kathryn drove the entire time as I was tanked up on cold meds., she planned the entire trip and I thank her so very much for everything! We are already plotting and scheming out next adventure.
Oh, and a big thank you to Sandra Soni (on the right) as she found me Wednesday evening and here’s our picture together on Thursday afternoon! She’s a fellow FB QuiltingVintage member! Such a super sweet new quilting friend!!
The next MQX is in Springfield, IL, Sept. 27-30, 2018. You’ll want to attend!
Blessings to all and Happy Quilting!
Rhonda
***Of course, what would my blog be if I didn’t give a house update! We are 7.5 months post-flood and while I was away the Master Bedroom closets were finished! Remember the 6 windows that were delivered and only 2 were correct? The remaining 4 are scheduled to arrive Tuesday. The kitchen is scheduled to undergo the necessary repairs and painting maybe next week. We may very well be finished with the house by June. I will be thrilled!
Rhonda Dort 