2025-2026
AMETHYST
AWARD RECIPIENTS
1ST PLACE WINNER
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SAKURA SUNRISE
by Joyce Lawrence Cambron
Boise, ID
"For several years I have been hanging on to a tiny picture of a small metal sculpture (wall art) from a gift catalog. This year’s collection of Hoffman Challenge fabrics was finally the inspiration I needed to enlarge the picture and actualize my version of that artwork."
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- Joyce Lawrence Cambron
2ND PLACE WINNER
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AMUS - GUARDIAN OF THE PRAIRIE
by Liz Wagstrom
Faribault, MN
"The American bison serves as the guardian of the prairies both ecologically and culturally. I wanted to portray the majesty of the species in this quilt. I was inspired by the painting Inner Light by Megan Wimberley who graciously gave me permission to utilize her work. I constructed the eye first and felt like he watched me for the hundreds of hours I worked on him, so I gave him the name Amus - full of love. While sometimes I felt like he was judging me as I worked, I also felt like he welcomed my admiration and dedication!"
- Liz Wagstrom
3RD PLACE WINNER
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DAISY FIELD
by Linda Bealmer
Mapleton, IL
"I was inspired to create this design after seeing a wall hanging in a pizza restaurant. I couldn’t tell what it was made of because it was too high up on the wall. It could be painted wood, canvas, or cloth, but was large. I was given permission to take a picture, and when I saw the Hoffman Challenge colors, I thought it was a good opportunity to create my version of the wall hanging."
- Linda Bealmer
1ST PLACE WINNER
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LOLLIPOPS
by Kadee Porter
Boise, ID
"'Lollipops is a playful, sugary-sweet quilt. Picture it centered on a round table, surrounded by stacks of birthday presents, pink and purple balloons, and a chocolate cake topped with pink and purple sprinkles - pretty please! This whimsical design originally began as peppermints, until my husband remarked that the swirling shapes resembled the all-day suckers he remembers from his childhood. Since “All-Day Sucker” is a terrible name for a quilt, the idea evolved into “Lollipops” and was a perfect fit for this year’s Hoffman Challenge fabrics..”
- Kadee Porter
2ND PLACE WINNER
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CELESTIAL COMPASS
by Elaine F. Class
Aurora, CO
"I drafted this quilt myself after not finding a suitable pattern. I also pieced it and quilted it on my Elna sewing machine. I like to see depth and motion in my work, and I believe that I accomplished it in this quilt."
- Elaine F. Class
3RD PLACE WINNER
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HOFFMAN CELEBRATION
by Barbara Stover
Waldo, OH
”This pieced quilt features freehand quilting with a double-top thread. The "gems" are salvaged from sweaters. I wanted to represent joy in the fabrics with this design.
- Barbara Stover
1ST PLACE WINNER
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LIKE A TREE FIRMLY PLANTED
by Sharon L. Schlotzhauer
Aurora, CO
"This stylized, modern work is Inspired by Psalm 1:3… “…He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…” I had wanted to make a quilt with a single large tree for a long time so started sketching the plans for this piece. The amethyst collection of batik fabrics is so beautiful, 14 of them were used in the form of ‘tiles.’ A lovely fabric in my 'stash' complimented the challenge batiks beautifully but I couldn’t make myself cut into it; thus, the whole-cloth backdrop. Dense quilting fills the background to both accentuate the trapunto, and to give the raw-edge, fused appliqued elements a little more dimension.
- Sharon L. Schlotzhauer
2ND PLACE WINNER
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NOURISH THE HEART
by Becky A. Grover
Ann Arbo, MI
"These are just some of the many ways we can nourish our hearts."
- Becky A. Grover
3RD PLACE WINNER
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MAE MAES BLOOM
by Katherine M. Dossman
Belton, TX
"I challenged myself to design a modern flower with improv piecing. Purple is a fabulous color and feels like royalty as does my cat Mae Mae. She was my inspiration."
- Katherine M. Dossman
1ST PLACE WINNER
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PAPA BEAR
by Luana D. Rubin
Boulder, CO
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"This piece is my thank you to the Hoffman family. I have known 3 generations of their family and have appreciated how this S. California business has managed to navigate the changes in our industry and still have that California Surfer vibe. This challenge really inspired me because purple is my favorite color! It is also a nod to the bear on the California flag. I used my bear photos from a couple wildlife photo trips to Alaska. This Papa Bear is giving us a steady gaze, recalling an experience I had in the forest with an adult bear."
