The 2011 AAQG Quilt Challenge partnered with Ami Simms' Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. Participants were asked to make a 9 x 12 quilt with a nature theme for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (www.AlzQuilts.org) a national, grassroots charity whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research. The AAQI auctions and sells donated quilts, and sponsors a nationally touring exhibit of quilts.

There were 41 quilts entered. 1st, 2nd and 3rd places were chosen by two judges: Marcie Wendrock and Liz Porter. A Viewer's Choice was chosen by the AAQG membership. We appreciate all those who helped make the awards: Julie Ann Moon, design; Paige Fish, construction; Jennifer at Quilter's Folly for doing the embroidery work on the ribbons.

The entries will be exhibited at the Chase Bank Corridor of Art at 700 Lavaca St from January 6, 2012 to February 26, 2012. The 2011 AAQG Challenge winners were:

• 1st Place: Victoria West
• 2nd Place: Paige Fish
• 3rd Place: Linda Hall and Mary Shepherd
• Viewer's Choice: Victoria West

Austin Area Quilt Guild (AAQG) holds a challenge in off-show (odd-numbered) years. These challenges provide a welcome opportunity for guild members to try out their creativity and skill.

Previous challenge themes have included:

• 1997 - "Concerto Verde" (Musical theme)
• 1999 - "It's about water"
• 2001 - "Out of the Blue"
• 2003 - "Flower Power"
• 2005 - "Stars of Texas"
• 2007 - "The Recycle of Life"
• 2009 - "Playing with the Color Wheel"

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000 Challenge Winners	001 Kathleen Clendennan - Flowers for Rosie	002 Ann Byrd - Granny's Texas Wildflower Garden	003 Trudy Pickle - Spring is for Lovers
004 Jude Holman - After the Fire... Picking up the Pieces	005 Judy Baumann - To Everything There is a Season	006 Nancie Vogele - Growth	007 Mary Beard - Rose of my Life
008 Lynne B. Allen - Touch	009 Josie Carraher - Forgotten Gardens	010 Paula Bidwell - Pretty Flowers	011 Julie Ann Moon - Let Down Your Gourd - Be Yourself

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