Best of Show Quilt

$10,000 Sponsor: Handi Quilter Title: The Arrival Maker: Kestrel Michaud Quilter: Kestrel Michaud Design Basis: Maker's Original Design This lush, tropical paradise is the scene of a monumental event. An airship from the human realm has just arrived. It carries an emissary who hopes to establish friendly diplomatic relations with the resident elves in the interest of learning about their connection to — and mastery of — magic. This meeting will have a resonating effects for both cultures.

Marie White Masterpiece Award

$5,000 Sponsor: Moore's Sewing Center Title: Automne Maker: Colette Dumont Quilter: Colette Dumont Design Basis: original Nature in autumn is full of colors so that inspired me for this quilt, winter follows next and the beaded border represents it with the colors of Christmas, white, red and green.

The Stevii Graves Director

$5,000 Sponsor: The Graves Family Title: Dogwood: The Promise Maker: Andrea Brokenshire Quilter: Andrea Brokenshire Design Basis: Original When winters lingers, the flowering Dogwood speaks of the promise of Spring. I was walking in my old neighborhood one spring day when the Dogwoods were blooming. A riot of pink and white greeted me. This quilt was inspired by that day.

Outstanding Hand Quilting

$1,500 Sponsor: Martelli Enterprises, Inc. Title: My Journey With Grace Maker: Barbara Clem Quilter: Barbara Clem Design Basis: Original From a stack of fabric "Grace" emerged. Each step of her creation adding more to her personality. Grace became my friend. When it as time to quilt her-she really began to speak, which delighted me. For nearly five years we chatted almost every day-just as good friends do...and she always brings a smile to my face as I gaze at her because I treasure that journey.

Outstanding Machine Quilting Frame

$1,500 Sponsor: Sewing Machines Plus Title: Adventures of Aquamarine & Amethyst Maker: margaret solomon gunn Quilter: margaret solomon gunn Design Basis: original In late 2023, I set out to complete a 7yr old bag of half-stitched mandalas. Like the step-sister that never attended the ball, these little gems were awaiting their time to shine. The finished "crystals" dance on the silk background like a fabulous adventure of color. Hand-guided longarm quilting (in a very gutsy color too!).

Outstanding Machine Quilting Stationary

$1,500 Sponsor: Janome Title: A Magical Winter Garden Maker: Linda Crouch Quilter: Linda Crouch Design Basis: Original I have loved ombre quilts for some time.I bought this fabric in Houston in 2017, it took several years to come up with the final design. The background is in 16 pieces. The scrollwork is inspired by a french lace handkerchief, the flowers by turkish designs.Flowers were trapuntoed and quilted before being hand appliqued.Entirely freemotion quilted on a domestice stationary sewing machine.

Outstanding Artistry

$1,500 Sponsor: Superior Threads Title: St Radigund's Garden (Canterbury, UK) Maker: Audrey Durnan Quilter: Audrey Durnan Design Basis: Maker's Original Design "St. Radiund's Garden" is self-created; hand-dyed: hand-painted; hand-drawn on whole cloth, using 12mm silk charmeuse; wool batting; cotton backing; polyester threads. I want to share my memory of the colours in a summer English garden in Canterbury by the River Stour. "Saint Radigund's Garden" is a a converted, reclaimed bombsite, a site which I walked through often as a girl.

Outstanding Visual Narrative

$1,500 Sponsor: OC Sewing & Vacuum Title: Born To Be Wild Maker: Sue de Vanny Quilter: Sue de Vanny Design Basis: From photo "Born to be Wild" captures the spirited resilience of African wild dog pups as they stride boldly forward, with hope amidst the struggle for survival. The distant, shadowy presence of an adult dog underscores the tenuous thread connecting generations. Webbed holes and intricate textures in the landscape echo the urgent plight of this endangered species, reminding us of the fragile balance in nature and the importance of conservation

Outstanding Abstract Design

$1,500 Sponsor: Baby Lock Title: Balance Maker: Lys Axelson Quilter: Lys Axelson Design Basis: Original #1 in a series, “From Earth to Sky”, that explores the complexity of the Naural World. This work embraces the intricate relationship each element, living and non-living, has with one another. The California Mountain Kingsnake demonstrates the delicate balance that constantly evolves to maintain harmony for all.

