One thing our editorial team loves to do is devise reader challenges, and usually during the brainstorming sessions, there is a lot of laughter around the conference table. This next reader challenge is no exception.

I confess this one is of a personal nature. You see, I have had a lifelong obsession, a kinship shall we say with something...

It started with this green little guy who so soulfully sang--what still is--one of my favorite songs:

How can you not adore a spindly-legged little amphibian who is in love with a strong, opinionated, feisty female (...who could crush him)?

Source: Bizarrerecords.com

Throughout my early adulthood, frogs continued to dominate my thoughts. Here I am posing with one in Northern California. (I am lamenting the fact that she is more endowed than me.)

And in my 20s I discovered Frog's Leap Cabernet. (My favorite wine.)

And I confess, at my very own rehearsal dinner I got up and told... you guessed it...the Wide Mouth Frog joke.

So...want to know what our reader challenge is?

Have you ever related to or dreamed of becoming a particular animal (or insect)? Or has someone ever walked up to you on the street and said, “Hey! Did you know you resemble a ______?” Let your inner animal out of its cage by participating in our latest reader challenge! We will show some of our favorite entries in future issues of Quilting Arts Magazine and even exhibit some at upcoming national quilt shows in 2010.

Here’s how to enter

1. Make an 81⁄2" x 11" art quilt of vertical orientation that celebrates your inner animal. (Only one entry per person.)
   
2. The entire quilt, including binding, must measure 81⁄2" x 11" and must weigh no more than 1 lb.
   
3. Your quilt may be made of alternative substrates (such as paper), but it must consist of three layers and it must be quilted, either by hand or machine or both.
   
4. The edges of the quilt must be bound or zigzag stitched closed and there must be a sleeve on the back.
   
5. Any embellishments must not protrude more than 1⁄2" from the quilt. 
   
6. Your entry must be free of any text or images that are protected by copyright, unless you have the expressed written permission from the person or institution that holds the copyright and you provide that written permission with your submission. It’s a good idea to steer clear of commercial imagery.
   
7. To be considered for the challenge, send two low-res images (each less than 1 MB) of your entry (one of the entire piece and one of a detail) via email by Friday, January 22, to challenges@interweave.com, with the words “Quilting Arts Animal Challenge” in the subject line. Please include your name, email address, phone number, and a brief explanation of your piece in your email.
   note: Please do not “zip” your files and be sure to send jpegs. Do not mail your piece to us at this time; we are only requesting two images sent via email.
   
8. On Tuesday, January 26, Pokey will post the finalists on her blog at quiltingdaily.com and they will also be notified via email.
   
9. If accepted as a finalist, your artwork must then be in our offices no later than Tuesday, February 9, along with a flat shipping and handling fee of $15 (U.S. and Canada) or $25 (all other international). This fee, which must be paid in U.S. dollars, covers the shipping costs, packing materials, and handling for the return of your entry.
10. The entire piece and all of its packaging must weigh less than 5 lbs. and fit into a standard shipping/mailing box (no larger than 12" x 4" x 14") or padded envelope.

Finalists should mail their entries to:

Quilting Arts Magazine
Attn: Animal Reader Challenge
P.O. Box 685
23 Gleasondale Rd.
Stow, MA 01775

note: By submitting your reader challenge entry, you are authorizing Interweave Press LLC to publish your project in upcoming publications and promotional materials, on our website, and in other Interweave e-media, as well as to possibly display it at shows. Interweave Press LLC will not be held responsible for loss or damage due to circumstances beyond our control.

We reserve the right to keep and display your “Let Out Your Inner Animal!” art quilt until the week of November 15, 2010.

If you have questions about the “Let Out Your Inner Animal!” Reader Challenge, contact Pippa Eccles at peccles@interweave.com.

We hope you’ll unleash your creativity and join our challenge!

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