CraftSanity Necktie Apron Show Results

I’m happy to report that the CraftSanity Necktie Apron Show to benefit Safe Haven Ministries was a wonderful success. About 200 people came to the opening night reception featuring 85 aprons – all including fabric from a necktie – by 57 designers. It was wonderful to see many of the apron designers who stepped up to the challenge snapping photos at the reception. Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop in and see the show! For those who missed it, be sure to check out the Flickr gallery.

The apron design contest winners were announced at the reception. Safe Haven awarded a grand prize award to Cindy Martinie, of Hudsonville, Mich. for the apron pictured above. Cindy’s piece is essentially an art quilt that told the story of the charity’s mission to help provide a place of refuge for women and children looking to escape domestic violence.

The contest judge, Barbara Norlin, of Holland, Mich. choose the first, second and third prize winners and three honorable mentions that were announced during the reception. “I was so impressed with all the entries,” Norlin said about the 80-plus entries she reviewed. I really appreciated the talent and gifted people that put time and effort into their apron.”

First place went to Linda Bos, of Hudsonville, Mich., for apron #169.

Judge’s comments: “The creativity, the use of colors. The workmanship was excellent. It was the apron that got my attention first. The designer picked up the children’s faces on the tie and enlarged them on the apron. I just loved it.”

Second prize went to Barb Leegwater, of Grand Rapids, Mich., for apron # 156.

Judges comments: “Excellent workmanship. Great use of ties. This apron clearly was made by a experienced and perfectionist seamstress.”

Third prize was went went to Judy Ritz, of Wayland, Mich., for apron number #$149.

Judge’s Comments: “Great use of coordinating the colors in the ties. I appreciate the placement of the ties in an artistic pattern. Great sewing skills.”

Honorable mentions went to Laura Madison, of Ada, Mich. for apron number #163,

Barb Leegwater for apron number #157,

and Karen Vanover, of Cincinnati, Ohio, for apron #162.

Check back in the coming days to see the aprons that received CraftSanity Rockin’ Apron awards from yours truly and Safe Haven Awards from our guest judges. (More awards will be going up this week.)

Voting for the people’s choice award is underway and that award will be announced on Thursday, so stop by the YMCA and cast your vote! For those of you who live too far away to cast your vote in person, check out the Flickr gallery, and then then post the number of your favorite apron in the comments below. (You can e-mail me, if you’d like to be discrete.)

Due to the high volume of aprons we received, the Safe Haven staff has asked for a little more time to get the online auction up and running. They expect to be ready to post it Monday, so please check back here for an auction update then.

A special thanks to Lakeshore Sewing, Jo Ann Fabric & Craft Stores and Field’s Fabric for contributing fabric and prizes for the winners and the David D. Hunting YMCA staff for hosting this event.

Thank you to Cydney Colvig for working tirelessly with me for two days straight to hang the aprons in the most artistic way possible. I could not have pulled this show off without your expert guidance. THANK YOU!

And my sincere thanks to the Safe Haven staff and everyone who participated in the apron show. I appreciate your generosity and effort. What a treat it was for me to finally have a reason to completely cover the walls of a room in a public building with aprons. Thank you so much for using your talent to help me raise money and awareness for an important cause.

Below is a video clip from the opening reception. Check back Monday for details on you can bid on an apron featured in the show.