It's that time of year again...

Time to register entires for the Iowa State Fair (deadline is JULY 1) -- and we have a brand new MODERN QUILT category added to the competition this year!  Here is a link to the contest page, click on the Fabric and Threads link to download the entry form and details.  Keep in mind, your quilted bags, pillows, aprons, and other sewn items can also be entered...

And, this week registration opened for the American Quilters Society Quilt Week Des Moines, in October 2013.  Time to sign up for classes before they fill!  Weeks Ringle is teaching some Modern Quilting classes and there are some great free-motion and long-arm classes being offered.  Check them all out here:

Thank you last night's speaker, Valerie Funk, for an inspiring and fun trunk show of your creations!  

Upcoming Tote Bag Swap: Sign-ups were last night for our next secret swap, we will be creating a tote bag for someone in the guild.  If you missed last night's meeting and would like to join in, send Jill M. an email or respond to this flickr discussion.  

Note: our July meeting will be held at Heart of Quilting, on 5th Street in Valley Junction.

AQS Modern Quilt Challenge

Quilt from the AQS Modern Quilt Challenge website

Have you heard about the AQS Modern Quilt Challenge?  There are tons of quilt categories and prizes!  Check out all the details here.

And don't forget about our next meeting!  Friday, April 19th at 6:30 pm at At the Heart of Quilting.

Show Girls

Several of our Des Moines MQG members are also members of DMAQG, and submitted projects to the show.  It was fun to see MQG member’s names jump out at me as I walked around the show.

This is Katie’s snails trail:

Penny’s New Wave quilt made primarily from Denyse Schmidt fabrics:

Tricia’s Wonky Log Cabin quilt:

Her pillow, made for our Pillow Swap this Spring:

Lola Z’s pineapple mini:

Doris's twin-size Modern Fortune quilt:

Janeen’s very fun Dr. Seuss Christmas quilt:

And this beautiful art quilt, by Janet, entitled Hawaiian Hospitality:

And, I know there were others…but these are the few I managed to get shots of, sorry if I missed your quilt(s) please feel free to adda pick to the blog or the flickr site of your entry!

There were several quilts in the juried AQS exhibits that were of a very modern aesthetic.  At least two wonky log-cabin style quilts, and a few pieces with the feel of a Gees Bend quilt.  Modern or Traditional, the theme for the day was superb craftsmanship and well-executed quilting!