Tag, You’re It! Reader Challenge

8 1/2 x 11" Vertical Quilt Entry

Reader Challenges

Tag, You’re It! Reader Challenge  Letters and words aren’t just used to communicate, tell stories, or relay our thoughts. They can also be used to make our mark, so to speak. Some of us scribble in haste, others embellish with large, flourishing sweeps of the pen. But no matter how we choose to express ourselves, we all have our own way of interpreting text to leave our signature or tag.  Celebrating this spirit of individuality through text, Quilting Arts Magazine® introduces our “Tag, You’re It!” reader challenge. We invite you to explore ways to incorporate text as a fun graphic element in your art quilts and to make an art quilt that celebrates your own words of wisdom.  We will show some of our favorite entries in future issues of Quilting Arts Magazine® and even exhibit some at upcoming national quilt shows.  Ideas for getting text-y Combine cursive lettering with letter stamps or print blocks Free-motion stitch some text and embellish with hand stitching Cross your T’s with a string of beads or dot your I’s with vintage buttons Use image transfer processes to transfer text to fabric Add found objects that contain text such as letters and ephemera Here’s how to enter: Make an 8 1/2" x 11" art quilt of vertical orientation that features text. The entire quilt, including binding, must measure 8 1/2" x 11". It must be three layers and quilted, either by hand or machine or both; it must be bound or zigzag stitched closed and have a sleeve on the back. Any embellishments must not protrude more than 1/2" from the quilt. The entire quilt must weigh no more than 1 lb. The quilt may be made of alternative fibers (such as paper), but it must be quilted, consist of three layers, and be either bound or closed along the edges. Your entry must be free of any text or images that are protected by copyright, unless you have the expressed written permission from the person or institution that holds the copyright and you provide that written permission with your submission. It’s a good idea to steer clear of commercial imagery. To be considered for the challenge, send two low-res (each less than 1MB) images of your entry (one of the entire piece and one of a detail) via email by Friday, June 17, 2011, to challenges@interweave.com, with the words “Tag, You’re It!” in the subject line. Please include your name, email address, phone number, and a brief explanation of your piece. Note: Please do not “zip” your files and be sure to send jpegs.  On Monday, June 20, 2011, Pokey will post the finalists on her blog at quiltingarts.com. If accepted as a finalist, your artwork must be in our offices no later than Friday, July 1, 2011, along with a flat shipping and handling fee of $15 (U.S. and Canada) or $25 (all other international). This fee, which must be paid in U.S. dollars, covers the shipping costs, packing materials, and handling for the return of your entry. The entire piece and all of its packaging must weigh less than 5 lbs. and fit into a standard shipping/mailing box (no larger than 12" x 4" x 14") or padded envelope.  Finalists should mail their entries to:             Quilting Arts Magazine/INTERWEAVE             Attn: Tag, You’re It! Reader Challenge             490 Boston Post Road             Suite 15             Sudbury, MA 01776 Note: By submitting your reader challenge entry, you are authorizing Interweave Press LLC to publish your project in upcoming publications and promotional materials, on our website, and in other Interweave e-media, as well as to possibly display it at shows. Interweave Press LLC will not be held responsible for loss or damage due to circumstances beyond our control.  We reserve the right to keep and display your “Tag, You’re It!” art quilt until the week of November 15, 2011. We will be shipping the quilts back during the last two weeks of November.  If you have questions about the “Tag, You’re It!” reader challenge, contact Ellen Seeburger at eseeburger@interweave.com.   We look forward to your quilted words of wisdom!