By Lyndsie Ferrell
CREEDE— The Eighth Bi-Annual Silver Threads Quilt show kicked off this weekend in Creede filling the Underground Community Center with an array of colorful quilts and a large crowd of guests from all over the nation. This year’s theme was “Along the Silver Thread” and featured a raffle quilt that highlighted the many scenic views that can be found along the Silver Thread Highway leading from Creede to Lake City.
The quilt was designed and created by the guild members including Anne Strong who completed the embroidery, Beth Kindall who created the Uncompahgre Mountain scene, Janice Torres who created the water scene and Marcie Vitopil who created and designed the aspen scene. Penny Snyder, Sheralyn Humble, Vi Koch and Diane Singer helped to create the rest of the quilt and apply the finishing touches. Raffle tickets were sold throughout the summer and the winning ticket was chosen on Sunday. All proceeds from the raffle go to community projects and local organizations in Hinsdale, Mineral and Rio Grande counties.  
Throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday, guests were asked to vote on their favorite quilts for the viewer’s choice award which was also announced Sunday after the winning raffle ticket was pulled.
Even children who attended the show were given a chance to participate with a fun activity. They were given a list of quilts to find throughout the show, adding a fun and unique way for young ones to enjoy the day while their parents voted for their favorite quilts. Those who finished the quilt scavenger hunt were given a free bag of cookies at the end.
This year’s show was judged by Cindy Brick. Brick has been teaching, writing about and judging quilts since 1984 and focuses on the historical and cultural significances of quilts. Brick is the author of six books including “Hanky Panky Crazy Quilts” and “Quilts of the Golden West.” Many of the Silver Threads Quilting Guild members had an opportunity to have their quilts judged by Brick and they were identified by a small “J” proceeding the entry number on the awarding ribbons.
The community center was packed with just over 150 quilts this year, including a display of antique quilts that could be viewed at various times throughout the show. Each display category of quilts was overseen by a volunteer, equipped with white gloves that allowed them to handle the quilts and show off specific traits to visitors. “I want to thank all of the people who helped by showing off the quilts and handling questions from visitors. It’s hard for people to understand why they can’t touch the quilts and these volunteers help answer that question and many others,” said show coordinator and Guild member Vi Koch.
Koch also sent out a huge thanks to the City of Creede, the Creede and Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, Mineral County Fire Department, Tompkins Hardware and Lumber, the Creede Community Center, the Creede Baptist Church, The Chapel of South Fork, Lodging Tax Tourist Fund Panel of Mineral County, Leonard Koch, Chuck Fairchild as well as all of the families and community members for their support.
The winner of the raffle quilt as well as the viewer choice awards will be announced as soon as they become available.