Quilts bringing tears in YC

With tears in her eyes, Joyce Avenell stood in front of a quilt made in honor of her late husband, Jim.

"There's so many memories in here," she said. "I'm thrilled to share it."

Avenell proudly displayed the quilt among hundreds submitted for viewing Saturday at the Valley Quilt Guild's 25th Annual Show in Yuba City.

In the quilt, Avenell said, she included several different patterns of her husband's Pennington shirts and Levi jeans. The center piece is of Yosemite's Half Dome, because, Avenell said, Jim was a guide at Yosemite and loved the park.

Avenell said each of her three children and eight grandchildren chose a pattern they wanted included.

"I just look at it, and I can see which child chose which pattern," Avenell said.

Avenell was among hundreds of visitors walking the show at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, sharing their own work, quilts they owned or just perusing the colors and variety of quilts on display.

Nancy Trammell, a guild member since it was founded in 1982, was at the show to see all of the designs made by fellow quilters.

"It is a beautiful show, there is so much color," she said.

Trammell was admiring featured quilter Jody Ohrt's work at a table in the middle of the show. Saturday was Trammell's 75th birthday. She was joined by her family members, who flew in from all over the country to be with her.

As Trammell looked at the quilts, Ohrt answered questions and pointed out patterns and fabrics she'd used.

"I look at the fabric and there is tremendous inspiration," she said. "I really do believe the quilt speaks to you."

Ohrt said she's been quilting since 1996, a pastime she picked up and has come to really enjoy.

"I've always been interested in a small bit of art," she said. "I believe I have a creative mind, but I can't draw. This is my way."

Many of Ohrt's quilts have received numerous awards. Although Ohrt said she does not design or create quilts for competition or for profit, she was the featured artist at this year's show.

Kim Buzolich also said she doesn't make quilts for the prizes, but three of her five quilts she entered this year received awards, including best of show and judges choice.

"I'm still on a high," she said. "I haven't had anything judged before."

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com

The show continues today with quilts displayed at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Demonstrations are also scheduled throughout the day and booths with a variety of fabric are available for purchase.