LAKEPORT, Calif. – An estimated 770 people attended the 12th annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show, held Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.

Viewers strolled through aisle after aisle of quilts, 200 of them in styles from traditional to modern and in colors ranging from delicate to bold.

Cara Gulati, the show’s featured artist, brought her vivid, crowd-pleasing quilts and chatted with guests both days. Trish Williams was thrilled to meet Gulati who “quilts like I paint.”

The 3D underwater quilts by Donna Hodges and Lyn Nunn drew crowds who used 3D glasses to experience the illusion of fish swimming through the sea.

Each year local VIP judges select their favorites, quilts “that you would go home with.”

Rich Hinchcliff of the District Attorney’s Office chose “Happy Hunting, Fishing, Etc.” for its outdoor themes.

Mandy Feder of the Record-Bee chose “Tree of Life by the “Op-Quilt Team” because it reminds her of her Hungarian heritage, and Stephanie Wayment, Office of Education, liked Martha De Leon’s “Irish Double Chain” for its colors and beauty.

Steve Estrada of the Chapel of the Lakes chose Claire Grieve’s “Oh Christmas Tree” with its holiday theme. Paula Bryant from Umpqua Bank chose Carolyn McLaren’s “Garden Trellis” that brought back memories of her grandmother.

Quepha Arnold won the “Little Baskets” opportunity quilt. The Viewers’ Choice award went to “Grand Finale” by Tami Benevedes-Graeber.

Some quilters entered their quilts to be judged. Quilts were entered in 24 categories.

First place winners were Wansley Adam, Jane Alameda, Tami Benevedes-Graeber, Lisa Bowles, Patti Cox-Frankenfield, Pat Dandy, Martha De Leon, Carolyn Dexter, Dee Goodrich, Donna Hodges, Suzen Ingle, Toni Jordan, Carolyn McLaren, Elsa Meyer, Judy Oliver, Marilyn Schoefer, Raychell Sumner, Jo Syphax, Betty Upchurch, Nancy Walker and Beverly White.

Second place awards went to Wansley Adam, Shelley Aldrich, Tami Benevedes-Graeber, Martha De Leon, Carolyn Dexter, Marian Drain, Dee Goodrich, Kerry Hansing, Carole Hildebrand, Donna Hodges, Suzen Ingle, Nit Lemley, Carolyn McLaren, Shari Sawle, Raychell Sumner, Sandy Walker and Lydia Wells.

Wansley Adam, Betsy Brown, Patti Cox-Frankenfield, Connie Cracraft, Martha De Leon, Christine Duncan, Jean Elsa, Linda Franklin, Kerrie Hershey, Donna Hodges, Linda Lowman, Martha Showers, Marj Sweeney, Jo Syphax and Sandy Walker took home third place ribbons.

Quilts by Jane Alameda, Shelley Aldrich, Betsey Brown, Connie Cracraft, Martha De Leon, Carolyn Dexter, Marian Drain, Linda Franklin, Dee Goodrich, Carole Hildebrand, Donna Hodges, Suzen Ingle DeeDee Long and Gretchen Moore received honorable mentions.

A special display featured Wounded Warrior quilts by Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild members. The stretcher-sized quilts will be donated to service members wounded in combat when they arrive in hospitals. Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild members have participated in this project for several years.

The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild welcomes all quilters and quilt lovers, and invites everyone to the13th annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show in 2014.