Yes that's right......I am just so excited to share the details with you all in this long and photo filled post.
Many of you have followed my progress over the last 15 months since I stitched the first of what would turn out to be 500,000 stitches in my hexagon quilt - 'Dear Prudence' . I'm sure that you waited eargerly for every Prudence update post, with some lucky shop visitors seeing the progress in the fabric. The year passed very quickly and before I knew it Prudence was on her way to Melbourne for the Victorian Quilters 'Fabric of Society' Challenge. The judging of the competition was on Tuesday, and it was an anxious wait on Tuesday night as I was hoping that I would receive a phone call requesting my attendence for the presentation ceremony on the Friday. The phone rang.....it was not the call I was waiting on.....the phone rang again......yay it was Mary Hitchens, Showcase Convenor with the news! I didn't know what I had won, I thought maybe a highly commended or second place.
On arriving at the Quilt Show it was off to see Prudence for the first time in 7 weeks. See looked spendid under her own special spotlight!
The description was positioned beside the quilt with the photo of Prudence Jeffrey's original quilt also on the wall.
After looking around at all of the other wonderful entries in the challenge, we (Cathryn - my sister, Hannah, Ryan & Emma) headed out to wait for 10am to arrive.
It was great to see that Lenora made it in time for the presentations too.......a very early start for her.
Jenny Bacon (President VQ) with Mary Hitchens........
The nerves built as I realised that there weren't any red second place rosettes on the table........oh gee.........then the highly commended award was presented......nope wasn't me.......oh gee........then Best Wagga......Best Coverlet.......Best Quilt.....Quilt No. 20 'Dear Prudence' by Linda White........OH GEE !!!!
Take a deep breath.......
Then it was Best in Show for the 'Fabric of Society' Challenge..........and it was Quilt No. 20 'Dear Prudence'..........OH GEE!!!!
I have to admit that I cried.....I couldn't contain my happiness.....it was catching too as Emma and Hannah went out in sympathy. The lovely Brenda from Brother Australia even had a tear in her eye.
I pinned my rosettes on the wall beside Prudence
And of course I had to line up for a special photo.
with just a little smile on my face!
I also had a lovely time talking to interested ladies who asked lots of questions about my quilt.....I wish I could have spent all day doing it. I also caught up with Gail (who showed me the projects for the stitching day in September....top secret.....all I can say is that they are gorgeous!), Lyndell, Jodie, Julia, Carol and Julie.....plus more I think!
I would like to thank Brother Australia, The Victorian Quilters, The Quilted Crow and The Quilters Barn for their sponsorship and prizes which included..... A Brother Sewing Machine, $2,000 prize money, A beautiful bundle of fat quarters (The Quilted Crow), a $100 gift voucher from The Quilters Barn, rosettes & certificates and this beautiful limited edition, not available for sale, collectors sewing machine music box from Brother Australia.
Prudence will be travelling Australia next year as part of the 'Fabric of Society' touring exhibition thanks to Brother Australia, so if you live interstate and go to the Quilt Show in your capital city you will able to visit Prudence and say Hi! Unfortunately I won't be able to go with her......lol!
Linda :)
PS. And I might be able to see the original quilt......but I will save that story for another post.
A friend sent me the link to your Blog because she knew I would love your 'Dear Prudence' and she is correct... I absolutely love your quilt, congratulations a well deserved win and I will be looking out for the 'Fabric of Society' tour when it hits Sydney. Thank you so much for sharing. cheers Pennie
Posted by: Pennie Griffiths | July 30, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Congratulations Linda. I went to the show yesterday and saw your Dear Prudence. It was so much more spectacular in person than what you had shown us on your blog! I could hardly believe the size of those hexagons. A well deserved win! Hugs, Christine
Posted by: Christine M | July 30, 2011 at 02:09 PM
Congratulations....again Linda....what a privilege to see "Prudence" in all her glory yesterday....absolutely beautiful....snuck back a few times to take a peek and listen to the comments.....and all good....but I do think you should go on tour with "Prudence"....Russell will manage on his own, after all he does know how to take care of the fax machine.....lol.....
Posted by: Carol | July 30, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Congratulations!! I have enjoyed following your progress and am delighted to see your win. I did manage to see your beautiful quilt on Thursday morning at the show but of course at that stage the winners had not been announced. It was wonderful to see it in "person". I am still blown away by how small the pieces are. Congrats, again!
Posted by: Karen | July 30, 2011 at 04:51 PM
congratulations Linda!
cheers Julz
Posted by: Julz at Simple Stitches | July 30, 2011 at 05:18 PM
Congratulations Linda! A wonderful achievement! I have been reading your blog and couldn't wait to see it "in the flesh"! It was beyond expectation! A deserving winner!
Posted by: Maree St Clair | July 31, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Congratulations Linda on your success and making such a beautiful Aussie quilt. Make us all feel proud.
Cheers Kerry in Sydney
Posted by: kerry brack | July 31, 2011 at 02:45 PM
Wow, Linda, what else can a person say?? You showed real dedication and this resulted in a true beauty. the prizes are well deserved!! Congratulations.
Kirsten
Sydney
Posted by: Kirsten | July 31, 2011 at 07:56 PM
Congratulations Linda! I am so thrilled for you!! Looking forward to catching up in September.
Posted by: Lorraine | July 31, 2011 at 11:07 PM
Came from Minnick& Simpsons blog - what a beauty! Congratulations on a well deserved win!
Posted by: Barb in MI | August 01, 2011 at 09:14 AM
I came from Minick and Simpsons blog to see this awesome quilt. Congratulations on this win. You did a beautiful job on this and you deserved to win those ribbons.
Posted by: Sue Bennett | August 01, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Congratulations!! What a wonderful quilt, and also enjoyed reading about your journey making it. Found the link at Minnick and Simpson. Very inspiring!
Posted by: Karen | August 01, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Wow! What an amazing journey and an amazing quilt! Congratulations!
Posted by: Dee | August 01, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Congratulations Linda, not one but 2 ribbons. Fantastic effort.
Posted by: Dee | August 01, 2011 at 11:24 AM
I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful the story of your journey with 'Prudence' was for me to read. I got here to your blog from the Minick and Simpson post today. I have to tell you that even though I knew how your story ended...I am still wiping tears off my face, *grin*. I can't do hand work due to health issue (a little stitchery and simple applique but that's all), so I am truly amazed at the work and the love in every stitch you took. Congratulations Linda! I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful quilt...really! Thank you so much for sharing the story and the photos. Hugs...
Posted by: Nancy (in USA) | August 01, 2011 at 01:35 PM
Congrats on your win. Love your Prudence. Amazed how small the hexagons are. You should also have gotten a gold star for perseverance!
Posted by: Helen | August 01, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Congratulations! Your quilt is absolutely stunning, and those ribbons are quite deserved! You are an inspiration!
Posted by: Vicky | August 01, 2011 at 09:56 PM
Congratulations! Your quilt is beautiful!
Posted by: Denise | August 02, 2011 at 12:56 AM
Absolutely stunning! Congratulations! You deserved both ribbons for sure!
Found your blog thru Minick and Simpson's blog post about you. Now I am following.
Posted by: Wendy P | August 02, 2011 at 01:24 AM
Congratulations Linda. An amazing effort. Even more amazing when I know how much time you spend working on the farm and running your shop. You are an inspiration as to what can be achieved when you set your mind to it.
Posted by: Lenora | August 02, 2011 at 06:20 AM