It’s March. Long-time Westchasers know what that means.

It’s time for another Florida State Fair quilting ribbon for Wycliff’s Diane Scharringhausen! For the past seven years, Scharringhausen, who began her hobby in 1987 as a way to pass time when her husband Lt. Col. Brett Scharringhausen was stationed abroad, has entered her handiwork in the fair. And for nearly as many, Westchase residents have read in the WOW that she came home from the fair with at least one ribbon.

Yes, this past February kept her streak alive. Scharringhausen began by winning a blue ribbon for her hand-appliquéd quilt, called “Christmas Roses.” Afterward, judges reviewed the winners of all divisions to choose best in show, for which they award a purple ribbon.

And Scharringhausen took that ribbon home too! The awards marked the eighth straight year she has been honored for her quilts at the fair.

The “Christmas Roses” quilt took Scharringhausen 14 months to complete and is entirely hand-quilted. “I am so proud of her!” said husband Brett. “She now has a total of two best of show ribbons, 10 blue ribbons and three red ribbons.”

Congratulations, Diane! We can’t wait for nine straight in 2009!