What started as a desire to make something unique as a graduation gift grew into a passion.

Maxine Kelly vowed to make a quilt to her daughter in 1992 for graduation, and that gift ignited a quilting passion that has lifted Kelly to become the Kootenai Valley Guild Quilter of the Year.

“It is such an honor to be chosen Quilter of the Year.  Thank you, all,” Kelly said.

 Kelly started beginner classes soon after that and joined the quilt guild that same year. During the past 21 years, Kelly has learned much, and made many quilts. 

Her nieces and nephews are the lucky recipients of her talent, each receiving a quilt for graduation. Those gifts do not include the quilts that she has made for all of her other family members. Her husband, Joe, is one of her biggest admirers, and he enjoys going to quilt shops with her.

Kelly will be the featured quilter this year, at the annual Kootenai Valley Quilt Guild Nordicfest Show, and have a corner of the show for her quilts. 

Kelly has been honored by her fellow quilters because of her hard work and contributions to the organization and her quilting talents, which she so readily shares with everyone.