New Mexico State Fair 2018

New Mexico has a generous quantity of quilting talent. I'm always reminded of this when I attend local shows and the annual state fair in Albuquerque. I'd love to share a few of my personal favorites. I'd share the BBQ and pie too, except you weren't quite fast enough. Don't ask my husband; he'll tell you that's a lie. I'm really terrible at sharing dessert.

Anyhow, I better get to the quilts before I head to the kitchen. The following is the Best Miniature Quilt by Carol Johnson, and I'm going to hedge a bet that the Lil' Twister Pinwheel Ruler was involved. Ah yes, you can find the pattern for Twister Shimmer at the Quilt Moments website.

This is one doggone adorable quilt, and also Lori Box's Best of Show Machine Quilt.

Sandy Portlock received Best Wall Hanging for her version of Laura Heine's Perfect Form Dress Form.

So many ribbons were placed on Sandy Greenfield's Mariner's Compass designed by Judy Niemeyer, including Best of Show Machine Quilt and Best of Show Machine Quilt, that it's a good thing it's a very large quilt.

The quilting had very detailed motifs.

I appreciate how the quilting compliments the piecing, without detracting from the intricate foundation paper-pieced elements.

Here's more because it's just so pretty.

Keeping with the theme of circular designs, Kathrin Hain presented a Minimalist perspective with her Best Modern Quilt winner.

Now we're three for three in the realm of circular quilts with Deebee Risvold's Best Professional Quilt award for her Fandango.

 Vivian Phillips took home the best Novelty Quilt award.

 Jeannie Hurt received Best Art Quilt for her beautiful three-dimensional flowers.

Sally William's sharks chomped down a first in Mixed Technique. Her other first was for the Pieced and Machine Quilted category. I also had the pleasure of seeing some of her other work in an art exhibit at the New Mexico Natural History & Science Museum recently.

If there was an award for itty bittiest pebbles, I think she'd have that first locked down as well.

Shown in the middle, Debra Colonne Huser placed third with her Empire Place Quilt designed by Sassafras Lane.

Tori Ros made this Log Cabin, which led to a third place victory in the Pieced by Machine category. I love the tiny blocks and combination of low volume and scrappy fabrics.

I adore Lori Holt's designs, especially Farm Girl Vintage; and Susan Leach's was beautifully pieced and quilted. It placed second in Pieced by Machine.

Elizabeth Hartman's Nessie is taking on a new, humorous life thanks to Juliette Tafoya Leverette, who earned second in the Innovative category.

Alexiz Drager brought home the top honor among the youth for her Red Brolly Aloha Mermaid pillow. It's nice to see all ages participating in quilting.

That's all I managed to catch from the Fair, but I'll be back soon with some more inspiration.

Quick Halloween Crafting

**I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

While I love quilting, sometimes it's nice to balance more extensive sewing projects with some almost-instant gratification, while flexing my creative muscles. 

To get my fix of holiday decor, without breaking the budget (aka still have $ left for a fabric) or making the project too complicated for my kids to help, I headed to Dollar Tree.

I'm pretty sure this cauldron of cuteness took me less than half a minute. I filled one of their trick or treating buckets with white shredded paper. Then I topped it off with some chocolate eyes, table tennis balls (to mimic bubbles), and frog bath toys. You could also trade in the plain table tennis balls for eyeball ones, or add extra items like a rat or spider. The practical thing about this, is that it doubles as a bucket of treats for trick or treaters. Just drop a frog and some candy in their bags as costumed kids come to your door.

Cauldron of Cuteness

My next project involves a glass bowl, a glass candle holder, candies, and a candle. Making this one was as easy as setting the candle in the glass candle holder, and the glass candle holder in the bowl. Then I slid the candy in between the glass candle holder and the bowl, first positioning the larger items, and then filling in with the smaller ones, shaking things around to help them fall into place.

Spooky Filled Candle Bowl

Wonderland Quilt Along: Layout

It's time to pull all our Wonderland Quilt Along blocks together. Grab the layout pattern. First it's a good idea to make sure your blocks haven't shrunk. Trying to stretch them as you piece your top together will make a lumpy, pleated situation later on, so it's best to add in a little now if things are coming up too short.

Unfinished Sizes:
Hookah Hose 20 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Mushroom: 10 1/2" x 20 1/2"
Hookah: 10 1/2" x 20 1/2"
Rabbit: 8 1/2" x 18 1/2"
Bottle: 4 1/2" x  10 1/2"
Cake: 6 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Key: 10 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Teapot: 10 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Teacup: 10 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Suits: 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" each or 6 1/2" x 24 1/2" together
Flamingo: 12 1/2" x 24 1/2"
Roses: 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" each or 8 1/2" x 24 1/2" together
Cheshire: 12 1/2" x 24 1/2"