Message Boards

CQ CONTEST/CHALLENGE-VALENTINES 2012-Check in time!!!


DUE DATE:February 8, 2012

THEME: VALENTINES


******PLEASE PRINT OUT THESE GUIDELINES!!******

FInally! Ther last CQ Kit has been delivered so we are on to getting creative! Tons of prizes and lots of room to stretch your imagination. This Challenge is for all levels of Crazy Quilting - Experienced – Beginner – prizes will be for both categories.

So……….

Are you ready for another Fabulous Challenge? How about something pretty, something pink, red, whites, creams… anything that reminds you of Valentines. Cupids, Hearts, Lace, Fancy, Girlie, romantic…. The theme for this CQ Challenge will be VALENTINES! You can make something pretty for yourself or have someone special in mind for your sweet Valentines gift.

As mentioned previously, there will be a couple new twists to this Challenge.

*** There will be different categories instead of 1-4th places to vote on. This time around we will be voting on 7 prizes to be won. To give everyone a fair chance at winning, I have decided to have two categories for each: Experienced CQers & Beginner CQers The $ amount of the prizes will be determined depending on the $ collected after the Kit/Postage is paid for.


Category #1: BEST USE OF KIT - 1st prize to to Experienced and #1 Prize to Beginner
Category #2: BEST VALENTINE - 1st Prize to Experienced and #1 Prize to Beginner
Category #3: MOST ROMANTIC - 1st prize to Experienced and #1 Prize to Beginner

In other words, when it comes time to vote you will only vote 2 times for each category – a total of 6 votes. BUT WAIT! THERE”S MORE!!!!!

Quiltaholic has generously offered to donate a prize for: OVERALL FAVORITE.

1ST Prize for Overall Favorite – Experienced CQers - $50.00 Gift Certificate to her Web Site
1st Prize for Overall Favorite – Beginner CQers - $50.00 Gift Certificate to her Web Site

I will also award a Beautiful Custom Dyed Package of Laces (you will choose the color) for the MOST CREATIVE for both Experienced and Beginners category.

**** Instead of making a block, this time around you can make whatever you want. A Block, Circle , Heart, Hexagon, Triangle, Rectangle any shape as long it is measure a MINIMUM of 10x10.

Remember, this is NOT a swap – this is a Challenge/Contest so you will be keeping the item that you make for yourself. Think SSBG present, Valentine gift or just something special you make for yourself.

THE CHALLENGE:

The challenge is to use the ENTIRE KIT that will be provided in making your Valentine project. ALL of the items in the kit MUST be used in your project and we MUST be able to identify all items should you win. block.

Block size and dimension (shape) will be up to you. Minimum size is 10x10. Only a picture of the finished CQ block or item is to be sent in for judging. I will not accept any picture sent via Cell Phone. When it comes time for the pictures to be sent I will update those guidelines.

THE CONTEST:

Every person who signs up will need to send me $15.00 to cover the cost of the kit, envelopes and postage to mail to you. Out of each $15 I hope to have at least $7.50 +/- to be put into a Contest Kitty. To sign up, please PM or email me at Bnickilee at aol dot com with your full name and address (even if you think I already have it). I will accept checks or you can pay me via Paypal – please send it as a "personal gift" and mark it VALENTINE CHALLENGE . (Paypal account is the same as my above email address)

All $ put into the CONTEST KITTY will be used for the prizes. The $ amount of the prizes will depend on how many people sign up. Please note that no refunds will be given if you decide you don’t want to participate as all money will be accounted for in the cost of the kit/postage and prize money. Example: Say 40 sign up, that will give me a kitty of $300 ($7.50 x 40). I would then divide the $ up into the different prize categories. Once all $ have been collected I will post the $ amount of the prizes to be won. Now who couldn't use a little extra ching ching to buy more bling bling for CQ or quilting fabric


I expect every person who signs up to check in at least once a week if not every other week until it is voting time. No one is to go MIA. Drop in now and then to let us know where you are in the process, to say hi or post some ideas or share some interesting CQ tips with us.

