You guys, I got the acceptance email two days ago, but I couldn't tell anyone about it at first because it seemed so unreal. I had to go to bed, wake up in the morning, and check my email again to make sure it was still there. My Mission Impossible quilt was accepted by the jurists into QuiltCon Together 2021!
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| Just a Glimpse of My Mission Impossible Quilt |
This quilt is my original design, made for my oldest son's high school graduation in 2019 and sized to fit his XL Twin dorm bed when he went off to college. I was definitely NOT thinking that I was making a show quilt when I started... I'm just sharing a glimpse of it in today's post so as not to spoil the fun for those who want to see all of the quilts for the first time when the virtual show rolls around in February. (If you're someone who can't wait, you can scroll back through all of my posts about this quilt by clicking here). I loved the design when I created it in my EQ8 software, and I loved it more and more as I brought the concept to life in fabric and thread. The idea of entering the quilt into QuiltCon 2020 snuck quietly into my mind while I was quilting it, but if I'd entered it in 2020 and it had been accepted, I would have had to take the quilt away from my son to send it off to the show. That wasn't going to happen -- this mama wanted her quilt to be wrapped around her 6' tall "little boy" in his dorm room far from home.
But then the pandemic happened and The Modern Quilt Guild announced that in 2021 they would be hosting a virtual version of the show online, QuiltCon Together. I checked the rules for entry: The quilt must have been made in 2018, 2019, or 2020. Check! I was glad to see that, in the unlikely event that my quilt was chosen to be in the show, I would NOT have to send the actual quilt away, since the event is online only. Good! That means the quilt can stay with my son! To enter, I needed to send in 5 pictures of the quilt, including one straight-on shot of the entire front of the quilt, one straight-on shot of the back of the quilt, one shot of the binding, and two detail shots. Hmmm... I had not taken all of those shots when I photographed the quilt upon completion. So my husband and I drove up to Boone a couple of months ago and I borrowed the quilt back from Lars, hoping it was still presentable after spending a year in his college dorm... Whew! Bless his heart, my son knows how to take good care of a quilt, and it looks just like it did the day I gave it to him. No rips, stains etc. It didn't even stink. Hah!
So we took the photos, put the quilt right back on his dorm bed, and I submitted the pictures with my entry form. I felt a little silly writing an "Artist's Statement" about my quilt, because I'm not really an artist, am I? Looking at my close-up photos of the quilt, I see all the things we quilter's always see when we examine and critique our own work: Oh no, THAT's not perfect! Neither is THAT! If only I'd done a better job with this bit or with that bit...
This is my first time entering ANY kind of quilt show, let alone a major show like QuiltCon that draws entrants and visitors from all around the world. I didn't even enter a quilt in my own local guild's show in 2020 -- because I didn't have any finished quilts to enter that I hadn't already given away. Considering the calibre of work I've seen in QuiltCon in years past -- and the amazing quilts that have not been accepted (check out #QuiltConRejects on Instagram to see what I mean), I'm not expecting a ribbon or anything. Just knowing that my quilt was deemed worthy of inclusion by the jurists is extremely validating. I'm also going to get feedback from the judges, I think, and I'm looking forward to that, too. I wonder if they will mention the same shortcomings that I see when I scrutinize my quilt, or if there are other opportunities for improvement that I'm not even aware of? Regardless, I am on Cloud Nine!
MONDAY
Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
TUESDAY
To-Do Tuesday at Home Sewn By Us
WEDNESDAY
Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
THURSDAY
Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
Free Motion Mavericks with Muv and Andree
FRIDAY
Whoop Whoop Fridays at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More
Finished Or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts
Off the Wall Friday at Nina Marie Sayre
TGIFF Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday, rotates, schedule found here: TGIF Friday
39 comments:
Congratulations!!!! I see I am the first to get on here - this can't have happened to a better person and so glad that your son is taking care of his quilt that speaks highly of him and the training you gave him for being the son of a quilter :)
WoW, congratulations!! You deserve it, your quilt is a beauty! Love the story about taking the photos 😄.
Christmas before time 😉
Congratulations to you! How exciting to be accepted into the quilt show! I’m so glad you have a picture of the baby lying on the baby quilt, too. I love the fact that his mom was kind enough to take the picture after all the hard work and time put into the quilt. Great work!
I am just absolutely delighted and happy for you, and I am not one bit surprised that your quilt made it in. I am completely impressed that your son kept it in such good condition - you obviously raised him well! And the babe on the quilt - adorable! Congratulations!
Congratulations on being accepted!!!
Congratulations! What great news!! I had just started following your blog when you were about half way through the making of this quilt and I think it is amazing!! Keep us posted on all the steps in this process....I know you are so thrilled, to say the least!! Thanks for sharing this news with all of us!
