Cotton Boll Quilt Guild Challenges

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.