By Staff
McClaskey, McCullough among other winners
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles &Features Editor
On Wednesday morning during the monthly meeting of the Pamlico River Quilters’ Guild, a Washington woman who began quilting as a youngster was awarded the “Viewers Choice” award for her work.
Sophie Mitchell was presented the award for her original quilt, “Sophie’s Bouquet.” The quilt was among the estimated 125 pieces displayed during the guild’s show, held recently in the Washington Civic Center.
Her award-winning quilt, large enough to cover a king size bed, is done in shades of blue and white in the style of a sampler quilt, with a medallion in the center. In that medallion is a colorful bouquet of flowers, which gives the quilt its name.
Modest about her accomplishments, Mitchell would only say that she has won other awards for her quilting projects.
The “Viewers Choice” recipient was decided by a vote taken among the hundreds of people who attended the show, according to guild president Ann Bergbauer.
Also recognized during Wednesday’s meeting were the winners of the “Judge’s Choice” and “Best of Show” ribbons.
Debby McCullough of Winterville won the “Judge’s Choice” award for her wall hanging featuring the spreading branches of a tree in a winter setting.
McCullough said that although she has received awards for her paintings in the past, this was her first for quilting.
Sharon McClaskey of Bethel received the “Best of Show” award for a full size bed quilt featuring a variety of baskets, each representing a month in the year. March, for example, includes small shamrocks in the design.
Previously, McClaskey’s work brought her a ribbon at the Maryland State Fair during the 1970s, but she hadn’t entered her work in any other show until this year. Among the guild members, she’s known for the number of projects she tackles.
Area quilters interested in joining the Pamlico River Quilters’ Guild can contact Bergbauer at (252) 940-1186 for more information. The guild generally meets the second Wednesday of each month at the Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center in Washington.
::THIS sidebar in a box please::
Pamlico River Quilters’ Guild 2008 show winners
BEST OF SHOW — Sharon McClaskey
JUDGE’S CHOICE — Debby McCullough
VIEWERS CHOICE — Sophie Mitchell
In the bed quilts, lap quilts, large wall hangings, small wall hangings and baby quilts, there were different categories that members entered thus more than one first, second and third place winners.
BED QUILTS
First — Sharon McClaskey, Carol Tanner, Ruth Rose, Peggy Jones; Second — Joan Keating, Kathy Belski; Third — Sophie Mitchell, Carol Tanner; Honorable mention — Deb Ash, Thelma Garnett;
LAP QUILTS
First — Jackie Boykin, Glenda Barnes, Lori Richardson; Second — Sharon McClaskey, Wendy Bissinger, Kathy Belski; Third — Carol Tanner, Ellie Holbein, Karina Moore; Honorable mention — Muffy Bowman;
LARGE WALL HANGING
First — Sharon McClaskey, Deb Ash, Sally Hamilton, Gwen Estep; Second — Wendy Bissinger, Carol Tanner, Katrina Moore; Third — Wendy Bissinger, Sharon McClaskey, Sally Hamilton; Honorable mention — Arnold Barnes, Ruth Rose;
SMALL WALL HANGINGS
First — Sally Hamilton, Ruth Rose, Wendy Bissinger, Gwen Estep; Second — Pat Carlson, Sally Hamilton, Sharon McClaskey, Arnold Barnes, Gwen Estep; Third — Sally Hamilton, Sophie Mitchell; Honorable mention — Lori Richardson;
BABY QUILTS
First — Barbara Alligood, Debby McCullough; Second and third — Kaye Woolard, Liz Duncan; Honorable mention — Lee Houston;
NEW QUILTER
First — Katrina Moore; Second — Kaye Woolard; Third — Elaine McClure;
ART QUILTS
First, second and third — Debby McCullough; Honorable mention — Debby McCullough, Glenda Barnes;
MINIATURES
First and second — Joan Keating;
HOME D