I was “moderating” some comments - all ads for car parts - and noticed a link to our blog. I thought you might enjoy seeing the pictures one attendee took of quilts at the show. Enjoy!!
http://sew-handmade.blogspot.com/2010/04/best-of-valley-quilt-show.html
I have no idea why all the html is showing up in this post. My apologies! Just read the bold and ignore the rest!!!
Previous posts have given you the names and pictures of our special awards. The following is a complete list of the winners in their various classes. First place received $25, Second place received $15, Third place received $10. Congratulations, one and all!!!
Large Quilts: Pieced, Pantograph Quilted
1st: #262 “Undersea Migration,” Denise Sisco
2nd: #215 “A Black and Yellow Vision,” Janice Gerdts
3rd: #232 “Portals in Time,” Steffanie McChesney
HM: #258 “Indian Summer,” Sheree Schmaling
HM: #229 “Just Around the Bend,” Carol Lapham-Bartlett
HM: #249 “New Zealand Clips,” Cheryl Parsley
Large Quilts: Pieced, Long Arm Quilted, Custom
1st: #271 “Mocha,” Kay Ward
2nd: #243 “Star Struck Around the World,” Rebecca Mooney
3rd: #212 “Quintessence of Autumn,” Cathy Farris
HM: #267 “Papa Bear,” Carol Smith
HM: #213 “Tradition Meets Art Nouveau,” DeAnn Farris
Large Quilts: Pieced, Home Machine Quilted
1st: #208 “Twirly Whirly,” Ann M. Dellavalle
2nd: #214 “Flowering Stars,” Judie Fleming
3rd: #227 “I Love Leftovers,” Suzanne Kistler
Large Quilts: Hand Quilted
1st: #272 “Batik Wedding,” Kathy Wasnick
2nd: #253 “Big Red,” Gerri Pymm
3rd: #211 “Lil Mamas,” Judith Dusich
Large Quilts: Mixed Techniques
1st: #216 Provencal Charm,” Janice Gerdts
2nd: #242 “Empress Woo’s Secret Moments,” Diane Mitchell
3rd: #268 “Ode to Lila,” Socorro Starkey
HM: #231 “Dresden Hearts,” Steffani McChesney
Group Quilts
1st: #206 Cleopatra’s Fan,” Common Threads Quilt Guild
2nd: #270 “Song of Savannah,” Valley Oak Quilt Guild
3rd: #307 “Bird Song,” Pam Gavin and Lynn Douglass
HM: #256 “Show Time,” Patricia Robertson
Small Quilts: Pieced, LongArm Quilted
1st: #310 Cards Anyone?” DeAnn Farris
2nd: #309 “Joie de Vivre,” Cathy Farris
3rd: #333 “Raise the Roof,” Virginia Pedro
HM: #349 “Recipe for Friendship,” Elaine VanderWiel
Small Quilts: Pieced, Home Machine Quilted
1st: #350 “Autumn Wood,” Debbie Van Fossen
2nd: #317 “Knights of the Round Table,” Anna Koelewyn
3rd: #337 “Cosmic Dust,” Patricia Robertson
HM: #329 Untitled, Janice Minyard
HM: #344 “Robin’s Nest of Feathers,” Barbara Sindlinger
Small Quilts: Mixed Techniques
1st: #313 “Heartland,” Ann Hinman
2nd: #339 “A Tisket A Tasket,” Diane Ruby
3rd: #352 “A Redwork Garden,” Kathy Wasnick
HM: #332 “2009 Theme Quilt,” Cheryl Parsley
HM: #343 “Paint Chip Challenge,” Barbara Sindlinger
Small Quilts: Art/Pictorial
1st: #316 “Celtic Window,” Sara Kelly
2nd: #318 “I Think I Need a Glass of Wine,” Anna Koelewyn
3rd: #302 Spring Flowers Bring Summer Peaches,” Judy Betz
Wall Quilts: Pieced
1st: #415 “Symphony of Stars,” Judie Fleming
2nd: #432 “Stacked Cubes,” Anna Koelewyn
3rd: #420 “Dolfin,” Celia Ho
Wall Quilts: Mixed Techniques
1st: #466 “Loretta Lives,” Wendy Van Beek
2nd #430 “Window of Tradition,” Suzanne Kistler
3rd: #449 “Study in Blue,” Charlotte Rogers
HM: #450 “Ivy Wreath,” Sue Rowell
HM: #451 “Happy Birthday, Sue,” Sue Rowell
Wall Quilts: Pictorial – Portrait
1st: #445 “Coyote Moonlight Serenade,” Victoria Plesa
2nd: #446 “It’s Not Easy Being Green,” Cathy Reynolds
3rd: #428 “Tian’anmen Square,” Sara Kelly
HM: #427 “Mango Hummingbird,” Sara Kelly
Wall Quilts: Pictorial – Landscape/Floral
