Beyond Grandma's Quilts: Cut-Ups Quilt Guild to host open show at Civic Center

Three Event Highlights

1. The Calcasieu Cut-Ups Quilt Guild was formed in July 1986 and is comprised of area quilters of all ages and expertise. The group currently meets on the first Thursday of each month, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., at Jake's Banquet Hall in Sulphur. Outside of their monthly meetings, guild members also participate in community service projects for a variety of institutions, including nursing homes, veterans' groups and children's outreach groups.

2. Every two years, the guild holds a quilt show open to the public featuring many categories of quilts, including original art, whole cloth, theme, pictorial, garments, novelty, and hand-quilted, among others. This year, the big event, entitled Beyond Grandma's Quilts, will be held March 15-16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, at the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall. Twenty-six judged and two unjudged categories of quilts will be on display. In addition, attendees can view the Alzheimer's Initiative quilts — the selling of which benefits Alzeheimer's research — and the Quilts of Valor, a nation-wide initiative whereby quilts are donated to veterans and their families. Well over 200 quilts are expected to be on display. There will also be door prizes, boutiques and quilts for sale.

3. The wide variety of quilts on display will feature some award-winning creations. Previous to the March 15-16 show, the various works falling within 26 judged categories of quilts underwent the scrutiny of judges Barbara Smith Deeter, of Shreveport, and Cathy Woltz Lempa, of Lumberton, Texas. Judging was held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Sulphur. Best of Show went to Dot Collins for 'Eclipse,' and Best of Theme went to Carolyn Slack's 'Lone Star Smoothie.' Judge Lempa's choice was Martha Vincent's 'Log Cabin Study' and judge Deeter's choice went to Sharie Paulson's 'Starring the Water Lilies.' Quilting enthusiasts can view the award-winners at the Civic Center, and the public is invited to cast their vote on the Viewer's Choice Ribbon winner.

If you decide to go:

Where: The Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall in Lake Charles

When: Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: $5 to enter but parking is free

On the web: http://www.calcasieucut-upsquiltguild.yolasite.com