My First Quilt Show – Four Quilts, White Gloves, and a Runner-Up Ribbon!

This year, I did something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time—I entered my very first quilt show. Not just one quilt, but four of them. The show was hosted by the wonderful Almonte Quilters Guild, and while it wasn’t a juried show, it was filled with some of the most creative, skillful, and inspiring quilts I’ve ever seen.

Taking the Leap

Every year, other fairs or quilt shows come and go and I’d tell myself “Maybe next year I’ll enter something.” This year, I finally stopped saying maybe and said yes.

Choosing four quilts to enter felt both thrilling and slightly nerve-wracking. None of them were perfect (is any quilt ever?), but each one told part of my story—explorations of new techniques, experiments with bold colors, and those beloved “just-for-fun” pieces that somehow become favorites.

A Community Event

One of the things that makes the Almonte show so special is that it’s not juried—every quilt entered is welcomed and displayed with equal pride. That spirit of inclusion and encouragement made it the perfect place to show my work for the first time.

Throughout the weekend, hundreds of visitors passed through the show. I had the chance to be part of it not just as an exhibitor, but as a volunteer, helping out with white glove duty. For those who don’t know, that means standing ready—literally wearing white gloves—to help guests get a closer look at the quilts without touching them directly. It was a joy to chat with attendees, answer questions, and witness firsthand how much people appreciated the artistry and effort on display.

An Unexpected Honour

When the votes were tallied for the Viewers Choice Awards, I was stunned to hear that one of my quilts had been selected as Runner-Up. Knowing that visitors had taken the time to vote for my "Bears in the One-Block Wonder" —and that so many connected with my quilt—was a complete and joyful surprise!  It’s a feeling I’ll carry with me for a long time

The winner was a beautiful quilt by a wonderful woman I've known for years.

What I Took Away

This first quilt show experience gave me more than I expected:

💪 Confidence. Taking the leap to show my work taught me that you don’t have to be “perfect” to participate.

🤝 Connection. From fellow quilters to curious visitors, every interaction reminded me how meaningful this craft can be.

🧵 Community. Whether you’re exhibiting, volunteering, or just attending, quilt shows are a celebration of shared creativity and love for the art.

Looking Forward

I’m already dreaming up ideas for the next show. New patterns, new colors, maybe even a new technique or two. I’m so grateful to the Almonte Quilters Guild for hosting such a welcoming, inspiring show—and to everyone who came, voted, and supported local quilting.

To anyone who’s thinking about entering a show: do it. You don’t need to be a master. You just need to be willing to share what you’ve made. You never know who you might inspire—or how deeply you’ll be inspired in return.

Finding Time and Finding your Happy Place

 I have been struggling to find time to quilt.  With a full time job and a home that I share with my husband and two dogs to take care of, it's a challenge.

Making it even more difficult was sharing a space.  We originally wanted to have each of us, my husband and I, work on our hobbies together.  What we discovered is he loves to watch movies and play video games as a hobby, but he likes a darkened room for that.  Quilting does not exactly work well in the dark.  We agreed to divide and conquer, so I moved my sewing machine and main table to my daughter's former bedroom where the long arm is (the one withe the quilt on it that's been there for a year).  

Suddenly, I found myself in a room filled with light. I hung one of my quilts, I'm thinking of a design wall for the first time.  The room is taking on a warmth it did not have before.  Now, I find myself wanting to quilt everyday! 

The transition is incomplete as I need to move some of the last of my daughter's bedroom furniture out and I still need to bring my fabric stash over from the old location.  It is a work in progress and I still have ideas and thoughts about changes I would like to make.  For now, I want to focus on getting back to my new-to-me happy place.

Have you ever made changes or have ideas of what 

Happy New Year and what's next for this Blog

I seem to go it starts and stops when it comes to this blog.  The new year has given me the chance to see a time when I will have less volunteering and more time to focus on my own creative pursuits.  

Why Re-energize this Quilting blog Now?

I think many of us are craving something real. In a world where so much happens on a screen, quilting lets you slow down, work with your hands, and create something tangible. Plus, it’s sustainable. Using scraps and upcycling old fabric feels good when you’re trying to live a little greener.

Then there’s the community aspect. Social media has turned quilting into a global phenomenon. With hashtags like #Quilting and #QuiltLove, you can find inspiration and connect with other quilters from all over the world. It’s like being part of this big, colorful club where everyone’s cheering each other on.

My Quilting Journey

I didn’t set out to become a quilter. It kind of happened by accident. My first quilt? Let’s just say it wasn’t winning any awards—crooked seams and all. But I loved it. Each quilt I make tells its own little story: a baby blanket for my daughter, a photo memory quilt for my elders, a cozy throw for my couch on chilly nights. Quilting has become this beautiful way for me to express myself and connect with others.

One of the best parts? The people I’ve met along the way. Quilters are some of the kindest, most generous folks you’ll ever meet. Whether it’s at a local guild meeting, a quilt show, or just swapping tips online, there’s a real sense of community. It’s like we’re all part of this big, creative family.

The Future of My Quilting Blog

I’ve been thinking a lot about where to take this blog as quilting keeps growing and changing. There’s so much I want to share with you—not just about quilting techniques or patterns (though don’t worry, there will be plenty of that), but about the stories behind the quilts. Who made them? What inspired them? What do they mean to the people who use them?

I also want this space to be a hub for connection. Maybe that means hosting virtual quilt-alongs where we all work on the same pattern together or spotlighting quilters who are doing amazing things. I’m even toying with the idea of starting a podcast—imagine sitting down with a cup of tea and listening to quilters share their stories and tips.

And of course, I want to keep exploring how quilting fits into our modern lives. How can we use it to be more sustainable? How do we pass this craft on to the next generation? These are the kinds of conversations I’m excited to have with you.

Let’s Stitch This Together

Quilting has given me so much—a creative outlet, a way to connect with others, and a whole lot of joy. I hope this blog can be a place where you find all that and more. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or someone who’s just curious about giving it a try, there’s room for you here. Let’s keep stitching, sharing, and celebrating this amazing craft together. I can’t wait to see what we create.