Dava Esman
Among the more than 230 members of the Pebblecreek Quilters are exceptionally talented artists who have entered and won numerous awards locally, regionally, and nationally. A few of them shared their experiences.
Karen McCarty has entered her pieces in shows in several states. In 2017, she submitted her quilt, Plaza San Martin, which had won Viewers’ Choice at the San Diego Quilt Show Challenge in 2016, into Road to California, one of the largest national shows. She won in the Landscape division earning a $1,000 prize. “I was jumping up and down with joy when I got the check!” Karen says.
A 4-H kid through high school, Tori Benz-Hillstrom enjoyed entering things in the county and state fairs. She says, “I thought it would be fun as an adult, too.” She has entered many shows and won ribbons, including Best in Show at the 2019 Arizona State Fair for her 1876 Reproduction quilt, She Who Must be Named, and again in 2021 for a 1930’s quilt, Grandmother’s Garden Revival, which was begun by one generation and completed by another. Tori says that she was excited to win, but mainly, “It was wonderful that these were special quilts because of the stories they carry, which was recognized by the judges and viewers.”
Over the last several years, Carole Schumacher has entered quilts in shows locally and nationally, receiving many awards. She says, “I’m motivated to enter competitions to make me better at my artwork. I value feedback from judges, both positive and constructive criticism.” She loves sharing her work with others, and telling the story of how the pieces came to be. Noting that winning her first blue ribbons was “probably the coolest thing ever for me,” she says she will continue to submit to national and international shows. Her piece The Circle of Life was awarded a Blue Ribbon First Place in the Creative Stitchery, Original Design category at the 2021 Arizona State Fair.
Carol Weber has submitted quilts to many shows and won lots of ribbons including two Best of Show awards. “I love entering quilts in shows as the judges’ comments, including what was done well as well as what can be improved, has helped my quilting over the years.” Recently, Carol entered Fernandina: Island of Lava in the 2025 Arizona Quilt Guild Show in the Pictorial—Large category for which she won First Place. She designed the quilt after a trip to the Galapagos where she saw a volcano spewing lava into the ocean at night.
The PebbleCreek Quilters is open to all residents who love to sew, quilt and share their skills and talents. We offer classes and workshops and support local charities. If you have an interest in quilting, helping others through quilting, or socializing with other quilters, we welcome you. Annual dues include access to all classes, use of the facility and quilting equipment. To join, visit our website at pebblecreekquilters.org or call Barbara McMahon at 412-979-8562.