Pam, I don't think many of us will ever be in Karen McTavish's league :shock: , but I'm glad you think the book was worth the price. There is also a CD video put out by the Challenge folks (via Jukebox Quilts) that details several techniques to correct the most common problems made on Challenge entry quilts. It's a definite bargain.
http://store.jukeboxquilts.com/servlet/Detail?no=152 Also, paying the extra fee ($10) for Judges Comments when you send your entry is worthwhile.
Kelly Gallagher-Abbott, the Challenge curator, is extremely helpful and very kind if you have any questions...to the point of telling me how to put sleeves on an odd-shaped quilt so it would hang properly. With less than a week to the deadline, she replied to my email in under 24 hours. I was truly amazed! :D
The whole thing was an incredible experience for me, start to finish, and I am so very glad I dared to give it a try! Don't let anything about it intimidate you!!