DETERMINING THE WINNERS:

YOU will determine who the winners are. All entries MUST be completed and pictures sent to me in jpg format by midnight February 8, 2012. I will maintain an Album in my Flicker account (like the previous Challenges) with everyone’s pictures in it. As each picture arrives I will number it –no names will be used and they will be uploaded in random order. Once they are all accounted for, I will then post a link where everybody can go in and vote. NO one but me will know whose block belongs to whom as I will be the one posting the pictures. I will also have one outside person (not in the contest) help me with the tabulation of the votes.

PRIZES: The $ value of the prizes are yet to be Determined – Depends on Participation – Once calculated I will post.

When you vote, you will be voting for a different block each category. For example: You cannot vote for one block for 1st Category and the same block for the 2nd Category. You will however be eligible to win a second time in the "Overall Favorite" category. The winning block/items MUST have all the required Challenge elements visible in their block.

DETERMINING EXPERIENCE vs. BEGINNER STATUS:

Because I am not a CQ expert, this is how your status will be determined. I am trying to make this a fair Challenge/Contest so that everyone has a chance to win. When you send me your information, please tell me what category YOU consider yourself in. Above all, I want this to be a fun challenge, one that will stretch your imagination and push you outside your box.

E= Experienced B= Beginner = Pictures rec'd

1. NickiLee E
2. Alexemmarose E
3. Gonesewin B
4. Quiltaholic E
5. Huntres9 B
6. Katiemedarlin E
7. Cr8tve1 B
8. bjeannes E
9. BlueSnail E
10 FishingWidow E
11 ilovemy4kids B
12 Coreysmom E
13 LisaTX B
14 Karol0405 B
15 RockinBobbin B
16 Ely E
17 Timecard24 B
18 Califgal B
19 SCLady B
20 KnotMe B
21 Chris915 B
22 Shirl1254 E
23 Kentucky-Sunshine B
24 Ambher B
25 LadyJ66 E
26 KMouse B
27 Juli in SC E
28 Glassnquilts B
29 Purple Butterfly E
30 Happy Erm B
31. Sewingbea B

Ladies, when you send your info in please don't forget to tell me what category to put you in - either: (please read my post below for clarification)

E - Experienced
B - Beginner

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nickilee,

I am geared up and ready to create!

i cut pieces but dont like the layout. the motifs are too big. i'm gonna wait awhile and try again later...

I have my plan all drawn out, but I know I won't get to work on it until after the 25th. But I have all my fabrics, silk ribbons and ideas ready to stitch. Hopefully, it works out like it's drawn - we all know that doesn't always happen, does it?

Lori .... that's the greast thing about this Challenge... if you find the motifs are to big you have the options of cutting them to make them fit... but remember you have to use all of it.

Will get started on this after back from the holiday ladies.

Mary

but it's sooooooo scary to cut the pretties up

I am so not even thinking about this until after Christmas. Then I will get creative.

Gonesewin... I know what you mean. I have a box full of laces that I have dyed and set aside as my favroites and I can't bare to use them! DH asks me, "what are you waiting for? If you don't use them then they can't be enjoyed" Told him he better watch out or I was going to wall (lace)paper the bedroom with them...hmmmm now there is an idea I just might have to think about! LOL!

rofl!!! That sounds like something I would do! Waht a great idea, thanks for that. Unfortunately I cant put these on my collection because I have to use them...

Won't start my block until after my knee surgery in January. Have a few ideas but no time right now.

Julie

After going through some of my stuff for the SSSS stockings I uncovered lots of stuff for this challenge that I kept putting into a separate bag!!

Lynn - what do you mean by "...works out like it's drawn." Do you draw out your plan for everything you're going to do? Stitches, lace, motifs, beads/buttons, charm placement? Or do you just mean the patchwork itself?
I ask because I was thinking about that just last night. I have my block pieced and, well, now what ?!? I just don't know how in the world you all decide what to do and where on the block to do it?
Do my lace motifs get placed first, or are the seams embellished first? I know there are no "rules", but I wish there were!
I have an idea, so i guess that's a start - I just don't know how to tackle it at this point.

Tonya - sometimes (not always) I sketch out what I want to do. Since I had a specific idea in mind for this one, I sketched it out to make sure it would work. Believe me, my sketches are rather lame since I can't draw worth a hoot, but I know what they mean and they keep me sort of on track. Otherwise, things go willy-nilly and I'm not happy with the result.

