I entered my quilts in HMQS(Home Machine Quilting Show). I knew the boat quilt wouldn't win anything because your quilt has to be absolutely perfect AND over the top to get a ribbon. I know where I made my mistakes on that one, but I believe in supporting the local show so I took 2 quilts over. I got a call the day before they announced the judging, and they said I should be at the awards ceremony. It just so turned out that Mom and Dad were here. He has been having trouble with his eye ever since his cataract surgery in February, they brought him up to the VA. So they came over to see the show, what I do AND apparently win a sewing machine!
Mom got seats early...at the front...on the aisle...and saved a few for my "people", my friends I work with. The first thing they announced was the door prize winner. "Look under your seat. $3500 Baby Lock Sewing machine is going to the LUCKY person... " We are all checking our chairs and the extra chairs we were saving, I look over and Mom is holding this paper that says BABY LOCK Machine. She hasn't said a thing or held it up. I of course start screaming, "Mom, You WON!" Cameras start flashing and people are cheering and clapping...Dad is more excited and proud because HE was "sitting right next to the winner."
Next comes the Honorary Mention. They might have explained it, but I missed it. They were giving out those ribbons for EVERY division first. They start announcing all of these National Teachers who have quilts in the show and who won but none of them are going up to get their ribbons BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL IN TEACHING CLASSES. Finally, they call my name. None of the others have gone up on stage, but I am at the front and they motion to me to come up.
The ribbon isn't very big and it was kind of weird how they gave them out for Honorary Mention, but I was very proud to be selected. I was super excited when I got the judges sheet. I got an Excellent in every category they judge, didn't get marked down on one thing. The Judge's comment..."WOW!" So when you have 4 perfect quilts you award 1st, 2nd and 3rd by ... Wows?! That's all that's left.