Rice wins Best of Show quilt honors

Laura Rice of Venango, Nebraska, was convinced by Creative Traditions owner Julie Haake to enter some of her quilting talent in the Quilts of the Plains show in Wray on Saturday, June 26.

It ended up being a wise decision, as all four of Rice’s entries earned ribbons, and she also took Best of Show honors for an added accolade.

Rice’s large bed quilt, which is completely hand sewn, won first place in its quilt category, in addition to earning Best of Show honors.

Titled “Majestic Mosaic,” the piece has also earned Best of County honors in the Chase County, Nebraska, fair and also went to the Nebraska State Fair in the past. While she has a Venango address, Rice noted that she lives north of Lamar, Nebraska, in Chase County.

In another entry in the large bed quilt division, Rice’s “Brilliant Beauties of Joy,” a paper-pieced masterpiece, took third place.

Applique is Rice’s favorite technique, and the self-taught quilter has it mastered.

Rice entered two wall hangings in last week’s show. “Affairs of the Heart,” which was a block of the month project, placed first, while “Language of Flowers” was judged third place in the wall hanging division.

Haake transported 38 quilts from Holyoke to the show in Wray. Quilts of the Plains featured a total of 130 entries, including antique quilts, as well as table runners and wall hangings.