It may have taken 56 years, but Carol Hamilton's quilt - affectionately known as The Green One - will feature prominently in next weekend's Langley Quilters' Guild 2012 quilt show.

This quilt was 56 years in the making, explained event chairperson Connie Blundy.

"When Carol was 18 years old, in 1956, she ordered a Paragon Needlecraft Package from the magazine Women's Day. She received a white stamped quilt top with appliqueing and quilting lines, and green ready-to-cut applique pieces.

"Carol made slow progress over the next several years, interrupted by marriage and children, and many transfers that required setting up homes in cities in Eastern and Western Canada."

The quilt was subsequently transported between B.C. and Ontario every six months for more than 15 years.

"It was a constant standby project during slack times," Blundy said, recounting Hamilton's story.

"Enter the year 2011, and the quilt top was finished, with only the actual quilting to be done. Carol rose to the challenge, and began the hand quilting over the next eight months."

The Green One was a true "labour of love" and the journey took only 56 years, Blundy said, noting that the quilt will be proudly on display at the entrance to next week's show.

Hamilton is just one of 150 members in the Langley Quilters' Guild, an active group of Langley quilters who work tirelessly through the year, making quilts for themselves, loved ones, and charities.

But much of their time lately has been spent preparing for the upcoming 2012 Quilt Show.

The bi-annual show, held at George Preston Recreation Centre in Brookswood, has been given the theme: The Threads That Bind Us, recognizing not just the work, but the passion and love that each quilter weaves into their pieces, explained member Barbara Bettles.

This year's show will features more than 400 pieces: Art quilts, traditional quilts, wall quilts, bed quilts, themed quilts, baby quilts, landscape quilts, some zany quilts, and of course The Green One.

"A whole world of quilts waiting for quilt-lovers to admire," Bettles said, of the show running next Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12.

Rounding out the quilt show will be a tea room, gift shop, and a merchant mall. Held only every second year, this show is a must for people looking for something special to do with their moms on Mother's Day weekend.

"And the guild is thrilled that this year, a Janome 7700 sewing machine and table, donated by Janome, Langley Sewing

& Vacuum, and Tom's Sewing Centre, will be a door prize for a lucky guest."

The Langley Quilters' Guild is very active in the community, giving back by making quilts for the Salvation Army's Gateway of Hope, for children fighting cancer, at-risk newborns, quilts of valour, hospices, and transition homes.

To find out more, attend the show, or contact Barbara Bettles at 604-857-5300.

The quilt show is being held at the George Preston Rec Centre, 20699 42nd Ave., from 4 to 9 p.m. on May 11, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 12. Admission is $5, but parking is free.

rhooper@langleyadvance.com