1st: #456 “A Flower from Mindy’s Garden,” Cindy Seitz-Krug
2nd: #447 “DeAnn’s Sunflower,” Charlotte Rogers
3rd: #411 “Peacock Castle,” Kristin Eilers
HM: #418 “Coneflower,” Tanya P. Good
HM: #434 “Nocturne,” Paulette Landers
Wall Quilts: Art – Other
1st: #452 “Fan-ciful,” Sharon L. Schlotzhauer
2nd: #462 “Me and My Shadow,” Carol Smith
3rd: #458 “Christopher Graduated,” Debbie Sheklian
HM: #431 “Blossom Fantasy,” Anna Koelewyn
Wearable Art
1st: #506 “Challenge,” Joan McBain
2nd: #504 “Flirtatious,” Kathy Knapp
3rd: #501 “Dusky Sky Stripes,” Priscilla Girard
HM: #502 “Exercising Is Good But Accessorizing Is Better,” Priscilla Girard
HM: #503 “Foggy Night in the Garden,” Priscilla Girard
Have you been enjoying the pictures of the winning quilts? I hope so!! Perhaps next year you can come to the show and see them in person! A computer monitor does not do these works of art justice. They are much better enjoyed when seen face to fabric.
Chairman's Special Merit - sponsored by Suzanne Kistler
“Sunbonnet Kitties,” by Melinda Jungwirth, Patricia Nunes, and Alice Simoes of Tulare, CA.
Let’s see…how to “explain” Chairman’s Special Merit.
When I took over as Chairman, I was told that this award was to recognize an outstanding quilt that had been “overlooked” by the judges. The show was FILLED with outstanding quilts, and I couldn’t operate solely on that criterion. Instead, I looked for a quilt that “spoke” to me.
The quilt I chose encompasses our traditional quilting heritage. The blocks were made by one sister, for another, and the quilt was quilted by their mother. I love that. We hear that quilting ties families together, and this quilt is the perfect illustration. The Sunbonnet Kitties are reminiscent of Sunbonnet Sue, but I think they’re infinitely cuter.
I am glad that this quilt was entered into the show. It embraces tradition, heritage and generations of family. It speaks to me. It has value. I wanted to recognize this quilt for its merits, of which there are many.
Judge's Choice, Kelly Gallagher-Abbott - sponsored by Orange Blossom Quilters
Kelly Gallagher-Abbott chose “Stars in My Garden,” by Gerri Pymm of Sanger, CA, as her Judge’s Choice recipient.
She gave no explanation (no explanation necessary!), she saw it and claimed it as “hers.”
Judge's Choice, Linda Rasmussen - sponsored by Orange Blossom Quilters
And last, but not least, is “Yogini and the Candy Dish,” by Kay Pennington of Bakersfield, CA.
This quilt had Linda laughing with delight. No explanation necessary! 
And there you go. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the winners of our BOTV Special Awards.We, at BOTV, enjoyed each and every entry. Thank you to everyone who helped make the show spectacular!
I’ve got six quilts left to post. I think I’ll post three today and three on Monday. My next goal is to submit all of the info to update the website. Goals are good.
Best Use of Color - sponsored by Valley Oak Quilt Guild
Best Use of Color was awarded to “Groovy Flowers,” made by Janice Minyard of Tulare, CA.
Most Memorable Quilt - sponsored by Bobbi Moore, Founding Chairman
Most Memorable Quilt was awarded to “Chemo Angels,” by Sharon Chase and Judy McDaniel.
Grandpa's Choice - sponsored by Dr. Ted Sobieralski
Grandpa’s Choice was awarded to “Rag Doll Love,” by Virginia Pedro of Visalia, CA.
There was some curiosity regarding this award. At the 2009 show, Dr. Sobieralski felt there was not enough recognition given to “traditional bed quilts.” When it was suggested that perhaps he would like to sponsor a special award, he jumped at the chance.
