Quilts in Paradise

With the theme "Quilts in Paradise", the Friendship Knot Quilters Guild has challenged its members by asking the question: "What is your Paradise?" You might like to remember this when you visit the show and consider how wonderful it is to live in a tropical paradise and how often we express this in our quilts. Having abundant sunshine helps a quilter create. Quilts= Paradise=SARASOTA.

The 2013 show will showcase a fantastic array of quilts - from traditional to contemporary created by beginners to national award winners.

As part of the show, a Merchants Mall will showcase vendors offering a variety of commercial cottons, wools and hand-dyed fibers as well as notions, patterns and tools. Sewing/quilting/embroidery machines and long arm machines will also be on display.

The Guild-sponsored Boutique will offer both traditional and modern items for sale. There will also be a Consignment Sales area. Plan to stop in and shop for yourself or a gift for someone special.

There will be two silent auctions: a Block Auction with ready-to-use quilt blocks closing on Saturday and a Small Quilt Auction with winners each day of show.

Appraiser Brenda Grampsas, an American Quilter's Society certified appraiser of quilts and quilted textiles will be available each day. She is a member of the Professional Association of Appraisers-Quilted Textiles. www.thimbletales.com

  Show location:

Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds

  Admission: $7

Discount for bus trips

  Important dates:

Registration forms deadline: Jan. 21, 2013

Quilt drop-off: Feb. 23, 2013

Quilt judging days: March 1-2, 2013

Quilt show set-up: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 7, 2013

Quilt show take-down: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 9, 2013

Quilt pick-up: 5:30 p.m. March 9, 2013