Cotton Boll Quilt Guild Challenges

 Challenge Instructions 2008

Challenge 2006
Anything "20" to celebrate our 20th Anniversary.
  As a help, to get our creativity activated we were told that “gifts” that represent 20th are Emerald, China, Lily, Platinum

  
Emerald City
Betty has used Emeralds to represent her 20th Anniversary quilt.  She also happens to be making a Wizard of Oz quilt and this is to be the center block.

 
Cahaba
Cindy R. tied for the popular vote with that cat with the attitude.  These Cahaba Lilies are rich in detail.   Enlarge it to see the beaded dew.		  
Turning 20
Judy used a popular pattern named "Turning 20" to represent the guild "Turning 20".

 

 
"Whadda Ya Mean . . Black Tie?"

This cat with the enormous attitude, like most men, does not like to change outfits once he is dressed.  He is surrounded by a very extensive wardrobe of 20 ties.  Not only did he put on the wrong tie for the occasion but check out the one he chose.  There are also 20 idioms about ties in the frame

Louise shared the popular vote with Cindy R. for this delightful feline.
 


Grammy Nichols Teacups
Cindy R. knows that China is one of the 20th Anniversary elements.

  
"Midnight Rendezvous"  
"D" used several of the 20th Anniversary symbols also.  I see those heart shaped lily pads are Emerald green.  The water lilies.  And are there 20 critters including the frogs?   
 
Happy Anniversary

 Martha used several or all of the  20th anniversary symbols.  This is not only to celebrate the guilds anniversary but is also her 20th year with Glenn.  A friend took a picture of Glenn and her hands toasting glasses.  She blew the picture up, and used it for the hands in the quilt.  She admits to "touching up" a few spots here and there. 

Enlarge the detail photo to admire the jewelry but please don't spill the Champagne.


Anniversary Party for 20

This quilt OOZES fun.  Debbie was making this adorable wall hanging when the challenge theme was decided.  She thought she only needed to "invite" a few more fish to make it 20.  Study these adorable guests swimming into the party from outside the frame.   Did you see the turtle swimming up to join in from the distance?  Right in the center of the heart shaped sea weed.  
"20/20"
Get it??  Sandy used 20 20's to illustrate her foresight into the hind sight.  :-D  Or something like that. 

And a fine job she did too!  She embellished those 20's, and with some interesting beads on some of them.  If your picture program allows it is worth your effort to enlarge it and zoom in.


"Heartfelt Anniversary Wishes"
Just enlarge this and see how Ramona arranged 20 hearts in this piece.  That paisley bouquet is a perfect center for circle of hearts.
"Lilies"
This is the sweetest little quilt.  I wonder where Anne found such perfect border fabric.  I remember she made a very cute one last year too.  It is somewhere in the section below for last years challenge. 
 		  

"Pullet Surprise"
20 chickens and some barnyard intrigue.   Just when he started to strut with pride, our handsome rooster notices some other roosters slipping out of the hen house.  No China, Lilies, or platinum.  Just pure corn. Shirley just didn't have anything practical to do with these cute fabrics and the challenge deadline was  pressing.  :-)


"China Lilies"
Both elements of a 20th anniversary.  This is also Cathy's 20th year with her groom, and he helped her with "China Lilies" being the agricultural  guy that he is.
Cathy was practicing with the varied stitches on her new sewing machine.  She also used several new techniques on this piece.  You must enlarge to enjoy the details.  I think this is an example of how our annual challenge forces us out of our design box.  Or maybe INTO one.
A New Banner
Most people count sheep to get to sleep.  Susie must have gone to bed thinking about what to do for our challenge theme.  She woke up realizing that there are "20" letters in our groups name.  How is that for a "reticular activating system"?  (powerful sub-conscious at work)
"Piece Lily" 
Flavin used her classic log cabin designs to piece this peace - - I mean piece lily.  I will look for this to appear in one of her books.  You can check out her last book "A New Look at Log Cabin Quilts" in the guild library.  Click the library tab on the front page for details about library hours.

