Six years ago, I mentioned on the blog I would love to digitize all fifty state birds and flowers, but the idea seemed overwhelming. Then the comment came in– well, why not just do one every two weeks and slowly go through them? So that’s exactly what I did…

…and there it is!

The quilt is now off to two AQS shows in Hartford, CT and Paducah, KY. I saw the list of accepted quilts and in my category, there are 60– it’s about a quarter of the entire show! The field is also full of multiple award winning quilters. In spite of that, I don’t think my quilt is an embarrassment and there’s quite a few awards I’m hopeful to be considered for.

First up– the “Heaviest Quilt” award will be mine, hands down. I hope they have some big guys at the show to hoist this baby up. When I get it back, I would be wise to add a warning label– ATTENTION: SLEEPING UNDER THIS QUILT MAY CAUSE SUFFOCATION.

Then– I certainly should be considered for “Best Rendering of Mount Rushmore at a Reduced Size.” Yep– it’s one of the accomplishments in this quilt I am most proud of.

Finally, if we could only convince AQS to hang the quilts facing the wall, Best in Show would surely be mine for the label. Machine embroidery, for the win!

Pride comes before a fall, right?! While taking the photographs, I slipped and fell on the ice! My shoulder got the brunt of it and I had to cancel some celebratory plans I had today. I can’t raise my left arm above my waist, so I’m afraid I might have torn something. (Don’t worry– I checked and I can still get food into my mouth.) At least my quilt didn’t tear, although it went flying into a (clean) 😅 snow bank. I’m trying to avoid a doctor visit for now– we’ll see where we are in a few days.

So that’s it for Carefree Highways– thanks are in order to all who listened to me for the whole month– you also deserve a ribbon! Blog readership is down, needless to say… 🤣 but I’m happy I entered the show or I probably would never have finished it– there were many difficult parts that warranted shelving it. Now you won’t have to hear about it again until April, when I go to the Hartford show. xox.

In the meantime, I am FREE– it’s so great to think about digitizing new designs, finishing up A Year on Sugar Meadow, and getting back to some fun sewing.

I did move along some more Posh Penelope blocks, but I’m wondering if I will make it to my sewing day next week with this shoulder. Cutting more pieces may be tough. I’m really loving the white backgrounds most, but I still want a mix. It’s a good moment to take stock of which backgrounds to cut for the next batch– I haven’t done any blue yet.

And the cross stitch stocking is coming along– we have a tree!

Hoping I can muddle forward with my bum shoulder, but maybe a couple of days of rest are just what I need.

xox
Carol