Judges Choice honor among several for Dixie Vallone

Quilting, sewing and crafting earn busy woman a host of awards Hardyston — Winning is really nothing out of the ordinary for Dixie Vallone, who has over the years has received many awards for her extraordinary craftwork. But this year she was a little taken aback when she won awards for four out of five of her entries at the County Fair, earlier this month. This year Vallone took the prestigious Judges Choice award for her queen size wedding ring quilt, a project which took her 18 months to complete. She also took first place prizes for a costume jewelry wreath and Christmas ornaments and a second place prize for a quilting picture, which she made for a friend. “I have been entering the craft competitions at the fair for about six years now and I have won something every year but this year it was a big thrill to have been recognized for four out of five of my entries,” said Vallone. Having learned the art from her mother, Vallone has been sewing for as long as she can remember. And she’s made everything from her daughters’ wedding gowns to her own clothes and window treatments. “I even made my husband a sports jacket back when polyester was in fashion,” she said. Unable to sit still, Dixie and her husband George are involved in three senior citizens groups. George Vallone is chairman of all the 32 senior groups in Sussex County. The couple will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this November. Dixie has no plans to slow down and is always on the lookout for her next project. “My husband George completed his biography last year and the family enjoyed it so much that I am going to do one myself — now as I have so much to tell about my early years and so much more,” she added.