Cherrywood Challenge 2023

 

Well now....

I can not believe my Cherrywood entry for 2023 was chosen to travel! 

That is 6 years in a row.

Every year I tell myself...

'this is where it ends!'

I am so honoured! 

The theme was Monarch with only these colors. 

Same criteria...

20"x20"

Only Cherrywood Fabrics from the bundle.

Monarch inspired

This is mine! 

It makes it's first appearance at Houston Quilt Festival next week!! 

I got my inspiration when we went to Las Vegas last November.

The floors in the Wynn Hotel were covered in butterflies on point!

Even the walls!

I had been following Timna Tarr for a while now 

and 

this looked so much like some of her works! 

I had taken an online class with her that fall. 

I figured this was the perfect size to try out her technique!

I started with a picture I found on Pinterest as a starting point

I gridded it by folding into 1"x 1" increments

(yup..insert CRAZY here)

Did a little coloring to make best use of all the colors..

It was CAT(Lucy) approved...

I started with row 1

Easy peasy...just shades of green

Yes...I questioned my sanity

 when 

I got half way through the applique of each little square 

But I was loving the results

If you get a chance to stop by the exhibit in Houston be sure to check it out!

These quilters are incredible with their talent and thinking outside the box. 

These little 20" works of art are stunning in their techniques and talent of each quilter. 

I can not believe they think any of mine were good enough to be part of these exhibits!

Here are my entries from the past...

This was my first time entry to these challenges

2018 - VanGogh

I figured I love blue...let's see what we can do!

2019 - Prince

(the singer - since he lived in Minnesota where Cherrywood Fabrics is)

I loved purple... what the heck?!!

2019 - Princess Dianna

I don't love pink

 but

 knew as a Canadian I had to try to do Lady Di some justice

Lady Di has been everywhere like me..

Even France and is still on tour!

2020 - Bob Ross

There are no mistakes...just happy accidents! 

I watched Bob with my mom as she has been a painter all her life! 

Was sooo sure this was a loser...what do I know! 

And seriously...where were we going in 2020....

NO WHERE!

2021 - Graffiti

This was my first attempt....

I was just putting some finishing touches on it 

and 

this wave of 'THIS IS NOT THE ONE' came over me.

I had this idea first so I scraped up what scraps I had left and made a second one. 

I should have followed my heart in the first place! 

This is travelling some where in the world as we type.

My Weapon of Mass Creation! 

So give yourself a shot at trying something new! 

You never know! 

This year is Poppies.

Just click here if you're interested! 

Poppies Challenge

 It was just announced so you have lots of time.  

I ordered my bundle from Cotton Harvest Quilt Shop in Ontario

Thanks for reading! 

Now go.... be creative!

Christa

Vegas Time

Well... I went straight from Retreat to Regina!!

Justin had injuried his hand with a post pounder 

and

required surgery last Sunday night!!

But that did not slow our week down!!

Three truckers showed up on the same day to be loaded.

Then it was time to preg check the cows....

It was only -25C that morning!!

You can bet we had some hot paws in our mitts that day!!

And if that was not enough....

I had two flat tires on the bale hauler!!!!!!!!

I asked the dogs to give me a hand 

but 

the most they could do was warm the tire up!!

We worked like dogs but we knew we had a surprise trip planned!!

Freezing rain didn't keep up from hitting the road...

To catch our plane...

To Vegas, Baby!!

 

We has planned this trip back in May for Arnold's 60th Birthday!!

It has always been one of his favorite places.

Thank you to our friends from Ontario, Bill and Terri 

for

 completing the surprise!!

It was a good time!!

Terri, Arnold and I each put 20$ in a dollar machine on Freemont Street

We won 1500$ on one spin!!

We split the total winnings after the casino took 450$ for taxes 

and

walked away with 500$ each!!

Great way to start a vacation!!

It's a good thing they pump oxygen in the casinos

because

 we always hit the ground running.

How can't you when you go from -25 to +25C

We rented a car 

and

headed to Zion National Park in Utah!!

It was only 2 hours away 

and 

such a beautiful drive!

The way the landscape changes in such a short span always impresses me!!

We stopped to check out this rock quarry....

Of course I bought myself a blue rock!!

These were sold by the pound 

and

 I was pushing it as we had only 2 pounds left in our suitcase.

I almost had to check another bag!

At St. George, Utah

 we stopped to check out the LDS Cathedral 

but 

it was closed for repairs.

It was also a good thing it was a Sunday....

There were 10 Quilts stores but they were all closed!!

I needed nothing anyways...or at least that's what I told myself.

Justin always does research on the best places to eat.

He had quite a list this time!!

First up was Chef Richard Blaise....

He has a new restaurant called the Crack Shack

His custom made soda was delicious!

This was citrus/acia

It was so refreshing!!

Chicken was the game at this place!

This was a half order!!

Thank god we were sharing!

Each order has this little card with it,

explaining 

what real farm raised chicken was supposed to be like

It was delicous!

They did such a good job on the decor as well!

Loved the community farm sink!!

A couple on the plane told us to check out

The Hash House a-go-go Restuarant

It was all farm themed

And the portions were ridiculous!!

This was Arnold's breakfast AFTER he ate all he could!!

Justin and I always share...

Thank goodness as our Chicken and Waffles were also a monster portion!!

My hot chocolate was a full litre of milk!!!

Justin also wanted to eat at Chef Tom Colicchio's Steak House

That was THE biggest steak I have ever had.

16oz

I couldn't eat 5oz of it!!

We didn't eat much after that...

Arnold and I shared most every thing from that point on!!

We always love to check out each resort to see what they have that's new...

So the miles of walking began...

I was almost in need of a wheel chair as my knee was killing me!!

I would not have been to proud to have taken them up if they had found one!!

I have always loved the coloured tornadoes water feature...

Mesmerizing...

This colourful tree was by Caesars...

The Bellagio has a conservatory that changes all the time.

Doesn't this just scream...make me into a quilt??!?!

It was an East Indian themed flower explosion!!

The Wynn Hotel was getting ready for Christmas

These displays were also covered in coloured flowers

and

this Carousel turned!!

The white and gold villages were beautiful!!

I wanted to see the BODIES Exhibit at the Luxor

 I figured I might get a grasp on my knee pain if I understood the body better.

Not.

I had to go by myself... too creepy for Justin and Arnold!!

We also went to see Florida Georgia Line at Planet Hollywood!!

It was a fabulous getaway after a long and trying harvest,

 that's for sure!!

Good times....

Christa 

Ps. Justin's hand is doing well!!