That is an amazing quilt. And I was going to ask what block/pattern that was, but someone else said Karen Stones McCommas Beauty, so now I know.
What is weird is that Quiltville just posted photos of antique "Whig's Defeat" quilts in her blog today, and McCommas Beauty seems to be a modern version of that block (which also blew me away).
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2010/...ed-lovely.html
Trapunto may be overkill ... definitely "audition" it on a practice block or two, and also waiting to enter it for next year is probably wise - three weeks to quilt and bind may be rushing things (I know it would be for me, but I also work fulltime, so my quilting time is limited). better to take your time and create a blue-ribbon masterwork than to rush and miss by an inch.
If you have graphics or quilting software, you can audition designs on your computer. Feathers might be just the thing, or maybe there's something else unexpected that you will think of.
I can't wait to see the finished product, and please let us know where and when you're showing it.