craigdailypress.com

When Carolyn Robson decided to take up quilting -- as her mother and great-grandmother had done -- three years ago, she connected with Lin Yoast, a quilting business owner with 20 years of experience.

The two have been friends since.

Now the Craig women's work is showcased in the 2007 Capitol Quilt Show, on display from March 5 to April 27 at the Capitol building in Denver. Yoast and Robson's works are two of 210 quilts on display.

Yoast created her quilt, which is untitled, last year as a wedding gift for her son, Bill, and his bride, Mindy.

Robson's piece is titled "A Little of This, A Little of That." Robson pieced the fabric together, and Yoast quilted it, or completed the patterned stitching, for her.

The Capitol show, hosted by the Colorado Quilting Council, calls quilters statewide to send in photos of their best work for consideration. The first ones received are the first ones accepted, Robson said.

"Lin and I made sure we got ours in early, so we were picked," Robson said.

This isn't their first time being honored at the Capitol. Last year, Robson had three quilts she pieced and Yoast quilted on display for two months in the governor's and lieutenant governor's offices.

Yoast and Robson meet with their quilting group, Hilltop Quilters, every Wednesday morning.

Robson is working on her 102nd quilt in three years, she said. She gives most quilts away as gifts.

"I haven't made nearly that many," Yoast said.

But the women agree that quilting is a stress reliever and a good reason to socialize with their friends.

Plus, with its long history, quilting is a family tradition passed down through generations, Rob-son said.

"It started out as necessity, now it's an art form," Robson said. "It gives you a warm feeling when you're done with (a quilt) and give it to someone who appreciates it."