"Learning Curve"
Julie is making a Dear Jane quilt.  She made 20 for this project as a practice!!   Dear Jane quilts are only 4" square.  When you do the math, think about the size of those little 9 patches within the 4 patch block.  This little charm quilt is very charming.  
"Emerald Roman Numeral"
The title says it all.  Cindy W. has chosen fabric that seems to have shiny emerald facets. 
"Desolation Row"
The Bargello backdrop is perfect for the lonesome trees.  Yep, Cindy R. planted 20 of them for this show.
 
"Twiney"
I know you recognize that the lily represents the 20th anniversary by now, but don't overlook what the stem does in Sandra's patch work challenge.  Also, look at her 3-D effect on the detail photo.		   

 This is the third year that the Unitarian Fellowship has invited us to display our challenge quilts at their facility.  We had a lovely reception and open house there.  It was very gracious of them to have us and a lovely place to display our quilts.  The 'ladies Stewart' were fine server/hostesses.  But I am wondering what shocking thing Anne has said to one of the visitors.

 

Challenge 2005
Answer the riddle.


 "What's Black and White and Red All Over?" 

 
 

"Still Life"

Anne made this whimsical bouquet with a two-fold purpose.  For this challenge and for a sister-in-law, who has decorated her kitchen, black/white/red.   A "stop and enjoy" piece.
 

"Elevations"

Betty, did you mean to convey that the little red flag was red "all over" that city.  This is a great three screen hanging.

"Lady With a Teapot"

I heard Japanese tearoom music when I first saw this beautiful Geisha.  I must ask Doretha about her inspiration for this. 

"Patches"

Flavin's kitty inspired this quilt for our challenge.  This is a common posture for her, playing peek a boo when Flavin calls to let her in.  This is a rather large size wall hanging and as charming as Patches.
 

I remember this marvelous kitty from another show.  I don't know how Betty did that but be sure to enlarge it to see if you can figure out the technique.

 

"Copy Cats"

These felines are Sandra's choice for the riddle.   When you enlarge this picture note the "beady" eyes and whiskers.

 

I am trying to picture Tracy at work on this. Wonder if the curves are pieced or appliquéd?   Don't look too long or you might fall in.

"Celtic Night"

This picture you must enlarge to see.  Debbie quilted some wonderful Celtic designs in the whole cloth black piece.


""Alaskan Repast"

A  mask that she saw in Alaska was the inspiration for Sandy's entry into our challenge.  I came close in my guess for the answer to the riddle, (what's black, and etc) when I named it totem pole for the photo archive.
 

"My Kitchen Floor"

I can believe the ketchup on the tiles, but be sure and enlarge to check out the label.   Too cute!  I love how Cathy designed and fit the ceramic tiles.

 

"Six Shades of Red"

Martha, Martha - - You never fail to surprise us with your marvelous creations.  I can think of why this embarrassed Zebra is blushing so.  I bet it remembers that 4th of July incident!  :-)

Well actually, I heard it was embarrassed that some it's stripes are falling off!   Did you notice that?  See they are peeling!
 

"What Was The Question?"

This  zebra is blushing at the things he just read in that newspaper.  He understands that print and lips should speak only the black and white truth.  Shirley set her "metaphor" with "Courthouse Steps" blocks.

"Jack O' Hearts"

This guy got to hang on display for two challenges in a row!!  You can go to the Special Projects page and see him in the Deck of Cards challenge too.  He is just as royally handsome in this challenge, Judy.

 

More wonderful geometrics.

Mary B. did this snazzy geometric with jewels in it.   You must enlarge the photo to see the razzle dazzle in it.

 

 

"Christine's Skylight"

This almost made me gasp!  Can't you see the clouds passing over the skylight?  Trompe L'Oreal art in fabric!  Betty's daughter took this photo in black and white of a skylight in Auburn High School.  Betty translated it to fabric.  What that family could use is a little talent.
 

