Our 2024 Challenge is the brainchild of Ginny Beck and focused on making a connection between nature and art, since we know that all quilters are artists. What a wonderful suggestion for channelling a special experience with nature or recalling a family history story as inspiration for one's challenge creation! This year's quilts were varied and beautiful. Since the website aligns the photos in alpha order by quilters' names, that is also the order of their descriptions.

*Carol Pacey's grandchildren assisted in her project. They were sent out to catch a fish for the focal point of her quilt. Young Evan achieved the successful catch of a bluegill for Granny to use. Using a Japanese art technique called Gyotaku, Carol applied a special ink to the scales of the fish to transfer image to fabric. Amazing!

*Donna Dawson designed this colorful bag as a tribute to her grandmother who loved to garden. 

*Elaine Shannon's collage quilt is titled Searching for Nectar and was made using Laura Heine's Hummingbird pattern. She was inspired by the colorful hummingbirds that buzz around her cabin's deck.

*Ginny Petersen was also thinking of family gardens when she designed this quilt that features Poppies that simply "pop" on that black background.

*Jody Cheatum was inspired by her trip to the Galapagos Islands to quilt this sea turtle and sunny fish which she encountered on a snorkeling outing.

*Kathy Garvin's regular walking path takes her across the meadow and allow the creek with the hills in the background. This served as a beautiful inspiration for her challenge quilt.

*LuAnn Hoover's quilt was inspired by her visits to Hawaii. Using Hawaiian fabrics, she has captured this colorful bird and tiny owl perched in the midst of a lovely garden.

*Mary Jo Hawkinson designed a pillow for the challenge. One side evokes the trunk of a tree, while the other side shows the brilliant fall leaves from the tree.

*Michelle Crisler has the view of Mt. Mitchell from her home at the base of this site of numerous historical events in Kansas, including the Underground Railroad. This was her inspiration for creating this bag with her perspective of Mt. Mitchell Heritage Park.

*Mimi Benedict transferred this cheerful floral image onto fabric, then hand painted the design, made the tote bag and quilted it. 

*Montika Allen-Atkinson's depiction of an African savanna is an original collage creation featuring a young girl watching an elephant's progress across the hills. Montika added a second collage quilt that evokes earth, water, and sky in African fabrics.

*Pam Russell's love of the beach inspired her depiction of the beach and ocean. I can almost hear the sound of the waves coming ashore!

*Vevia Beaulieu designed a sampler that uses several techniques for painting, dyeing, and transferring natural images onto fabric. Just look around you and note the multitude of textures that Mother Nature has created.

After quild members had viewed quilts and completed ballots, awards were given for Most Creative Use of an Artistic Method: Montika Allen-Atkinson; Finest Workmanship: Elaine Shannon; My Favorite: Elaine Shannon.