Texas Agriculture Department Quilt Contest

Every two years, the Texas Department of Agriculture has a quilt contest in the "Go Texan" program. The TDA chooses the theme and provides a packet of all-natural fabrics. The entrant designs his/her own block and must use these fabrics. The entrant can add up to 3 fabrics of their own in their block.

The theme for 2010 was "Texas Wildlife -- Adventure Awaits". There were approximately 100 entries and only 25 blocks were chosen. I was blessed to have my block chosen! On Friday, 9/25, opening day of the State Fair of Texas (Dallas, TX), the quilt was unveiled for the first time and winners were presented with a certificate and a goody bag.

The following is a partial diagram of where each person's block was placed in the quilt. My block was in the center -- I was so excited.

The first order of business was the presentation of awards. Here I am receiving my certificate and a personal letter from Todd Staples, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Next, we moved over to where the quilt was displayed for the unveiling. A representative from Hobbs Batting (one of the sponsors and I'm sorry I don't remember his name), Terri Vogds (she pieced the quilt together), and Maria Davis (the longarm quilter -- who did a fantastic job!) do the honors of unveiling the quilt.

And here is the completed quilt! It is beautiful. Terri did a fantastic job putting it together. All the pieced blocks have an animal name. She incorporated some embroidered blocks as well. Maria did a great job on the quilting.




Here I am -- pointing to my block.







Last, here is my block. I chose to use the outline of the State of Texas and then applique the various animals that inhabit each different region of Texas.

Let's Go to the Texas State Fair!

Oh My! We have (see earlier posts) learned that three members of The Wacky Pac Quilters had their blocks selected to be incorporated in the "Toast A Rising Star" quilt sponsored by The Texas Department of Agriculture. Texas is 5th in the nation in wine production, so this quilt depicts this great accomplishment. Get you a cup of coffee, tea, glass of wine, or whatever and lets make a trip to the State Fair of Texas for the big unveling!

The picture to the left is the winning Wackies (l-r --Kathy, Jerri, and Rhonda). Now you notice that Kathy is sporting a big hat and sunglasses as well as Rhonda. We just "know" we are going to be mauled by photographers and public wanting our photos and autographs! LOL SEW, here we go seven -- did I say SEVEN WILD AND WACKY WOMEN -- load up in my surburban so we can make the 2-hour trip to Dallas. It's a good thing I had new tires and new shocks on that car! (Just kidding girls). We have a map, written traveling directions from the TDA, a Texas map, and a GPS. As we get to the exit off I-45, it appeared everyone knew how to get there. We made it safely....parked.....got out.....walked into the fair....find out we can't park there.......so Kathleen and I head back to move the car.

We all finally get into the Food and Fiber Pavallion, and here we sit, waiting for the award ceremony to begin. Now, note that we are ALL wearing our "infamous" Wacky denim shirts that we made that is covered in Sworvorski gems. The place is aglow!

The quilt is on display, but it is COVERED IN BROWN PAPER! We can't see it yet, even though Jerri tried and tried to peek.

We eagerly await the ceremony to begin. Here we go......."Rhonda Lawton".

The clapping, yelling, whistling begins! Yep, you got it -- the other 6 of us can really make some noise. Everyone in the place was looking......Then it was "Kathy Earley" more claping and excitement.

Then it was "Jerri Hendrix" and again more cheering. I think it was at that point the others realize what kind of group we were -- LOL!

Now it's time for the "big unveiling". The quilt was hung amongst a beautiful display board telling all about the quilt. There were 24 blocks chosen to be in the quilt, but only 4 of the block descriptions were chosen to be put up on the display. Mine was picked! I was so surprised.

So the TDA staff 'rips' off the paper! What a BEAUTIFUL quilt it is! Several people said it was the most beautiful so far. (The Texas Department sponsors a quilt contest every two years). And 'ta da' a picture of all the block winners who are honored to have their designs in the quilt that will travel around the great State of Texas! Congratulations to all!

Glass of Texas Wine????

Would you like a glass of Texas wine to help me celebrate? Did you know that Texas is the 5th in the Nation in wine production? The Texas Department of Agriculture sponsors a quilt block contest each year. As I posted earlier, I (along with 3 of my Wacky Friends) entered blocks. I received notification today that my block (see picture to the left) was one of the blocks chosen! I was really excited. I wasn't too sure if it would get picked or not. My Wacky friend, Rhonda, also had her block chosen as well. Yea!!! We are so excited. We will go to the Texas State Fair for the unveiling ceremony. We hope to make it a "Wacky Trip" -- LOL! But then all of our trips are "Wacky" when the Wacky Pac gets together!

Oh My! Looky Ethel!

Lucy is beside herself with disbelief! She can't believe that "the block" is finally finished!!!!!! She had to run and call Ethel and have her come over and look!

As you know I live in Texas. The Texas Agriculture Department has a quilt block competition each year depicting something about Texas. This year, the theme was wine. Did you know that Texas is the 5th in the nation in wine production??? Well, I didn't realize this either.

Sew, on to the block. I received my packet of fabrics that are required to be used in the block. I decide to make a block that is mainly applique' but with some piecing. I chose the Texas (duh) in red/white/blue like our State flag and then using a barrel, grapes, and wine glasses. I made the applique portion (which includes all aforementioned items and tons of those little round circles for grapes that were HAND APPLIQUED onto the piece -- everything else was machine appliqued). I get the applique' portion completed and am so proud -- now on to adding the piecing. What?????? I did the color scheme on Texas WRONG. It is white on top NOT RED!!!! I was so upset. Not only did I do the Texas applique'wrong, I was now OUT OF THE REQUIRED FABRIC. Well lucky for me, my Wacky Pac Sister, Kathleen, decided not to enter and gave me her fabric packet. You rock, Kathleen!

I wasn't able to get the block made before my surgery as May was wild for me (see previous post). Well this weekend, I was DETERMINED to make the block so it could be mailed on Monday -- afterall, the block was due on THURSDAY!

After a bit of anquish and the encouragement of all my Wacky friends, I completed the block. That little sucker is all packed up and will head to the U.S. Postal service first thing in the morning for its trip to Austin, TX.

Now to wait and see if my block is selected to be in the quilt!