As for where to start - I usually put on the laces and the thread embroidery first. Beads and silk ribbon embroidery last. The beads and SRE can get smooshed (technical term ) if I want to use hoops.

Thanks. Sometimes I need someone to spell things out for me. I think if I get overwhelmed it spells confusion. But it makes sense.....embroidery and laces first, "smoosh" factor later......check!
I am really excited about this one. I hope the idea in my head translates to the block.

Have happy hoildays everyone.

You will be just fine - I've seen your work and it's beautiful.

The way I do things isn't necessarily the right way, just what works for me. I like to do embroidery and the fabric needs to be fairly tight, so I use hoops. Hoops break beads and smoosh the silk ribbon embroidery - guess how I know that?

For me, I find the first stitch to be the hardest. Once I get working on something, it seems to go a little easier.

Can't wait to see what you come up with for this challenge. I love the colors and the romantic notion of a valentine's challenge and I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone creates.

No time to work on this until afterh the 28th. Got some ideas brewing though

I realize ya'll are getting ready for Christmas but I thought I'd pass along this link in regards to Valenitnes - you can get lots of ideas from this site.... I espceiall ylove the meaning of Lace. Got my idea formulating and looking forward to picking up the needle again after the Holidays.

Valentines

Hi all I have been awol. My Mom was ill and she passed away Dec. 11. First time I have been on the boards since.
I just have my fabric up on the wall. I am under orders to rest until Christmas. I am hoping to piece my block together next week and then go for it with embellishing.

Sometimes I have an exact idea of what I want to do and othertimes not. When I just sort of go for it I sometimes end up with things near each other that I realize was not necessarily the best. I don't hoop for my thread embroidery but would like to. I want to buy the bigger frames like Shawkl uses and add mounting fabric around block. That won't occur this time but sometime next year.

I do always gather all my laces, threads, beads and other doo-dads together before I start embellishing. It makes it easier when I am working and discover the floss I picked out isn't the right color. It makes it easy to change quickly. I keep finding things from old CQ supply swaps that I forget about. I am fairly well organized but obviously still have a ways to go.

I suggest if you are a beginner not to worry too much about preplanning. I often find it easier to plan once my block is pieced together. Also go to Nicki's pictures of previous challenges and swaps, sharon b's website and cqmagonline for ideas on button clusters, how to embellish lace, etc.

SOrry about your mom - hope all is well for you.
Take care.

PB: I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Keeping you in my T&Ps.

My pattern is enlarged! This project is next on my project que!

Oh, I wanted to ask...is it ok to blog progress? I know some challenges you aren't supposed to...

Dear Karen
I am so sorry to hear of your Mother's passing, Please know that You are in my Thoughts and my prayers.

I have mine all layed 0ut since it's about love I wanted to make sure I got some of the past 12yrs added to my block. I want it to make since.
Have a nice day Ladies.

Julie & All,

Please no blogging or Face Booking of your progress on this Challenge. This is a Contest and no pictures or hints of any kind as to what your block looks like are to be shown at any time. This will make it fair for all when it comes times to vote. All pictures are due to me before February 1st so that we can commence the voting.

Karen, Cherish your memories, I'm sure you will miss her.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nickilee,

I had a few minutes last night and I pulled out everything I think I'll need for this. All my fabrics are on the sewing table and I'm hoping to get my block pieced on Monday. I have a little basket with all my silk ribbons, beads, laces and other bits and it's sitting by my chair.

I'm really looking forward to working on this one. I've never worked on or with reds for CQ before and I'm excited to see what I can come up with.

I'm excited to see what you come up with too!
I have an idea for this, and although i have not been able to work on it (family is here from Austin, TX), it inspired an X-mas gift for my MIL. Can't wait for her to open it.
I hope you all have a nice holiday break.

i haven't even thought about the challenge yet. when xmas is over i will get busy. i'm too tired to think right now. it's been a long xmas season at work. i am soooo done LOL

patsy

Well, I have my "block" pieced and I've started my stitching! I think my idea is actually going to pan out; even my husband said "it" was nice looking.

