Quilting Mod Challenge #1: The Competitors

In case you are late to the party, I issued a challenge. Here's the general synopsis. Those accepting the challenge must include Art Gallery Round Elements in a finished project of their choice. Additional fabrics from any manufacturer or collection are allowed. Participants must write a blog post featuring their completed creation and join the linky party at Quilting Mod Oct.1-7.  Challengers must follow the Quilting Mod blog. Progress shots are encouraged, and should be tagged @quiltingmod and #QMChallenge on social media. Let me know if you'd like to join in the fun in the comments below. You can acquire the challenge fabric at Fat Quarter Shop, Hawthorne Threads, Pink Castle Fabrics, and The Intrepid Thread. There will be prizes too (more on that later)!

Now, let me introduce the roster of challengers to date.
Susan Flemming of Super Mom No Cape @supermomnocape
Melanie Call of Mostly Crafty @mellierc
Connie Campbell of Free Motion by The River @freemotionbytheriver
Betty Cruikshank of Sew What Now
Sharon Parcel of Yellow Cat Quilt Designs @punkydoodle53
Jayne Willis of Twiggy & Opal @twiggyandopal
Renee of Quilts of a Feather
I can't wait to see what these talented ladies devise for their fabrics!

Save

A Look Inside Handiquilter

If you ever had the chance to peek inside a factory to see how they make the magic happen, where would it be? Now, I know what you're thinking...

I had an opportunity almost like that. Except it wasn't a chocolate factory, it was Handi Quilter! My golden ticket came in the form of an invitation from some very welcoming members of the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild. Did you know they meet at Handi Quilter headquarters?

What's more, it a veritable gallery in there!

Handi Quilter Ambassador Luke Haynes was the current featured artist, but certainly not the only quilter with work lining the walls.

Tickling the Ivories, Quilting the Blues, & Quilting Between the Lines

Every office, every wall, and every hall was adorned with spectacularly quilted works of art. 

Honestly, in my vision of utopia, this is as it should be.

Every employee had their own favorite.

And really, how could you go wrong? They were all incredible!

Zen Garden by Margaret Solomon Gunn

I'll show you some of the wondrous creations so long as you don't make me pick a singular favorite.

Sea Glass by Margaret Solomon Gunn

Closer, you say?

Sea Glass by Margaret Solomon Gunn

These blues really speak to me. And the quilting? Yes!

Nine Blocks by Marie Eldredge

I loved Handiquilter Studio Educator Marie Eldridge's pieces. They had such intricate quilting, I could just stare, and stare...

Big Dot Garden by Marie Eldridge

And I did! Then, I pulled out the camera to save a few shots for posterity.

Straight Curves by Marie Eldridge

Then I contemplated how much fawning over Marie could tolerate before being totally creeped out.

Outer Limits by Marie Eldridge

Because she was there, and super cool!

As was, Angela Walters, who made me get in the picture too, so it would be less stalker-y. So here's my picture-with-a-famous-person-so-I-look-cool-too photo. Except, I am ridiculous, and there's no disputing it. But I digress...

Finally, I wallowed in a little self-pity I don't live in Salt Lake, and I can't make it to SLMQG meetings. But not for long, because there was too much to see!

Quilts of Valor by Jodi Robinson

Both of my two brothers are mechanical engineers. I also have genetic predisposition that makes me want to take stuff apart to see how it works. Seeing this made me giddy!

Just look at all those bins of teeny, tiny parts.

I was like...

It was like a robot army of long-arms. (Perhaps I should watch fewer sci-fi movies.)

There was place for the machines to work out before they get shipped off.

Speaking of shipping, they have that under wrap--bubble wrap, to be exact.

Dang! They lost another intern. Alright, not really. This fella is their mascot.

I'm partial to another skeleton though, Frank by Cathy Wiggins. I remember her fantastic leather work at Houston Quilt Festival.

There's a fantastic classroom for long-armers attending HQU retreats.

Those preferring sit-down machines aren't left out either. Did you know Handiquilter is making domestic machines now too? So tempting...

I think they need an ambassador for this new, HQ Stitch line, and I've got just the person in mind. I'll give you a hint: she's ridiculous.

SaveSaveSaveSave

Quilting Mod Challenge #1

I'm throwing down the gauntlet! In other words, I'm issuing you a challenge. Here's the low-down.

Update: My fabric allotment has been claimed. If you'd still like to participate, see #7.

1. I will mail you FREE fabric! You'll receive twelve fat eights of Art Gallery Fabrics Round Elements. In return, I'm asking you to create a finished work including at least some of the fabric and link up from Oct. 1-7. There will be prizes (TBA)!

2. Tag your progress on social media with @quiltingmod and #QMChallenge.

2.  You will need to have a blog so you can create a post to link in October.

3. You must follow the Quilting Mod blog via e-mail, Feedly, or Bloglovin' so you don't miss challenge announcements.

4. You can create whatever finished project you'd like: bag, table runner, apron, dress, quilt, etc.

5. You are free to add additional fabrics of your choice. They do not need to be within the collection.

6. Due to shipping costs, I'm reluctantly restricting the fabric to U.S. postal address only. 

7. I have a limited amount of fabric and shipping budget available, so I may not be able to send all interested parties fabric. You may still participate in the linky and be eligible for prizes, but will need to provide you own fabric.

8. If you are interested, please leave a comment below expressing your interest. If you are a no-reply blogger, include your e-mail so I can contact you for mailing information. By doing so, you agree that you will make an item with the fabric and link up during the first week in October. You will be asked to reimburse me for fabric and shipping if you neglect to make something by the link up party.

I hope you'll join the fun!