"Read Books and Friends"

Here's hoping that this will enlarge as much as I hope for you to see the fiber and content that makes this so charming.   I think Mary S. did this and I will make some inquiries about it.  Isn't the stitched shelf great?   Can you make out the small objects on the shelf.

"What's Black and White and Red All Over"

Marilyn had made this a while back for a similar challenge with the Studio 22 group.  When she was challenged with "where's the red?" she was able to answer - in the quilting.  She has quilted the word "red" all over the quilt.  Enlarge it and see if you can find it.  You may need to download it to get a better quality.
 

"X-Rated"

Well not really, but D's quilt could be a Valentine showing there really is a heart in there.  Uh - - by the way, is it anyone we know?

 

"Read All Over The World"

And indeed it has been Betty.  This is Alice and the rabbit looking out of the hole!  I know you knew that.  It is a wonderful interpretation when you know the answer to the riddle isn't it?

What the - - ?  She turned Blue!  Who says you can't re-decorate art.
 

"Cockaded Woodpecker"

Cindy R did this set of woodpeckers with "thread play".  There is an explanation on how she did it in the August section of this page.  I hope she will demonstrate the technique for us soon.  

 

"White Sewing Machine"

So did you have to contemplate long before you saw the treadle sewing machine?  Cindy W. likely owns this very model.  And it probably shares a room with her long arm quilting  machine.

"Here Kitty, Kitty"

Uh huh.  I see the paint on the cat's paws and we know who might get blamed for it.  I wonder if some real life experience inspired Ramona for this theme.

"Five Fabulous Fliers"

Susie had purposed to make something from nature.  While taking her Dad on tour of the butterfly house at Callaway Gardens, she was inspired by some black, white and red butterflies there.  Further research led her to even more species.  They are indeed fabulous.
 

""Celtic Drunkard's Path"

Pam must have been collecting black and white fabrics for quite some time!  And that Celtic path has red "all over" the geometrics.  A must enlarge to appreciate.

Challenge 2004

Stacking the Deck

    

There goes the red baron . . again. Tami made this German sunset scene - - last night. A lot of us brought in our quilts still smoking from the ironing board. Some of these cards are hotter than Vegas!

"Two Spayed"

This seems to be a theme for this suit without each of them knowing it. Sorry about the poor photo quality, but do you notice there are two ways she told us this was the two of spades?
 

  

"It's Magic"

Joanne's card does leave you sort of spell bound. I love the phantom hand.

 

"Four Spayeds"

Don't you know Melissa and Julie cracked up when they saw each others SPADES idea? Wonder how long Melissa networked to find Band-Aid fabric?

 

As you know Tracy's talents go beyond fabulous quilts. She found some photos of an 1811 English deck of cards, and from a tiny picture painted this scene!! She used Seta colors, a paint especially for fabric artists, except for the number fives, which are fabric. I would love to shuffle that deck of cards. Well . . maybe a replica deck.

 

"Do You See What I See? 6 Fishes in the Sea"

It looks like Sandra got her inspiration from the coral reef.

 

When we were trying to figure out which card Doretha had, we were trying to put significance to the exotic flowers, but the story is in the shape of the branches and the one spade leaf. Just look closely at the enlargement and see the different textures of brown that went into the "eight tree". As usual, Doretha has hand appliquéd everything.

 

"9 of Spades in Blue Jeans"

Flavin incorporates techniques that she is currently using on her lecture/teaching circuit. Denim jeans is her current "phase". I wouldn't be too surprised if she doesn't have a ninth nine patch in one of those pockets. I promise, I did not see the quote below until I was just writing this script, and felt I just had to include it. I just love serendipity.

"Most People restrict God to religion, meditations, sunsets, rainbows, shells by the sea, missions, crusades, prayers, and stirring sermons. Yet God's creative message is often found in the strangest places----even in blue jeans." Father Leo Booth Meditations for Compulsive People Revised Edition.
 

