Views of Las Vegas: a selection of entries from our community quilt contest photos by Ronda Churchill.
The winning squares, from top, "Dino" by Karla Poggen, "Silver Slipper" by Carol Nelson, "Desert Tortoise (gopherus agassizii)" by Dawn Lee Tausendfreund.
Karen lapratt , who has memories of Vegas Vic's "howdy pardner" from childhood, created this super-sized rendition of the icon.
This fused block represents Linda Lewers' life in Las Vegas.
a roulette wheel was the center of Luise Shafritz' block.
Bonnie Edney re-created a showgirl in gold.
Lee Webster created this block with a desert scene.
Gundula Jabara interpreted a view of hoover dam.
A replica of the clark county seal by Ardis Mongy.
"The other side of Paradise," by Melody Matthews.
Judi Albert captured the view from her kitchen window.
"1st tee" is Mary Lambrecht's homage to our golf courses.
Sharon Klarich honored Las Vegas' chapels.
Judi Albert's block tosses a pair of iconic dice.
"Let's get married" is by Stacey Iverson.
A desert scene was stitched by Sharon Mann.
Lorraine St. Pierre used Vegas Vic at the center of her block.
This mining/mountain scene is by Dona Karns.
Lynda Leon's block has its own Deck of cards.
Cindi Baer used multiple textures in her block.
Our buffets were immortalized by Mary Larson.
Diane Quenell captured both ends of the strip.
Carole Crapia incorporated sign and skyline in her block.
Photos of Red Rock Canyon are on Barbara Kemnitz's block.
Photos of Las Vegas embellish this block by Corliss Eden.
This block is by Opal Mchone of Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Sue Malhotra also captured the Las Vegas welcome sign.
Sylvia Schwartz used cross-stitching on her block.
Bonnie Edney's block followed suit -- of cards.
Judi Junge's "Party with the stars" graces quilt a's corners.
Las Vegas' western tradition captured by Connie Gozdan.
"A thread's-eye view of Red Rock " by Kathleen Meisel.
"Showgirl" was painted and appliqued by Elaine Gallegos.
"Traffic cones etc." by Mary Lambrecht, above, and a Luxor-themed block by Sue Hardsaw, below, were the runners-up in the Las Vegas Review-Journal's quilt-block contest.
When we asked readers to submit blocks for the Review-Journal Community Quilt project, we were a little wary of a light response. After all, quilting is an art, and a time-consuming one at that; how many quilters would take the time to interpret Las Vegas, cut and stitch a block and send it to us?
Quite a few, as it turned out. And some quilters submitted two, three, even four blocks, all of them reflecting some aspect of life in the Las Vegas Valley.
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We received so many blocks, as it turned out, that we Decided to make not just one quilt but two-- and we still couldn't use all of the blocks submitted. And so the judges chose the top 40 and put them in the capable hands of local quilter and quilting instructor Jean Schantol.
The judges also chose the winning blocks. Without an envelope or further adieu, the winners are:
First: "Dino" by Karla Poggen
Second: "Silver Slipper" by Carol Nelson
Third: "Desert Tortoise (gopherus agassizii)," by Dawn Lee Tausendfreund
Poggen, Nelson and Tausendfreund all received monetary prizes ($100, $75 and $50, respectively), but the results were so spectacular that the judges also awarded two honorable mentions -- to Mary Lambrecht for "Traffic Cones Etc." and Sue Hardsaw for her Luxor-themed block.
Poggen's impressive block was a portrait of Dean Martin formed by the piecing of variously printed fabrics. After the judging was completed, R-J staffers found Poggen's note about the project:
"My office is located on Dean Martin Drive," she wrote. "When providing the address to anyone outside of Las Vegas, their reaction is usually joking and ridicule. As a proud local, what I find perfectly normal as a Las Vegas street name I suppose isn't so normal after all. Here's to Dino."
And here's to you, Karla Poggen, and to all readers who submitted blocks; we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Now it's time for the bidding to begin, and all proceeds will be donated to The Children's Services Guild, which supports Child Haven.
Handmade quilts generally start in the $675 to $975 range and these quilts are truly unique representations of life in Las Vegas, created through the love and talent of numerous valley residents. Therefore, we've set the minimum bid for our silent auction at $200 per quilt.
Use the bid form found with this story. Bids can be mailed to Quilt Auction, in care of Heidi Knapp Rinella, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125, or faxed to her at 383-4676. Bids (using an approximation of the printed form) also can be e-mailed to hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Bids must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, and auction winners will be announced Dec. 21.
PLACE YOUR BID ON A UNIQUE COMMUNITY QUILT
Place your silent bid on one or both of our hand-made community quilts. Minimum bid on each is $200. Bids must be received at the Review-Journal office no later than 5 p.m. Friday. The winners will be announced Dec. 21, and cash payment must be made within 7 days. All proceeds will benefit Child Haven. Mail this form to Heidi Knapp Rinella, Las Vegas Review Journal. P.O. Box. 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125, or fax to her at 383-4676, or e-mail hrinella@reviewjournal.com.
I'm bidding on: Quilt A or Quilt B (circle your choice)
