This storytelling quilt by Nancy Smith of Syracuse, NY, tells of her “Great Lakes Seaway Trail Lighthouse Adventure.” Nancy won an overnight stay at Selkirk Lighthouse with her family by entering a past Great Lakes Seaway Trail quilt challenge competition. Beauty of the Byways is the 2013 challenge theme for quilters across the U.S. and Canada.Quilter Participation Invited from Patchwork Parkway to Great Lakes Seaway Trail, Paul Bunyan Byway and Beyond   Great Lakes Seaway Trail, NY/PA; Denver, CO; Peoria, IL - The National Scenic Byway Foundation, Denver, CO, has endorsed the "Beauty of the Byways" theme for the 2013 Great Lakes Seaway Trail Quilt Show held in Sackets Harbor, NY. "This Great Lakes Seaway Trail quilting event creates a unique way to increase awareness of the diversity of the byway experiences available across America and to inspire travel which, in turn, creates positive economic impact in byway communities," says National Scenic Byway Foundation President Anaise Berry, director of the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, Peoria, IL.   There are 150 federally-designated byways in the U.S.   Quilting as an American cultural heritage tradition is a popular theme for travelers on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail National Scenic Byway -- the 518-mile leisure driving and boating route along the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes in New York and Pennsylvania.   Great Lakes Seaway Trail Quilt Show Project Manager Lynette Lundy-Beck is inviting American, and Canadian, fabric artists and quilters to capture a favorite byway or backroad, landscape or waterfront destination, and scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational treasures as discovered by traveling byways in the two nations.   "Creativity centered on the byways theme will be the hallmark of this 2013 event," says Lundy-Beck. "The byways offer endless possibilities for artistic expression to show off a favorite driving vacation destination or a beautiful byway near your home."   The show's relaxed guidelines invite participation by all ages and skill levels to create a quilted work of any size - from miniatures and wallhangings to bed quilts, even quilted apparel -- for the "Beauty of the Byways" themed March 16-17 and March 23-24, 2013 show in Sackets Harbor, NY.   Works may be pieced, appliquéd, traditional, pictorial, contemporary, embellished, an art quilt, or wearable art.   Entrants are asked to submit short personal essays or stories to be displayed with each work extolling the virtues of the chosen byway or one's true travel adventure on the byway or telling how the quilt's design blends into fictional tales of waterfront romance, fun in the sun or byway meanderings.   "For example, we may see a Double Irish Chain in shades of blues and greens representing the scenic beauty of a drive along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail or Canada's Kings Highway 2 running along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario or perhaps someone will create a cowboy pictorial for New Mexico's Billy the Kid Trail. Shades of coral would be lovely to represent Utah's Patchwork Parkway, while the Flint Hills Scenic Byway in Kansas and Canada's grasslands might call a quilter to create a landscape of wildflowers, grasses and prairie chickens," Lundy-Beck says. "The Great River Road runs through 10 U.S. states with all manner of historic and cultural sites, while rich spruce-fir green fabrics might mix with ocean blues for a representation of Maine's Acadia All-American Road. We cannot wait to see what people will share," Lundy-Beck adds. Viewer's Choice and special recognition will be presented to the "Best of the Beauties" from among entries for individual states and provinces. Lundy-Beck says she has heard from quilters and fabric artists already planning wallhangings, quilts and quilted apparel and accessories for submission to the 2013 event. Guidelines are posted at http://www.seawaytrail.com/quilting%20or%20call%20315-646-1000%20x203.

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Contact: Lynette Lundy-Beck, Great Lakes Seaway Trail, 315-646-1000 x203 Publicist Kara Lynn Dunn, 315-465-7578 Link to release online: http://www.seawaytrail.com/Press_Room/2012/press121015nsbf-endorses-quilt-show.php Photo: This storytelling quilt by Nancy Smith of Syracuse, NY, tells of her "Great Lakes Seaway Trail Lighthouse Adventure." Nancy won an overnight stay at Selkirk Lighthouse with her family by entering a past Great Lakes Seaway Trail quilt challenge competition. Beauty of the Byways is the 2013 challenge theme for quilters across the U.S. and Canada.