Outstanding Original Design

$1,500 Sponsor: Brother International Corporation Title: JING HE Maker: LILI LI Quilter: LILI LI Design Basis: original The word "JING" refers to the spatial environment, while "HE" stands for harmony, which succinctly expresses the harmonious and unified spatial atmosphere pursued by "Zen in Oriental Land". The pair of cranes in the painting, with their tall and elegant figures, as graceful as a poem, is also a perfect fusion of elegance and freshness in oriental culture.

1st Place: Abstract

$1,000 Sponsor: Janome Title: More Than One Maker: Deborah Ryan Quilter: Deborah Ryan Design Basis: Maker's Original Design Is there More Than One planet in our galaxy, or even the universe, that has life similar to Earth? How many planets might have moons or thousands of satellites like Earth. The Improv Dresden’s are my adaptation from Empty Spools 2023 with the fabulous Marge Tucker.

1st Place: Applique

$1,000 Sponsor: Road to California, Inc. Title: Baltimore In Blue Maker: Linda Neal Quilter: Jackie Brown Design Basis: Baltimore Spring by P3Designs 384 flying geese (1/2 X 1 inch), 360 loops of cording for the edge treatment, a fancy heart with 67 reversed scallops and the PERFECT blue background fabric. I had made several Baltimore style quilts on white/cream background fabric and was ready for something different. When I saw this fabulous blue fabric- I bought the bolt and started the quilt. Coordinating the colors of the corded binding to the flying geese was a challenge!

1st Place: Mixed/Other

$1,000 Sponsor: Road to California, Inc. Title: Royal Treasure Maker: Marilyn Badger Quilter: Marilyn Badger Design Basis: Original Another in my series of quilts using vintage doilies hand dyed by Wendy Richardson and fabrics by Paula Nadelstern, as well as Cherrywood Fabrics. Motifs from Paula'a fabric were selected and appliquéd by machine. Several doilies were cut and appliquéd as well. Lots of machine and hand embroidery were added, as well as beads and crystals. Some painting was added as well to accent quilting and add color.

1st Place: Improv

$1,000 Sponsor: Sewing Machines Plus Title: Strata Maker: Christina McCann Quilter: Christina McCann Design Basis: Original The quilt was an improvisational design cut from a favorite piece of hand dyed fabric and matchstick quilted. I felt it was lacking depth so eventually I added the hand stitching complimenting the original design and adding the layers.

1st Place: Pieced

$1,000 Sponsor: Road to California, Inc. Title: Watermelon Sugar Maker: Amy Pabst Quilter: Amy Pabst Design Basis: Maker's Original Design This quilt was foundation pieced on a 1947 Singer Featherweight and then quilted in the ditch on a Bernina. Fabrics include silk dupioni, commercial cottons, hand-dyed fabrics, silk blends, synthetic blends, and velvet. There are 13,384 individual pieces of fabric in this quilt. Instagram: @amymakesquilts

1st Place: Naturescape

$1,000 Sponsor: Quilter's Rule - a division of Laser Excel Title: Timeless Moment Maker: Mimi Ghauri-Young Quilter: Mimi Ghauri-Young Design Basis: Maker's Original Design This quilt was inspired by a planned trip to Patagonia. I wanted to explore depicting a landscape with a dramatic sunset reflected in water. The serenity of the scene suggests timelessnes and calm.

1st Place: Pictorial

$1,000 Sponsor: BERNINA of America Title: Still Life Maker: Jing Chen Quilter: Jing Chen Design Basis: Original Design I wanted to use silk to express a realistic still life painting, including the picture and the frame. Among them, the realistic effect of the picture frame is achieved use embroidery by manually controlling on a stationary machine. At the same time, I want to explore unique free-motion Quilting to present different picture effects on the front and back of the work.

1st Place: Animal

$1,000 Sponsor: Juki Title: Bremen Town Musicians Maker: Kestrel Michaud Quilter: Kestrel Michaud Design Basis: Maker's Original Design This fairytale was my favorite as a kid. Mom would read stories to my sister and me before bed every night, and we would ask her to read "Bremen Town Musicians" — that's what we called it, even though the actual title is a bit different — again and again. We loved how the animals "win" and scared the thieves away from the house. Animals are real-life underdogs, but in this story, they definitely came out on top.

1st Place: Human Image

$1,000 Sponsor: Sew Treasured Quilt Shop Title: Boys of Summer Maker: Kathleen Dotson Quilter: Kathleen Dotson Design Basis: Based on a photo by Sally Stephens (used with permission) The underlying picture speaks of the joys of summer as two boys are playing as dinosaurs in the sand at the beach. I wanted to learn how to use values and try something new. Collage methods are inspired from both Susan Carlson and Sandra Mollon. This is the first time I've tried "humans" - and I love how it turned out. It is just so joyful to me.

