We have some very special fiber artists who volunteered countless hours to help us with this year's challenge. Kelly would not be able to curate this challenge without these awesome people. It's only because of this highly competent and intelligent group of dynamos that things get done around here!

Chasey Harrison and Carolyn Kowalski:
Both of these great individuals work here, and it is only because of them that we can handle this and all our jobs! Chasey handles the traveling schedule, and helps coordinate the collections, and Carolyn keeps all things running smoothly, including computer equipment designed to drive us insane. Everyone should be so blessed to have such positive, fun, and inspiring people with whom to work!

Candace Baudoin:
Volunteered to help Kelly with fundraising quilts for Calvary School, and now is a truly addicted quilter! Great for advice, and pitches in when the going gets rough (also pitches in Angel's tickets, she's their most loyal fan!).

Cindy Kruse:
Cindy has won her wings many times over. We've gotten to know her as she's quilted over 100 charity quilts on our long arm machine. Cindy worked seven days (or more?) straight helping with the huge amount of data entry and invoice processing the week of the deadline, and kept us organized through the two days of judging and jurying. Imagine, keeping 600 items organized!

Lisa Scaglione:
Not only a second year volunteer for the HC, Lisa also is the secretary for the Southern California Council of Quilt Guilds, and an active member of many other volunteer organizations. Always positive and enthusiastic, and a great reminder of why we love quilting!

Stephanie Leuthesser:
Stephanie had no idea what she was getting into when she dropped off her quilt entry. We were literally up to our eyebrows in piles of boxes, computers, bubblewrap, and entries when we jokingly told her to drop in after the judging and join the fun! She did! Little did we realize that, being a total computer wizard and business woman, she'd build databases and merge the info for signage, assemble the 300+ signs, and simplify about a zillion other things. We figure she pitched in about 100+ hours, but saved us 1000+. She's been instructed that she can't do anything next August but come here, and that Kelly now owes her either a transfusion or a kidney!

Madeline and Joe Gallagher:
Kelly's parents arrived, never realizing what they were getting themselves into - planning only on watching the kids a few days while Kelly went off to teach. We're convinced that they are the best parents on earth, and willing to do whatever needs to be done! They left saying something about a 6 week cruise this time next year.

Kyle, Ryan, and Karlee Abbott and David Hall (an innocent neighborhood kid pulled into this insanity and found quite competent in box breaking-down and debris removal) all pitched in full time over the first week of August. These kids are awesome (and not just by Kelly's standards) and well-versed fiber afficianados. It's a joy to answer their thoughtful questions, and see them light up while viewing the entries.

Judging 400 items was a huge job. Many, many thanks to professional judges Ann Turley and Bettie Blauser. Both of these experienced quilters are happy (and are well trained and educated) to judge shows, competitions, and exhibits, and have our highest recommendations!

Ann Turley can be reached at yelrut@earthlink.net

Bettie Blauser at quilterbettie@mail.fea.net

They were assisted and provided scribing services by Kathy Lee-Smith and Collete McMannus.

What a crew! All of these individuals were joined by Sandy Muckenthaler of Hoffman California Fabrics, Jim Abbott, various studio dogs, and probably other wonderful individuals that we've forgotten to mention. Please accept our most sincere appreciation!