- Luana D. Rubin
2ND PLACE WINNER
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STILL BLOOMING AND GROWING, NO MATTER WHAT
by Orit Modiano
Ramat Gan, Israel
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"Despite the Hardship, I Go on Creating and Seeing Life in Color"
- Orit Modiano
3RD PLACE WINNER
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THE RAINBOW CROW
by Cherri Kincaid
Merritt Island, FL
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"The idea was to make a deliberate confusion between the two structures. Creating a sort of surrealist interpretation where the bird is turning into the plant. Each square is a self-contained design, which when put together using different colors of fabric reveals another larger design. The Rainbow Crow sacrificed his beautiful colors by carrying fire from heaven to warm the animals on earth from the snow."
- Cherri Kincaid​
1ST PLACE WINNER
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CORSET CURVES
by Dorothy Foral
Signal Hill, CA
"My chosen Project was quite the challenge for me. I decided to make a bustier, based on the corset construction but with a modern twist. I draped the style, made the pattern. Then proceeded to make my own fabric. By cutting 2.5 inch strips and sewing them together creating “Curved Strips” (a new method for me) Then using the random sewn strips, cut the bodice. The skirt I wanted something short & “Flirty”. Using my own pattern with an elastic waist. Finding the notions was as challenging. The zipper, downtown Los Angeles, the trim, Hawthorne, the grommets and Coutil from Richard the Thread."
- Dorothy Foral
2ND PLACE WINNER
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PINK & PURPLE
by Denise J. DuBois
Dunbarton, NH
"I have two grown daughters. One daughter has always loved pink, and the other daughter has always loved purple. I also have two granddaughters. One granddaughter loves pink, and the other granddaughter loves purple. This pink and purple jacket is a tribute to my four most favorite girls. May love and positive energy always swirl around them! :)"
- Denise J. DuBois
3RD PLACE WINNER
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BIRDS AND AMETHYST BATIKS
by Patricia Dews
Daytona Beach Shores, FL
"Making wearable art allows me to express my creativity and originality. The fabric choices for this year’s challenge are beautiful batiks. I put the challenge fabrics on my design wall until I was inspired, and an idea popped into my mind. I recently moved to Florida and became enamored with the large, beautiful birds I encountered. The challenge fabric’s pink colors were perfect for flamingoes. I wanted to include pelicans because they fly by my condo windows."
- Patricia Dews
1ST PLACE WINNER
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STYLISH DOG
by Patricia M. James
Fredericksburg, VA
"MFor the dog that has everything, why not a quilted coat? Why not a leash and a poop bag?"
- Patricia M. James
2ND PLACE WINNER
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HAPPY FEET
by Karen Mazowiecki
Wayne, NJ
"These custom sneakers celebrate Hoffman's stunning 2025/2025 Amethyst collection. By crafting these fabrics into wearable art, I'm taking the joy of quilting beyond the studio and into daily life. Each step becomes an opportunity to share the artistry and craftsmanship of textile design, proving that gorgeous fabrics can be both functional and fashionable."
- Karen Mazowiecki​
3RD PLACE WINNER
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WINE & ROSES
by Denise J. DuBois
Dunbarton, NH
"The fabrics used in this handbag reminded me of the beautiful Wine & Roses Weigela bush in our yard with its dark purplish burgundy leaves and electric pink flowers, thus the name, Wine & Roses."
- Denise J. DuBois
1ST PLACE WINNER
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AMETHYST IN BLOOM
by Jacqueline Styner
Levittown PA
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"Amethyst in Bloom reflects my passion for quilting and designing unique pieces. I imagined amethyst crystals blooming into light, surrounded by delicate flowers. Using raw edge machine appliqué, free motion quilting, and hand embroidery, I combined bold shapes, flowing textures, and fine details to bring this vision to life. The quilt celebrates resilience and transformation, echoing how amethyst forms under pressure and blossoms into beauty through patience and creativity."