2nd Place: Abstract

$750 Sponsor: Janome Title: Gold Rush Maker: Deborah Ryan Quilter: Deborah Ryan Design Basis: Maker's Original Design An experiment in shape and color, motion and rhythm. Are celestial bodies plundered for human greed? What about in the future? The shadow outlines from piecing mirror the ambivalence between human need and greed.

2nd Place: Applique

$750 Sponsor: Road to California, Inc. Title: Garden Friends Maker: Lisa Mortell Quilter: Lisa Mortell Design Basis: Original This quilt evolved from the Bee block I designed. Then, I decided I needed an entire quilt of all my six-legged friends. This quilt combines two of my loves: gardening and stitching. The stitching brings this quilt to life in a way I think nothing else can. @lisamortellquilter

2nd Place: Mixed/Other

$750 Sponsor: Road to California, Inc. Title: Millefleur Maker: Jan Hutchison Quilter: Jan Hutchison Design Basis: My own design The inspiration for this wholecloth is the tradition of medieval tapestry called millefleur- a field of flowers on a green background.

2nd Place: Improv

$750 Sponsor: Sewing Machines Plus Title: Pathway Maker: Barbara Danzi Quilter: Barbara Danzi Design Basis: Maker's Original Design Inspired by the traditional Drunkard's Path quilt block, I used improvisational cutting and piecing to represent the pathway of life which ebbs and flows. We seek a joyful and colorful life against a background of many shades of grey.

2nd Place: Pieced

$750 Sponsor: Road to California, Inc. Title: Hextesela - El camino azul Maker: Carmen María Cambronero Quilter: Carmen María Cambronero Design Basis: Maker's Original Design I love working with just two colors and small hexagons (11 mm side). At times, I just need to get started; after finishing the star, I had no idea how to continue. Last year, I created the big circle and corners, looking to give it a medallion appearance. “Hextesela” has 11243 pieces (10949 hexagons, 252 pentagons and 42 circles). Fussy cutting: 1762 pieces. About 240 quiltig hours.

2nd Place: Naturescape

$750 Sponsor: Quilter's Rule - a division of Laser Excel Title: Desert Women Maker: Susan Smith Quilter: Susan Smith Design Basis: Personal photo Strong and prickly, they use their strength to guide their thoughts and protect themselves and the ones they love. To have a creative and fulfilled life. My photo altered and printed at Spoonflower, Whole cloth, free motion machine quilted, hand stitched all the thorns with hand dyed variegated threads # 8 pearle cotton.

2nd Place: Pictorial

$750 Sponsor: BERNINA of America Title: Is My Planet Broken? Maker: Dale Stuart Quilter: Dale Stuart Design Basis: Original Design Is this how a child views what's happening to our planet? Maybe naive confusion comes before understanding, but after seeing that something is amiss. This fragmented Earth is the environmental legacy we're creating for the generations to come. The inheritors of our planet—the children who cannot yet grasp the complexities of environmental issues—are the ones who will face the consequences of our current actions. Do we care enough to do something?

2nd Place: Animal

$750 Sponsor: Juki Title: Secret World Maker: Angie Tustison Quilter: Angie Tustison Design Basis: Original Design I created this quilt as a memorial for my Mother. She loved owls, and she is represented in this quilt by a strong, protective mother owl. The 3 babies represent her 3 children. The beadwork on the bottom is done in her style with some beads she made herself. I always felt like Mom created a special, secret world for me and my siblings that was filled with inspiration and beauty.

2nd Place: Human Image

$750 Sponsor: Sew Treasured Quilt Shop Title: Those Darn Boys Maker: Judy Crotts Quilter: Judy Crotts Design Basis: Personal Photo A photo I took of my grandson and two friends, captured childhood, friendship, laughter and a bit of mischief. Having recently been inspired by contemporary quilt artist, Bisa, this photo gave me the opportunity to experiment with her unique use of color,pattern and bold prints. This quilt also expresses my hope that children can grow up in a world where the color of their skin doesn't define them and and where girls feel empowered.

