I am in charge of the 2011 Challenge Quilt through my Guild. We are going to have viewer's choice winners with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards. I have about $300 I can spend and have no idea what to give as award gifts. We do have three quilt shops in town, so I could buy a gift card from each of the shops. Or I could buy something else. Please help, I haven't been quilting long enough to know what other people would want (especially those that have quilted for years and years).

Why don't you get some nice ribbons for 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Then I think gift cards from the shops would be nice. One from each shop would spread the awards around town.

I love MamaHens idea!

My guild gives cash, $25, $15, $10 for awards-plus a ribbon. This is nice since you can then spend where-ever. But I think gift certificates from your local quilt shops is very good too. With cash or gift certificates you don't have to worry about how well the award fits the winner--cash and gift cards fit us all. :)

Maybe a basket of notions you would not normally buy yourself? Some of the fun ones different rulers some fq's. Just a thought

Supporting your LQS by buying gift cards is the way to go. That way, the LQS is more apt to support your guild in turn.

good point - good idea

I agree that a ribbon which says lst place, etc. and the name of the challenge is a great idea--then you could display it in your sewing room.
A ribbon accompanied by a gift card, not necessarily to the LQS is a fine idea.

Discuss this with the LQS owners, too, as they may be willing to offer a discount or even sponsor a prize / donate a door prize.

Great idea!