In life, we have our 'gold standards' ... my gold standard for college instruction was Dr. C, who taught Calculus I, II, and III to a room full of science and engineering majors - tough, no nonsense, and knew his stuff. My gold standard for work manager is Tom L. who nursed me along when I graduated from college (later in life than most) and started working with Honeywell. My 'gold standard' in cars is my old 1987 Chevy Suburban that I had for years and years and years. That old ugly suburban took me and my brats from Florida to Washington, D.C., and all points in between during one hot August holiday. And my 'gold standard' for piecing and applique is Barb D. When I first moved to this area, I started shopping the LQS and took classes with Barb teaching. She is such a perfectionist and it shows in her work. Barb has mastered the Judy Neimeyer quilts ... she's done more than a couple! And she recently handed me her Misty Mountain Pond quilt to lightly custom quilt for her. It was sooooooo nice to quilt! Talk about a square quilt ... this one was square in all directions ... and the piecing and applique were excellent. Barb's coworker/friend Mindy did the applique. This isn't quilted til it stands up in the corner ... lightly quilted with some density in the center. 
This was done all free-hand.