  

"Chaos Revealed"

Patti Viveros, who has moved to Dayton, Ohio, returned to share this beautiful rendition of the ten of spades she made when we started this challenge. The quilt is in too sections - the top is the universe, and the spades float around in chaos. The bottom is real life where things are orderly. The edge of the white satin where the two sections are joined is burned off, and has a black curly line where the chaos is revealed. A couple of the top spades are made from men's ties.

 

"To Dream"

I didn't speak to Terri about this, but I bet this Queen of Spades is dreaming about the beautiful garden she is preparing to work in.

 

"Murphy, King of Spades"

Bonnie says that this guy has the dubious name of Murphy after everything went wrong that could as she was getting this card together. Well Bonnie, you would never know by looking. He is quite handsome and serene.
 

  

We are missing some cards in the spades group so you get this "free shot" of some that are shown hanging at the Christmas party at the Glover's home.

HEARTS

 

"Stacking The Deck With the Ace of Hearts"

Louise subtly lets us know which card this is by the shape of the willow branches and the "quiet" heart setting on one of the chevrons. The tranquil scene with the appliquéd ducks is for free. How did she do those chevrons? Piece them and then appliqué them?? See if you can tell. I'm going up the hill to ask her. :-)

 

Linda made this sweet valentine as her interpretation of the two of hearts. The doves are made with fleece and I can practically hear them coo.

 

3 O' Hearts

Shirley claims she can't draw a straight line with a ruler, so her granddaughter, Alexandra drew the body of the peacock for her. The tail is made with 'delicious' colored flannels. When no one seemed to be able to tell it was the three of hearts with just the black appliqué thread, she outlined each heart with some black cording. The colorful feathers in the crown of the peacock came from her aviary.
 

 

I think Linda T. made this perfectly clear. Wait - - - maybe not. It could be a four leaf clover which would make it the 4 of club. You just might see this card in two different suits.

  

It's as plain as the hearts in her pasties, but I admit I did not see this gorgeous dame in the shape of the number until about the third time I admired it. There are three other hearts hidden on the card somewhere, and if the web quality will allow, you can see the heart quilting also. Martha was inspired by the 1920's theatrical and fashion illustrator Paul Erté. This guy had a rich dream life.

 

"Happy Hearts"

Jane's bouquet of hearts do indeed look happy. I remember she collected a closet full of fabric with metallic threads for that Baltimore Album quilt she showed us in March. Scroll down and see if you can find if she used the fabric in this vase for that quilt too.

 

"Lucky Hearts"

Now does this look like a traditional quilters design or what? I think a deck of cards with this back on it would "sell". Especially at quilt shows and fabric stores. Give me a dozen decks. I wonder if Margaret had lucky "sevens" in mind when she named it.
 

  

"8th Street Sweet Shop"

8 of these confections from 8th street, have hearts on them. All of the sweets are in their own little "cup" and are 3D. They look so tasty Cindy R., that I'm surprised there are not some empty spaces.

 

"Broken Hearts"

Kim used this sort of 9 shaped heart to commemorate the 9 broken hearts she left behind in her youth. Perhaps Ichabod will happen upon this site and seek to re-kindle. I will let you know if any of them contact me looking for you Kim. :-D

 

"10 of Hearts A'Bloom'n"

It is up to you to count to see if Debbie used the correct number of hearts. The hearts sparkle in the enlarged photo. The photo quality unfortunately does not show the beautiful hand quilting.

 

"Jack Rabbit of Hearts"

I don't know what role the "jack" played in the King's court but this guy smacks of royalty, down to his curled whiskers. He's wonderful. I love the way Judy carried the quilting in ripples from the heart angles.
 

  

"The King"

Ramona, are you trying to legitimize velveteen art? It's coming back you know. Good idea! Do you know the words to all of his songs?