He personally selected the recipient of this award, walking the aisles of the show, looking for the quilt that spoke to him. When he saw “Rag Doll Love,” he knew this was his choice. It’s “Grandpa’s Choice.”
Next year he could choose yours! You never know…
I’m guessing that unless you’ve been to our show, you didn’t realize we had so many special awards. Surprise! Other than the BOS awards, most of these rosettes are accompanied by a $100 premium. hmmm. Might that prompt you to consider entering next year?
Best Hand Quilting - sponsored by Anonymous
The winner of Best Hand Quilting was “Roses for Anne,” by Jan Whittington of Clovis, CA.
Best Machine Quilting, Home Machine - sponsored by Thimble Towne
“Sweet Surrender,” made by Cindy Seitz-Krug of Bakersfield, CA, was the winner of the Best Home Machine Quilting Award.
Loretta White Memorial Best LongArm Quilting - sponsored by Dyanne Cox
The winner of the award for LongArm quilting was “Jewels of the Sea,” by Cathy Farris, of Yorba Linda, CA.
And that about wraps up today’s installment of the 2010 winner’s list.
Yesterday the Porterville Recorder ran another wonderful article on Best of the Valley. If you did not come to the show, and would like to see it through the eyes of a first-time attendee, please read Sabrina’s article. It’s fabulous!
And now, on to more eye candy…
Outstanding Art Quilt sponsored by Charlotte Rogers
First, we have “Spirit of the Rose,” by Laurie Britt of Bakersfield, CA.
Artist’s Statement:
This quilt is machine quilted and machine pieced with fabric painting and crystal embellishment. I was experimenting with technique, and this quilt gave me a lot of room to explore.
Best Use of Embellishment - sponsored by Anonymous
“Welcome” by Brenda McCutcheon of Hanford, CA
“This wallhanging began as a challenge. The border fabric was given to begin the challenge. I decided to add crystals to give my welcome a little sparkle. It was a lot of fun.”
Best Machine Embroidery - sponsored by Cottage Quilts
“Venus’ Favorite Holidays” by Lynn Drennen, Juanita Cairns and Sue Rowell.
“All three quilts were a group project, entered in our guild’s 2009 challenge depicting our favorite holiday. We worked on them as a group, with each of us contributing time sewing, embellishing and designing all three quilts. We were hoping to win the “Most Bling” award, but instead won “Best Group.”
I seem to be struggling a bit with today’s post. I’m not sure why that is. The pictures are large, the captions aren’t showing up.
“Malaguena,” by Kay Ward of Bakersfield, won Best Hand Applique, which was sponsored by Porterville Quilters.
This is the doll exhibit, as seen from the catwalk above the show.
Here is the doll exhibit again, as seen up close and personal.
And apparently I’m only able to show you a portion of the winner of Best Machine Applique, sponsored by Cottage Quilts of Fresno. This is “Double Wedding Ring,” by Ann Hinman of Tulare, CA.
Hopefully tomorrow’s post, should I get to the computer, will be a bit more under control. Thanks for checking in!!
This picture was taken at 8:30 Sunday morning, on the last day of our 2010 show. If you’ve been wondering who it is that is responsible for bringing you Best of the Valley, take a close look. These women are truly dedicated and devoted to making sure that our little corner of the world offers the best quilt show possible. They work their fingers to the bone and their feet into blisters as they check in your quilts, clerk for the judges, hang the show, help the vendors and offer assistance for three days as we share our passion with the public.
Without them, there would be no show. Thank you, Team, you are AMAZING!!!
At 3:30 on Sunday, the winners of the Viewer’s Choice voting were announced.
Heartland, by Ann Hinman of Tulare, CA
Flirtatious by Kathy Knapp of Belpre, OH
"Lizzy" and Cindie Lee
Congratulations!!!
If you haven’t decided whether or not to come to this year’s show, today is your last opportunity. It comes down tonight. May I wet your whistle with the Best of Show selections? Enjoy!!
Best of Show, Wall Quilts - “September” - Cindy Seitz-Krug; Bakersfield, CA
Best of Show, Small Quilts - “Morning Visitor” - Sharon L. Schlotzhauer; Colorado Springs, CO
Best of Show, Large Quilts - “Expanding Horizons” - Carol Smith; Bakersfield, CA
Best of Show, Wearables - “My Chocolate Obsession” - Kathy Knapp; Belpre, OH
Now if these don’t draw you to the show, I don’t know what will!!