Yvonne Quarles’ Texas Wildlife: Adventure Awaits state quilt block Riviera resident Yvonne Quarles was one of 12 quilters across the State of Texas whose quilt block was selected for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s 2010 “Texas Wildlife: Adventure Awaits” quilt.

An unveiling ceremony of the completed quilt will take place in Dallas at the State Fair of Texas Food and Fiber Pavilion from Sept. 24 to Oct. 17.

After the fair, the quilt will travel around the state with the rest of the TDA’s quilt collection to various shows, festivals and community events.

The theme highlights Texas’ abundant wildlife resources and activities related to Texas wildlife.

The competition was announced in April and the theme was chosen to spotlight one of TDA’s newest programs, the Go Texan Wildlife Initiative, which was designed to support the businesses and organizations that promote Texas’ diverse and extensive wildlife industry.

“The great state of Texas is synonymous with hunting and fishing,” Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. “This contest gives quilters across the state the opportunity to highlight our abundant wildlife resources while also showing off their individual artistry and the versatility of Texas natural fibers.”

Each contestant was asked to use Texas natural fiberscotton, wool, and leather-for their quilt block.

Quarles submitted her block featuring a tortoise to the TDA after reading an article announcing the contest in the newspaper.

“I thought it would be fun to do so I sent in my block and kind of forgot about it,” she said.

“I came back from vacation last week and there was a letter in the mail telling me that my block had been selected, it was a great surprise.”

Quarles said she is looking forward to the ceremony and seeing what the finished quilt will look like.

She took up quilting a few years ago and is a member of both the Kingsville Saturday Quilters and the Corpus Christi Quilt Guild.