Countdown to Quilt Show!

It's crunch time for quilters around this neck of the woods. Everyone is gearing up for the 2010 Brookings Quilt Show. Now, being a Quilt Show virgin, I have no idea what to expect. I've volunteered to help make decorations back in October, and in the last week or so there are a constant stream of activities. All I know is this: you won't want to miss this show.

Here's what I know:

• The Brookings Area Quilters Guild (BAQG) holds a show every other year. That means the last one was held in 2008. Now that it's 2010, a bevy of new quilts will be on display. Between my girlfriend, Becky, we're bringing 10. Again, I have no idea what I'm getting in to, but what can it hurt?
• There are quilt vendors at the show. These vendors come from quite a ways away to display their best. I'm looking forward to meeting new quilt shop owners and seeing new projects.
• There are TWO challenges that will be represented in quilts: A "South Dakota" challenge, of which quilts will depict something from South Dakota (and be accompanied by an explanation). I've seen pheasants, windmills, buffalos... and more unique ones are sure to follow. Then there's the "Challenge Fabric" which can be used in any quilt. This year's fabric is hand-dyed and green. I can't wait to see what creative twists the guild works that fabric in to.
• We have a guest speaker - and I only know him as Joe the Quilter. He will be speaking at the luncheon (with great door prizes!) and then giving a class. I'm looking forward to meeting him, as the only other male quilters I've met have kind of scared the bejeezus out of me. :)
• We have a display of "Montana Man Quilts" - which is like the name says. Men from across Montana who have made quilts. I can't wait to see what their perspective is on quilting (and fabric).
• We feature a quilter each year - this year it's Sharon. I don't know Sharon really well, but I'm sure she will "wow" us.
• There is a boutique, where you can purchase quilting supplies and magazines. All donations go to charity (I think).
• There's a silent auction, which will feature some high-end quilting stuff. I'm making a purse. Again, proceeds go towards a local charity.
• We'll be selling raffle tickets for the 2010 quilt show. It has hand applique, machine piecing and machine quilting and is queen sized. At $1/ticket, it's quite a deal to become the lucky owner of this beautiful quilt.

So, if you're not busy this weekend, stop on out. You won't want to miss it. Look for me, I'll be wearing a blue apron (which is the uniform of the guild during the quilt show). It only has one quilt block on it, signifying that this is my first quilt show (you'll be able to tell the seasoned quilters from the newbies).