Famous Quilt 'bella' as seen on the Today Show Stars in its Final Début in Charleston, SC, with Estate Road Show and Cookie Lockhart

Estate Road Show and NAA 2007 Hall of Fame inductee Cookie Lockhart will sell to the highest bidder "bella" using just released advanced bidding technology from AuctionFloor reaching millions of customers from eBayLiveAuctions and AuctionZip. A charity event with 100 percent of the proceeds from the quilt going to the MDA, UCPN and SBATSR charities.

Charleston, SC (PRWEB) November 9, 2007 -- "It all started with a phone call from Joe Kovel from AuctionZip," stated Michael Whelchel, buyer with Estate Road Show. "Joe invited us to use our technology to reach more bidders supporting live bidding to get the best price for 'bella'," added Michael. "After hearing about the history of this famous quilt and the benefit to several noted charities, we decided to contact our partners AuctionFloor and eBay, and long story short -- everyone decided to help them out." Carol Newman, Vice President of All American Crafts Publishing, Inc. was so grateful to get the story out to help some great causes. "'Bella' and several other important quilts have been traveling all over the country with the final stop in Charleston, SC, to be sold to the highest bidder," commented Cookie Lockhart, auctioneer and recent NAA Hall of Fame inductee.

Was there ever a quilt more appropriately named? Whether you saw Bella's appearance on the Today Show, Jerry's Kids telethon or admired the photos in the Issue #2 of the 2006 $100,000 Quilting Challenge Winner, there's no doubt that Bella is indeed beautiful. "Whole-cloth quilts have always fascinated me," Linda McCuean, creator of the quilt, says. "I thought many times about designing one, but the task always intimidated me. However, I recently developed a new philosophy. Instead of agonizing over every design decision when I'm working on a new quilt, I remind myself this is not the last quilt I will ever make! That thought allowed me the freedom to create without hesitation, knowing I can try another idea next time. I started out with a floral theme in mind, but the grapes fit in so well, by the time I had drawn out the entire design, the grapes had pretty much taken over!"

Bella (which means beautiful in Italian) proved to be beautiful indeed as it captured the $100,000 grand prize in the inaugural year of the $100,000 Quilting Challenge magazine. The quilt's flowing design and intricately stitched details, showcased on cream cotton sateen, delight the eye in an abundance of texture. Interwoven motifs tie the quilt center to the meticulously scalloped edge. A beige toile graces the back of the quilt, which is as breathtaking as the front.

When Darren Cohen, CEO of Reality Publishing, called Linda to notify her that she'd won, her response was one of delighted surprise. "First I was breathless with disbelief, and then I was jumping, screaming, and crying all at once. Wow! I will never forget that phone call!" she says. "For the next week or so, I would grab my husband's arm and say, 'Can you believe this? My quilt won the $100,000. My quilt.'"

On June 11, 2007 Bella was rigorously evaluated by the National Quilting Association and was awarded the distinguished status of a Masterpiece Quilt. Further, it is the only longarm-quilted quilt to receive this honor. Bella joins only 21 other quilts which have attained the Masterpiece Quilt title since 1980 when the program was started.

The journey is ending; the final destination of "bella" Quilt will be on location in Charleston SC auctioned by Estate Road Show on Nov. 18, 2007 at 1 p.m. EST. Absentee bids and live online bidding are accepted online at www.auctionzip.com and absentee + Live bids accepted online at www.auctionfloor.com which is connected to eBayLiveAuction servers with special tools for bidders. The auctioneer, famed Cookie Lockhart, the first woman auctioneer who also appeared on the TV show "To tell the Truth" also recently inducted into the National Auctioneers Association's Hall of Fame this year.

"After the famous Quilts are auctioned, Estate Road Show will continue with another +800 items cataloged online now at no reserve, plan to attend online or live. Do not miss our signed Art, Limoges, Lenox, RS Prussia, Fenton, Estate Jewelry, Collectibles, Antiques and coins. The quilts and all lots will be on display up for preview Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. prior to the auction on Nov 18, Sunday," Commented Ann Valverde, appraiser & manager for Estate Road Show in Charleston.

Live Event will be held Sunday on NOV 18th at 1pm previews Fri-Sat:
Estate Road Show
1090 Johnnie Dodds Blvd Suite F
Mt. Pleasant (Charleston), SC 29464
843-817-6552 (appointments)

Linda McCuean is an award-winning longarm quilter and instructor. She teaches longarm quilting techniques in numerous markets across the U.S. each year.

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