PB, sorry of your loss but can relate since my Mother went to a "much better place" Dec 3, 2011.
Not done any work on this except pull some fabrics,etc.

Ready to roll! Got my block pieced yesterday (tomorrow we leave town for a week) so I will be all ready to bling it up when I get back.....

I have off Friday (nice long weekend) and my plan is to piece Friday and start blinging!!

Libby, I'm so sorry, I didn't realize that you too had lost your mom so recently.

LOL! Lynn.... my eyesight must really be going - I thought you wrote that you were going to start bingeing!!! On what? Valenitne candy?

Got all my fabrics pulled out and since my machine is still hot and ready to sew I think I'll start putting my item together.

Remember girls... your items can be in any shape BUT..... CANNOT be smaller than 10x10 in size. With all the pretties you have in the kit to use, my guess is that it is going to have to be bigger than 10x10 for them all to fit.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nickilee,

Today I've pulled some stuff together and tried to figure out where I'm going with all this stuff . . . and WOW is this overwhelming. I think tomorrow I'll just dive into it and see what happens. Just start sewing, hopefully it will take on a life of it's own.

Nicki - too funny. No more binging for me, went back on the diet wagon on Monday. This past year has cost me 15 pounds so I have some work to do.

I haven't touched my machine since Thanksgiving. No time! So I thought I'd ease back into this week and have been working on my Dizzy Geese blocks - 7 and counting. I'm ready to get going tomorrow though.

Libby, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Will keep you in my T&P's, GF. (((((hugs)))))

Oh PB...I am so very sorry to learn of your mother's illness and death...you think you are prepared but it still knocks your socks off....

I will be piecing my project this weekend...finally getting a bit of my creative mojo back after my mom's passing in November.

axel

I've been working on my block. I showed it to my MIL while were visiting for Christmas and she pulled out a book w/ some really wonderful seam treatments. I found it and a couple others online when I got home and now I am waiting for the mailman to bring them to me

My block is pieced and it came out just as I planned - always nice when it works out. Sunday is football day and I will be stitching all day. I put a pot roast in and I don't even have to worry about dinner. Only thing that could make it better would be snow - just something about sitting there, watching football, stitching and watching the snow. (I know, I'm nuts!)

Lynn - you're not nuts at all, except you did forget to mention one tiny thing....3 kids running around. I could send mine over anytime you want. They love pot roast.

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! I have been sick all week and cancelled the dinner I was hosting tonight. I just finished watching Benjamin Buttons...cried and cried...what an emotional movie! Whew! Anyhoo, finally pulled out my Val. challenge package from Miss Nick to think about stitching this weekend and am finding no trim in the package...Nick, please advise!

I may just go ahead and play along but if I have no trim to add will just post my pix but not be in the voting...mostly just play along anyway because I love seeing what everyone does with the same beginning package.

Nick, let me know if you have any more of the trim please. Don't know if I ever got the trim...don't remember ever seeing any in the package but really don't know...

Have a safe New Year's night everyone!

axel

Axel - sorry you aren't feeling well - big hugs!

When the packages were first arriving I mentioned that I made a mistake listing the trim - I was doing the list by memory and we all know what happens when you do that LOL! Anyway - no trim - so you are all set.

oh! haha! Thank miss Nick! Guess my excuse for not getting my challenge finished just went up the chimney!!

Seriously, thanks for checking back here so soon...I will work dedicatedly on my project now!

Oh Tonya, I had three of my own running around - all boys! At this stage of the game, I kind of enjoy the quiet beauty of snow. My baby is 30 and believe me, been there, done that, actually have a t-shirt (Says "You'll do it, because your mother said so") Still love that t-shirt! They still come home for mom's pot roast!

ttt

I'm blinging!!

I'm having a little trouble getting a design I like so I can get started on this...I hope you all sending creative vibes my way so I can get through my mental block!!!!!!

Going to get my 'you know what' in gear on this project!!

Happy New Year!!

Mary

OK. Now that the holidays are over I have an idea. Ready to get started.

Well, I know I'm back to beading - dropped a whole pile of them on the sofa yesterday. Pulled the cushion up and you should have seen the beads that were down there!! Looks like I haven't been vacuuming enough.

TTTTT