Anna: Thanks for your encouragement. This thread has really helped me to stick with finishing UFOs, judging from the great pictures, I'm not the only one.

QM - your appliqued quilt is amazing! WOW

Vicki - I love the layout of your scrap quilts.

Summertime has put a crimp in my UFO finishes but I've been busy getting UFOs to the flimsy stage instead so now that cooler weather is on the scene I'm ready to start getting some quilting done. My youngest and I have had two college visits in the last two weeks... hard to believe he is a senior!

Emma, it will be so worthwhile when you do finish and we all are looking forward to seeing it. Look how long some of mine have been to get done. I do have a crazy star quilt that needs to be done that is really old as well. I am hoping to get started on that after all the chaos of gardening and the quilt show are done.

thank you ladies for the comments on my applique quilt. I was a bit disappointed when I went to the fair and it only received a first. Oh I know a first you should feel real good about. I had my heart set on a best of category on it or best of show with a WSQ ribbon attached even if was third place. But alas, it did not win. Some monochromatic quilts won. Since you all know me, on all my quilts, where is the monochromatic at. I love color way to much and the boldness of my quilts runs rampid thru my veins. I may try for a calmer quilt, but that may end up a UFO. I went thru my list of quilts on hand that need done, WIPs and some UFOs, and not one of them is a calm color quilt. They all use vibrant colors. I have a pickle dish that uses softer greens and lavender, maybe that is what they are looking for. I will enter that one next year when done.

QuilterMomma, your applique quilt is gorgeous!!! It certainly deserved more than a first. Maybe next year's judges will be more "color oriented." I've managed to finish a couple UFO's, but haven't taken pictur4es of them yet. Hopefully will post soon. Congratulations, everyone, on all your beautiful finishes!!!! You all keep me motivated!

Linda in Missouri

I admire quilters who enter their work in shows... I'm crazy competitive when it comes to sports (went to college on a track scholarship) but I enjoy quilting so much as relaxation that it would probably be counter productive for me. I avoid quilting guilds for the same reason actually - guess I'm a happy solo quilter who finds that online motivation/support works best for me!

Now that I think about it... I've never even been to a quilt show. As much as I love seeing sample quilts at my LQS I should probably attend one.

I like to have my quilts judged so I know that I am hitting the mark. Having an objective opinion lets me know what to improve on. I find my biggest thing is I love color and when you are judged, you are under their objective opinion of what is best to them. That is the kicker in small shows. But in bigger shows, they really do scrutinize every little inch of your quilt. I can say after speaking with some of the Best of Show winners in the big shows, that they will tell you that there are mistakes in their quilts, just not as apparent as one would think. At least I get to enjoy it. Hanging the applique one on my wall. I do need to put on the hanging sleeve. If I had to point out a possible error they may have counted me down on, is the scallops. I wonder if they were to deep. then when putting on the binding on the edges, I wanted to be sure that both my lines of quilting were apparent, I wonder if they thought it was a mistake and I did not cover up my stitching the binding on. I will see if they comment on it. then I will rip it off and redo it again just to be sure is done right before the next quilt show in October.
Yes, you need to go to a quilt show just to admire the beauty of other's work up close and personal.

Michelleoc- I love that 2nd one! You did a great job on all the finishes!

I'm getting back into the quilting zone now that fall weather has arrived... here is Charm Quilt #4 which will be donated to donated to Project Linus. Hopefully Charm Quilt #5 will follow in a day or a two.

Cute charm quilt, asimplelife. I need to make a baby quilt for a great nephew's new baby but haven't gotten the mood to get it started..... and I am trying so hard to finish the UFOs as well. This quilt looks like it would be perfect.... cute fabrics... I may have to take a break from UFOs to get one done. Thanks for the inspiration.