- Jacqueline Styner
2ND PLACE WINNER
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FLAMINGO IN THE FLOWERS
by Laina Strohm
Fayetteville, NC
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"I love bird watching and these bright pink and purple fabrics were perfect for a flamingo. I used the arts and crafts style to create a floral background with simple stylized flowers and leaves."
- Laina Strohm
3RD PLACE WINNER
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GOOD MORNING, MOTHER EARTH AND FATHER SKY THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS
by Linda W. Boynton De Sepulveda
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"In the First Nations beliefs we give thanks for our gifts. Father Sky is the source of stars, rain, thunder and the teacher of tenderness, sternness and gentleness. Mother Earth is the source of all life. The morning glory was used to represent spiritual guidance. The flower opens at dawn and withers by evening. A poignant reminder to cherish the present moment, embrace beauty as it is fleeting."
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- Linda W. Boynton De Sepulveda
PAPA BEAR
by Luana D. Rubin
Boulder, CO
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"This piece is my thank you to the Hoffman family. I have known 3 generations of their family and have appreciated how this S. California business has managed to navigate the changes in our industry and still have that California Surfer vibe. This challenge really inspired me because purple is my favorite color! It is also a nod to the bear on the California flag. I used my bear photos from a couple wildlife photo trips to Alaska. This Papa Bear is giving us a steady gaze, recalling an experience I had in the forest with an adult bear."
- Luana D. Rubin
ELEPHANT IN PARADISE
by Renata Beason
Craig, CO
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"Beautifull collection of fabric drove me to create my original design. The majesty of the mighty elephant mixes with the bright colors of this collection. I've always loved elephants and maybe one day I will go to an elephant sanctuary and hug a baby one."
- Renata Beason
SAKURA SUNRISE
by Joyce Lawrence Cambron
Boise, ID
​​
"For several years I have been hanging on to a tiny picture of a small metal sculpture (wall art) from a gift catalog. This year’s collection of Hoffman Challenge fabrics was finally the inspiration I needed to enlarge the picture and actualize my version of that artwork."
- Joyce Lawrence Cambron
HAPPY FEET
by Karen Mazowiecki
Wayne, NJ
​​
"These custom sneakers celebrate Hoffman's stunning 2025/2025 Amethyst collection. By crafting these fabrics into wearable art, I'm taking the joy of quilting beyond the studio and into daily life. Each step becomes an opportunity to share the artistry and craftsmanship of textile design, proving that gorgeous fabrics can be both functional and fashionable."
- Karen Mazowiecki
AMETHYST IN BLOOM
by Jacqueline Styner
Levittown, PA
​​
"Amethyst in Bloom reflects my passion for quilting and designing unique pieces. I imagined amethyst crystals blooming into light, surrounded by delicate flowers. Using raw edge machine appliqué, free motion quilting, and hand embroidery, I combined bold shapes, flowing textures, and fine details to bring this vision to life. The quilt celebrates resilience and transformation, echoing how amethyst forms under pressure and blossoms into beauty through patience and creativity."
- Jacqueline Styner
AMETHYST FENDER GUITAR
by Julie Atlas
Reno, Nevada
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"A Machine Embroidery & Fabric Collage Artist from Reno Nevada. I pushed my creative boundaries, and in 2025 I entered and Won a First Place in Mixed Techniques in the Hoffman Spring Meadow Fabric Challenge as well as a Hoffman Family Honorable Mention. My winning art quilt was also chosen in the Studio Art Quilt Associates, SAQA Journal Gallery in Print, for the December 2025 Issue. For my second Hoffman Fabric Challenge in 2026, I created an Amethyst Fender Guitar that combines my love of fabric art, color & music. May this Guitar touch the musical strings of everyone's heart...as I continue to DREAM BIG!"
- Julie Atlas
LOROPETALUM IN BLOOM
by Joyce Ryder
Baton Rouge, LA
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"In early spring in Louisiana some of the first blooms we see are on the loropetalum. The bright fuscia blossoms on branches full of purple and green leaves always bring a smile to my face. The Amethyst color palette immediately made me think of these blooms."
- Joyce Ryder
BOTTLED
by Mikie Jordan Bair
Phoenix, AZ
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"Bottled is compiled of 1900’s perfume ad damsels, where draped fabric, feathers, and precious gems conveyed an essence of luxury. Amethyst is the scent they are wearing; I know I’d want to buy it."
- Mikie Jordan Bair