Judges Choice - Kathie Kerler

$500 Sponsor: Arrow Sewing Title: Sacred Geometry Maker: Bernadette Yuzik Quilter: Bernadette Yuzik Design Basis: Maker's Original Design A pine cone is nature's architectectural marvel when viewed closely. I am fascinated by it's grandeur. I took the photo to create this lasting art piece, studying it closely. The emergence of my interpretation became clear, wanting it to be as life like as possible in 3d form.

Judges Choice - David Taylor

$500 Sponsor: Arrow Sewing Title: Smoke In The Air Maker: Lisa Jenni Quilter: Lisa Jenni Design Basis: Maker's Original Design Once upon a time, smoking was my habit. Hardly anyone of the people I have met over the last 24 years knows that I was once a smoker. It’s been a long time since my last cigarette. I’ve thought many times how it was possible to stop. The radical change of moving overseas, changing social structures made it possible to break this very “sticky” habit. (see ClothinCommon.com)

3rd Place: Abstract

$500 Sponsor: Janome Title: Left Turn #2 Maker: Barbara Danzi Quilter: Barbara Danzi Design Basis: Maker's Original Design Inspired by traditional Half Square Triangle blocks and traditional blue and white American quilts, I improvisationally created my version to seemingly follow a pattern. Like life, the pattern is full of disruptions.

3rd Place: Applique

$500 Sponsor: Road to California, Inc. Title: Blooming Blocks & One From the Flock Maker: Janet Stone Quilter: Janet Stone Design Basis: original design Traditional star blocks whose names start with a letter from the alphabet, along side a flower starting with the same letter. Names of both are hand lettered in scallops around the border. Star blocks are appliqued, and one of each flower rides in the sheep cart. This is the last (#26) in my alphabet quilt series!!

3rd Place: Mixed/Other

$500 Sponsor: Road to California, Inc. Title: Heartwarming Days Maker: AKI SAKAI Quilter: AKI SAKAI Design Basis: Original The design based on my family memories, our quilt group [Honey Bee] and my favorite things . It took one year and four months to make this.

3rd Place: Improv

$500 Sponsor: Sewing Machines Plus Title: Destiny Calling Maker: Carlton Brown Quilter: Carlton Brown Design Basis: Maker's Original Design Making this abstract quilt demonstrated to me that my artistic destiny is calling. In it, I am expressing my passion for color and creating uniquely complex, improvisational pieced curves. Light and harmony play an important role here, creating depth and detail in the work.

3rd Place: Pieced

$500 Sponsor: Road to California, Inc. Title: Black and White and Red Allover Maker: Randa Mulford Quilter: Randa Mulford Design Basis: Willyne Hammerstein's La Tarantella pattern After making several very colorful English paper-pieced quilts, I wanted to try one using only a very limited color palette: black and white plus a bit of red. I modified the original pattern to create lines of red stars that meander among the kaleidoscopic rosettes and into the borders. Now it makes me think of that old riddle "What's black and white and red allover?" A new answer: my quilt!

3rd Place: Naturescape

$500 Sponsor: Quilter's Rule - a division of Laser Excel Title: Water World Maker: Lisa Jenni Quilter: Lisa Jenni Design Basis: Maker's Original Design The Pacific Northwest boasts extensive kelp forests. These cool-climate underwater plants are famous for their ability to harbor fish, seals and the most adorable creatures, sea otter. With global warming, our kelp forests are struggling. Invasive intruders like the purple sea urchin move further north. They eat and destroy the seabed of the kelp and eel grasses, essential for young salmon. (Read on ClothInCommon.com)

3rd Place: Animal

$500 Sponsor: Juki Title: Home Is Where the Herd Is Maker: Tina Freudenberger Quilter: Tina Freudenberger Design Basis: Based upon a photo This stunning Highland Cow, originally from the Scottish Highlands, lives in a herd in the western US. The far away stare of the bull against the stark background of the Rockies makes me wonder what he is thinking about. Rather than contemplating the splendor of the high mountain setting or how far he has come from Scotland, I suspect that he is absorbed by the security of his herd in their new home.

3rd Place: Human Image

$500 Sponsor: Sew Treasured Quilt Shop Title: Love and Legacy Maker: Victoria Peña Quilter: Victoria Peña Design Basis: Maker's Original Design These are my grandparents, Judy & Andrew Sterling, on their wedding day June 15, 1963. When they got married it still wasn't legal to do so in 16 states. I wanted to create this quilt, not only as a memento to their love & 56 years of marriage, but to serve as a reminder to others that their marriage was once radical and an abomination, just like things today that people protest against. I've always been proud of them for choosing love over all.