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

1^st: #262 “Undersea Migration,” Denise Sisco

2^nd: #215 “A Black and Yellow Vision,” Janice Gerdts

3^rd: #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

1^st: #271 “Mocha,” Kay Ward

2^nd: #243 “Star Struck Around the World,” Rebecca Mooney

3^rd: #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

1^st: #208 “Twirly Whirly,” Ann M. Dellavalle

2^nd: #214 “Flowering Stars,” Judie Fleming

3^rd: #227 “I Love Leftovers,” Suzanne Kistler

Large Quilts: Hand Quilted

1^st: #272 “Batik Wedding,” Kathy Wasnick

2^nd: #253 “Big Red,” Gerri Pymm

3^rd: #211 “Lil Mamas,” Judith Dusich

Large Quilts: Mixed Techniques

1^st: #216 Provencal Charm,” Janice Gerdts

2^nd: #242 “Empress Woo’s Secret Moments,” Diane Mitchell

3^rd: #268 “Ode to Lila,” Socorro Starkey

HM: #231 “Dresden Hearts,” Steffani McChesney

Group Quilts

1^st: #206 Cleopatra’s Fan,” Common Threads Quilt Guild

2^nd: #270 “Song of Savannah,” Valley Oak Quilt Guild

3^rd: #307 “Bird Song,” Pam Gavin and Lynn Douglass

HM: #256 “Show Time,” Patricia Robertson

Small Quilts: Pieced, LongArm Quilted

1^st: #310 Cards Anyone?” DeAnn Farris

2^nd: #309 “Joie de Vivre,” Cathy Farris

3^rd: #333 “Raise the Roof,” Virginia Pedro

HM: #349 “Recipe for Friendship,” Elaine VanderWiel

Small Quilts: Pieced, Home Machine Quilted

1^st: #350 “Autumn Wood,” Debbie Van Fossen

2^nd: #317 “Knights of the Round Table,” Anna Koelewyn

3^rd: #337 “Cosmic Dust,” Patricia Robertson

HM: #329 Untitled, Janice Minyard

HM: #344 “Robin’s Nest of Feathers,” Barbara Sindlinger

Small Quilts: Mixed Techniques

1^st: #313 “Heartland,” Ann Hinman

2^nd: #339 “A Tisket A Tasket,” Diane Ruby

3^rd: #352 “A Redwork Garden,” Kathy Wasnick

HM: #332 “2009 Theme Quilt,” Cheryl Parsley

HM: #343 “Paint Chip Challenge,” Barbara Sindlinger

Small Quilts: Art/Pictorial

1^st: #316 “Celtic Window,” Sara Kelly

2^nd: #318 “I Think I Need a Glass of Wine,” Anna Koelewyn

3^rd: #302 Spring Flowers Bring Summer Peaches,” Judy Betz

Wall Quilts: Pieced

1^st: #415 “Symphony of Stars,” Judie Fleming

2^nd: #432 “Stacked Cubes,” Anna Koelewyn

3^rd: #420 “Dolfin,” Celia Ho

Wall Quilts: Mixed Techniques

1^st: #466 “Loretta Lives,” Wendy Van Beek

2^nd #430 “Window of Tradition,” Suzanne Kistler

3^rd: #449 “Study in Blue,” Charlotte Rogers

HM: #450 “Ivy Wreath,” Sue Rowell

HM: #451 “Happy Birthday, Sue,” Sue Rowell

Wall Quilts: Pictorial – Portrait

1^st: #445 “Coyote Moonlight Serenade,” Victoria Plesa

2^nd: #446 “It’s Not Easy Being Green,” Cathy Reynolds

3^rd: #428 “Tian’anmen Square,” Sara Kelly

HM: #427 “Mango Hummingbird,” Sara Kelly

Wall Quilts: Pictorial – Landscape/Floral

1^st: #456 “A Flower from Mindy’s Garden,” Cindy Seitz-Krug

2^nd: #447 “DeAnn’s Sunflower,” Charlotte Rogers

3^rd: #411 “Peacock Castle,” Kristin Eilers

HM: #418 “Coneflower,” Tanya P. Good

HM: #434 “Nocturne,” Paulette Landers

Wall Quilts: Art – Other

1^st: #452 “Fan-ciful,” Sharon L. Schlotzhauer

2^nd: #462 “Me and My Shadow,” Carol Smith

3^rd: #458 “Christopher Graduated,” Debbie Sheklian

HM: #431 “Blossom Fantasy,” Anna Koelewyn

Wearable Art

1^st: #506 “Challenge,” Joan McBain

2^nd: #504 “Flirtatious,” Kathy Knapp

3^rd: #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

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!

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…

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.

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.”

“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!!!

Heartland, by Ann Hinman of Tulare, CA

Flirtatious by Kathy Knapp of Belpre, OH

"Lizzy" and Cindie Lee

Congratulations!!!

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!!