The Quilt Alliance recently announced the winners of their "Animals We Love" contest.  The Handi Quilter Grand Prize went to Nancy S. Brown for "Giraffe Nocturne."

Artist Statement:

I love giraffes and based this quilt on a giraffe that lives at the Oakland Zoo. Giraffes only sleep about two hours a day--usually for about five minutes at a time--so they are awake most of the night. I thought this one might enjoy the cool evening air and the light of a full moon.

The quilt is hand appliquéd, hand quilted and machine pieced. 100% cotton fabric.

Click here to see all of the winners.

Click here to see all of the entries.

Watch Nancy in Show 701: Animal Magnetism.

Here's what Nancy wrote when she found out she had won.

"I first learned about the "Animals We Love" contest through "The Quilt Show" newsletter. I have always loved animals and I thought making a quilt would be a nice way to support an organization that does such great work for the quilting world in preserving the stories of quilts and quilters. I was just hoping that the quilt would raise some money for The Quilt Alliance at auction.

     So imagine my absolute surprise and delight when I received the call from Amy Milne informing me that I won the grand prize. Wow!!! What an honor---especially given all of the wonderful and varied quilts in the contest. I had a hard time choosing my own favorite for the member's vote.

     I have always been a hand quilter but have often admired the beautiful machine quilting that is being done now. So with the prize of the Handi Quilter Sweet 16 I am looking forward to trying my hand at something new. I have heard many great things about this particular machine. I can't wait to start this new adventure!

    Thanks to Handi Quilter for being such a generous sponsor in this contest. Thanks also to all of the quilters who donated their time and talent in a show of love for animals and support for the Quilt Alliance. And a very special thanks to The Quilt Alliance for all of the hard work that you do in promoting quilting and in saving our heritage by preserving our stories."