DIAMONDS

 

"Snoopy In the Sky With Diamond"

AHA! This is the dude that did in the baron over in the ace of spades! Isn't it just too cool how these creative brains (Tami and Aggie) work with the same idea and come up with such diversified ways to express it? I'm humming the song, can you? do do do do do, do do do do- "10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or more The Bloody Red Baron was runnin' up the score . . ."
 

  

"Flying High"

Susie made it clear that this is the 2 of Diamond. It makes me hum the kite song from Mary Poppins.

 

Once again a similar theme but so different too. Brenda C's kite flyer has a triple kite and I can feel the motion and the wind expressed.

 

"Feline Gems"

The cats were the give-way that this was Pam's card. Those faceted diamonds are beautiful!

 

"Gems In The Garden"

Shirley F. has sparkled up this pond scene with 5 diamonds. 3 pieced faceted ones and the eyes. Or maybe the facets are quilted in. Be sure to enlarge and admire the detail in the piecing and quilting. I'm sure it is paper pieced but is it all one piece?? Let us know Shirley, it sure is pretty. I am a dragon fly fan and this is a great pattern.
 

  

"Fractured Six of Diamonds"

Well it took three people to convince me that this was Carolyn Zeanah's card. Miss Perfect Points/Symmetrical, has climbed out of her box! It's great Carolyn, now I have to call you Miss Diverse, full of surprises. BUT I bet it was hard for you!

 

"Play It Again Sam"

Sandy J's sax is playing "rich" notes. Enlarge to see the accompanying glitter to the 7 diamonds. Like Man, it vibrates. :-)

 

"A Girls Best Friend"

Yes, Talitha, I heard everyone humming it as soon as they saw it. Nice manicure.

 

"A Nine-Patch of Diamonds"

Golly Martina!! How many geometric shapes can you squeeze in one little quilt?? What a cool border. A nine point on point with fussy cut piano keys. How did you get those blue points in there? Hmmm? I happen to know that Martina is a pedagogy music teacher at the university and I'm sure that is "key" to this design.
 

 

I know, I know!! Florence tells us this is the 10 by shaping her diamonds like the number. What do I win?

 

We are displaying our deck of cards at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on campus. The historic building makes a lovely place for a gallery. Do try to visit the display. They are in the phone book and anytime anyone is in the building with no activities going on is a good time to go.

 

It is fun to see them all "bunched up" too. Another photo at the party where we "revealed" them.

CLUBS

This is the club that hit the hole in one. You know - - Becky aced it.

"Let's Do Lunch"

Yes let's! Cathy's two club sandwiches look good enough to eat. Check out the lace table cloth.

 

"Gala At The Club"

Linda B. was attending a big party at the golf club. She even had some spare golf balls in the pouch. She must be pretty good to only need 3 clubs. :-)
 

 

Anne, went to the lake with her theme too! Those club fish are a new species to me. I see they leap out of the water like bass. I bet they are a game fish and tasty too.

Joyce doesn't understand golf any better than Fred or me. The green pin tells us it is the 10 of clubs. Anyway, Fred when you are that cute you don't have to have course finesse.

 

"Woodland Find"

You have to be a little bit of a botanist to recognize Betty's Jack in the Pulpit. The enlargement shows her artistic detail pretty well.
 

And wasn't Cindy subtle? She only tells us which Queen lives behind this elegant gate and garden with that tiny club crowning the gate. Don't overlook the chickadee on the tree branch. The tiny vines in the front of the gate and the watercolor garden are very sweet Cindy.

Alice, this king is regal. The pieced background befits such royalty.

JOKERS

Mary S. made this nutcracker at Weze's request. She collects nutcrackers and this joker will fit right in.

Aggie made this colorful joker guy as her second contribution to this deck. I think he is going to dance to Spain as a gift to her son.

No guessing which card Susan meant to make. It really makes a pleasant jingle when you shake it. You can double the use as a percussion instrument.

 

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