Sandra B
scb304@juno.com
This is so exciting for you, Rebecca Grace. I really enjoyed following your journey as you created this beauty and just love the end result. If you ever decide to publish the pattern, I'll be in line to purchase one! Your baby quilt is it's recipient is precious. :)
What wonderful news! Congratulations! Seeing one of your latest quilts in use makes my heart fill too! This is how quilts should be used and loved!
Congratulations. You spent a lot of time and effort on Mission Impossible so you have every right to be thrilled by it's acceptance to the show. And yes, you are an artist. Merry Christmas!
Pat
Congratulations . How wonderful also that the quilt was still in excellent condition. You never know with these young men. haha! Really exciting news for you. :)
Many, many congrats, Rebecca! That is awesome news! And that little one looks quite content on the new baby quilt.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Congratulations! You did an amazing work on that quilt, from the designing to the actual creating. And that picture of the baby on your quilt is precious.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
WHOOOOP! CONGRATULATIONS! QuiltCon, by the numbers, is WAY harder to get into than Houston. Reject rate is extremely high. That is awesome and what are you thinking? You ARE an artist! I'm doing a happy dance for you!
In my opinion, this is just the first of many show entries to be announced.
Your friend took a great picture of the babe on the quilt. What a nice gesture of appreciation. Good memories fir future reference in this post. When you need validation come back here.
Wow, fabulous!! Congratulations!!
Oh my gosh Rebecca! That is such awesome news. That quilt definitely needs to be shown.
I was amazed when you were making it.
The baby on your other quilt, ah such perfection.
Hooray for you! What an honor!
Congratulations! You are such a talented quilter and I have loved seeing all the things you do. You inspire others with your blog! So happy for you!
Congratulations, Rebecca Grace! That is cool news, and so well-deserved. Good for you for entering your amazing quilt!
Congratulations! I think your Mission Impossible quilt is so beautiful! I love those flying geese, she's a true beauty. Happy stitching!
Congratulations! I loved this quilt from the start, and the finished product is great. I admire you for taking the leap of faith and entering the quilt show, something I have yet to do. I think most quilters focus on the flaws, but we need to step back and view the finished product as others see it and take pride in our work. You are an artist!
Congrats!!! And love the baby on quilt!!!
Congrats!!! I know the feeling, I submitted to Great Wisconsin Quilt Show this year and was accepted. Really I was looking for some sort of feedback but received none. Hope you didn't hurt yourself with the happy dancing I know you were doing. Again, congrats.
Congratulations and good luck! Very exciting indeed.
Oh my! What a treat for your first time entering a show - congratulations! Your quilt is beautiful so I can see why it would have been accepted. Here's hoping there's a ribbon in your future too!
Congratulations! So exciting! It is a fabulous quilt!
Hi Rebecca! OMG - cute, cute, CUTE baby on the quilt. Exciting news but I'm sorry, the baby eclipses everything (I had to change the word from trump). I remember when you made this lovely quilt for your son for graduation and it's still a stunner. It and you are deserving of a spot in Quilt Con, and yes, you certainly are an artist. {{Hugs}} I wish you and your family a very Happy Holidays. Thank you for linking up this week. ~smile~ Roseanne
Congratulations! How exciting! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Wow congratulations! You must be walking on air. Lovely quilts. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
Congratulations! It's stunning!!! And YES you are an artist!!! You make beautiful works that people love to look at! I'm so happy for you and hope you have many more exhibits!!!
Awesome!!! You definitely deserve it. Congrats.
Congrats! super exciting and I can't wait to see it with the other quilts.
Congratulations! I’m so glad your quilt was recognized because it is outstanding.
Congrats!
Congratulations!!!! Acceptance into Quilt Con is a very nice early Christmas gift. Hope you've had a wonderful holiday and have had some down time to stitch a bit.
Not surprised at all, that is one fabulous quilt!! Now how much more proud than ever is Lars of his Momma now?!?! Tell him he sleeps under a famous quilt and must care for it as such. Once you ribbon (and you will) you must up date the label on it because the provenance of that quilt has now increased its appraisal value. You ARE going to have a very Happy New Year!!!
Finally Quiltcon noticed what I have said from the very beginning. You have the passion of an artist and the zeal of a warrior. You make no simple quilts. Each one of your quilts is ribbon-worthy. I am so proud to call you friend. I am so happy for you. Well-deserved and about time!!!
Hi Rebecca, what wonderful news. It will be interesting to get feedback from the judges - I'd be surprised if they are more critical than you are :-) Your quilt is amazing and will look great among the other quilts. I know that it was a long time ago, but thanks for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks. Your quilt will be featured tomorrow. Take care.
Big congrats to you Rebecca! It's a fabulous quilt, though I had to find it through your blog archive, as the link under 'here' takes me to the Quilt Con site... Very glad the quilt was in such good shape when you went to your son's dorm to get it for photographing!
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